3G Network Coming to Alaska
2-Apr, 2009
The rumor mills here in Anchorage have been churning out reports that AT&T’s 3G network service is coming to Alaska. The most recent date I have seen/heard is May 18, 2009. This date has been mentioned on/at/in AT&T’s Wireless Forum, the ever-reliable Twitter, the Alaska Intermittent Tribune, at the MacHaus, the AT&T Store on 5th Ave, and in a July, 2008 ADN article. In the latter article:
Advantage? EDGE? Dude. Electricity is 6.8¢ per kWh here in Anchorage; give me 3G and I’ll show you a charging iPhone. I’m kinda surprised that Alaskans haven’t banded together and sued AT&T and Apple into oblivion. Why are we paying so much for EDGE? Oh, right, because the other networks in the Last Frontier suck even more.
Currently, if you check out the [ever-mocking] AT&T coverage viewer, you will see that 3G is NON-existent in Alaska and 5 other states. I would be preaching to the choir when I say EDGE is absolute poo. There is one highway between Anchorage and Fairbanks and there are many places along that beautiful stretch of road that are EDGEless. There is a notable lack of blue on the AT&T 3G Alaska coverage map; fitting since the state has voted Republican in every election since statehood began in 1959. Needless to say, Alaskans are looking forward to 3G network service seeing how we are still on the EDGE [of insanity]!
3G service arrives in Fairbanks!
Update: 26-May, 2009
3G service arrives in Anchorage!
Update: 18-May, 2009
Just got off the phone with AT&T. Today, May 18th, they’re starting the testing phase of the new 3G service in Anchorage and will hopefully roll it out to the masses by the end of the month. The gal I talked to wasn’t sure how it got out that today was the first “test day” in Anchorage. ;-)
4-Apr, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Finally. Any idea if it’s coming to anywhere other than Anchorage? ACS loves to bring their new stuff to Juneau, Fairbanks, and Anchorage and then ignore us… Soldotna, AT&T. Bring your 3g here.
6-Apr, 2009 at 1:14 pm
@Mark I heard that 3G will be coming to Fairbanks in the Fall of ‘09. Not sure about Soldotna or the other places across the inlet. I would try calling one of the Anchorage AT&T stores and ask what the scoop is. Ask for a manager. The Mobiledia Soldotna page does not look encouraging.
18-May, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Interesting how the AT&T rep didn’t know how this date of May 18th got out, as it was AT&T reps telling people (me included) that we would have 3G on May 18th. While reading the various boards today, I noticed people are all being told different things by reps. at different locations. If this is how well they keep their reps. informed, I wouldn’t be surpized if the 3G delays ultimately get attributed to “communication proplems.”
19-May, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Was told they would launch May 20th or so by ATT tech. Thanksfor the update , I got my info back last month.
20-May, 2009 at 7:59 am
Good point. She laughed when I opened the conversation with, “Wait. You’re a human, AT&T representative…in Anchorage?” I told her how long it took me to go through the oh-so-wonderful, automated options when you call one of the stores.
25-May, 2009 at 8:19 pm
It is not the 25th and still no 3G in Anchorage. This is ridiculous. We have all been waiting since last year for this and they continue to keep moving the date back. It is funny that they have been selling the 3G service since AT&T’s buy out of Cellularone and only offering the EDGE service. there should be a law suit. I call that bait and switch.
26-May, 2009 at 7:35 am
@Cyberdemon It is pretty lame, I agree. Although, no one forced me to buy an iPhone before 3G service was provided in Alaska. If we Alaskans really wanted to stick it to “the AT&T man,” then we should have voted with our wallets. ;-)
26-May, 2009 at 2:51 pm
3G just showed up on my iPhone screen
23-Jul, 2009 at 8:16 am
News for Juneau. Was in a store and told by the manager that 3G would be in Juneau before the end of the 4th quarter. That makes sense because the legislature will be in town in January.
As far as other parts of Alaska, Kenai Peninsula and other rural areas. Ketchikan and Sitka next year sometime according to this source. My guess is Kenai Peninsula will come in between Juneau’s activation and Ketchikan and Sitka’s roll-out. Just an educated guess.
Fairbanks by this fall.
11-Aug, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I’m in Fairbanks, and ATT is here now working on 3G.
I’m surprised that Juneau is getting it, as I read, or heard (can’t remember) thatr only Anchorage and Fairbanks were budgeted to get it this year.
11-Aug, 2009 at 8:46 pm
@Mike Keep in mind, the politicians in Juneau also use the Facebook iPhone app. ;-)
11-Aug, 2009 at 9:32 pm
I’m guessing that they’re putting 3G in so legislators won’t complain about no 3G in January when the legislative session starts up. I just received a notice from AT&T that they have installed two new cell sites in Juneau. One downtown and one on Channel Drive which is between the airport and downtown.
Not knowing much about 3G, I’d be guessing that there will be a need for extra capacity with increased bandwidth use which 3G takes. Anyone else care to speculate? Plus all the tourist in the summer probably tax the cell system in Juneau to the limit.
I’m pretty certain AT&T was testing 3G in Juneau early in the spring. I had speeds which were never witnessed on Edge prior or after that short period of time. And there wasn’t a wi-fi signal being picked up during these observations.
17-Dec, 2009 at 3:51 pm
3G is up and running in Fairbanks now.
17-Dec, 2009 at 6:46 pm
I’m am on Fort Wainwright and I have seen my EDGE switch to 3G and back about 4 times so far today. I have heard from others that 3G is supposed to be active in Fairbanks by the end of 2009. Anyone have more info of this?
17-Dec, 2009 at 10:52 pm
@Kenneth 3G should be up and running in Fairbanks now. It might be a little fussy until they work out the kinks.
19-Dec, 2009 at 1:01 pm
When is Ketchikan getting 3G??? And more corverage??? There’s times when I need to make a call an I can’t because I have no damn coverage… What’s the point in having a cell phone, when your in trouble an can’t use it… All I saying is we need better coverage. One that doesn’t matter where we are, weather were climbing the top of mt everest or in the bottom of the lake.. Get us the coverage we need!!!!