Which came first: the network or the app?

Faster networks for smarter phones

Industry analysis by expert Joanie Wexler, plus links to the day's wireless news headlines

Smartphone innovations abound, driving fierce competition among the mobile network operators. Mobile app stores are pumping out juicy new handheld applications that quickly chew up bandwidth. So all the major mobile network operators are embroiled in neck-and-neck moves to boost capacity while also jockeying to lay claim to the fair-haired smartphone du jour.

It's challenging to keep score and, at this point, to judge whether streaming media, gaming, location and other applications are driving the higher-speed mobile network build-outs or vice versa. Either way, here's a snapshot of the carrier phone and network activity:

* AT&T (U.S.)

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Smartphone innovations abound, driving fierce competition among the mobile network operators. Mobile app stores are pumping out juicy new handheld applications that quickly chew up bandwidth. So all the major mobile network operators are embroiled in neck-and-neck moves to boost capacity while also jockeying to lay claim to the fair-haired smartphone du jour.

It's challenging to keep score and, at this point, to judge whether streaming media, gaming, location and other applications are driving the higher-speed mobile network build-outs or vice versa. Either way, here's a snapshot of the carrier phone and network activity:

* AT&T (U.S.)

Its exclusive domestic deal with Apple for the iPhone expires in 2010. Reportedly, Verizon Wireless is jockeying to also carry it then. Meanwhile, AT&T recently said it is upgrading its 3G network to a flavor of High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) that will deliver mobile speeds to a theoretical maximum of 7.2Mbps. The network upgrades, slated to begin later this year and to be completed in 2011, are intended to tide customers over as AT&T begins testing and deploying still faster LTE services in 2010 and 2011.

LTE technology, standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 8, is reported to have maximum downlink speeds of 100Mbps and uplink speeds to 50Mbps. To prepare for it, AT&T said it is doubling the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger in-building reception and more overall network capacity.

* Sprint Nextel

The carrier is currently launching the Palm WebOS-based Pre as we speak. It has a six-month exclusivity agreement after which, again, Verizon is expected to also horn in. One of the attractions of the Pre is its ability to pull personal and professional calendar, contacts and e-mail into one centralized view. So-called prosumers should thus find it easier to toggle back and forth between work and personal life.

On the network side, of course, are the Sprint 4G mobile WiMAX services, scheduled to roll out in 10 more cities this year and five in 2010 with peak downlink speeds of 12Mbps.

* Verizon Wireless

VZW already offers the BlackBerry Storm and reportedly plans to support a second iteration of Reseaarch in Motion's touch device. As noted, VZW also is vying to hop on the Pre and iPhone bandwagons. Status: it says it will launch 60Mbps beta LTE cellular service in two U.S. cities late this year. Commercial service is slated for the following year in 25 to 30 markets.

Read more about wireless & mobile in Network World's Wireless & Mobile section.

Joanie Wexler is an independent networking technology writer/editor in Silicon Valley.