AT&T Enhances Mobile Broadband Coverage for Sports and Music Fans in Washington, DC's Chinatown

WASHINGTON, Oct. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T* today announced that it has expanded its mobile broadband coverage in the heart of Washington D.C.'s sports, entertainment and night life mecca by completing the installation of a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to serve customers throughout a well-known sports and events arena in Chinatown.

A DAS installation consists of several strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless network coverage throughout the arena, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas. DAS has the ability to provide enhanced 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 additional capacity is expected to help improve call reliability and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.

"We want our customers to have a great network experience whatever they're doing – whether that's making a call, sending a photo, checking e-mail, downloading apps, surfing the Internet or just cheering on the team this hockey season," said Rob Forsyth, vice president and general manager for AT&T in the greater Washington/Baltimore area. "We're committed to our investment in the local wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at major sports and entertainment venues is just one way that we're investing in Washington, DC."

Since the start of 2011, AT&T has made more than significant wireless network upgrades in Washington, D.C., including the following:

• Adding capacity or an extra layer of frequency — which is like adding lanes to a highway — by enhancing more than 450 existing cell sites.
• Installing new cell sites to improve network coverage in areas such as Petworth
• Installing new distributed antennae systems (DAS) inside high-traffic destinations, such as the George Washington University Hospital
• Investing more than $775 million in its Washington, D.C., area wireless and wireline network, from 2008 through 2010
• Installing new Wi-Fi Hotspots in Washington, D.C., near popular local destinations, with nearly 120 Wi-Fi Hotspots now available for customers.

AT&T is an industry leader in 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. The company's recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand its network. If approved, this deal means that AT&T will be able to expand the next generation of mobile broadband – 4G LTE – from its current plan of 80 percent of the U.S. population to more than 97 percent.

AT&T's 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 more than 200 countries.

AT&T also operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with nearly 27,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 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.

For more information about AT&T's mobile broadband coverage in Washington, D.C., or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit an AT&T Coverage Viewer.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit our 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 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 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, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, 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 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.

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.

© 2011 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.

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.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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