AT&T Launches New System to Enhance Wireless Coverage at KFC YUM! Center

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced the recent activation of more than a million-dollar advanced wireless system that will enhance mobile coverage inside and around the KFC YUM! Center in downtown Louisville.

The KFC YUM! Center is home to the University of Louisville Cardinals Men's and Women's Basketball programs. Additionally, it is designed to accommodate a wide variety of other events including NCAA championships such as wrestling, swimming and volleyball, as well as concerts, circuses, wrestling and boxing matches and ice shows.

"This new system means arena guests can better communicate using their cell phones no matter where they are on game or event days," said Jim Wood, president & CEO, Louisville Convention and Visitors Bureau. "This significant network upgrade is especially important to attracting new convention business to the arena. We appreciate the cooperation of AT&T to enhance the experience of locals and visitors using the KFC YUM! Center."

With this activation, AT&T has enhanced the amount of wireless voice and data traffic that the network is able to handle at large capacity gatherings, such as basketball games, where demand on the network is at its peak. To make this enhancement, AT&T installed network equipment on a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) to manage available spectrum and increase mobile broadband capacity inside the KFC YUM! Center.

"These investments will have an immediate impact for our citizens who attend events at the KFC YUM! Center," said Louisville Councilman Dan Johnson.  "As we work to continue to grow the economy, downtown Louisville will be able to grow even faster with the benefit of enhanced mobile broadband coverage."

The DAS supporting the KFC YUM! Center consists of seven equipment cabinets to support mobile broadband. The new system provides wireless service throughout all seating areas, the press box, the garage, the luxury suites, concourses and locker rooms.

"This investment will help University of Louisville fans stay better connected when they're at the KFC YUM! Center," said Tom Jurich, vice president for athletics at the University of Louisville. "We recognize that with more than 22,000 people in the arena and thousands more in and around the facility, there is a need for great wireless service. Going to an event at this arena has always been a great experience. Now it's going to be even better with this new wireless system."

The goal of the DAS project is to achieve integrated cellular coverage indoors and out. Whether AT&T customers are using their cell phones, smartphones or even laptops with wireless Internet cards, they will be better able to access sports scores while on-the-go, upload photos instantly to social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, and use navigation to get turn-by-turn directions and traffic alerts on their way to and from the arena.

"These advanced systems will provide our customers with an enhanced mobile experience as they enjoy games and other events," said Mary Pat Regan, AT&T Kentucky state president. "We are committed to providing superior coverage on AT&T's network for our customers, and are happy to improve their experience at the KFC YUM! Center."

From 2007 through 2009, AT&T's total capital investment in its Kentucky wireless and wireline networks was nearly $500 million.  AT&T's wireless network investment in Kentucky during that timeframe was nearly $125 million. For the first six months of this year, AT&T invested nearly $80 million in its Kentucky wireless and wireline networks.

The expansion of mobile broadband service is one of many ongoing network initiatives planned to enhance coverage and capacity across the country. AT&T upgraded mobile broadband cell sites nationwide to High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2. Future plans include another upgrade to HSPA+ technology at the end of this year followed by the initial deployment next year of LTE, the next-generation of wireless technology. These advancements, when combined with an ongoing initiative to increase the number of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, are a part of AT&T's strategy to provide customers with an enhanced mobile broadband experience, both today and in the future.

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

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 best 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 140 major cruise ships, as well as mobile broadband services in more than 125 countries.

AT&T also operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 23,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to more than 125,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to AT&T's entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly data plans.

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

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. 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 and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, 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. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.