The Rise Of 3G-Enabled Enterprise Applications: AT&T's HSPA Service

US 3G service providers have invested billions to upgrade their networks to support higher bandwidth, lower latency mobile data services like UMTS/HSPA or EVDO Rev A. As a result, enterprises are using these services to support a growing number of mobile applications. Although AT&T's investment in 3G includes network infrastructure, it also extends to a great deal more, including working with device and laptop/notebook manufacturers, software developers, and systems integrators to ensure that enterprises have secure access to a growing variety of business-critical mobile applications. But 3G services, including AT&T's, are not yet mature. For instance, although its footprint is growing, 3G coverage isn't ubiquitous. Other significant problems include difficulties mobilizing existing applications cost-effectively and the lack of SLAs, which are essential to enterprises that want to deploy business-critical mobile applications. Customers should insist that providers make these types of improvements in 2008.