AT&Ts Sun 9/18/11 4G Upgrade

[BravoGolfTango]

My state was included in the upgrade to "real" 4G, haven't noticed anything to write home about being much different speed wise, etc.

Anyone notice a difference?

 

[sigmamason]

The phone (Atrix 4G) is not a LTE device since it doesn't have the LTE chipset. The LTE turnon in the 5 cities will affect those who have a LTE device (modems, usb connect devices so far) only.
All people with an AT&T HSPA+ device will benefit from enhanced backhaul (meaning potentially faster data connections and potentially faster upload/download speeds).
You will not see the faster LTE speeds as you don't have a LTE capable device.

 

[BravoGolfTango]

That's incorrect, the Atrix 4G like the HTC Inspire are 4G capable with LTE chipsets as confirmed by AT&T but more importantly Motorolla. Additionally under system settings the Mobile network type = HSPA.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

You will not see the faster LTE speeds as you don't have a LTE capable device.

The worst part is that there are AT&T Reps (Sales and Service) that are telling people the Atrix is LTE. Like you said, It's not.

I think the confusion comes in the statement "It will run on LTE networks." - it's misleading, yet true. It does run on those networks, just not using that technology or speed. Just like a 2G (Edge) phone runs on the 3G networks. They don't get 3G speeds, but they connect and run.

But, the short of it is this... As sigmamason said, this will not directly effect the Atrix.

We may not even benefit from the increased backhaul. Remember, AT&T kept the backbone networks for 2G (EDGE) and 3G separate.

 

[sigmamason]

That's incorrect, the Atrix 4G like the HTC Inspire are 4G capable with LTE chipsets as confirmed by AT&T but more importantly Motorolla.

Show us in writing where AT&T says that.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

That's incorrect, the Atrix 4G like the HTC Inspire are 4G capable with LTE chipsets as confirmed by AT&T but more importantly Motorolla.

No it's NOT.
Read the tech spec's! There is NO LTE chipset in the Atrix!!

Heck, even the replacement for the Atrix (The Atrix HD) won't have LTE in it.
AT&T's Motorola Edison, Atrix HD Won't Come With 4G LTE?
So, why would they take it out of the Atrix line? They wouldn't and arn't because it's NOT THERE.

The radio chipset in the Atrix does NOT support LTE.
It's not something that can be turned on with a firmware update. It's the hardware.

They are 4G capable, but it's HSPA+ 4G, not LTE 4G.

4G is a term, to describe a speed class, not the technology.

 

[BravoGolfTango]

Key word seems to be "capable" here. Again in the new 4g areas, anyone notice much of a difference in speeds, etc.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

Key word seems to be "capable" here.

The Atrix is not even LTE "CAPABLE."

When I said the Atrix is capable of 4G, it is. It's HSDPA+ 4G. It's NOT capable of LTE 4G.

Here's where you are confused. You think 4G MEANS LTE.

LTE is just one of SEVERAL types of 4G.

LTE - Verizon uses, AT&T is moving to this technology
WiMax - Sprint
HSDPA+ - T-Mobile, and AT&T use this (This is what the Atrix Runs)


Read this:
https://supportforums.motorola.com/message/438962#438962

The only thing that the Atrix has that will tie in to LTE is that LTE is backwards COMPATIBLE to the older phones (like the Atrix) and so the phones will keep working. But, they are not CAPABLE of LTE. They are just COMPATIBLE with the network.

Just like older 2G (EDGE) phones are COMPATIBLE with the 3G networks. They aren't 3G, they don't get 3G speeds, but they work on the network.

Let me repeat myself to make it clear:
The Atrix will be COMPATIBLE with the LTE network. But it will not be CAPABLE of the LTE speeds/features.

 

[BravoGolfTango]

Not confused, understand what LTE and 4G means, currently working towards obtaining accurate information from reliable sources.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

Not confused, understand what LTE and 4G means, currently working towards obtaining accurate information from reliable sources.

Go to the Motorola support page for the Atrix.
There you will find details that the Atrix is HSDPA/HSPA+, not LTE.
http://www.motorola.com/Consumers/US-EN/Consumer-Product-and-Services/Mobile-Phones/ci.Motorola-ATRIX-US-EN.alt

The tech specs, as posted BY MOTOROLA are:
MULTIPLE NETWORKS

WCDMA 850/1900/2100, GSM 850/900/1800/1900, HSDPA 14Mbps (Category 10) Edge Class 12, GPRS Class 12, eCompass, AGPS

Notice, HSDPA, not LTE. Notice nothing listed in the 700Mhz band. AT&T's LTE will be in the 700Mhz band.

