It looks like a large proportion of the former Alltel service area will not be forced into divestiture, especially in areas in central NC - where I currently live. I am hoping I am mis-interpreting this map..

@JayMonster Do you have any links, and/or reference to support this effort by AT&T to acquire the additional 850 Mhz in Southern VA and the Carolinas?

Am currently in the Washington DC metro areas, where AT&T seem to have actually gotten their 3G network to function - correctly. Great coverage. Excellent quality calls and high speed data!

I think what people are forgetting is that AT&T have a political mess on their hands as much as a technical issue. Case in point, in the major of the southern Virginia and the Carolina this have a miserable amount of spectrum. Verizon, having acquired AllTel now exclusively owns the 850 Mhz spectrum leaving other players to suffer - the FCC should step in and force divestiture of the spectrum to re-inject competition in to these markets.

From a technical perspective, the solution seems obvious and one only has to look to Orange UK, who despite running a near exclusive 1800 Mhz service quickly gained respect for their network. The operate on the simple preface that *more* towers are required in order to provide a competitive service to the like of Vodafone.

So AT&T, whats it going to be? A political move to force the FCC out of their befuddled senses and dis-engage them from Verizon lobbyists? Or how about you build a network that is based on the reality that you require 1.5 to 2x the towers of a 850Mhz service.

Sadly.... NC will not be getting 850 Mhz.... I am at a loss as to when this might happen!

Can someone post if their address worked on their site?

I've tried my address in N. Raleigh - no joy on U-Verse yet :-(

Why no CNN HD two weeks before the election.... sheesh!