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AT&T quietly launched its 4G LTE network in the Chicago area, beginning to catch up with rivals in the race for high-speed data capabilities. The Dallas, Texas-based carrier has yet to announce the availability of LTE service, but according to BGR, speed tests have been impressive. Screenshots from speed tests obtained by the website show download speeds of 13Mbps and upload speeds of 2Mbps. AT&T 4G LTE service will likely be available only intermittently during testing, though Chicago's network may have been soft-launched following the launch of AT&T's first two 4G LTE devices last week. The rollout of a 4G LTE network marks the carrier's first steps in high-speed wireless service. The company initially promised to launch its LTE network this summer, beginning with Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Chicago, Illinois. The move will help the company match speed with rivals that have already begun with rollouts of their own high-speed services. As consumers shift to smartphones like Apple's iPhone and Google's Android devices, these products, which take advantage of online services and apps, require customers to consume increasing amounts of data. Carriers are in a race for this emerging stream of revenue as data needs heat up, especially as traditional services like voice and text begin to level off. AT&T's introduction of 4G is part of a larger seven-year roadmap to consolidate voice and data to a more efficient technology. AT&T will shut down its aging slower-speed networks once the high-speed upgrade is finished. However, the operator has a lot of ground to make up as rivals have already embarked on their own 4G rollouts. Verizon has ramped up the pace in launching its 4G network this year, and now covers about one-half of U.S. subscribers. Sprint, which already has a higher-speed network in place, will reveal its next-generation 4G plans this fall and may partner with LightSquared. T-Mobile also recently upgraded its 4G network, although the carrier is being acquired by AT&T, pending approval by regulatory bodies. AT&T will likely officially announce more cities as it gears up to launch its 4G network, but other carriers will keep up the pace as the race gains momentum. |
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