AT&T Enhances Gameday Mobile Internet Coverage At Camp Randall Stadium

MADISON, Wis., Sept. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- When a big play happens this season at Camp Randall Stadium at the University of Wisconsin, football fans can expect to enjoy an enhanced mobile experience as they pull out their wireless devices to share the most exciting moments with friends and family.

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 Camp Randall Stadium by completing the installation of a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to enhance the customer experience throughout the facility.  The DAS will also improve coverage at surrounding buildings including the UW Field House, Camp Randall Sports Complex, McClain Athletic Facility, Athletic Operations Building and Kellner Hall.

A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless network coverage throughout Camp Randall Stadium, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas, such as football stadiums.  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 Madison 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.

"When our customers head out to the stadium to cheer on the Badgers, we want them to have a great network experience throughout the game no matter what they're doing – whether that's making a call, checking email, downloading apps or surfing the Internet," said Scott T. VanderSanden, President of AT&T Wisconsin.  "With initiatives like Project VIP, we're continuing to invest in our wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at Camp Randall Stadium is just one way we're investing in Madison."

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.

The University of Wisconsin and AT&T have also agreed to work together on a new high-density Wi-Fi network and IPTV system that will bring greatly enhanced connectivity and content to Badger football fans at Camp Randall this fall.

AT&T will help UW deploy a high-density Wi-Fi network which will allow fans to connect in the stands, suites, clubs, ticketing, media and concession stand areas via 10 Gigabit switches, accompanying wireless controllers and more than 750 access points throughout the stadium and outlying areas.  The result will be an enhanced Wi-Fi system for a better network experience to surf the Internet, check scores and share on social media sites in the 80,000-plus seat venue.

These investments help to ensure that Wisconsin residents continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go.  Our 4G LTE network is the most reliable in the nation.**

Across Madison and Wisconsin, 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 Madison, as well as Milwaukee, La Crosse, Appleton, Fond du Lac, Green Bay and Whitewater, among others.  Our 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering more than 300 million people.

AT&T's focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T owns and operates more than 34,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 1 million 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.***

Over the past six years (2008 to 2013), AT&T invested more than $140 billion into its wireless and wireline networks, when you combine capital investment and acquisitions of spectrum and wireless operations. 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 Madison, or anywhere in 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.

** Claim based on analysis of independent third party data re national carriers' 4G LTE.   LTE is a trademark of ETSI.  4G LTE not available everywhere.

*** 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 global wireless coverage based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offers 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.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://about.att.com or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

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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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