BALTIMORE, Aug. 14, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At
AT&T1, we invested more than $250 million in our Baltimore area 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 second quarter 2019 results from tests
taken with Speedtest® and analyzed by
Ookla®. 2
In 2018, AT&T made wireless network upgrades throughout the
Baltimore area, including
adding new cell sites and upgrading existing ones.
"Greater Baltimore is home to
world-class colleges and universities, extraordinary hospitals,
companies of all sizes, and entrepreneurs and innovators who work
every day to keep our region strong," said Donald C. Fry, President and CEO, Greater
Baltimore Committee. "AT&T's investment in the Baltimore region creates jobs, boosts the
economy and ensures that employers have access to cutting-edge
telecommunications and Internet technology. The region is very
fortunate to have a leading company so committed to investing in
new technologies, which is a key to a strong, viable and
competitive economy."
"This investment in the Baltimore area is another example of how
AT&T is working to help keep customers connected when and where
they need it most," said Denis Dunn,
president, AT&T Maryland. "Our investment also supports
community and economic development, allowing Greater Baltimore to better
compete regionally, nationally and globally."
Dunn added that AT&T is committed to working with local and
state officials to develop policies that help speed up the
installation of mobile broadband equipment called small cells.
AT&T's investment in this technology will further enhance local
networks to meet growing demand for mobile broadband and serve as
the foundation for services like 5G, Internet of Things (IoT),
smart cities and more.
The AT&T LTE network covers more than 400 million people in
North America. 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.
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, or rural. 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
Baltimore, 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 the
Baltimore area. 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.
- Baltimore area 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 the Baltimore area or anywhere in the U.S., go to
the AT&T Coverage Viewer. For updates on the AT&T wireless
network, please go to 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
Q2 2019. Ookla trademarks used under license and reprinted with
permission.
3Based 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 Q2 2019.
***GWS OneScore, September 2018.
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.
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