AT&T Improves NYC Metro Area Coverage - Will It Help?

We recently heard about AT&T offering free Wi-Fi access in the NYC area to lower the network congestion on their network. Since then, AT&T has been expanding their services and offering 3G Microcell services to home users and putting free Wi-Fi boosters in prime locations.

AT&T is committed to providing the best possible wireless service to our customers. We are very proud of our Network and the advantages it offers our customers, such as the Nation's fastest 3G service and the ability to talk & surf at the same time.

From 2007 through 2009, our total capital investment in our New York wireless and wire line networks was more than $1 billion. We're also an industry leader in Wi-Fi with the nation's largest Wi-Fi network, which complements our wired broadband and wireless 3G networks. There are currently 20,000 hotspots offering Wi-Fi connectivity across the U.S. and over 1,000 in New York, giving you access in retail stores and restaurants locally and from coast-to-coast. To see a full list of all our Wi-Fi locations, visit us at http://www.att.com/go

AT&T recently sent out an email to NYC and New Jersey Metro customers about having applied updates for better coverage. here is what the company informed the customers:

From October 2009 through March 2010, we have added and enhanced cell sites to expand coverage across Metro New York and New Jersey.

New Jersey improvement areas:

• Jersey Shore — Lavallette to Normandy Beach
• Livingston — St. Barnabas Hospital
• Newark — Bears Stadium
• Teaneck — Route 4 at Queen Anne Road
• Jersey City — 10th & Monmouth Street

New York improvement areas:
• NYC — 5th Avenue & Union Square
• NYC — Sickles Street
• NYC — 5th Avenue & 39th Street
• Brentwood — Southern State Parkway
• Croton-On-Hudson — Train station

The real question that comes in to play is whether or not all these upgrades will actually be able to handle the bandwidth and the service thats about to be used up upon the release of Apple's iPhone 4. The wireless phone company insists they have been working hard and improving their network but as seen on iPhone 4 pre-order day, the company couldn't keep up and had several issues. Once the phone is released, many suspect the company's network will have further technical problems but only time will tell. What do you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments below!