AT&T is all set to double the network capacity of its 3G network to 7.2 Mbps. It doesn't end there, of course, because the company has already committed to upgrading its online data services to 4G LTE in roughly two years.

A casual observer may find himself thoroughly confused by this race toward ever increasing speeds. After all, it wasn't so long ago that GPRS and EDGE were the fastest game in town. I still remembered the time when it was cool to connect to a separately purchased data modem with one's Palm Pilot. Of course, such capabilities are built-in nowadays, such as with the one-touch ability to connect to a payment gateway. 

Of course--while I know that it's all about competition and innovation--the anarchic, backward part of me just refuses to stop wondering: Who need such speeds anyway? Indeed, I speak from personal experience when I say that there are a number of places that only have intermittent 3G coverage in Singapore, and one's mobile phone will dutifully fall back on 2G networks for connectivity. Guess what? I certainly do not see anybody complaining about that.

"If you build it, the consumers will come," goes the saying. Of course, this was exactly what everyone said about 3G video too, wasn't it? Personally, I am perfectly happy with any wireless access of more than 1.0 Mbps when on the move. What about you?  - Paul