14 DAY TRIAL // Wireless carrier AT&T announced on Tuesday the strengthening of its 3G mobile broadband wireless network with the deployment of spectrum in the 850 MHz band over a series of areas in the US, including New York and New Jersey, as well as Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex, Hartford, New London, Tolland and Windham counties in Connecticut. According to the company, the new network enhancements are meant to offer users in these areas better connectivity and performance, as well as leveraged in-building wireless coverage.
AT&T, one of the largest mobile phone operators in the United States, is known to be working on the strengthening of its 3G coverage around the country. According to the carrier, the fact that it has seen an increase in its smartphone customer base as of late drives it to bring enhancements to its network capabilities so as to meet the growing mobile broadband needs of its subscribers.
“Every increase in communications capability offers the potential for local businesses and individuals to contribute to economic growth,” said Mary Beth Reid, Executive Director of the East Hartford Chamber of Commerce. “Today’s announcement from AT&T about enhancing communications infrastructure, including mobile broadband, increases the ability for businesses to compete in the Internet economy as well as the local market.”
The wireless carrier deployed the 850 MHz spectrum at over 200 cell sites in Connecticut, and over 1,600 cell sites in metro New York, Long Island and New Jersey. According to AT&T, the benefits from the spectrum might vary according to location, yet improvements in both the quality of the service and in coverage should be experienced on all aforementioned areas.
The network enhancements will continue during the ongoing year, AT&T says, with a number of 1,900 cell sites planned for deployment before the end of 2009. In addition, the company has also stated that it intends to perform further upgrades to its network all around the country, with the HSPA 7.2 technology, so as to provide users with even faster speeds. The upcoming upgrades are slated to kick off in the fourth quarter of the year, and should be completed sometime in 2011. More details on the AT&T 3G coverage around the US can be found here.