IP: Fwd: 2.5 is here. Well, in Seattle.

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "Janos Gereben" <janos451 () earthlink net>
> To: "jg" <janos451 () earthlink net>
> Subject: 2.5 is here. Well, in Seattle.
> Date: Wed, 18 Jul 2001 00:14:54 -0700
> X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200
>
>
> AT&T launches 2.5 mobile multimedia service
>
> Janos Gereben - www.the451.com
>
> Scoring a US first, AT&T Wireless started a next-generation always-on,
> multimedia-capable mobile service on Tuesday. It is a move to the
> so-called 2.5 model - on the way to 3G, or third-generation, wireless
> service - limited for now to AT&T business users in the Seattle
> market.
>
> This is the first time that GSM (global system for mobile
> communications)-based GPRS (general packet radio service) accounts are
> made available for commercial use. Simultaneous voice and data
> services reach over 56 kbps in this model, against the current 19.2
> kbps, but a long way from the promise of 3G throughput speed and full
> multimedia content. Rival CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
> carriers, claim that when their advanced services become available
> later this year, data speeds will be faster than GPRS. Sprint PCS and
> Verizon Wireless both promise speeds up to 144 kbps within months.
> Meanwhile, in the real world, currently available GPRS phones handle
> traffic between 25 and 35 kbps, according to Motorola. Rod Nelson,
> AT&T Wireless CTO acknowledged that the Seattle launch is just the
> first step in "making the vision of mobile multimedia services a
> reality."
>
> Wireless industry expert Dewayne Hendricks is somewhat skeptical. He
> spoke to the451 from the viewpoint of a customer: "GPRS requires you
> to sign up for GSM service. Here in the Bay Area, AT&T does not
> currently offer GSM - Cingular does. I'm an AT&T Wireless customer and
> use their TDMA service. I don't see dumping that service anytime soon
> just to go with GSM in order to get GPRS, which won't meet my data
> requirements anyway. I want a lot more bandwidth than you can get from
> GPRS."
>
> In fact, Cingular and VoiceStream both have GSM networks capable of
> GPRS migration as well as a great deal of the next-generation
> infrastructure, but have not offered 2.5 services yet.
>
> Seattle customers are using Motorola's Timeport 7382i GPRS cell phone
> for the new service, the first such instrument available in the US.
> The phone costs $200, the basic service is priced at $50, which is in
> line with other wireless services providing 400 voice minutes a month.
> The AT&T service package also allocates 1Mb for data. The company
> plans GPRS running in 40% of its service areas by the end of 2001, and
> have complete coverage by the end of the next year.
>
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> Janos Gereben/SF
> janos451 () earthlink net



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