iPhone 3G Alaska

30 Apr

The iPhone is no doubt a great device and will only get better with the expected hardware update. Anyone who already has the iPhone will most likely tell you how cool it is, but the wireless Internet browsing is painfully slow. Well, there’s some good news for those who waited!

Hardware updates
First, the iPhone update will definitely be 3G capable, which means faster Internet over the cellular network. While it’s pretty easy to find free WiFi in many Alaska coffee shops, this improved capability will be a great addition for those times you find yourself hiking across a frozen lake in the middle of winter and still manage to find one or two bars of cellular connection. As for all the recent rumors about GPS, touch feedback and so on – who knows for sure. But I’m 100% certain that 3G capability will be there.

3G is available throughout Alaska Update: 12 June 2010
Many people ask whether or not their iPhone will work in Alaska. The short answer is YES, there is AT&T service most towns around the state of Alaska. AT&T 3G service is available in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau and Wasilla.

Anchorage area AT&T wireless 3G coverage map

Original post | April 20, 2008:

3G in Alaska
Currently, Alaska has no 3G option for cellular service. Here comes the not-so-good news, I seriously doubt we’ll see at&t roll out 3G until late 2008 (at the earliest). Hopefully they will surprise us and get things rolling sooner. Just don’t hold your breath.

Buy or not to buy
So, if 3G is not coming until next year and the new hardware will be the only improvement…should you jump in now?  For me, that will be a yes. I suspect the new hardware will be here sooner than predicted (before June 2008) and my gut tells me it will be worth the buy.  Plus, the latest rumor has it that at&t may be offering some great promotional deals (with 2-year contracts of course).

Final thoughts
Disclaimer: I’m a fully converted Mac user and certainly admire Apple products.

Until now, I really felt fine with my Motorola RAZR and couldn’t justify the leap to the iPhone. Buying the 3G enabled iPhone will at least “future proof” the expense (or investment) to some degree.

So take that government freebie* and run down to the nearest at&t store as soon as the new iPhone hits the shelves!

/kk

*More on the “stimulus check” when I muster the energy to take on that FUBAR situation.

66 Responses to “iPhone 3G Alaska”

  1. interface907 26. May, 2009 at 2:49 pm #

    The date in my previous post was correct, May 25th, today.

    This information was directly from a reliable source who knows at AT&T. I have heard that it is working in the valley. I’m guessing they caught something else in their testing today for Anchorage.

  2. AKJimmyJ 26. May, 2009 at 3:10 pm #

    I’m just off of Dimon and New Seward. I just got a 3G signal to my iphone today, May 26th at 3:00 pm. Anybody else?

  3. Nishant 26. May, 2009 at 3:32 pm #

    I’m getting a 3g signal in eagle river!!!!!!!!

  4. Jason 26. May, 2009 at 4:07 pm #

    3G IS HERE!!! ITS ON!!!

  5. CoryJ 26. May, 2009 at 4:20 pm #

    It’s up!!! I have it right now and I’m off 36th and C st.

  6. Chris 26. May, 2009 at 5:34 pm #

    Matt, I have successfully received a 3G signal. Wow that’s an improvement from EDGE

  7. Michael 26. May, 2009 at 8:10 pm #

    YES!!!! 3G all over Anchorage and Eagle River. How are everyone’s speeds?

  8. chris 27. May, 2009 at 12:29 am #

    Michael, my speeds on 3G are around 1000 kbps. a LARGE improvement from 8 kbps. TREMENDOUS improvement. Cannot wait until the 3.0 firmware to send MMS messages to people

  9. Michael 27. May, 2009 at 8:04 am #

    I just tested with my 3G laptop connect card. I’m getting:

    1551kbps download
    1012kbps upload

    Better than expected!!!

  10. bnut 27. May, 2009 at 9:13 am #

    horray…….got 3G yesterday from Willow to Anchorage (but lost it between Anchorage and Girdwood). Hopefully this wasn’t just my phone acting up or something but it seemed faster.

  11. Frozengeek 27. May, 2009 at 9:23 am #

    I woke up this morning and noticed I had a 3G connection on my Iphone here in Anchorage.

  12. JF 28. May, 2009 at 9:01 am #

    I had it pop on to my Iphone on 5-26.
    Anchorage bowl all the way to the Valley.

  13. John 05. Jun, 2009 at 9:06 am #

    Anybody have a definitive answer regarding 3G in Fairbanks?

  14. vasya 08. Jul, 2009 at 1:18 pm #

    I have heard someone mention that 3G might be available in Fairbanks around July 24th.

  15. Sara 17. Dec, 2009 at 8:00 pm #

    we have 3g in fairbanks!!

  16. John 18. Dec, 2009 at 9:48 am #

    3G appears to be up and going in Fairbanks. It looks like they are still testing though it has not stopped us from trying it out. Thank you AT&T !

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