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January 06, 2012

AT&T Expands LTE in 11 More Cities

AT&T took a big step toward expanding its high-speed LTE network, announcing on Thursday that it has added 11 more areas, including Los Angeles, the New York Metro Area and the San Francisco Bay Area. Other new cities getting the LTE service are: Austin, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Orlando; Phoenix; Raleigh, N.C.; and San Diego, California.

The carrier now offers LTE services in 26 cities, but despite the expansion, AT&T still lags behind major rival Verizon Wireless, which started its 4G LTE rollout earlier and now offers the service in nearly 200 cities. Sprint, meanwhile, has much of the country covered with an alternate 4G technology, WiMax. However, Sprint has also announced plans to launch an LTE network of its own later this year.

However, this new addition includes three major metropolitan areas bringing AT&T’s fast LTE network within reach of 74 million consumers, AT&T said.

AT&T made the announcement on its website saying, “We’re rolling out 4G LTE across our network footprint, with availability in 26 markets. 4G LTE offers customers mobile broadband speeds comparable to many home Internet connections…As our 4G LTE footprint continues to grow, customers with compatible devices outside of 4G LTE areas will still have access to consistently fast mobile broadband speeds through HSPA+.”

AT&T is the only U.S. carrier providing 4G using both HSPA+ and LTE technologies. HSPA+, when combined with enhanced backhaul, provides customers with access to 4G speeds – meaning AT&T customers get a faster and more consistent 4G experience on their compatible devices, even when outside of a 4G LTE area.

John Stankey, president and chief executive officer at AT&T Business Solutions, provided an update at Citi’s 22nd Annual Global Entertainment, Media and Telecommunications Conference in San Francisco. “We’re building a 4G LTE network that’s blazing fast, and we offer dual layers of 4G technologies to provide customers with a more consistent speed experience.”

Stankey said AT&T offers services that exceed its competition. “Our network, together with our unsurpassable 4G device portfolio and innovative applications, will give our customers an industry-leading mobile broadband experience,” said Stankey. AT&T says it plans to reach 100 percent of its customer base with LTE by the end of 2013.

Want to learn more about 4G wireless technologies? Then be sure to attend the 4GWE Conference, collocated with TMC’s ITEXPO East 2012taking place Jan. 31-Feb. 3 2012, in Miami, FL. The 4GWE Conference provides unmatched networking opportunities and a robust conference program representing the wireless ecosystem. The conference not only brings together the best and brightest in the wireless industry, it actually spans the communications and technology industry. To register, click here.

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Edited by Carrie Schmelkin


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