Ada Jobs Foundation

AT&T BRINGS 3G MOBILE BROADBAND NETWORK TO ADA

Local Wireless Network Upgrade Extends Access to Advanced Products,
Services and Applications

ADA, Okla., Oct. 7, 2009 — AT&T* today announced the availability of its third generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Ada, opening the door to a new era of mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content for customers in the area. 

The network extension is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any other U.S. competitor, and AT&T is committed to driving continual enhancement of network capabilities to meet these customers’ ever-growing mobile broadband needs.

“Demand for wireless bandwidth is growing, whether it’s for sharing video and photos with friends, watching a movie, checking the latest scores, or listening to music on a phone, netbook or other mobile devices on the go,” said Steve Gray, vice president and general manager, Oklahoma and Arkansas, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. “With this expansion, our customers can continue to ride the leading edge of mobile broadband with emerging devices and thousands of mobile applications.”

AT&T matches its network investment with unsurpassed choice in the range of devices, services and applications compatible with its 3G network – the nation’s fastest, according to independent testing.  AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications.

“More and more consumers are demanding the convenience of high-speed wireless connections to do e-mail, surf the Internet and conduct business wherever they are,” said Bryan Gonterman, president of AT&T Oklahoma. “Delivering faster and better wireless services to our customers is our focus. The competitive wireless market, a market without a lot of burdensome regulation, has benefited consumers through new products, great service and better prices.”

AT&T upgraded four cell sites in the Ada area with 3G technology. The 3G expansion efforts help address the growing demand for advanced wireless data products and services, as more and more people's lives become increasingly mobile and fast-paced.

Michael Southard, president and CEO, Ada Jobs Foundation, said it is critical for Ada to remain competitive with other communities when it comes to technology. “We are fortunate to have leaders like Sen. Susan Paddack and state Rep. Todd Thomsen who are working to create the business environment in Oklahoma that encourages this type of high-tech investment,” Southard said.

“When businesses look to expand or relocate, it is crucial that Ada is able to offer them technology and services that rival those found in our state’s biggest cities. The investment in a stronger wireless network for Ada will help attract business and strengthen our local economy,” said Sen. Paddack.

The launch of 3G service in the Ada area further demonstrates AT&T’s commitment to provide Oklahoma with a stronger, expanded network and the newest technologies and features. AT&T invested more than $675 million in its Oklahoma network from 2006 to 2008.

AT&T is adding more than 30 new cell sites throughout Oklahoma in 2009. AT&T this year also has launched 3G mobile broadband networks in Ardmore, Enid and Muskogee. AT&T’s 3G network is now available in more than 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas.

Recently, AT&T announced plans to further upgrade its 3G network nationwide with HSPA 7.2 technology to deliver considerably faster mobile broadband speeds. The upgrades are planned to begin in the fourth quarter, with completion expected in 2011. Supporting this initiative is AT&T’s ongoing deployment of additional backhaul capacity to cell sites, which  will support today’s unprecedented growth in mobile data traffic as well as the future demands of next-generation networks. 

AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T’s 3G network is available in more than 350 major metropolitan areas. AT&T also offers 3G data roaming in more than 100 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 215 countries.

For more information about AT&T’s 3G coverage in Ada or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/.  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 www.att.com/networknews.