AT&T 3G network coverage

Yesterday we finally learn that the new iPhone will be 3G enabled. Great news but what about AT&T’s 3G coverage. Well, it appears that although 3G coverage is available in “most major metropolitan areas and is expanding rapidly”, some areas are still uncovered.

AT&T doesn’t offer a map to compare Edge and 3G coverage. Do they have something to hide?.

A forum post at HowardForums shows a nationwide map based on AT&T’s disparate data, and let me tell you it is not that pretty. While 3G does indeed cover most major metropolitan areas, large parts of the country are completely excluded from coverage where EDGE access is easily available.

In the image below, blue represents 3G coverage, while bright orange represents EDGE coverage, and lighter orange represents partner coverage.

att 3g coverage