AT&T building advanced mobile broadband

AT&T, building on its strong 2010 record of network accomplishments, announced April 5, network improvement plans designed to enable 4G speeds and enhanced reliability to Denver and surrounding communities in 2011. The wireless network enhancement plans are part of AT&T's planned $19-billion investment in its U.S. wireless and wireline networks and other capital projects in 2011.

Bill Soards, president of AT&T Colorado, says AT&T plans the following network improvements in the Denver metro area in 2011:

  • Deploying enhanced backhaul connections to about 400 cell sites to enable 4G speeds and add capacity to support more mobile traffic, like adding traffic lanes to a highway
  • Installing approximately 24 new cell sites to improve network coverage
  • Adding spectrum carriers to over 40 cell sites to support more traffic
  • Installing distributed antenna systems in high-traffic areas and facilities, such as office buildings and sporting and event venues, to provide enhanced wireless coverage to customers in indoor or outdoor spaces where geographical limitations might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience

"Our story is getting even better for Denver and Colorado," Soards said. "Our recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA represents a great deal for customers and a major commitment to strengthen and expand our network. In fact, this deal, if approved, means that we'll be able to expand the next generation of mobile broadband - 4G LTE - from our current plan of 80 percent of the U.S. population to 95 percent."

"The T-Mobile acquisition provides a fast, efficient and certain solution to the impending wireless exhaust situation facing both companies while adding cell sites. Additional sites mean additional capacity which means fewer dropped calls. We'll be able to provide better voice quality and data performance to our customers."

Soards said AT&T invested more than $200 million in its Denver metro area wireless and wireline network from 2008 through 2010 as part of its commitment to superior service in the area. The 2010 upgrades included:

  • Installing 10 new cell sites
  • Upgrading and adding spectrum carriers to over 200 cell sites for mobile broadband
  • Installing distributed antenna systems in high-traffic areas and facilities, such as office buildings and sporting and event venues.

A key planned upgrade for 2011 is deployment of enhanced backhaul connections to about 400 cell sites in metro Denver 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 Denver network to help AT&T customers take advantage of the numerous capabilities of their wireless devices," said Jace Barbin, vice president and general manager of AT&T in the Rocky Mountain Region. "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."

The investments made in the Denver area wireless and wireline networks are part of the $375 million AT&T invested from 2008-2010 across Colorado, Barbin said.

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 will 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-only 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 in the U.S. in terms of our capital investment and we're committed to helping our customers right here in metro Denver take advantage of the numerous capabilities of their wireless devices," said Barbin.

Tom Clark, executive vice president, Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, said AT&T's significant investment to improve its network will further bolster Denver'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," Clark 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 offers a wide-ranging portfolio of smartphones and devices, with 20 4G devices planned for 2011, including a robust 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.