Want even more proof.
Pick up your phone, go into Settings, go to ABOUT PHONE, then STATUS... Scroll down to MOBILE NETWORK TYPE and you will see it says HSPA.
It does not say HSPA/LTE, it does not say LTE. It says what I've been telling you all morning.

More Sources... you will not find that ANY of these list the Atrix as LTE. They all list it as HSPA (Some use the full, proper term of HSDPA).
-http://pdadb.net/index.php?m=specs&id=2683&view=1&c=motorola_atrix_4g_mb860_motorola_olympus (This is the most detailed)
-http://mobile.softpedia.com/phones/Motorola/Motorola-ATRIX.shtml
-http://www.phonegg.com/Motorola/ATRIX/Motorola-ATRIX.html

 

[BravoGolfTango]

I stated in a previous posts on where to view the Atrix network type, lol, sure many appreciate your tips, but I actually enjoy delving into research, have about 3/4 of what I'm looking for.

Also as I stated before "capable" being the keyword here, never said it was fully LTE speed/download capable.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

Also as I stated before "capable" being the keyword here, never said it was fully LTE speed/download capable.

And I'm saying you don't know the meaning of the word CAPABLE.
That is why I use this illustration:

Capable | Define Capable at Dictionary.com

ca

 

[BravoGolfTango]

I should have stated 4G capable not LTE capable, I well understand the term capable without your sarcastic explanation. Someone researching their own information doesn't mean they're trying to change phone hardware specs/facts. I'll kindly ask you to stay on topic now.

Back on topic, has anyone noticed any speed improvements or differences with their 4G "capable" Atrix phones?

 

[WolfmanRobby]

I should have stated 4G capable

Yes, you should have. Even then, it's not just capable, it is 4G.

Back on topic, has anyone noticed any speed improvements or differences with their 4G "capable" Atrix phones?

No, your topic was the misleading statement that your state was updated to the "REAL 4G."

My state was included in the upgrade to "real" 4G, haven't noticed anything to write home about being much different speed wise, etc.

Anyone notice a difference?

HSDPA is REAL 4G. So, you were not upgraded to a REAL 4G, you already had a real 4G.

And, technically, there is NO "REAL 4G." -- HSDPA, LTE, and WiMax were all originally classified as 3.5G technologies. But, since no carrier wanted to meet the original 4G specifications (100Mbps to a client in motion (moving tower to tower), 1Gbps to a stationary client, Full IP6 implementation...), the standards were lowered.

I'll kindly ask you to stay on topic now.

I've been on topic. The point we've been trying to get you to understand. NO one is going to see a speed improvement on their Atrix in areas that have LTE turned up BECAUSE THE ATRIX IS NOT LTE!!

EDIT - it's like this, if the local FM Oldies radio station upgrades their FM transmitter, it is not going to make the AM Talk Radio station sound any better.

 

[BravoGolfTango]

Incorrect, the Sunday 9/18 LTE 4G upgrade by AT&T has provided positive but slight speed results in these areas with the Atrix and Inspire 4G capable phones.

Haven't researched this yet but the new Impulse is supposed to have the LTE Chipset, same with the Blackberry-4G and the Experia Play.

Again, inquiring on this forum, if others have also noticed any Atrix speed improvements, better yet benchmarked any before/after results.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

Incorrect, the 9/18 4G upgrade AT&T made has already provided positive speed results in various areas, while not LTE 4G it's improved several Atrix, Inspire, etc, users.

Only if AT&T tied the backhauls together. Something I would have to see documentation to support as, historically, they keep their backhauls SEPARATE.

Example - 2G and 3G used separate backhauls. There was a major router issue last year that brought down the data on the 3G bands, but 2G data stayed up. (That's why they typically don't combine them.)

In this area, we have 3 backhaul networks... one for 2G, one for 3G and one for HSDPA. You can connect on any of those bands and run traceroutes to see that you are on separate internet connections.

If anyone is "Reporting" speed increases after the AT&T LTE update on a non-LTE device, it's more than likely one of 2 things:
1) Psychological. They heard there was a speed increase, so they perceive a speed increase.
2) In ADDITION to the LTE turn up, they also updated the HSDPA backhaul bandwidth.

However, I maintain that it's technically IMPOSSIBLE for the LTE turn up to make any difference to a HSDPA phone like the Atrix.

 

[kilasix9]

lol the Impulse is AT&T's low end Android option. Why on earth would they include an LTE chipset in it?

AT&T has no LTE compatible phones yet. No matter what anyone tells you, no matter what bogus website you read, there is no LTE yet. HSPA+ is the 4G brand AT&T is pushing. Let them call it whatever they will. It's not LTE.

