vB Easy Archive - 3G in Hawaii

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3G in Hawaii
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Posted by: offey

According to the online coverage map AT&T only has 3G coverage on Oahu (Honolulu). I was told about a month ago the a Rep at the AT&T store in Hilo that the Big Island (Hawaii Island, big towns Hilo and Kona) would be getting 3G the beginning of March. Is there anybody out there that might know anything about this?

Posted by: psycho-

It's unknown yet. The belief is that NTT will help fund 3G expansion throughout Hawaii. But, with the shutdown of analog pending, the push for 3G will be pretty big.

Posted by: formercanuck

Looks like coverage increase on Oahu.

Posted by: offey

Quote:

Originally Posted by formercanuck

Looks like coverage increase on Oahu.

What's frustrating is the rep at the AT&T store told me the Big Island was going live with 3G the first week of March

Posted by: offey

Quote:

Originally Posted by offey

What's frustrating is the rep at the AT&T store told me the Big Island was going live with 3G the first week of March

We are well into April now and still no 3G. I thought I would post again and see if any of the "in the know" types out there have heard anything on this.

Posted by: irockash

The one thing I can be "in the know" about is to never trust anyone who says they're "in the know."

Posted by: MyPyle

and i thought that their coverage map was accurate about 3g coverage.

Posted by: James318

There was no 3G on Kauai at the end of March... I know it's not the Big Island, but its not Oahu.

Posted by: Mango808

There's 3G on the west coast of Oahu where it says there isn't on the 3G coverage map. At least that's what my phones keep displaying is available. The same goes for using my Sierra Wireless AC875 data card.

Posted by: aw614

i assume hawaii should be getting 850 3g?

Posted by: psykoReborn

Quote:

Originally Posted by aw614

i assume hawaii should be getting 850 3g?

Yes, you're correct. We've had 850 3G since October...if I recall?

Yeah, since October.

Posted by: offey

Well I think I give up. It's May now, long past the "first week of March" I was told when I switched to AT&T, kinda sucks

Posted by: ChadS

Quote:

Originally Posted by aw614

i assume hawaii should be getting 850 3g?

I was in Honolulu all this week (just got back this morning) and I can confirm that AT&T 3G is in fact running at 850. Confirmed through a field test program installed on my Treo 750.

Posted by: formercanuck

Looks like 3G is in Maui as well as Kauai
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverag...aps/Maui_HI.pdf
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverag...ps/Kauai_HI.pdf

Posted by: awj223

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChadS

I was in Honolulu all this week (just got back this morning) and I can confirm that AT&T 3G is in fact running at 850. Confirmed through a field test program installed on my Treo 750.

Why does Hawaii always get new stuff at the good frequencies first? I remember back with CA was still using GSM 1900 only (with all the associated coverage holes), Hawaii had GSM 850 up and coverage was great.

Now Hawaii has WCDMA 850 and here in CA AT&T is still dragging its feet and only running WCDMA 1900. I hate when calls hand off to 2G because then I can't use data until I hang up.

Posted by: formercanuck

Hawaii is a small area, with 1 major urban location.

CA is a HUGE area, with a higher population than that of Canada, and terrain that compounds it. With the exception of Oahu, population is relatively low in Hawaii. Maui is similar population to Santa Barbara/Ventura.

Posted by: James318

Quote:

Originally Posted by formercanuck

Looks like 3G is in Maui as well as Kauai
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverag...aps/Maui_HI.pdf
http://www.wireless.att.com/coverag...ps/Kauai_HI.pdf

Very nice! It was turned up when I was there March 25th to April 2nd, so it must be new. (Kauai)

Posted by: awj223

Quote:

Originally Posted by formercanuck

Hawaii is a small area, with 1 major urban location.

CA is a HUGE area, with a higher population than that of Canada, and terrain that compounds it. With the exception of Oahu, population is relatively low in Hawaii. Maui is similar population to Santa Barbara/Ventura.

I don't buy that. Smaller area, smaller population = smaller workforce. Yes, fewer towers, but fewer people to work on those towers. CA should have many more people to work on the network so everything should scale accordingly. Unless there's actually a shortage of 3G backend equipment, there's really no excuse for AT&T to not have rolled out 3G over its entire network by now.

Posted by: offey

Quote:

Originally Posted by awj223

ATT has contracted the work in Hawaii to a company from Japan, that's why. Now if they would just put 3G on the big Island things would be really good

Posted by: aw614

yeah for the docomo roamers...too bad sim hacked ones can only call out on 3g and not recieve.

Posted by: JRM

im headed to the big island in august, choose it over the rest due to its nice low key way of life

Can i still drive to the top of that 13,000 FT volcano?

Posted by: spleck

Quote:

Originally Posted by offey

ATT has contracted the work in Hawaii to a company from Japan, that's why. Now if they would just put 3G on the big Island things would be really good

There are PLENTY of people in Hawaii--I don't think there is any challenge finding people to work. That company from Japan probably uses locals.

I would say a big advantage is that there are no borders to worry about. There's no carrier on your frequencies separated by some arbitrary line. Terrain is not too bad either. Combined with a high population density, its probably just logistically easy to operate a 3G network.

What surprises me is the 3G coverage on Kahoolawe... ??? It's shown on that PDF, but not in the online coverage viewer.

Posted by: export800

My friend went down to the At&T store in Hilo to purchase a data card and they told her that they would be turing on 3G in two weeks.. I sort of doubt it (in two weeks) as I haven't been able to pick up any 3G signal in Kona or Hilo... but it must mean it's coming soon....... Hopefully...... maybe?

Posted by: JRM

we have had 3G here in my area for years, but i just unlocked and flashed my N-75 so I can choose GSM over 3G due to battery life and dropped call issues

Posted by: offey

Quote:

Originally Posted by export800

My friend went down to the At&T store in Hilo to purchase a data card and they told her that they would be turing on 3G in two weeks.. I sort of doubt it (in two weeks) as I haven't been able to pick up any 3G signal in Kona or Hilo... but it must mean it's coming soon....... Hopefully...... maybe?

Well I hope it is true, I was told the same thing at the Hilo ATT store in Feb., they told me it was going live the first week of March

Posted by: offey

Anybody heard anything else on this? I'm going to the Hilo AT&T store on Monday to ask them for an update