AT&T Strengthens Mobile Broadband Coverage in Downtown Houston Area

 As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for mobile devices and services, AT&T* today announced the activation of two new cell sites downtown and in the Galleria area in Houston that are expected to enhance network coverage for area residents and businesses.

 The new cell sites are one part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and extend its mobile broadband network.  It is also part of the Company’s ongoing investment to build the networks that will fuel economic growth and create jobs, and enable AT&T's customers to quickly access the content, applications and services that matter most to them.

 “More than ever before, customers look to wireless communications to stay in touch with family, friends and business colleagues,” said Christopher Penrose, vice president and general manager for AT&T in South Texas. “We’re working to make this possible by investing in new wireless coverage in Houston. In addition, our recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA represents a major commitment to strengthen and expand our network. If approved, this deal means that we’ll be able to expand the next generation of mobile broadband – 4G LTE – from our current plan of 80 percent of the U.S. population to more than 97 percent.”

 AT&T’s mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 225 countries and data service in more than 200 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 135 major cruise ships, as well as mobile broadband services in more than 130 countries.

 AT&T also operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 29,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 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 recently launched "Focus: Houston," which provides visitors a peek into AT&T's wireless network enhancements made since the beginning of the year. Enhancements include new cell sites, broadband speed upgrades, capacity upgrades and network connection upgrades. The site also provides a map of area AT&T stores, a map of area Wi-Fi hotspots, useful tips, a localized Twitter handle and device reviews. You can visit the site at http://focus.att.com/Houston.

 For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Houston or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit an AT&T Coverage Viewer. The online tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.

 For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit our AT&T network news page.