AT&T Enhances Mobile Broadband Coverage Inside Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake
New Distributed Antenna System Provides Additional Coverage to Help Enhance Wireless Experience for Customers in Chesapeake
HAMPTON ROADS, Va., Nov. 2, 2010 - As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* today announced the activation of a new antenna system in the Greenbrier Mall in Chesapeake that will help to enhance wireless service throughout the mall.
Known as a Distributed Antenna System, or DAS, the installation consists of several strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T's mobile broadband network coverage throughout the mall providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily trafficked areas. The addition of this system will help to improve call reliability, increase download speeds and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.
The new antenna system is part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to extend the nation's fastest mobile broadband network and part of the previously announced investment for the Commonwealth.
"AT&T is continually enhancing the network so that our customers have access to the kind of technology that will stimulate economic growth, inspire innovation and create jobs," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic.
"Our goal is pretty simple: we want you to have an extraordinary experience when you make a call, check e-mail, download a song or video, or surf the Internet on your AT&T device," said Erika K. Thompson-Kemp, vice president and general manager for AT&T in Virginia and West Virginia. "Building antenna systems for popular venues like shopping malls is just one way that we are accomplishing this goal."
Wireless data traffic on the AT&T network grew more than 5,000 percent from 2007 though 2009, largely due to the increasing popularity of advanced smartphones and the performance of AT&T's 3G network. AT&T has the nation's fastest mobile broadband network.
AT&T recently upgraded 3G cell sites nationwide to High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2. Future plans include another upgrade to HSPA+ technology at the end of this year followed by the initial deployment next year of LTE, the next-generation of wireless technology. These advancements, when combined with an ongoing initiative to increase the number of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, are a part of AT&T's strategy to provide customers with an enhanced mobile broadband experience, both today and in the future.
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 has the best international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in 200 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 140 major cruise ships, as well as mobile broadband services in more than 125 countries.
AT&T also owns and operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 23,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to more than 125,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our U.S. 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 Virginia 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 of coverage 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.
** 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. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE®magazine.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.
SOURCE AT&T Inc.
CONTACT:
Ellen Webner of AT&T,
+1-973-775-1321,
ellen.webner@att.com
Web Site: www.att.com
