INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- [ AT&T ]* invested more than $1 billion in its Indiana wireless and wireline networks from 2009 through 2011 with a focus on improving the company's mobile broadband coverage and overall performance of its networks.

During 2011, AT&T made nearly 1,250 wireless network upgrades in four key categories in Indiana. These enhancements include:

Activating 20 new cell sites or towers to improve network coverage.
Deploying faster fiber-optic connections to more than 350 cell sites. Combined with HSPA+ technology, these deployments enable 4G speeds**.
Adding capacity or an extra layer of frequency to cell sites – like adding lanes to a highway – with the addition of nearly 650 of these layers, or "carriers."
Upgrading nearly 225 cell sites to provide fast [ mobile broadband ] speeds.

AT&T also launched its new 4G LTE network in Indianapolis.

"Governor Daniels has said that Indiana should be a state where any Hoosier can start a business anywhere," said Indiana Secretary of Commerce Dan Hasler. "The jobs of the future will require access to a robust wireless infrastructure in both rural and urban areas and this investment is a significant step towards making that happen."

[ CNN Money recently recognized AT&T ] for enhancing its wireless network. Last year, AT&T completed 150,000 network enhancements across the country, more than triple the year before, giving customers more capacity and faster speeds, as well as improving 3G dropped-call performance by 25 percent.

"More than ever, we use wireless communications to stay connected with business colleagues, family and friends," said Kevin Brinegar, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. "I applaud AT&T's continued investment in its wireless network to ensure Indiana businesses and residents can perform and communicate at optimal levels."

AT&T plans to support the build or upgrade of thousands of cell sites nationwide to increase network speed, coverage and reliability for both mobile voice and [ broadband services ]. In addition, AT&T plans to install additional radio "carriers" at thousands of cell sites nationally, enabling new layers of spectrum capacity to carry larger volumes of mobile broadband traffic. Additional capacity helps support rising mobile data traffic volumes, which continue to increase at a rapid pace.

"Thanks to the vision of Governor Daniels and his administration and the business-friendly approach of the General Assembly, Indiana has the best environment for telecom infrastructure investment in the nation," said AT&T Indiana President George S. Fleetwood. "Indiana is a great place for companies to invest and grow their presence and we look forward to more good news in 2012."

AT&T operates the [ nation's largest Wi-Fi network ]*** with nearly 30,000 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.

"Our goal is to deliver a network experience that mobilizes everything for customers," said Brian Ducharme, vice president and general manager, AT&T Indiana and Michigan. "The ongoing investment we're making in Indiana is designed to increase coverage and reliability, and to provide advanced services to our customers. Paired with our recent launch of our 4G LTE network in Indianapolis, customers can use wireless technology to its full potential."

AT&T recently launched "[ Focus: Indianapolis ]," which provides visitors a peek into AT&T's wireless network enhancements made since the beginning of 2011. 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. The site can be found at [ http://focus.att.com/market/indy ].

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Indiana or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the [ AT&T Coverage Viewer ]. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure 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.
**4G speeds delivered by HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul. Available in limited areas. Availability increasing with ongoing backhaul deployment. 4G device required. Learn more at att.com/network.
***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.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: [ T ]) is a premier communications holding company and [ one of the most honored companies in the world ]. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T |DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at [ http://www.att.com ]. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at [ http://www.att.com/newsroom ] and as part of an RSS feed at [ www.att.com/rss ]. Or follow our news on Twitter at [ @ATT ].

© 2012 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might 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 and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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AT&T Invests More Than $1 Billion in Indiana From 2009 Through 2011 to Improve Local Networks

AT&T Invests More Than $1 Billion in Indiana From 2009 Through 2011 to Improve Local Networks

Company Builds New Cell Sites, Boosts Capacity and Adds Fiber Optics to Enhance Networks