It's no secret that the AT&T
The 4G update is still many moons away. For some reason, Deutsche Telekom's T-Mobile is pushing harder for intermediate HSPA+ technology than AT&T, despite the similar technology platforms and AT&T's vastly larger American resources. And new iPhones keep rolling out as fast as Apple can make them, placing ever more strain on AT&T's poor old 3G network.
So what is AT&T doing about the problem while we wait for 4G coverage? Wi-Fi installations, of course.
The company is already a major provider of Wi-Fi services in places such as airports, Starbucks
A pilot project around Times Square in New York blanketed the area in Wi-Fi signal, presumably much faster and/or cheaper than installing a 3G microcell to achieve a similar effect. Well, except for the fact that AT&T's 3G network can do phone calls while Wi-Fi hookups can't unless you're using a third-party app. Pleased as punch with the results, AT&T is now taking that concept to high-traffic sections of Chicago and Charlotte.
Wi-Fi installations are pretty simple and well-understood, so this project could expand to many more areas before the cows come home. The new hotspots should become largely obsolete sometime in 2011 when 4G coverage rolls out, but AT&T might still want to leave the hardware in place. You never know when this stuff comes in handy.
Of course, it's not quite as good as partnering with local communities and installing large-scale Wi-Fi networks for permanent use. Then again, both Google
Is this good enough, or should AT&T be doing more for its customers? Could AT&T do more? Discuss in the comments below.