The target date of AT&T’s expansion of 3G service into West Alabama has been moved yet again.

Originally targeted to roll out the service last month, the target date was revised in October to the end of the calendar year.

Now, with the holiday season upon us, “equipment and resource constraints” have further delayed the service going live by at least another three months.

“Yes, we had planned to expand 3G into West Alabama and Marengo County this year, however there’ve been delays,” said Mike Barger, Managing Supervisor for Fleishman-Hillard for AT&T Corporate Communications. “It looks like weíre now on target to bring 3G to the area in early (first quarter) of 2011.”

3G technology is the third generation of wireless technologies. It comes with enhancements over previous wireless technologies, like high-speed transmission, advanced multimedia access and global roaming. 3G is mostly used with mobile phones and handsets as a means to connect the phone to the Internet or other IP networks in order to make voice and video calls, to download and upload data and to surf the Internet.

Too, 3G service is important to wireless customers who use smartphones such as the Blackberry and Apple’s iPhone. Without 3G, these type phones do not fuction to their maximum capabilities.

“West Alabama is a very important area for us and we know our customers are eager to hear about what we’re doing to enhance the network,” Barger added. “We’re committed to our customers there and want to deliver the very best network experience we possibly can.”