AT&T Expands Wi-Fi Hotzone Availability

On Tuesday, mobile phone carrier AT&T has announced plans to expand the availability of AT&T Wi-Fi hotzones to new locations in some of the major markets where it already offers the connectivity to users.

According to the wireless carrier, the expansion would involve existing Times Square Wi-Fi hotzone and new hotzones near Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, along with the launch of a Wi-Fi hotzone in San Francisco’s popular Embarcadero Center.

The wireless carrier already delivered Wi-Fi hotzones in New York City’s Times Square, as well as in downtown Charlotte, N.C., and Chicago’s Wrigleyville, in an attempt to offer enhanced connectivity options to more users out there.

According to the company, the deployments are part of its plan to supplement the availability of its mobile broadband network in urban areas where the network is used mostly.

The wireless services provider also notes that, during a few months pilot period, its customers made a number of more than 350,000 connections at the three hotzones.

“Our initial AT&T Wi-Fi hotzones have received great customer response and supported high data traffic,” said John Donovan, AT&T chief technology officer.

“The pilot demonstrated the clear benefits of having fast and readily-available Wi-Fi options for our customers and our network, and so we have decided to deploy hotzones in more locations.”

The expanded Times Square hotzone is expected to offer coverage the north central part of Times Square (along 7th Avenue, east along 46th Street, and along Broadway). As for the hotzones near Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, they should be deployed in a matter of days.

“We’re excited to start the next phase of our hotzone program with additional Wi-Fi coverage areas in New York City and, soon, in San Francisco,” said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president, AT&T Wi-Fi Services.

“AT&T Wi-Fi will be available across a wider area for Manhattan residents, visitors and New Year’s Eve revelers during the busy holiday season and beyond. Plus, San Francisco residents are expected to soon be able to enjoy a Wi-Fi hotzone in the Embarcadero Center area as they shop, dine and work.”