Higher 3G Network Speeds Benefit Growing Number of Workers and Consumers
Who Want On-the-Go Internet Connectivity
SAN ANTONIO, June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- How do you make a
blazing-fast 3G (third-generation) mobile broadband network even better?
You make it faster. AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) today announced a more than 20
percent increase to the top end of the company's typical 3G network
downlink speed range and a 50 percent increase to the top end of the
typical uplink speed range for wireless laptop card customers(1). The
upgrades are results of recent network enhancements, including the
deployment of High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology across all
existing 3G markets before the end of June.
AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is available in more than 275 major
U.S. metropolitan areas. Later this month, AT&T will become the first U.S.
carrier to have fully deployed High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology
across its entire 3G network. By year-end, the company plans to offer 3G
service in nearly 350 major metropolitan U.S. areas.
The new typical wireless broadband speeds for LaptopConnect customers(1):
-- Downlink - Between 700 Kbps (kilobits per second) and 1.7 Mbps
(megabits per second), formerly 600 Kbps to 1.4 Mbps
-- Uplink - Between 500 Kbps and 1.2 Mbps, formerly 500 to 800 Kbps
Customers who use AT&T's LaptopConnect wireless cards can use these new
speeds to access large files and multimedia applications faster than ever
before(1). The new typical speed ranges reflect the results of recent
measurements performed during thousands of tests in multiple markets.
The number of AT&T LaptopConnect subscribers increased more than 83
percent between the first quarters of 2007 and 2008, showing strong demand
for on-the-go data use.
Between 2005 and the end 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20
billion in network improvements and upgrades -- an average of $5 billion a
year. The company's HSPA network is in the best position among American
carriers to grow in line with customer demand, evolving to HSPA+ and
providing next-generation speeds through a software upgrade without costly
investments across the breadth of the network. As HSPA technology evolves
between 2009 and 2010 to HSPA+, peak speeds could reach 20 Mbps. AT&T plans
to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds
in the longer term.
(1) LaptopConnect customers must be using one of AT&T's four current
devices that support HSUPA technology or a laptop with embedded HSUPA
technology. The four devices are: AT&T USBConnect 881, Sierra
Wireless AirCard 881, Option GT Ultra and Option GT Ultra Express
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their
offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications
services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and
voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory
publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and
YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators
in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen
integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In
2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired
Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired
Telecommunications Company list. 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.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates
and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties, and actual results may 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 or revise statements contained in this news release based on new
information or otherwise.
(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the
AT&T logo and all other AT&T marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T
Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.
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