AT&T Blame Alcatel-Lucent HSUPA Kit For Sluggish Uploads

AT&T has blamed software bugs in Alcatel-Lucent HSUPA hardware for the apparent 3G upload throttling observed by some users in the US recently.  According to the AT&T statement, Alcatel-Lucent are working on a software fix for the bug – which is affecting less than 2-percent of AT&T's customers, the carrier claims – but until then users with HSUPA-capable devices will be limited to regular 3G UMTS upload speeds.

"AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent jointly identified a software defect — triggered under certain conditions – that impacted uplink performance for Laptop Connect and smartphone customers using 3G HSUPA-capable wireless devices in markets with Alcatel-Lucent equipment. This impacts less than two percent of our wireless customer base. While Alcatel-Lucent develops the appropriate software fix, we are providing normal 3G uplink speeds and consistent performance for affected customers with HSUPA-capable devices."

No timescale for the fix has been given, nor details on the exact nature of the problem or which "certain conditions" might cause its development.  Users in NYC, Central Jersey, Boston, Orlando, Seattle, South Jersey/Philly, Columbus, Cleveland, West Houston, Phoenix, Northern Colorado, St. Paul/Minesota, Suffolk County/Long Island, Quad Cities, South Jersey, Denver, Detroit Metro, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Kansas City, Fairfax and Minneapolis all reported seeing upload speed issues.