Edward Kirk
June 12th, 2008, 11:16 PM
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So, as you've probably guessed, the new iPhone 3G is capable of running on AT&T's 3G network, but what exactly will that mean for you if you get one? Here are some answers to a few questions you might be having about the new phone's 3G capability, like it's maximum speed and why the speed was limited. <!--break-->
According to the test shown at the WWDC keynote, the new iPhone is capable of browsing 2.4 times faster than the old one, thanks to the 3G technology. Part of this is thanks to the fact that AT&T's 3G network is currently the fastest 3G network available in the US, capable of a decent 3.6Mbps. Unfortunately, the iPhone 3G can only manage 1.4Mbps of that speed. It's still noticeably faster, but it's not amazing. This is because AT&T has restricted the iPhone's speed on the network.
No, it's not because AT&T is evil, (although I have my own theories in that regard). The iPhone actually does benefit from having a slightly tuned-down 3G speed.
For one, the battery life would be significantly decreased if it were allowed to transfer data at that speed. The second is that AT&T's 3G network cell sites are like islands, and the more people that access them and the faster they do so, the slower it is for everyone else on the network. While AT&T claims that their network can handle the increased traffic, they probably want to play it safe anyway.
[via <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5015307/giz-explains-what-you-didnt-know-about-the-iphones-3g" target="_blank">Gizmodo</a>]</div>
So, as you've probably guessed, the new iPhone 3G is capable of running on AT&T's 3G network, but what exactly will that mean for you if you get one? Here are some answers to a few questions you might be having about the new phone's 3G capability, like it's maximum speed and why the speed was limited. <!--break-->
According to the test shown at the WWDC keynote, the new iPhone is capable of browsing 2.4 times faster than the old one, thanks to the 3G technology. Part of this is thanks to the fact that AT&T's 3G network is currently the fastest 3G network available in the US, capable of a decent 3.6Mbps. Unfortunately, the iPhone 3G can only manage 1.4Mbps of that speed. It's still noticeably faster, but it's not amazing. This is because AT&T has restricted the iPhone's speed on the network.
No, it's not because AT&T is evil, (although I have my own theories in that regard). The iPhone actually does benefit from having a slightly tuned-down 3G speed.
For one, the battery life would be significantly decreased if it were allowed to transfer data at that speed. The second is that AT&T's 3G network cell sites are like islands, and the more people that access them and the faster they do so, the slower it is for everyone else on the network. While AT&T claims that their network can handle the increased traffic, they probably want to play it safe anyway.
[via <a href="http://gizmodo.com/5015307/giz-explains-what-you-didnt-know-about-the-iphones-3g" target="_blank">Gizmodo</a>]</div>