PIERRE, S.D., June 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At
AT&T1, we've invested more than $60 million in our South Dakota wireless and wired networks
during 2016-2018. These investments boost reliability, coverage,
speed and overall performance for residents and businesses. We've
also improved critical services that support Public Safety and
first responders using the FirstNet communications platform.
AT&T's wireless network covers more than 99% of all
Americans and has become the fastest wireless network in the
nation, according to the first quarter 2019 results from tests
taken with Speedtest® and analyzed by Ookla®.2
In 2018, AT&T made 569 wireless network upgrades in
South Dakota. We added new cell
sites, additional network capacity and enhanced back haul. By
building out our 4G LTE network, we're boosting network speeds and
capacity, as we continue to expand the availability of our network
and upgrade our technology.
"For South Dakota to continue
to thrive and attract new jobs and innovation, sustained investment
by the private sector is crucial," said Steve Westra, Commissioner of the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic
Development. "We commend AT&T for continuing to build
state-of-the-art infrastructure in our state that makes business
growth possible and assures our residents have the tools to stay
connected and entertained."
"AT&T is proud to boost our investment in our wireless
network and upgrades across South
Dakota," said Cheryl Riley,
president, AT&T Northern Plains. "Our goal is to continue to
expand not only our geographic reach but our depth of service, and
provide our customers and businesses with the reliable, high-speed
coverage that they've come to trust and rely on."
Additionally, for the 5th consecutive year we've landed
on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most
Admired" companies. It's also the 6th year in a row we've appeared
on the Global Top 50 list – no other telecom company made the Top
50.
Transforming Public Safety Communications
FirstNet is
Public Safety's dedicated, nationwide communications platform. It
is for all first responders – career and volunteer, urban, rural or
tribal. It's bringing public safety communications into the 21st
century with new, innovative capabilities, helping first responders
connect to the critical information they need – every day and in
every emergency.
Building upon our current and planned investments in
South Dakota, we continue to
extend the reach and increase the capacity of the FirstNet
communications platform:
- Deployed Band 14 spectrum in more than 600 markets
nationwide, including Sioux Falls.
Band 14 is high-quality spectrum provided by the First Responder
Network Authority. Its signal covers larger geographic areas with
less infrastructure to better support rural communities, and it can
better reach in-building in more urban areas as compared to
higher-MHz spectrum.
- South Dakota first responders
enjoy the fastest overall experience on FirstNet, compared to any
commercial network in the nation, thanks to the specialized
capabilities enabled by the physically separate and dedicated
FirstNet network core, like always-on priority and preemption.
3
- Public safety agencies subscribed to FirstNet have 24/7 access
to a nationwide fleet of 75 deployable network assets. These assets
can either be deployed for planned events or called upon in
emergencies to help first responders stay connected and operate
faster, safer and more effectively when lives are on the line.
FirstNet is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership
with the First Responder Network Authority – an independent agency
within the federal government. This helps ensure that the FirstNet
communications platform and service offerings meet the short- and
long-term needs of the public safety community.
To learn more about our wireless coverage in South Dakota, or anywhere in the U.S., visit
the AT&T Coverage Viewer. For updates on the AT&T wireless
network, please visit the AT&T network news page.
1 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.
2 Based on analysis by
Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data average download speeds for
Q1 2019. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with
permission.
3 Based on AT&T
analysis of Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® nationwide data average
download speeds for Q1 2019. Ookla trademarks used under license
and reprinted with permission.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
Information set forth in this news release
contains financial estimates and other forward- looking statements
that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may
differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future
results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or
revise statements contained in this news release based on new
information or otherwise.
*About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends
and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the first
phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we innovate to
improve lives. We have the nation's fastest wireless network.** And
according to America's biggest test, we have the nation's best
wireless network.*** We're building FirstNet just for first
responders and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With DIRECTV,
DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV, we deliver entertainment people love to
talk about. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve nearly 3
million global businesses – nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And
worldwide, our spirit of service drives employees to give back to
their communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
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. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at
facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
© 2019 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
**Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
average download speeds for Q1 2019.
***According to America's biggest test as announced by Global
Wireless Solutions last fall.
FirstNet® and the FirstNet logo are registered trademarks of the
First Responder Network Authority.
To define a market, we rely on the Core Based Statistical Areas
(CBSA), as established by the United States Office of Management
and Budget. Minor differences, if any, between annual totals
reflect annual updating of market boundaries in our record
systems.
From FORTUNE Magazine. 2019 Time Inc. FORTUNE© and The World's
Most Admired Companies® are registered trademarks of Time Inc. and
are used under License. FORTUNE and Time Inc. are not affiliated
with, and do not endorse products or services of, AT&T.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-invests-more-than-60-million-over-3-year-period-to-boost-local-networks-in-south-dakota-300871378.html
SOURCE AT&T