 

[BravoGolfTango]

Ok, so I guess the big thing on this forum is prove they don't. Aside from Nancy arguing I guess no Atrix users have noticed a difference.

 

[james27007]

Ok everyone I am stopping by to end the back and forth. If it does not stop I will close this thread.

To help clear up some confusion, 4G is not LTE; I think we can all agree on that now and that the Atrix is a 4G not LTE device.

Also at this time there is no LTE phone available on AT&T

The Atrix is a 4G or HSPA+ device which has the ability to download upto 14.4 Mbps (you can see this on the AT&T website and Motorola).

LTE on the other hand can deliver data faster, est now is +20 Mbs.

Speaking with level 4 tech support in AT&T I was able to get this information:

I removed the name to not get anyone in trouble

Me:Can the Motorola Atrix connect at LTE speeds?

Agent: At the present time the Motorola Atrix is not compatible with our LTE network that is being deployed around the U.S.

Me:Ok. I know HSPA+ can (in the perfect world) reach 14.4 Mbs; on an LTE ready device in a perfect world, can you say what it might reach speeds of?

Agent: We have been told up to 20+ mbps, but to be honest what the actual real life speeds will be, it is unknown. This will be based on your service strength and availability. I would imagine once the majority of the new LTE network was in place, you will also see a nice bump in the speed of our HSPA+ service as well.

So the Atrix will be able to use HSPA+ which will be imporved by LTE improvments but it will NOT be able to connect at LTE speeds since the current chip does not support LTE (unless motorola has magically added in a chip that we are not aware of).

With that being said I think the only acceptable response from here forward is if you are in Texas in the LTE area and have an Atrix, what is your Data Speeds?

 

[kilasix9]

I am looking forward to an HSPA+ upgrade in my area so that I may see some higher speeds. Right now I'm averaging a solid 4.0 down and 1.3 up.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

I am looking forward to an HSPA+ upgrade in my area so that I may see some higher speeds. Right now I'm averaging a solid 4.0 down and 1.3 up.

That's what I see around here and have for a couple of months.

I have a feeling that's all we are going to see now that they are rolling out the LTE. Instead of increasing our speeds, they are just going to tell us to buy a new LTE phone.

That's what they did when people complained about the underpowered 2G. Instead of beefing it up to it's full capacity, they just told us to by a 3G phone.

 

[BravoGolfTango]

To help clear up some confusion, 4G is not LTE; I think we can all agree on that now and that the Atrix is a 4G not LTE device.

Also at this time there is no LTE phone available on AT&T

So the Atrix will be able to use HSPA+ which will be imporved by LTE improvments but it will NOT be able to connect at LTE speeds since the current chip does not support LTE (unless motorola has magically added in a chip that we are not aware of).

I already clarified this with Motorolla's lvl 4 support today, what you're referring to as confusion was already understood based on research vs forum nonsense. AT&T provided incorrect information today about the LTE chipset being in the Atrix, that was corrected today with persistent clarification with them. Motorolla's lvl 4 support also clarified today the HSPA+ benefits would be slightly improved by AT&Ts LTE and the understanding was already there that the Atrix would not connect at LTE speeds. As for AT&T not having an LTE phone, knowing someone in the industry provided for good intel gathering today and you just can't listen to your local AT&T reps, they really don't know. Droid Bionic will supposedly be there first real LTE phone end of 2011 according to this article.

AT&T Will Have 'At Least One' LTE Phone in 2011 | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

 

[sigmamason]

The Droid bionic is not the first AT&T LTE device as 1) driod is a Verizon trademark name 2) Droid bionic is already released on Verizon 3) there is a device called the HTC Holiday that is reportedly LTE ready and uses the AT&T radios 4) there is another device in testing that is a Samsung device and is LTE capable.

 

[WolfmanRobby]

what you're referring to as confusion was already understood based on research.

The ONLY think thing will increase the speed of the Atrix is an update to the HSDPA network. Now, they may do those upgrades at the same time as the LTE rollout, but it's not part of the LTE rollout.

However, I personally doubt they will do that. They could have done that to the 2G network when they rolled out 3G, and didn't. Instead, telling people to upgrade to new phones.

I would be surprised if anyone ever gets more speed on the HSDPA than the current 4Mb/1.5Mb that most of us have had for months. (Long before they started turning up LTE.)

 

[WolfmanRobby]

Droid Bionic will supposedly be there first real LTE phone end of 2011 according to this article.
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2390862,00.asp

Really?? Then why does the Droid Bionic have VERIZON stamped on the front of it??
http://www.androidauthority.com/wait-for-october-before-you-buy-the-droid-bionic-24860/