Local Wireless Network Upgrade Extends Access to Advanced Products, Services and Applications.
As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* announced the activation of 3G technology on 56 cell sites in the Great Lakes Bay Region that will enhance coverage for residents and businesses in Bay City, Midland, Saginaw and neighboring communities. AT&T also recently expanded its 3G footprint in Isabella County with the addition of nine new cell sites across the Mt. Pleasant area.
The network extension is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any other U.S. competitor, and AT&T is committed to driving continual enhancement of network capabilities to meet these customers’ ever-growing mobile broadband needs. From 2006 to 2008, AT&T’s total capital investment in its wireless and wireline networks in Michigan exceeded $2 billion.
“Allowing expanded technology to consumers has been a high priority for me since joining the legislature,” said State Rep. Jeff Mayes, chairman of the House Committee and Energy and Technology. “I believe the more we can encourage investments in technology, the quicker we can help get our economy back on track.”
“Investing in technology, particularly wireless technology, is key for consumers and business in the 21st Century,” said State Rep. Ken Horn, vice-chair of the House Committee on Energy and Technology. “I am proud to be part of the process which helps put new technology in the hands of people across Michigan.”
“Through advancements in technology, the way we stay connected is a vital tool to increase economic development and business growth in the Great Lakes Bay Region,” said John Lore, president and CEO of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Alliance. “Representative Mayes and Representative Horn, along with their colleagues in the legislature, should be applauded for continuing to encourage advancements in technology that keep the Great Lakes Bay Region and all of Michigan connected.”
“We are continuing to invest in technology, because we believe that investment will increase the speed of commerce in Michigan and help bring our economy back,” said Jim Murray, president, AT&T Michigan. “Investing in wireless and broadband connectivity across the state is key for our customers and businesses to stay connected. We look forward to continuing to work with the legislature to create an environment which supports those investments.”
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. Supporting this initiative is AT&T’s ongoing deployment of additional backhaul capacity to cell sites, which will support today’s unprecedented growth in mobile data traffic as well as the future demands of next-generation networks.
“Demand for wireless bandwidth is growing, whether it’s for sharing video and photos with friends, watching a movie, checking the latest scores, or listening to music on a phone, netbook or other mobile devices on the go,” said Brian Ducharme, vice president and general manager for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets in Michigan. “With this expansion, our customers can continue to ride the leading edge of mobile broadband with emerging devices and thousands of mobile applications.”
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’s 3G network is available in more than 350 major metropolitan areas. AT&T also offers 3G data roaming in more than 100 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 215 countries.
For more information about AT&T’s 3G coverage in Michigan 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.
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