AT&T Brings 3G Mobile Broadband Network to Golden Isles

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

AT&T* announced the availability of its third generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Coastal Georgia, opening the door to a new era of mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content for customers in Jekyll Island, Sea Island, Brunswick and St. Simons Island.

AT&T is an industry leader in delivering the benefits of mobile broadband networks, devices and applications. With the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data experience.

“Investing in and expanding the wireless network across the state is a priority in 2010, particularly throughout coastal Georgia,” said Kaylyn Padgett, External Affairs Manager-AT&T Georgia. “We continue to make significant investments to deliver dependable wireless access in more places across Georgia.”

Earlier this year, AT&T unveiled its Georgia wireless network investment plans for 2010, which include the addition of nearly 60 new cell sites and the upgrade of more than 250 additional cell sites to 3G throughout the state.

“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 Keith Holmes, Vice President and General Manager, AT&T Georgia. “With this expansion, our customers can enjoy the nation’s best, most advanced mobile broadband experience with emerging devices and tens of thousands of mobile applications.”

Wireless data traffic on the AT&T network has grown more than 5,000 percent over the past three years, largely attributed to the increasing popularity of advanced smartphones and the performance of AT&T’s 3G network, the nation’s fastest. From 2007 through 2009, AT&T’s total capital investment in its Georgia wireless and wireline networks was more than $4.1 billion. From 2007 through 2009, AT&T’s wireless network investment in Georgia was nearly $1.1 billion.

AT&T recently completed a software upgrade at 3G cell sites nationwide that prepares the nation’s fastest 3G network for even faster speeds. The deployment of High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is the first of multiple initiatives in AT&T’s network enhancement strategy designed to provide customers with an enhanced mobile broadband experience, both today and well into the future. Faster 3G speeds are scheduled to become available this year and in 2011 on a market-by-market basis as AT&T combines the new technology with the increased deployment of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, primarily with fiber-optic technology.

“Enhanced wireless service is a welcome feature that will benefit many citizens,” said House Majority Leader Jerry Keen (R – St. Simons). “These investments bring the potential to grow our economy and create new jobs in the area.”

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 has the best international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, delivering voice service in over 220 countries and data service in more than 190 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on 130 major cruise ships, as well as 3G services in 115 countries.

For more information about AT&T’s 3G coverage in Brunswick, St. Simons Island 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.