AT&T Wireless extends 3G UMTS service to Dallas and San Diego

AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service gives customers the ability to use a handset, PDA or laptop to receive streaming audio and video services; create and share video clips; experience richer and more visually compelling content; and connect to critical business information, in most areas throughout these cities.

"Whether it's the technology corridor of Dallas or the silicon seaside of San Diego, people want access to information quickly, from almost anywhere," said Eric Updyke, vice president -- 3G networks for AT&T Wireless. "Our 3G services deliver the high-speed connections and advanced wireless applications that have long been promised to customers."

In July, AT&T Wireless began offering customers in Detroit, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle broadband mobile wireless services when it launched the first commercially-available true 3G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network in the United States.

Dallas and San Diego customers can access the new wireless broadband service using either the Motorola A845 (US$299.99) or Nokia 6651 (US$299.99) mobile phones. In addition to providing access to high-speed wireless data connections and enhanced content through AT&T Wireless' mMode, these mobile phones can be used to make voice calls or access wireless data connections at speeds equivalent to standard wired dial up service, when customers travel outside the six markets currently covered by AT&T Wireless' 3G UMTS service.

AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service provides customers with average wireless data speeds between 220 and 320 kilobits-per-second (kbps), with bursts up to 384kbps. In the future, the company noted that UMTS can be cost-effectively upgraded to HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which is estimated to attain peak data rates up to 14.4 megabits-per-second (mbps).