AT&T enhances network in part of Manhattan you probably won't visit
If you're walking through New York City today, you may notice that your AT&T phone just got a little bit faster. But you probably won't. The carrier activated a new broadband cell site in Manhattan's Turtle Bay area in Midtown -- somewhere between Times Square and the Upper East Side -- in a five-block area that few tourists ever visit. The company says the upgrades are part of a larger plan to enhance coverage across the nation and eventually roll out 4G LTE coverage, with help from recently acquired T-Mobile -- that is if all goes well in court, of course.
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AT&T Customers Get More Mobile Broadband Coverage in Midtown Manhattan
New Cell Site Activated as Part of Ongoing AT&T Investment in Local Wireless Network
NEW YORK, Aug. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* today announced the activation of a new mobile broadband cell site in the Turtle Bay neighborhood of Midtown Manhattan to enhance coverage for consumers and businesses.
Enhanced areas of mobile broadband coverage include East 49th Street between 2nd and 3rd Avenues and along 2nd Avenue between East 47th and East 51st Streets. With mobile broadband speeds, AT&T customers can surf the Web, download files faster, and enjoy the very latest interactive mobile applications.
"Delivering dependable wireless coverage for consumers and businesses who need to stay connected is our ultimate objective," said Tom DeVito, AT&T vice president and general manager for New York and New Jersey. "AT&T's ongoing investments in the city will help ensure that our customers have access to the wireless services that help drive economic growth."
The new cell sites are part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to drive investment and innovation to deliver the nation's best, most advanced mobile broadband experience for customers. With the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities.
"Our goal is for our customers to have an extraordinary experience throughout the city," DeVito added. "We're always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced coverage, and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way we're accomplishing that. In addition, our recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA will strengthen and expand our network in New York. 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 220 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 operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with nearly 27,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, including more than 515 hotspot locations in the New York metro area, including in Times Square, near Rockefeller Center, near St. Patrick's Cathedral, along Park Avenue and near Ed Sullivan Theater. AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zones supplement mobile broadband coverage in areas with consistently high traffic.
For more information about AT&T's coverage in New York City or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure coverage quality of coverage from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.
*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.
** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
