AT&T blamed for throttling uploads on its first 4G devices
Share:
A growing number of AT&T subscribers have started complaining about limited upload speeds on their otherwise 4G-capable handsets. Sounds a bit odd, but 3G smartphones currently running on AT&T's network seem to be achieving faster uploads compared to the carrier's 4G lineup. The speed limit is noticed to be imposed on AT&T's wireless USB modems as well. On the other hand, 3G cellphones boast uploads of 1 Mbps and above even though their 4G counterparts are theoretically superior. In other words, if you have just bought a new and shiny Motorola ATRIX 4G or the HTC Inspire 4G, your upload speed will probably be no more than a fifth of what the iPhone 4, for example, would get under the same network conditions. This coincides with the disappointing speed results that we mentioned in the reviews of both the Motorola ATRIX 4G and the HTC Inspire 4G.
It is good to know that upload speed is not always crucial to casual web browsing. However, it really makes a difference in video conversations where both upstream and downstream are just as important. Hackers have already been reported to be working on a solution to the problem, yet AT&T has made a slight hint towards a possible software update in the future.
Check out the video below, where a fellow YouTube member compares data speeds on the iPhone 4, the Motorola ATRIX 4G and the HTC Inspire 4G. The results are underwhelming, to say the least.
source: Android and Me
Share:
Related phones
33 Comments
1. WirelessCon posted on 09 Mar 2011, 10:26 0 0
To qualify as Broadband the FCC requires 4Mbs download. How many broadband phones are out there? Not many.
3. clevername posted on 09 Mar 2011, 10:27 0 0
I'm actually not impressed with anything here. Even the download speed is lower than what I get on my iPhone 4, and barely more than what I get on my nexus 1. This is horrible att.
11. Fanboys Suck posted on 09 Mar 2011, 12:12 0 2
Your iPhone 4 has HSPA+ speeds.... what AT&T Calls 4G
22. remixfa posted on 09 Mar 2011, 17:04 0 0
No, the iphone4 does not have HSPA+. Only the atrix and inspire do... hence why they are called "4g" and its just an "iphone4" as in series 4, not 4g. lol
4. Rich (unregistered) posted on 09 Mar 2011, 11:05 1 4
Prolly some under the table agreement Apple made with ATT. Not suprised here. As many look at apple as advancers of technology, it might be just them that also holds it back.
10. snowgator posted on 09 Mar 2011, 12:12 2 0
Not only that, but Apple is also working on keeping children hungry in Africa and shelters full of sad looking dogs and cats. Amazing what these people are capable of, huh? Rich will have a full article on these and other amazing stories in next months "MAD" magazine.....
36. downphoenix posted on 10 Mar 2011, 19:35 0 0
Rich is correct, Seems AT&T is purposely crippling their network to boost Iphone 4 sales...
BWAHAAHAAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAAHA!
5. Hallucinator posted on 09 Mar 2011, 11:12 3 0
Rich, that is the dumbest thing I've ever read. You sir win idiot of the day.
7. JeffdaBeat posted on 09 Mar 2011, 11:57 1 0
I thought I read that there was a software upgrade that needed to be implemented to the towers to give the faster upload speed.
8. JeffdaBeat posted on 09 Mar 2011, 12:04 2 0
Plus, wouldn't it make more sense to throttle download speeds? Downloads would effect the network more than uploads since people are more likely to be getting data instead of sending it....
9. Phonearena User (unregistered) posted on 09 Mar 2011, 12:08 0 0
I thought it was more to do with some sort of "tag" that the i4 uses (embedded in the browser or something like that) that allows it to upload at faster rates. The other phones/devices do not use this tag. I though PA did an article on this a while back?
13. snowgator posted on 09 Mar 2011, 12:19 0 0
No AT&T fan, but they waited to roll out 4G at the expense of looking behind the competition all last year. One would have hoped that they were prepared to hit the ground running. A few months to work out all the issues of any upgrade of this scale is fair. By summer, there should be no excuse for these types of reports.
14. Itsnotthatserious (unregistered) posted on 09 Mar 2011, 12:36 1 0
It seems every problem by every phone manufacturer and wireless carrier can be fixed by everyone buying an iphone 4.
PA seems to give a plug for Apple in a lot of articles. It may be a nice phone, but it is not the answer all tech problems.
All "4G" networks are in the developmental stage. It will take a few months to see who is doing what in the real world. Stop listening to the commercials - LOL
15. Phonearena User (unregistered) posted on 09 Mar 2011, 13:29 0 0
http://www.phonearena.com/news
/AT-T-to-support-HSUPA-on-all-handsets-within-1-2-months_id17034
PH did an article on this back in Feb 2011. See link above. It may have to do with the upload protocol other phones are using.
In a nutshell ... i4 is using the "latest" and hence gets better speeds. Other phones need an "update" the prior article suggests.
16. jon345 (unregistered) posted on 09 Mar 2011, 13:34 0 0
That WOULD make sense with those devices..if a device is faster overall..the bandwidth will be smoother..GPU/CPU/grafix card all have to work together to perform tasks
17. kcombs posted on 09 Mar 2011, 14:01 1 1
The Atrix and Inspire are both using HSDPA as part of the upload for the phone, HSPA+ is not implemented everywhere yet (about 85% complete) so when fully implemented you will have HSPA+ download and HSDPA upload which is basically 2G upload. I work for ATT and it's a shame they did that! I can tell you however that this user does not have HSPA+, I'm in the Orlando area which does have HSPA+ I get about 4.5mbps with my iPhone 4, with the Inspire and Atrix it's more.
23. remixfa posted on 09 Mar 2011, 17:06 0 0
HSDPA is not "2g", that would be 3g up to 7.2mbs.. or what ur iphone4's max is capabe of. Edge is 2g.
