AT&T Expands Mobile Broadband Coverage in Caroline County

BOWLING GREEN, Va., Oct. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* today announced the activation of three new 3G cell sites in Caroline County that will enhance wireless coverage for area residents and businesses.

Two new cell sites in Bowling Green will boost coverage at Fort A.P. Hill, as well as along a portion of Route 2, on the military installation's western border. The third site in Chilesburg provides better connectivity for customers near the intersection of Landora Bridge, Ladysmith, and Jericho roads. With mobile broadband speeds, AT&T customers can surf the Web, download files faster, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications.

"Delivering dependable wireless coverage for consumers and businesses who need to stay connected is our ultimate objective," said J. Michael Schweder, President, AT&T Mid Atlantic. "Our ongoing investments in this part of Virginia will help ensure that our customers have access to the wireless services that help drive economic growth."

In just the first six months of this year, AT&T invested more than $75 million in its wireless network to continue improving customer service in Virginia.

The new cell sites are one part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to extend the nation's fastest mobile broadband wireless network, according to expert, independent testing. AT&T has continued to drive investment and innovation to deliver the nation's best, most advanced mobile broadband experience for customers.

"More than ever before, customers look to wireless communications to stay in touch with family, friends, and business colleagues," said Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager of AT&T in northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. "We're working to make this possible by adding new wireless coverage in Caroline County and offering exciting products and services to help our customers stay connected with their world at home and on the go."

These investments also complement AT&T's recently announced 3G expansion along the Eastern Shore of Virginia and in the Northern Neck region.

The new cell sites are one of many ongoing network initiatives planned to enhance wireless coverage and capacity across the country. 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 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 3G 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 3G coverage in [market] 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 http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://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.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.