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Wednesday January 18, 2006
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 It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that wireless carriers' coverage maps are over-optimistic. But as I've been testing Cingular's new high-speed HSDPA service I've become unusually annoyed at their useless coverage map (at left), which promises a huge blanket of coverage with no holes.
Naturally, that isn't the case. The network has plenty of holes and weak spots where Cingular hasn't yet upgraded towers or where they're having painful discussions with landlords. This is not abnormal - all networks have lots of holes when they start out, and they fill the holes in with time. There's no shame in the fact that networks don't drop from the sky fully-formed. So why not tell the truth on your maps, Cingular? T-Mobile does, and that honesty doesn't seem to be hurting their subscriber numbers. In fact, li'l T-Mobile had more net new subscribers than big Cingular did in the most recent reported quarter (3Q 05). Oh, you want to know what I think of HSDPA? Wait for the review.
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January 20, 2006 11:23 AM
I don't think these plots are supposed to show the fine details. I see them in all stores of all companies and on their websites and they show the overall covearge area of a network. Every consumer knows, or by now have learned, that coverage varies if you are on the street, in your house, in the basment or at a remote park. Regarding HSDPA, there has been few industry reports already, the latest yesterday in The Wall Street Journal that had high marks for the Cingular HSDPA network.
January 20, 2006 9:34 PM
True. But a blob map is useless. T-Mobile does better, and Sprint sort of acknowledged that early in their EVDO launch when they released their very patchy and rather strikingly accurate early coverage maps. Yes, coverage was patchy, but at least we weren't running around looking for it where it wasn't strong. All I'm saying is, honesty is better for the consumer, honesty doesn't cost you anything, honesty isn't hurting the T Mob, so why doesn't everybody else jump on board?
January 24, 2006 9:05 AM
I believe the coverage map should say "Coverage is just a representation, etc." This is just to show that in this area HSDPA is provided. There is also a bit of marketing here... they want people to buy it. If the coverage looked horrible then you wouldn't purchase the card. However, what if it is a little optimistic with a few dead spots that aren't on the map. You may complain a bit but you know it will get better. As with anything wireless no map is going to be perfect and yo have the 30 day buyers remorse period. Use it if you're not happy.