Cingular Accelerates Its Pace To Improve Data Network Quality

Investor's Business Daily reports about Cingular's efforts to catch up with rivals in wireless data speed, revenue and coverage.

Cingular is behind Verizon and Sprint rolling out its 3G network and generates less data revenue per customer than Sprint and T-Mobile. According to Cingular, the company has upgraded Seattle, Phoenix and Dallas with faster data technology this year and will do so in an additional 12 to 17 markets by year's end.

Adam Zawel at Yankee Group said, "There will be some leapfrogging in the battle for the highest throughput." While Verizon and Sprint are relying on EV-DO networks, Cingular is going with HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access).

"HSDPA promises the highest average speeds to date," Zawel added.

Pricing will be critical for Cingular as Sprint has really lowered the cost of entry with their aggressive all-you-can-eat Power Vision plans for EV-DO that start at only $15 a month. The Sprint PPC-6700 (HTC Apache) is looking like a better and better deal...