AT&T Picks Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson for LTE Hardware; 2010 Rollout Planned

From DailyTech: Today's 3G networks in many areas leave a lot to be desired no matter what carrier is used. The networks aren’t as fast as many users would like and in both rural and urban areas, the coverage of the networks is often patchy.

AT&T is the wireless provider that catches the most grief over its 3G network. This is particularly true with iPhone users who complain about a high percentage of dropped calls and slow data speeds. AT&T's network quality angered some iPhone users to the point that some were calling for a mass assault dubbed Operation Chokehold where users would all go online at the same time in an attempt to crash the AT&T network. This operation was a response to AT&T's threat to charge iPhone users more for using their unlimited data plans.

AT&T is working hard to fix its network issues and has pledged to spend huge sums of money in 2010 to improve its infrastructure with faster HSPA 7.2 speeds and preparations for the roll out of the AT&T LTE network late this year and in 2011. AT&T today announced that it has chosen the LTE equipment suppliers that will provide it with equipment to power its LTE network.

AT&T named Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson as the equipment suppliers for the LTE network deployment. Both of the suppliers are currently providing gear to AT&T for its 3G networks. AT&T reports that it tested equipment from many manufacturers in the field and in the lab and ultimately chose to extend the current relationships with Alcatel-Lucent and Ericsson already in place.

One key to the decision was that both network hardware providers would provide AT&T with 3G equipment for its network today that can easily be upgraded for use with the faster HSPA 7.2 speeds coming soon and future LTE networks. This will prevent AT&T from needing to install new equipment in towers that it adds this year.

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