AT&T Enhances Mobile Internet Coverage For Shoppers In Plaza Las Americas Mall

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GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico, March 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T* has expanded its mobile Internet coverage at Plaza Las Americas Mall by completing the installation of a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to enhance the customer experience throughout the facility.

A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless network coverage throughout Plaza Las Americas, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas.  DAS has the ability to provide enhanced, consistent wireless coverage to customers in indoor or outdoor spaces where geographical limitations – terrain, building construction, etc. – or crowd density might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience.

The popular shopping center with more than 300 stores in a 1.8 million square-foot retail space is located in San Juan and attracts thousands of visitors daily. By installing more than 30 antennas in the interior of the shopping mall, AT&T is able to keep customers connected during their shopping experience in virtually every area of the mall.

The Plaza Las Americas DAS installation is part of AT&T's Project Velocity IP (VIP), a multi-year plan to invest for growth, announced in 2012. Through this investment, AT&T is supporting its customers' growing desire for high-quality, fast wireless and wired services. As part of Project VIP, AT&T is deploying small cell technology, macro cells and additional DAS, which will increase the density of our wireless network. The wireless network densification will further improve network quality and increase spectrum efficiency.

"We want our customers to have a great network experience wherever they are, no matter what they're doing – whether that's making a call, checking email, downloading apps or surfing the Internet," said Jose Juan Davila, VP & General Manager for AT&T Puerto Rico & USVI. "With initiatives like Project VIP, we're continuing our investment in the wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at Plaza Las Americas is just one way that we're investing in Puerto Rico."

DAS technology helps improve the mobile Internet experience by shortening the distance a request must travel. The additional capacity also is expected to help improve call reliability, boost data traffic capacity and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.

Our 4G LTE network is the most reliable in the nation.** And the great performance of AT&T's 4G LTE network continues to be validated by independent third-party testing. AT&T was named America's fastest 4G LTE network  in PC Magazine's 2013 Fastest Mobile Networks 30-market study – and also swept the top rankings in all six U.S. regions from coast to coast: Northeast, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Northwest and Southwest.***

These investments help to ensure that Puerto Rico residents continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go. 

"We are constantly working to provide our customers with the best experience while visiting Plaza Las Américas to buy in our stores, eat at one of the restaurants or just to enjoy one of the events that take place here. Now we further improve this experience by having an enhanced wireless coverage of AT&T which will allow our visitors to enjoy seamless mobile communications in all areas of the shopping center", said Franklin Domenech, General Manager of Plaza Las Américas.

Across San Juan and Puerto Rico, AT&T's 2013 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of our 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds.  AT&T 4G LTE is now available in San Juan as well as Adjuntas, Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastian, Fajardo, Guayama, Jayuya, Ponce, San German-Cabo Rojo, Utuado, Vieques and Yauco.  Our 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering nearly 280 million people. We expect to be substantially complete with our 4G LTE deployment by summer 2014.

AT&T's focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network**** including more than 32,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 529,000 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.

AT&T invested more than $325 million in its Puerto Rico wireless and wireline networks from 2011-2013. Over the past six years, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a September 2013 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. "Investment Heroes."

For more information about AT&T's coverage in San Juan or anywhere in Puerto Rico, U.S.V.I. and the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.  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.
** Claims Basis: Speed–national carriers' average speeds; Reliability–data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.
*** PC Magazine, June 17, 2013; http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420333,00.asp
**** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. 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 and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, 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 service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

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