AT&T Lights Up 3G Mobile Broadband Network in Virginia's Northern Neck

TAPPAHANNOCK, Va., Aug. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced the expansion of its third generation (3G) mobile broadband network to 20 cell sites in Virginia's Northern Neck, opening the door to a new era of mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content for customers throughout the region.

AT&T's customers will now experience improved voice and data quality along Route 17 between Hustle and Dunnsville, traveling eastward along Route 360 from Aylett through Saint Stephens Church onto Village, Lottsburg, and Heathsville, as well as along Route 3 from Oak Grove through Montross down to Warsaw. Other communities that will see enhanced wireless coverage include Caret, Tappahannock, Browns Store, Reedville, and Deltaville.

"Delivering dependable wireless coverage in more places for consumers who need to stay connected to work, family, and friends is our ultimate objective," said J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic "Our investments in the Northern Neck will help us ensure that our customers have access to the mobile broadband services that help drive economic growth in traditionally rural areas."

These investments complement AT&T's recently announced mobile broadband expansions on the Eastern Shore of Virginia as well as in King George, Essex and Caroline counties. AT&T is an industry leader in delivering the benefits of mobile broadband networks, devices and applications. With the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data experience.

"Demand for wireless bandwidth is growing, whether it's for sharing video and photos or checking a visitors' guide on an AT&T smartphone, netbook or other mobile device while on the go," added Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for AT&T in northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. "With this expansion, our customers in the Northern Neck can enjoy the nation's best, most advanced mobile broadband experience with emerging devices and tens of thousands of mobile applications."

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 completed a software upgrade at 3G cell sites nationwide that prepares the nation's fastest 3G network for even faster speeds. The deployment of High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is the first of multiple initiatives in AT&T's network enhancement strategy designed to provide customers with an enhanced mobile broadband experience, both today and well into the future.  Faster 3G speeds are scheduled to become available this year and in 2011 as AT&T combines the new technology with the increased deployment of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, primarily with fiber-optic technology.

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, delivering voice service in over 220 countries and data service in more than 195 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on 130 major cruise ships, as well as 3G services in 120 countries.

For more information about AT&T's 3G coverage in Northern Neck Virginia or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer.  The online tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit www.att.com/networknews.

*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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