AT&T Enhances Mobile Broadband Coverage Inside Fashion Square Mall
New Distributed Antenna System Provides Additional Coverage to Help Enhance Wireless Experience for Charlottesville Customers
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va., Aug. 25 -- 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 Fashion Square Mall that will help to extend wireless service.
Known as a Distributed Antenna System, or DAS, the installation consists of several strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless 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 its 3G wireless network - the fastest in the nation, according to independent testing. It is also part of AT&T's previously announced plans to drive innovation and expand its mobile network in the region. From 2007 through 2009, AT&T's total capital investment in its Virginia wireless and wireline networks was nearly $600 million.
"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. "Sometimes that means using creative solutions to enhance coverage in key locations such as popular shopping malls."
Wireless data traffic on the AT&T network has grown more than 5,000 percent over the past three years, largely attributed to the increasing popularity of advanced smartphones and the performance of AT&T's 3G network, the nation's fastest.
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 3G 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 over 220 countries and data service in more than 195 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 135 major cruise ships, as well as 3G services in more than 120 countries.
For more information about AT&T's 3G coverage in the Commonwealth or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure coverage quality of coverage from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
*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.
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 3G 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(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) 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.
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