AT&T Doubles Mobile Network Capacity with Innovative Enhancements for 2015 SXSW Conferences and Festival
Luneburg Lens Antenna Headlines Network Line-Up For Annual Conference And Festival to Keep The Digital, Film and Music Industries Connected Throughout The Events
AUSTIN, Texas., March 12, 2015 — With tens of thousands of music, technology and film industry representatives and members of the press, plus 150,000+ consumer participants expected to attend SXSW 2015, AT&T* is deploying its own network line-up to please the crowd.
As a Super Sponsor of SXSW, AT&T is taking an innovative approach to its network deployment and greatly enhancing the event by deploying a Super COW equipped with the Luneburg Lens for the first time in Texas, which will provide attendees with ten times the capacity of a traditional single-beam antenna. In addition, the carrier has deployed two COWs (Cells on Wheels) and has expanded LTE capacity through rooftop antennas and a Distributed Antenna System in the convention center, enhancing AT&T’s award-winning 4G LTE** network already deployed in Austin.
The temporary enhancements, in addition to spectrum enhancements, will offer attendees with double the cellular capacity compared to last year’s SXSW, helping ensure that AT&T customers are able to share their favorite moments through texts, tweets, photos and calls.
“The SXSW conferences and festival have become one that is both locally and nationally recognized, drawing in tens of thousands of technology, music and film attendees every year,” said Larry Evans, AT&T VP/GM of South Texas. “As part of the Austin community, we want to make sure those attending the festival have an exceptional wireless experience. The enhanced network connectivity that we are providing will enrich the SXSW experience enjoyed by attendees through their improved ability to share photos, tweets, texts and calls.”
The 12-beam Luneburg Lens Antenna is AT&T’s latest antenna technology innovation. The spherical ball antenna sends radio frequencies more efficiently for cellular usage in various directions based on how AT&T network engineers coordinate it. The innovative antenna created to cover big events like SXSW will help provide attendees with the best possible customer experience during the event.
Taking coverage a step further, AT&T has also expanded its Wi-Fi*** footprint throughout the conferences and festivals area through a permanent Wi-Fi Hot Zone on 6th Street and temporary deployments in the surrounding areas.
In addition to network preparations, AT&T is a super sponsor of SXSW. During the event, AT&T U-verse will host Hoops Hangout. The event will bring SXSW attendees into a college basketball oasis to help them keep track of the selection fun and conference championship games taking place during the event. Fans will be able to watch games on big screen TVs, tablets and smartphones; play interactive basketball-themed games, and see some of AT&T’s latest technology. AT&T will also host the filmmakers of Sneakerheadz at a meet-and-greet event for fans on Monday evening to discuss the SXFilms documentary and a Young Guru demonstration of musical styling.
AT&T’s network presence at SXSW is just one example of how the carrier is connecting its customers in the Austin area.
Across Austin and Texas, AT&T’s 2014 statewide investments have resulted in expansions and enhancements of our wireline and 4G LTE network to provide ultra-fast speeds. Wireline investments, such as U-verse with AT&T GigaPower which launched first in Austin in 2013, will reach approximately 57 million customer locations. Additionally, our 4G LTE network now covers more than 300 million people in cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and more. AT&T’s network has the nation’s strongest LTE signal, **** and AT&T also has the nation’s most reliable LTE network.*****
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.
AT&T invested nearly $550 million in its Austin area wireless and wireline networks from 2011 through 2013.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 Austin 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.
**** Claim based on avg. LTE signal strength for national carriers.
***** Reliability claim based on analysis of independent third party data re nationwide carriers’ 4G LTE. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We’re helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage. We’re improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T’s mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
© 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere. Global coverage claim based on offering voice and data roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offering the most wireless smartphones and tablets that work in the most countries.
About SXSW
The South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conferences & Festivals offer the unique industry convergence of music, film, and emerging technologies. Fostering creative and professional growth, SXSW is the premier destination for discovery.
The event is a launch pad for innovative content with new media presentations, music showcases and film screenings providing exposure for creators and compelling entertainment for attendees.
Music, Film, and Interactive conference sessions present a forum for inspiration and learning, while business and networking opportunities thrive at the SXSW Trade Show and beyond.
Austin serves as the perfect backdrop for SXSW, where career development flourishes amid the relaxed atmosphere, and new ideas and revelations resonate long after the event’s conclusion.
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.
