AT&T Invests Nearly $110 Million In Kentucky Wireless And Wireline Networks In First Half Of 2013

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Aug. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced that it has invested nearly $110 million in its wireless and wired networks in Kentucky through the first half of 2013.  The investments included deployment of new macro cell sites, small cells and Distributed Antenna Systems across the state as a part of AT&T's Project Velocity IP, a three-year investment plan announced last fall to expand and enhance its IP broadband networks.  The company also expanded and enhanced its 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast mobile Internet speeds, and deployed new Wi-Fi hot spots.  

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"This investment is significant for Kentucky not only for its magnitude, but also because it is exactly the kind of investment our Commonwealth needs as we build an economy in which our children and grandchildren will succeed and prosper," said Governor Steve Beshear. "The infrastructure needed for commerce in a global economy has shifted from roads and rail to communications networks that allow us to stay connected."

"As the way Kentuckians communicate and do business continues to change, it is no surprise that the telecommunications industry is one of the state's leading investors," said State Senate President Robert Stivers. "The employers we rely on and the friends and family we interact with every day are demanding new technology to stay connected. If we want to continue to say that 'Kentucky is open for business,' then we need to take the necessary steps to ensure that substantial investment like this continues to flow here instead of other states."

These investments help to ensure that Kentucky residents continue to receive the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the go.  The great performance of AT&T's 4G LTE network continues to be validated:

• AT&T has the fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network.  According to independent third-party data, AT&T has the highest success rate for delivering mobile content across nationwide 4G LTE networks.**
• Meanwhile, our 4G LTE service was recognized as having faster average download and upload speeds than any of our competitors in PCWorld/TechHive's most recent 20-market speed tests – the second consecutive year that AT&T has ranked 1st overall.  PCWorld/TechHive also ranked AT&T's as the fastest combination of 3G and 4G services in the 20 cities it tested.***
• And AT&T was named America's fastest 4G LTE network in PC Magazine's 2013 Fastest Mobile Networks 30-market study – sweeping the top rankings in all six U.S. regions from coast to coast: Northeast, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Northwest and Southwest.****

In addition, RootMetrics® has awarded AT&T 1st or tied for 1st for strongest overall call, text, and data performance in 66 of 125 national markets – including Louisville, where AT&T was tied for 1st – from January through June this year.*****

"We're proud of our long history of making significant investments in Kentucky in our networks, in our employees and in our communities," said Hood Harris, president, AT&T Kentucky. "Consumers are demanding new communications technologies and more wireless connectivity across the Commonwealth.  As we seek to build a Kentucky in which our children and grandchildren can grow up and be successful, we continue to invest to meet increased consumer demand." 

Highlights of network upgrades completed so far this year in Kentucky include completing the installation of a new 4G LTE capable Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) at Churchill Downs. Across Kentucky, AT&T's 2013 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of our 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds.  AT&T 4G LTE is now available in multiple areas of the state, including Ashland, Bowling Green, Elizabethtown, Frankfort, Lexington and Louisville. Nationwide, more than 225 million Americans have access to AT&T 4G LTE service.  By year-end 2013, AT&T expects to cover nearly 270 million people and 400 markets with its 4G LTE network.

The 2013 year-to-date network investment builds on the nearly $650 million that AT&T has invested in its Kentucky wireless and wired networks from 2010 through 2012.

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

** Speed claim based on comparison of national carriers' average 4G LTE download speeds for Android^TM and Windows smartphones and iPhone 5. Reliability claim compares data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G speeds not available everywhere.

*** PCWorld/TechHive, May 23, 2013, "AT&T clocks best overall speeds with 3G/4G combo"

**** PC Magazine, June 17, 2013; http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420333,00.asp

***** Performance rankings based on 125 RootMetrics® RootScore® Reports, January – June 2013, of 4 national mobile networks that rely on scores calculated from random samples.  Your experience may vary. The RootMetrics award is not an endorsement of AT&T.  Visit www.rootmetrics.com for more details.

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 internationally. AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, 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.

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/aboutus or follow our news on @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

^© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may 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 or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.