ATT Launches 2.5G in Seattle

August 2, 2001
by Derek Kerton

AT&T Wireless has launched 2.5G services in their hometown Seattle this month. 2.5G is a version of wireless technology which is loosely defined as: always on, packet data, and faster than current cellular data flavor of 2.5G offered by ATT will offer speeds of "up to 10 times current rates", and will allow concurrent use of wireless data services and voice services.

Initially, ATT will offer Motorola's Timeport 7382i, a dual protocol (GSM/GPRS) terminal to access the service. Motorola will continue the national deployment, reaching 40% of its markets this year, and 100% by the end of 2002. After that, they will deploy 3G services using UMTS and EDGE in the top US markets.

I have to say that the news I've seen about this 2.5G was about as anti-climactical as an episode of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. 2.5G was supposed to be a big splash, but it sounds like the main new advantages being touted are the ability to "surf" data with the phone while carrying on a voice call at the same time. At this point, I imagine about 0% of consumers are interested in that feature. Hell, as an industry we can't even get them to browse, now browsing while you talk is supposed to add value?

So what does that tell you? That the step to 2.5G is a waste? Not so. I believe the infrastructure guys have done their job, and now the ball has been passed to application and content providers.

If ever there was a case for a technology with a need for compelling applications and content, 2.5G is it. The technology enables great things. The most obvious that comes to my mind is Instand Messaging and other communications apps that can take advantage of a always-on connection. Please, please, someone cook up an application so AT&T can have something to work with in their marketing beside concurrent voice and data. As Eddie Murphy says in Beverly Hills Cop, "Give me something I can hold on to."

And yes, well done to ATT for having a realistic migration path to 2.5G, and then 3G.