AT&T Enhances Phoenix Area Mobile Internet Coverage for Pro Football’s Big Game
New & Upgraded 4G LTE Distributed Antenna Systems and Cell on Wheels (COWs) Provide Additional Wireless Capacity and Coverage for Customers
GLENDALE, ARIZ., Jan. 29, 2015 — When football fans head to Glendale for pro football’s “Big Game” and the exciting pre-game events and festivities, they can expect to enjoy an enhanced mobile experience as they pull out their wireless device to share once-in-a-lifetime moments with friends and family.
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 by completing upgrades to the Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at the Glendale football stadium and venues throughout the greater Phoenix area that will help fans post selfies and share on social media faster than ever before.
The upgraded DAS at the stadium will provide triple the LTE capacity compared to the end of the 2013 football season. AT&T has also upgraded or installed new DAS at 13 nearby locations, including hotels, sports arenas, convention centers and other venues where fans are likely to flock to participate in festivities leading up to the Big Game.
A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout the stadium, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas, such as football stadiums. 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.
“When our customers head out in the Phoenix area to celebrate and cheer on their favorite team, we want to ensure they have a great network experience no matter what they’re doing – whether that’s making a call, checking email or sharing their favorite moments on social media,” said Tammi Terrell, Vice President and General Manager of AT&T Southwest and Hawaii. “Many of the network enhancements deployed in the greater Phoenix area for the Big Game are permanent and will continue to benefit customers afterward. It’s just one way we’re continuing to invest in our Phoenix area wireless network.”
AT&T has also deployed 10 Cell on Wheels (COWs) to accommodate expected increased wireless network demands from high concentrations of smartphone users in the greater Phoenix area for the Big Game. The COWs will help improve reliability and data speeds during the week leading up to the Big Game and on game day.
The temporary enhancements are part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to prepare for and provide the best possible mobile experience during special events like the Big Game. With crowds expected to reach more than 100,000 people, AT&T’s network team has also enhanced 24 nearby cell sites.
These investments help to ensure that Arizona residents continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go. 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 $575 million in its Phoenix area wireless and wireline networks from 2010 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 Phoenix 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 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.
**** 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) 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.
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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.
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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.
