AT&Tinvested more than$50 millionin itsVermontwireless and wireline networks from 2009 through 2011 with a focus on improving the company's mobile broadband coverage and overall performance of its networks.
During 2011, AT&T made more than 250 wireless network upgrades in four key categories inVermont. These enhancements include:
Activating five new cell sites or towers to improve network coverage.
Deploying faster fiber-optic connections to more than 50 cell sites. Combined with HSPA+ technology, these deployments enable 4G speeds**.
Adding capacity or an extra layer of frequency to cell sites ‘ like adding lanes to a highway ‘ with the addition of nearly 120 of these layers, or "carriers".
Upgrading nearly 80 cell sites to provide fastmobile broadbandspeeds.
"More than ever, we use wireless communications to stay connected with family, friends and business colleagues," saidPatricia Jacobs, president, AT&T New England. "The investments that we continue to make for our customers inVermontare enabling the innovation of today and tomorrow while enhancing economic growth and stimulating jobs."
CNN Money recently recognized AT&Tfor enhancing its wireless network. Last year, AT&T completed 150,000 network enhancements across the country, more than triple the year before, giving customers more capacity and faster speeds, as well as improving 3G dropped-call performance by 25 percent.
"Our goal is to deliver a network experience that mobilizes everything for customers," saidSteve Krom, vice president and general manager, AT&T New England. "The ongoing investment we're making inVermontis designed to increase coverage and reliability, and to provide advanced services to our customers."
AT&T plans to support the build or upgrade of thousands of cell sites nationwide to increase network speed, coverage and reliability for both mobile voice andbroadband services. In addition, AT&T plans to install additional radio "carriers" at thousands of cell sites nationally, enabling new layers of spectrum capacity to carry larger volumes of mobile broadband traffic. Additional capacity helps support rising mobile data traffic volumes, which continue to increase at a rapid pace.
AT&T operates thenation's largest Wi-Fi network*** with nearly 30,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to more than 220,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly wireless data plans.
For more information about AT&T's coverage inVermontor anywhere inthe United States, consumers can visit theAT&T Coverage Viewer. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure quality of coverage from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit theAT&T network newspage.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
**4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Available in limited areas. Availability increasing with ongoing backhaul deployment. 4G device required. Learn more at att.com/network.
*** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. Seewww.attwifi.comfor details and locations.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company andone of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates ‘ AT&T operating companies ‘ are the providers of AT&T services inthe United Statesand around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.
Source: AT&T BURLINGTON, Vt.,Feb. 20, 2012/PRNewswire/ --