AT&T has announced network improvement plans in an initiative to improve HSPA+ speeds around the Austin area. The US operator will deploy enhanced backhaul connections at approximately 250 cell sites, while replacing more than 1,300 antennas at more than 200 cell sites. The development is set to increase mobile broadband capacity and improve the quality of services.The wireless network enhancement plans are part of AT&T’s US$19-billion investment in its wireless and fixed networks and other capital projects in 2011.

AT&T*, building on its strong 2010 record of network accomplishments, today announced network improvement plans designed to enable 4G speeds** and enhanced reliability to Austin and surrounding communities in 2011, as well as network initiatives in preparation for South by Southwest (SXSW).  The wireless network enhancement plans are part of AT&T’s planned $19-billion investment in its wireless and wireline networks and other capital projects in 2011.

David Nichols, president of AT&T Texas, says AT&T plans the following network improvements in the Austin area in 2011:

- Deploying enhanced backhaul connections to approximately 250 cell sites to enable 4G speeds and add capacity to support more mobile traffic, like adding traffic lanes to a highway

- Replacing more than 1,300 antennas at more than 200 cell sites across the city designed to enhance voice quality, reduce dropped calls and deliver more efficient, consistent mobile broadband speeds

- Adding spectrum carriers to more than 200 cell sites to support more traffic
- Installing 18 new cell sites to improve network coverage

- Deploying Distributed Antenna System (DAS) networks and AT&T Wi-Fi service at several venues to enhance network coverage during events

In addition, AT&T has taken a number of additional measures to prepare its mobile broadband network for SXSW to deliver a good network experience for our customers, which include:

- Installed additional permanent cell sites to serve the venue and its surrounding areas.

- Doubled the number of Cells on Wheels (COWs) to further supplement network coverage.

- Added more capacity to cell sites in the area and a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) inside the Austin Convention Center.

- Deployed fiber-optic Ethernet backhaul connections to all cell sites in the area to increase speed and capacity of the connections that carry mobile broadband traffic from the cell site to the core network.

- Added several AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots to support SXSW, providing another broadband option for customers.
“We understand how important SXSW is to the Austin community as well as to its economy,” said Nichols. “We want to be able to provide our customers, from near and far, with a positive network experience whether they are texting, blogging or talking while surfing the Web.”

Nichols said AT&T invested more than $325 million in its Austin wireless and wireline network from 2008 through 2010 as part of its commitment to superior service in the area.

In 2010, AT&T completed a series of network enhancements to strengthen its Austin area mobile broadband network, including:

- Installing six new cell sites
- Expanding the reach of the mobile broadband network
- Deploying enhanced backhaul connections to cell sites to enable 4G speeds and more capacity
- Adding spectrum carriers to 130 cell sites
- Deploying DAS networks

The nation’s fastest mobile broadband network is getting faster with 4G. A key planned upgrade for 2011 is deployment of enhanced backhaul connections to more than 1,000 additional cell sites in Central and South Texas to enable 4G speeds.  Backhaul connections carry traffic between cell sites and AT&T’s nationwide network.  Enhanced fiber-optic and Ethernet backhaul connections expand capacity many times over, and enable additional expansion in the years to come.

“We’re investing in our Austin network to help AT&T customers take advantage of the numerous capabilities of their wireless devices,” Nichols said. “This year, we’re committed to providing best-in-class wireless voice service to our customers, and we’re backing that up with the right investments.”

AT&T’s advanced network provides several important advantages for customers.  Unlike some competitors, AT&T’s mobile-broadband network provides customers with the ability to talk and surf at the same time. For instance, you can look up directions to an event while staying on the phone with your boss, or browse your favorite social media sites while chatting with a friend.  AT&T’s mobile broadband network also is up to 35 percent faster than our largest competitor’s CDMA-based network on average nationally

AT&T also provides access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries.  AT&T’s largest competitor’s CDMA-based devices work in fewer than 45 countries.  Business Traveler magazine recently named AT&T as having the “Best Mobile Coverage in the World” – the fourth time AT&T has received the distinction.

“AT&T is consistently among the top companies, if not the top, in the U.S. in terms of our capital investment and we’re committed to helping our customers right here in Austin take advantage of the numerous capabilities of their wireless devices,” said Chris Penrose, AT&T’s vice president and general manager for South and Central Texas.  

Bobby Jenkins, chairman, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, said AT&T’s significant investment to improve its network will further bolster Austin’s reputation as a great place to live and work.

“High-tech expansions like this one help our business community, our local economy and our overall quality of life,” Jenkins said. “Few businesses today are more competitive than the wireless industry. That level of competition results in investment and new technology, which delivers benefits to the entire community.”

AT&T’s focus is delivering the nation’s most advanced mobile broadband experience, which includes delivering the benefits of mobile broadband networks, devices and applications. With the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data experience.  At the same time, AT&T is widening its lead in smartphones and devices, with 20 4G devices planned for 2011, including an industry-leading Android lineup.  And we’re driving development of wide-ranging mobile applications with three AT&T Foundry collaborative innovation centers planned for this year, as well as leadership in multiple initiatives to provide new tools for apps developers.
AT&T’s mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world.

AT&T also operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network*** with more than 24,000 hotspots in the U.S. and access to more than 125,000 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 data plans.

For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Austin or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure coverage quality from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.

*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. Requires 4G device. Learn more at att.com/network. Actual speeds experienced will vary and depend on several factors, including device, location, capacity, facilities, and other conditions.
*** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and 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 and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, 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.
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