AT&T Revs up 3G Network in Time for 2010 Masters Tournament

AUGUSTA, Ga., April 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As golf fans pour into Augusta for this year's Masters Tournament, AT&T* announced today it expanded capacity and optimized coverage around Augusta, Ga. and other key areas since last year's tournament in anticipation of increased voice and data traffic on its wireless network.  Whether you're surfing the Internet, keeping up with social network apps, or streaming video -- the upgrades are expected to help those in town for the tournament have a winning wireless experience.

In advance of the 2009 Masters, AT&T completed several key enhancements to its local wireless network including the launch of its high speed 3G wireless broadband network in Augusta through the addition of 3G technology to 10 of its existing cell sites around the Augusta National Golf Course and northern portion of the city.  Since that time, AT&T has grown its local 3G network substantially with the addition of 3G technology to 77 existing cell sites that reach well beyond the areas surrounding the course. Included in this expansion, AT&T also boosted 3G coverage along I-20 and I-520 including areas on I-20 west to the Richmond / Columbia County border and I-20 east to Aiken, S.C., with a loop to I-520 – all important areas for fans traveling to and from Augusta.

AT&T also added a second layer of frequency, known as a "carrier," to 10 existing 3G cell sites in the Augusta area including four sites along Washington Road and sites along I-20 at the Washington Road intersection, which provide improved 3G wireless voice and data connectivity and performance, especially during peak hours. This year, AT&T has placed a temporary cell site on wheels, or COW, off Washington Road in the back of the parking area near the #6 course entrance to provide additional network coverage and capacity for event patrons.

"We understand the importance of being able to connect with family and friends – especially when traveling to special events such as the Masters," said Sylvia Russell, president, AT&T Georgia.  "We view our ongoing investment in Georgia as an investment in our customers."

AT&T recently unveiled its Georgia wireless network investment plans for 2010, which include the planned addition of nearly 60 new cell sites and the planned upgrade of more than 250 additional cell sites to 3G throughout the state.  From 2007 through 2009, AT&T's total capital investment in its Georgia wireless and wireline networks was more than $4.1 billion. From 2007 through 2009, AT&T's wireless network investment in Georgia was nearly $1.1 billion.

"Investment in the Augusta community is critical to the growth and well-being of our local economy," said Barry White, President and CEO of the Augusta Convention and Visitors Bureau.  "AT&T's commitment to continually enhancing its network in Augusta helps us make our visitors' stay here that much more enjoyable and in turn builds our city's strong, welcoming reputation."

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.

"Our goal is pretty simple: we want you to have an extraordinary experience when you make a call, check e-mail, download a song or video, or surf the Internet on your AT&T device," said Keith Holmes, vice president and general manager for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets in Georgia. "As part of the Augusta community, we're always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced coverage and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way to accomplish this."

AT&T's network personnel will monitor the network throughout the tournament and make adjustments as needed to maximize customers' abilities to make calls and use data services, including texting, multimedia messaging and video as they share their experiences outside of the course.

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 open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T offers 3G data roaming in more than 115 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 220 countries.

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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