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Cingular launches 3G service

Cingular launches 3G service

Kent German Former senior managing editor / features
Kent was a senior managing editor at CNET News. A veteran of CNET since 2003, he reviewed the first iPhone and worked in both the London and San Francisco offices. When not working, he's planning his next vacation, walking his dog or watching planes land at the airport (yes, really).
Kent German
It's been a big week for Cingular. The carrier not only announced its push-to-talk serve but also launched its new 3G network. At this point, it's available for only laptop users with a modem card, but this new service will expedite a network for cell phones.

Running on HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) technology--an evolution of UMTS and EDGE that's actually 3.5G--Cingular's BroadConnect is the first widespread 3G network from a GSM carrier in the United States. AT&T Wireless launched a limited six-city UMTS network shortly before the merger, and T-Mobile has delayed its 3G plans until 2007. Cingular says its network is available to 35 million people in 52 "communities" (we're not sure what constitutes a community at this point), and it will continue to expand in 2006. Initial markers include Austin, Texas; Baltimore; Boston; Chicago; Dallas; Houston; Las Vegas; Phoenix; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City; San Diego; San Francisco; San Jose, California; Seattle; Tacoma, Washington; and Washington, D.C. Promised data speeds are between 400Kbps and 700Kbps.