AT&T Brings Mobile Broadband Network to Mankato

Local Wireless Network Upgrade Advances AT&T’s Goal to Mobilize Everything, Extending Access to Advanced Products, Services and Applications

AT&T* today announced the availability of its mobile broadband network in parts of Mankato and surrounding communities, advancing AT&T’s goal to mobilize everything and extending access for advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content to customers in the area.

The activation of mobile broadband technology on 28 cell sites will enhance wireless coverage for residents and businesses in communities including Mankato, New Ulm, St. Peter, Eagle Lake, Elysian, Waterville, Gaylord, Le Center, Le Sueur, Green Isle, Montgomery, Albert Lea, Oakland, Ellendale and Blooming Prairie. The network has also been enhanced along major roadways in the area, including I-35 and Highways 14, 60 and 169.

“Investments in jobs and technology like what we see from AT&T in our state’s wireless broadband network is critical to keeping Minnesota citizens connected and competitive,” said Kurt Zellers, Speaker-Designate of the Minnesota House of Representatives. “This is exactly the kind of investment we hope to help foster from the private sector to create jobs, kick start the economy and generate economic growth.”

“These investments in smart networks are enabling the innovation of today and tomorrow that will enhance economic growth and stimulate jobs in Mankato and across Southern Minnesota,” said Bob Bass, president, AT&T Minnesota. “We look forward to working with the Minnesota state legislature and the other leaders of our state who are creating a positive economic environment that provides opportunities for companies to continue to invest aggressively in the state.”

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.

“Demand for wireless bandwidth is growing rapidly, 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 on-the-go devices,” said Hardmon Williams, vice president and general manager for AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets in Minnesota. “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.”

The expansion of mobile broadband service is one of many ongoing network initiatives planned to enhance coverage and capacity across the country. AT&T recently upgraded 3G 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’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 owns and 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 our 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 Minnesota 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.

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.