AT&T Enhances Mobile Internet Coverage At Beaumont Grosse Pointe

GROSSE POINTE (WWJ) -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T has expanded its mobile Internet coverage at Beaumont Health System by completing the installation of a new Distributed Antenna System at its Grosse Pointe Hospital.

With this improvement, all three of Beaumont's hospitals now have the ability to offer this enhanced experience to employees, physicians, patients and their families.

Previously, a DAS was installed in the Troy and Royal Oak hospitals. A DAS installation consists of multiple strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless network coverage throughout the hospital, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily trafficked areas. DAS has the ability to provide enhanced, consistent wireless coverage to customers in indoor or outdoor spaces where geographical limitations -- terrain, building construction and more -- or crowd density might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience.

The Beaumont Health System DAS installation is part of AT&T's Project Velocity IP, a three-year investment plan announced last fall to expand and enhance its IP broadband networks. Through this investment, AT&T is supporting its customers' growing desire for high-speed Internet access and new mobile, app and cloud-based services. As part of Project VIP, AT&T plans to add more than 1,000 DAS nationwide by year-end 2015, as well as more than 10,000 macro cell sites, and deploy more than 40,000 small cells, to increase the density of its wireless network.

"We want our customers to have access to fast, reliable services at a time when communicating with family and friends is at its most important," said Jim Murray, president of AT&T Michigan. "With initiatives like Project VIP, we're continuing our investment in the wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at Beaumont hospital."

DAS technology helps improve the mobile Internet experience by shortening the distance a request must travel. The additional capacity also is expected to help improve call reliability, boost data traffic capacity and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.

Across Michigan, 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 Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties as well as others such as Washtenaw and Monroe. Nationwide, nearly 250 million Americans have access to AT&T 4G LTE service. By year-end 2013, AT&T expects to cover nearly 270 million people with its 4G LTE network.

Over the past six years, AT&T invested more than $116 billion into its wireless and wireline networks across the country. Since 2007, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a September 2013 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. "Investment Heroes."

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Michigan or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer at www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html#fbid=gng8Z8uj0hk