AT&T Expands Mobile Broadband Capacity In Tri-Cities

AT&T announced Thursday that it had completed a key initiative to improve mobile broadband coverage and voice performance in and around Saginaw, Bay City and Midland.

The network enhancement adds new layers of frequency, also known as "carriers," to 39 cell sites throughout Saginaw, Bay City and Midland to more efficiently manage available spectrum and increase mobile broadband capacity.

"As part of the Saginaw, Bay City and Midland communities, we're always looking for new opportunities to provide an enhanced customer experience and our investment in the local wireless network is just one way we're accomplishing that," said Jim Murray, president, AT&T Michigan. "In addition, our recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA will strengthen and expand our network in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland. If approved, this deal means that we'll be able to expand the next generation of mobile broadband -- 4G LTE -- from our current plan of 80 percent of the U.S. population to more than 97 percent."

AT&T's mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project 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 operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network with more than 27,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 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 wireless data plans.

"We want you to have an extraordinary experience whether you are sharing videos and photos with friends, watching a movie, checking the latest scores, or keeping your business mobile on your AT&T device," said Brian Ducharme, vice president and general manager for AT&T in Michigan and Indiana. "Smartphones, tablets and laptops are continuing to drive unprecedented demand for wireless access everywhere. We're investing in a combination of technologies in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland to meet these needs and ensure an advanced broadband experience for all our customers."

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Saginaw, Bay City and Midland or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.

More at www.att.com.