US operator AT&T has reportedly begun rolling out 3G services in the 850MHz spectrum band with positive results from users. The company has previously operated 3G networks in the 1900MHz band, but the new spectrum has been freed up by the closure last year of its TDMA network. AT&T has not released specific details on the switchover, but reports suggest activation has already occurred in San Francisco, Atlanta and Las Vegas, amongst other areas. TeleGeography notes that Mark Siegel, a spokesman for AT&T, said: “The 850MHz band is excellent spectrum because it propagates the signal much better. When we deploy it, people really notice significant improvements.” Various online blogs and reports cite satisfied AT&T users as claiming that their network reception is now vastly improved.

In May the country’s second-largest operator announced plans to expand its 850MHz network deployment as part of a wider strategy to enhance its mobile network, but didn’t reveal specific details. Its US$944 million acquisition of smaller rival Centennial Communications in November last year boosted its 850MHz spectrum offering, whilst a recent asset swap with Verizon (required as part of Verizon’s acquisition of Alltel) also had a similar effect. AT&T plans to invest up to US$18 billion this year, with a significant proportion earmarked for mobile technology. It aims to double the speed of its HSPA network by 2011 (offering peak theoretical download speeds of 7.2Mb/s) and begin trials of next-generation LTE technology next year.