US : Columbus residents are the first in Ohio to receive Cingular's super-charged wireless network capable of providing customers with high-speed access to information in a world that has gone mobile. Customers can use the third-generation (3G) network to access Cingular BroadbandConnect, which is available to nearly 35 million people in 52 communities throughout the United States.

"Make no mistake about it: Wireless users want the speed and services they've come to expect from their wired connections. And today Cingular is delivering on its promises to provide both the speed and reliability to our Ohio customers," says Dori Marks, Vice President/General Manager for Ohio.

Cingular's 3G network is the first widely available service in the world to use HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) technology. HSDPA is the high-speed evolution of GSM/EDGE (Global System for Mobile Communication/Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution), which shares a common core network. GSM is the world's most popular wireless technology, which is used by more than one billion people in 210 countries.

In addition to the BroadbandConnect service, 3G phones allow Cingular to provide Cingular Video. Cingular Video™ on-demand streaming video service offers a comprehensive library of mobile video content with personalized access to razor-sharp clips on Cingular 3G phones through Cingular's high- speed 3G wireless network. 3G phones like the LG CU 500 are now available in Columbus for $99.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate and a two-year service agreement.

In 2005, Cingular initially launched the BroadbandConnect service in Austin (TX.), Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland (OR.), Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose (CA.), Seattle, Tacoma (Wash.) and Washington D.C.

"We're giving customers the ability to securely access information and applications at broadband speeds in the office, on the road or at home. With our 3G service, almost any spot in a city is a hot spot," said Marks. "BroadbandConnect complements our national high-speed EDGE data service, offering customers the flexibility and ubiquity required to be more productive as the world continues to go wireless."

Cingular BroadbandConnect is a super-charged enhancement to the company's nationwide EDGE network, the nation's largest wireless high-speed data network. When coupled with a compatible device and service plan, the service provides average mobile data connections between 400-700Kbps (kilobits per second) on the downlink and bursts to more than a megabit per second.

BroadbandConnect combines a laptop modem card, Cingular's Communication Manager software and a Data Connect plan for use on laptops. Customers can use their laptops to access the Internet or e-mail, download large files and attachments, and run corporate business applications at broadband speeds in areas covered by BroadbandConnect. The service also offers additional security features compared to alternative wireless technologies. Additional devices and exclusive services that take advantage of the high-speed HSDPA network, such as transmitting full motion video and providing ultra-fast audio, are currently available.

Unlike services offered by some wireless companies, BroadbandConnect does not drop a session when the user is outside the coverage area. The laptop modem cards are dual-band HSDPA/UMTS (Universal Mobile Telephone System) (850/1900Mhz) and backward compatible with EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution) and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) in four bands (850/900/1800/1900Mhz), so the session is seamlessly transferred to Cingular's nationwide EDGE network or a data network of one of our roaming partners.

The Cingular EDGE network is available in more than 13,000 cities and towns and in areas along 40,000 miles of highways, providing average data speeds between 70-135Kbps. Cingular customers can also access data services in more than 90 countries.

Customers can purchase either a Sierra Wireless AC860 or Option GT Max laptop modem card for $99.99, after rebate, when they sign up for a qualifying voice plan and introductory two-year $59.99/month Unlimited Data Connect plan. A variety of monthly data plans are available starting at $19.99 for 5 MB.

An updated version of Cingular Communication Manager is included with the laptop modem cards. The software gives customers the flexibility to connect to BroadbandConnect, EDGE, GPRS or public and private Wi-Fi hotspots.

BroadbandConnect uses HSDPA/UMTS technology -- the global standard and natural 3G evolutionary path for GSM providers. Wireless carriers offering UMTS, EDGE or GPRS can upgrade their networks to HSDPA and be assured there is a continued evolutionary path to faster speeds and more advanced services.

This Weeks 3G News By Photos
This Weeks 3G News