MIAMI, Dec. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- With more customers surfing the Internet, keeping up with social networking apps, and sharing video on their wireless devices today, the demand for more mobile bandwidth is growing. That's why AT&T* has substantially increased 3G capacity on hundreds of cell sites from Key West to Vero Beach. The project involved the addition of a third layer of capacity, or "third carrier," to the AT&T 3G network - the first UMTS network upgrade of its kind to be completed by a wireless provider in the U.S.

AT&T announced in September it had added a third layer of capacity to its network from as far south as Key Biscayne to as far north as Sunrise. Since that time, the same upgrade has been completed from north of Sunrise to Vero Beach. AT&T also has added a second layer of capacity, or "second carrier," to dozens of cell sites in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin St. Lucie and Indian River counties. The increased capacity is targeted to support higher volumes of mobile broadband traffic and provide more consistent speeds during peak system usage.

"Our goal is pretty simple: We want you to have an extraordinary experience when you make a call, check e-mail, download a song or video, or surf the Internet on your AT&T device," said Rich Guidotti, vice president and general manager, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets South Florida. "As part of the South Florida community, we're always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced coverage and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way to accomplish this."

In addition to capacity growth, AT&T this year has upgraded its UMTS switching center and activated 15 new cell sites in Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Indian River counties. More sites are planned before end-of-year.

These network upgrades are one part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to drive innovation by investing to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any U.S. competitor, resulting in wireless traffic on the AT&T network that has quadrupled over the past year.

AT&T plans to invest between $17 billion and $18 billion, with billions going toward wireless. From 2006 to 2008, AT&T's total capital investment in its wireline and wireless networks in Florida was more than $3 billion.

"Our mission is to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and to do it better than anyone else," said Marshall Criser, lll, AT&T president, Florida. "We view our ongoing investment in Florida as an investment in our customers."

For more information about AT&T's coverage in South Florida 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.

*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.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. 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.

© 2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 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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