AT&T Enhances Mobile Internet Coverage in Bud Walton Arena at the University of Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark., June 3, 2014 — As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T* has expanded its mobile Internet coverage at Bud Walton Arena by utilizing a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to enhance the customer experience throughout the facility.

“As we work to further enhance game days at Bud Walton Arena, we are grateful to AT&T for their commitment to Razorback fans,” said Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long. “Technology has become integral part of the fan experience and with AT&T’s 4G LTE network, fans will be able to share more photos and interact on social media while they are cheering on the Hogs. It all adds up to a better experience and a memorable visit to Bud Walton Arena.” 

A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout Bud Walton Arena, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily trafficked areas.  DAS has the ability to provide enhanced, consistent 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 Bud Walton Arena DAS installation is part of AT&T’s Project Velocity IP (VIP), a multi-year plan to invest for growth, announced in 2012. Through this investment, AT&T is supporting its customers’ growing desire for high-quality, fast wireless and wired services.  As part of Project VIP, AT&T is deploying small cell technology, macro cells and additional DAS, which will increase the density of our wireless network. The wireless network densification will further improve network quality and increase spectrum efficiency.

“We want our customers to have a great network experience wherever they are, no matter what they’re doing – whether that’s making a call, checking email, downloading apps or surfing the Internet,” said Ed Drilling, AT&T Arkansas president. “With initiatives like Project VIP, we’re continuing our investment in the wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at the Bud Walton Arena is just one way that we’re investing in Northwest Arkansas.”

AT&T invested more than $100 million in its best-in-class wireless and wired networks in the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers market between 2010 through 2013, driving a wide range of upgrades to enhance speed, reliability, coverage and performance for residents and business customers. AT&T in 2013 made 92 network upgrades in the Northwest Arkansas area, including new cell sites, addition of wireless and wired network capacity, and new broadband network connections. Last year, AT&T also expanded mobile internet coverage at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium with the installation of an upgraded 4G LTE DAS.

DAS technology helps improve the mobile Internet experience by shortening the distance a request must travel. The additional capacity also is expected to help improve call reliability, boost data traffic capacity and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.

These investments help to ensure that Arkansas residents continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go.  Our 4G LTE network is the most reliable in the nation.** And the great performance of AT&T’s 4G LTE network continues to be validated by independent third-party testing.

• Our 4G LTE service was recognized as having faster average download and upload speeds than any of our competitors in PCWorld/TechHive’s most recent 20-market speed tests – the second consecutive year that AT&T has ranked 1st overall.  PCWorld/TechHive also ranked AT&T’s as the fastest combination of 3G and 4G services in the 20 cities it tested.***

Across Arkansas, AT&T’s 2013 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of our 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds. AT&T’s 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering nearly 280 million people. We expect to be substantially complete with our 4G LTE deployment by summer 2014.

AT&T’s focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T operates an extensive Wi-Fi network including 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.****

Over the past six years (2008-2013), AT&T invested more than $140 billion into its wireless and wireline networks, when you combine capital and spectrum acquisitions. 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 Fayetteville 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.

** Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks.  LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.

*** PCWorld/TechHive, May 23, 2013, “AT&T clocks best overall speeds with 3G/4G combo”

**** 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 internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, 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 service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

© 2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

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.