Deployment of 850 Mhz Spectrum for 3G in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area Substantially Improves In-Building Wireless Coverage, Adds Capacity to Support Surging Demand for Mobile Broadband.
AT&T* announced that it invested more than $50 million from 2008 through the second quarter of 2009 to complete a substantial upgrade of its local 3G wireless network in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with the launch of additional wireless spectrum in the 850 MHz band. As a result of this upgrade, local customers should experience better 3G wireless connectivity, performance and enhanced in-building wireless coverage. The enhancement also increases network capacity, and is intended to support the ever-growing demand for 3G mobile broadband service. Locally, nearly 1,000 cell towers were updated as part of this enhancement.
This network enhancement is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment into its 3G wireless network – the fastest 3G network in the nation, according to independent testing. It is also part of the company’s ongoing investment to build broadband networks that will fuel economic growth and create jobs, and enable the company’s customers to more quickly access the content, applications and services that matter most to them.
“This kind of private sector investment in wireless connectivity helps spurs innovation and creativity. I am very proud that the over the years the Texas Legislature has set the pace for the entire nation in encouraging more investment in expanding access to technology for consumers and businesses,” said State Representative Burt Solomons, Chair of the Texas House State Affairs Committee.
The high-quality 850 MHz spectrum generally results in better in-building coverage. While specific benefits of the additional spectrum will vary by location, AT&T 3G customers should see improved quality and coverage throughout dozens of Dallas-Fort Worth area communities, including Allen, Arlington, Carrollton, Colleyville, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Frisco, Garland, Grapevine, Grand Prairie, Irving, Keller, Mesquite, McKinney, Lewisville, Plano, Richardson, Rockwall, Southlake and more.
AT&T technicians nationwide responsible for monitoring network performance for service quality and coverage have seen significant increases in total 3G data traffic in areas where the 850MHz spectrum has been deployed.
“More than ever before, customers look to wireless communications to stay in touch with family, friends and business colleagues,” said Adam Vital, AT&T vice president and general manager for North Texas. “The additional spectrum helps to enhance the 3G network so that our customers have the best experience when they make a call, check an e-mail, download a video or song, or surf the Internet on their AT&T device.”
This deployment is one part of AT&T’s ongoing initiatives to enhance the speed and performance of its network. Recently, AT&T announced plans to further upgrade its 3G network nationwide with HSPA 7.2 technology to deliver considerably faster mobile broadband speeds. The upgrades are planned to begin in the fourth quarter, with completion expected in 2011. Dallas is among the first six major U.S. cities where AT&T plans to roll out HSPA 7.2, and initial service availability is expected in Dallas by the end of the year.
Additionally, AT&T is continually optimizing and adding cell sites in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area and across the country to maximize performance for customers. AT&T is planning to add nearly 1,900 cell sites nationwide by the end of this year, and we’re adding new backhaul connections across the country to support the increasing volumes of mobile data traffic.
“We invest in Texas because our state leaders – through some of the most progressive public policy initiatives in the nation – have created an environment that encourages companies to do business here,” said Don Cain, president of AT&T Texas. “Our ongoing investments will ensure that our state has access to the advanced wireless services that help drive economic growth.”
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 100 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 215 countries.
Across the U.S., AT&T’s 3G network is available in more than 350 major metropolitan areas. For more information about AT&T’s 3G coverage in the Dallas-Fort Worth area or anywhere in the United States, consumers can go to 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.
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