Following our previous report suggesting the possibility, ModMyi reports that AT&T’s website now confirms that the carrier is marketing Apple’s new iPhone 4S as a 4G device, claiming that the HSPA+ data speeds offered by the device should be considered 4G.
There is some debate regarding whether the HSPA+ 14.4Mbps should be considered a 4G data standard. Tthe International Telecommunications Union defines 4G as including both LTE and HSPA+, and other handsets that support speeds similar to the iPhone 4S are often marketed as 4G by AT&T and other carriers.
AT&T hasn’t addressed the topic of what should constitute 4G speeds, but has repeatedly pointed out that iPhone 4S can achieve faster data speeds than a number of other handsets that are marketed as 4G devices, such as the Motorola Atrix 4G, the LG Thrill 4G, and the HTC Inspire 4G.
AT&T’s website, which shows their listing of the iPhone 4S as a 4G device, can be viewed here. Note that the checkbox to the left has “4G-capable” devices selected, so only devices marketed as “4G” are listed.
