TAMPA, Fla., June 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At
AT&T1, we've invested more than $175 million in our Tampa
area wireless and wired networks during 2016-2018. These
investments boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall
performance for residents and businesses. We've also improved
critical services that support Public Safety and first responders
using the FirstNet communications platform.
This investment has helped AT&T become the fastest wireless
network in the nation, according to the first quarter 2019 results
from tests taken with Speedtest® and analyzed by Ookla®.
2
In 2018, AT&T made nearly 450 wireless network upgrades in
Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando and Pasco counties. Some of the notable local
network enhancements included:
- Adding extra capacity and bandwidth to more than 350 cell sites
to increase speed and boost performance
- Turning on 7 new cell sites
- Adding a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) in Pinellas County
- Expanding 2 existing DAS in Hillsborough County
"We're always looking for new opportunities to enhance coverage
for our customers and FirstNet subscribers," said Joe
York, president, AT&T Florida. "This investment will help
keep customers connected when and where they need it most. It will
also pave the path to 5G mobile services in the years ahead."
This investment supports our plans to expand 5G Evolution and
LTE-LAA. These technologies serve as a step in the path to 5G by
boosting the existing LTE network and priming it for the future of
connectivity.
The AT&T LTE network covers more than 400 million people in
North America. By building out our
4G LTE network, we're boosting network speeds and capacity, as we
continue to expand the availability of our network and upgrade our
technology.
Additionally, for the 5th consecutive year we've landed on
Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired"
companies. It's also the 6th year in a row we've appeared on the
Global Top 50 list – no other telecom company made the Top 50.
Transforming Public Safety Communications
FirstNet is
Public Safety's dedicated, nationwide communications platform. It
is for all first responders – career and volunteer, urban, or
rural. It's bringing public safety communications into the 21st
century with new, innovative capabilities, helping first responders
connect to the critical information they need – every day and in
every emergency.
Building upon our current and planned investments in the
Tampa area, we continue to extend
the reach and increase the capacity of the FirstNet communications
platform:
- Deployed Band 14
spectrum in more than 600 markets nationwide, including the
Tampa area. Band 14 is
high-quality spectrum provided by the First Responder Network
Authority. Its signal covers larger geographic areas with less
infrastructure to better support rural communities, and it can
better reach in-building in more urban areas as compared to
higher-MHz spectrum.
- Local first responders enjoy the fastest overall experience
on FirstNet, compared to any commercial network in the nation,
thanks to the specialized capabilities enabled by the physically
separate and dedicated FirstNet network core, like always-on
priority and preemption.3
- Public safety
agencies subscribed to FirstNet have 24/7 access to a nationwide
fleet of 75 deployable network assets. These assets can either
be deployed for planned events or called upon in emergencies to
help first responders stay connected and operate faster, safer and
more effectively when lives are on the line.
FirstNet is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership
with the First Responder Network Authority – an independent agency
within the federal government. This helps ensure that the FirstNet
communications platform and service offerings meet the short- and
long-term needs of the public safety community.
To learn more about our wireless coverage in Tampa or anywhere in the U.S., go to the
AT&T Coverage Viewer. For updates on the AT&T wireless
network, please go to the AT&T network news page.
1 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.
2 Based on analysis
by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data average download speeds
for Q1 2019. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with
permission.
3Based on AT&T
analysis of Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® nationwide data average
download speeds for Q1 2019. Ookla trademarks used under license
and reprinted with permission.
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.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family,
friends and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From
the first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we
innovate to improve lives. We have the nation's fastest wireless
network.** And according to America's biggest test, we have the
nation's best wireless network.*** We're building FirstNet just for
first responders and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With
DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV, we deliver entertainment people
love to talk about. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve nearly
3 million global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And
worldwide, our spirit of service drives employees to give back to
their communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
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. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at
facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
© 2019 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
**Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
average download speeds for Q1 2019.
***According to America's biggest test as announced by Global
Wireless Solutions last fall.
FirstNet® and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks of the
First Responder Network Authority.
To define a market, we rely on the Core Based Statistical Areas
(CBSA), as established by the United States Office of Management
and Budget. Minor differences, if any, between annual totals
reflect annual updating of market boundaries in our record
systems.
From FORTUNE Magazine. 2019 Time Inc. FORTUNE© and The World's
Most Admired Companies® are registered trademarks of Time Inc. and
are used under License. FORTUNE and Time Inc. are not affiliated
with, and do not endorse products or services of, AT&T.
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SOURCE AT&T