AT&T Enhances Indianapolis Wireless Network for Football's Big Game

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As more than 150,000 people converge on Indianapolis for football's biggest game of the year, AT&T* has made a significant investment in permanent and temporary wireless network enhancements to support increased network traffic. Many of the network improvements are permanent additions that will continue to benefit Indianapolis-area residents and visitors after the big game.

AT&T has launched an AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone, the company's seventh major-market hotzone, serving parts of downtown Indianapolis. The new hotzone will provide fast and reliable Wi-Fi near many popular locations along Capitol Avenue, Meridian and Pennsylvania Streets as well as East and West Georgia streets near the center of town, which consistently see high customer traffic and mobile data use. AT&T customers with high speed Internet, smartphone or LaptopConnect plans get unlimited access to AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zones at no additional cost. From most AT&T smartphones and devices, customers will be able to automatically connect and switch seamlessly between AT&T's Wi-Fi and wireless networks. Wi-Fi use doesn't count toward customers' smartphone data plans.

AT&T has also launched an expanded Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at Lucas Oil Stadium, which is among the largest of its kind in the U.S., enabling 4G LTE coverage within the stadium and carrying more traffic than 10 cell sites. In addition, AT&T has expanded its 4G LTE network to its DAS for media accommodations and has plans to enhance or install DAS systems in a number of other venues before the big game. 

"We appreciate that AT&T is making this substantial investment in Indianapolis, both for the big game and for AT&T's many customers who live here," said Scott Miller, president, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce.  "Technology is vital to the way we live and work every day, and investments like the one AT&T is making help our business community and local economy continue to thrive."

"Events like the big game generate memorable experiences that our customers will want to share with friends and family through text messages, photos, status updates on social networks and calls from their mobile devices," said Brian Ducharme, Vice President and General Manager, AT&T Indiana and Michigan. "We're excited to provide significant network improvements – like our AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Zone and expanded or new DAS throughout the city – that will enhance the network experience for our customers in Indianapolis before, during and after the game."

Further preparations for the big game include deploying nine Cells on Wheels (COWs) to support Lucas Oil Stadium, the downtown area, practice facilities and other places where large crowds are expected to accommodate increased wireless network demands from high concentrations of smartphone users. The company has also added capacity to nearly 200 cell sites throughout the Indianapolis market. The augmentations will help improve reliability and offer faster data speeds.

"This investment is about more than just one football game, it is about making Indianapolis a world class city for future economic growth," said AT&T Indiana President George S. Fleetwood. "We look forward to a continued partnership in the years to come as we look for opportunities to enhance our customer experience and create jobs here."

The permanent and temporary enhancements are part of AT&T's ongoing efforts to prepare for and provide the best possible mobile experience for customers. In addition, AT&T recently launched its ultra-fast 4G LTE network in Indianapolis, providing mobile broadband speeds up to 10 times faster than 3G.

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 broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 225 countries and data service in more than 200 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 135 major cruise ships, as well as mobile broadband services in more than 130 countries.

AT&T also operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 29,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. As of January 2012, AT&T has more than 220 Wi-Fi hotspots in the Indianapolis area. In the third quarter of 2011, Indianapolis visitors and residents made more than 3.7 million connections to the AT&T Wi-Fi network.

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Indianapolis or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit an AT&T Coverage Viewer. 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 our 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.

Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds delivered by LTE, or HSPA+ with enhanced backhaul, where available. Deployment ongoing. Compatible device and data plan required. Up to 10x claim compares 4G LTE download speeds to industry average 3G download speeds. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network.

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. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.