AT&T* announced the availability of its third generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Stillwater and across the Oklahoma State University campus, opening the door to a new era of mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content for customers in the area.
AT&T recently activated 3G high-speed mobile broadband service on 11 cell towers in the greater Stillwater area. The launch means 3G service is now available to a wide area of Stillwater and Payne County from roughly US Highway 64 on the north to State Highway 33 on the south and from Lake Carl Blackwell on the west to Glencoe on the east.
“This new high-speed wireless technology is a welcome addition to the Oklahoma State campus and the city of Stillwater,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “This technology will enhance our academic mission and will benefit our students, employees, alumni and visitors.”
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.
At an event today at OSU, AT&T also unveiled its wireless network investment plans for Oklahoma in 2010, which include the addition of nearly 20 new cell sites and the upgrade of nearly 75 additional cell sites to 3G throughout the state. This year, AT&T also plans to introduce 3G service to Chickasha, Clinton, Duncan, Durant, Elk City, McAlester, Miami, Ponca City, Seminole, Weatherford and Woodward.
“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 for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets in Arkansas and Oklahoma. “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.”
“Today’s investment announcement is more proof of our commitment to serve Oklahomans,” said Bryan Gonterman, president of AT&T Oklahoma. “This is our first 3G deployment in Oklahoma this year, and it’s the first of many that are planned for 2010. We’re looking forward to bringing high-speed wireless to more and more Oklahomans.”
The planned wireless network enhancement strategy is part of AT&T’s 2010 wireline and wireless capital investment, which is expected to be in the $18 billion to $19 billion range companywide, an increase of between 5 and 10 percent over 2009. This planned amount also includes an increase of about $2 billion in capital expenditures for wireless and backhaul related to AT&T’s wireless network. This planned level of investment is framed by the expectation that regulatory and legislative decisions relating to the telecom sector will continue to be sensitive to investment.
AT&T’s total capital investment in its Oklahoma wireless and wireline networks from 2007 through 2009 was nearly $650 million.
City Manager Dan Galloway said it is critical for Stillwater to remain competitive with other communities when it comes to technology. “We are fortunate to have leaders like state Sen. Jim Halligan and state Reps. Cory Williams and Lee Denney who are working to create the business environment in Oklahoma that encourages this type of high-tech investment,” Galloway said.
“When businesses look to expand or relocate, it is crucial that Stillwater is able to offer them technology and services that rival those found in our state’s biggest cities,” said Sen. Halligan. “The investment in a stronger wireless network for Stillwater will help attract business and strengthen our local economy.”
“People of all ages today rely on being able to stay in touch with friends and family members and to transact their everyday business using a wireless phone or device,” Rep. Williams said. “High-speed wireless broadband is the next evolution of wireless communications, and I’m excited that Stillwater and OSU are now at the forefront.”
“The education of our children is the most powerful tool we can use to compete in a global economy,” Rep. Denney said. “Wireless innovation and advancement of the broadband network will provide the necessary tools to educate the leaders of tomorrow.”
In Stillwater, AT&T products and services are available at the following retailers: Communications Connection, three locations at 501 N. Main, 2160 Perkins Road and 702 S. Main; Fenton Office Mart, 111 McElroy; Radio Shack, 711 N. Perkins Road; and Wal-Mart, 111 N. Perkins Road and 4545 W. 6th Ave.
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.
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 as AT&T combines the new technology with the increased deployment of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, primarily with fiber-optic technology.
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 Stillwater 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.
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