AT&T Expands 3G Coverage for Needham Customers

With the new iPhone 4 and other devices eating up more and more of the 3G network that thousands of Needham area customers count on, AT&T took steps today to make sure that the network remains strong well into the future.

On the morning of July 21, AT&T activated a new 3G cell site near the Olin College area of Needham. Though 3G previously existed in town, the new site will strengthen the current signal and serve as a buffer for when use increases in coming years.

"This site has just filled a little gap," said Kate MacKinnon of AT&T Corporate Communications. "Think of it like a highway- we're adding more lanes in anticipation of future traffic."

3G, also known as International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 is the current standard for mobile devices, allowing for simultaneous transfer of speech and data services. Though faster than its predecessor, 2G, several communities and various phone carriers are still catching up to the technology. The site incorporated today will fill dead zones that previously existed in the coverage area of Rte. 135, as well as the RTS site and surrounding neighborhoods.

The new Needham site implements High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology, allowing for faster data processing on phones. AT&T also stated in a memo released today that their goal is to "fuel economic growth and create jobs" through initiatives such as this one.

According to MacKinnon, "advanced smart phones" like the iPhone and Samsung Captivate are "driving up to 10 times the amount of usage of other devices on average."

"This new cell site is one part of our continuing network investment to support the growing demand for these advanced mobile devices and the apps that our customers love," she said.