MINNEAPOLIS, June 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- At
AT&T1, we've invested more than $325 million in our Minnesota wireless and wired networks during
2016-2018, including nearly $250
million in the Minneapolis-St.
Paul metropolitan area. And from 2010 to 2018, AT&T
invested more than $1.1 billion in
our Minnesota networks. These
investments boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall
performance for residents and businesses, and has given AT&T
the most wireless coverage in Minnesota. 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 1,339 wireless network upgrades in
Minnesota. We added new cell
sites, additional network capacity, enhanced back haul and small
cells. 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.
In 2019 we will deploy our mobile 5G+ mmWave network in parts of
Minneapolis. Some of our early
customers using 5G delivered over millimeter wave spectrum, which
we call 5G+, have experienced speeds in the range of 200-300
megabits per second – and even as high as 400 megabits per
second.3
"We are proud of the significant investments we have made in our
networks across Minnesota,
including the upgrades we have made to prepare Minneapolis for the future of next generation
connectivity," said Paul Weirtz,
state president, AT&T Minnesota. "The investments we're making
not only keep our businesses and residents connected, but they help
prepare us for the future of 5G and innovations like smarter
cities, telemedicine and virtual reality."
"For Minnesota to continue to
thrive and attract new jobs and innovation, sustained investment by
the private sector is crucial," said Steve
Cramer, president and CEO of the Minneapolis Downtown
Council and Downtown Improvement District. "By continuing to build
state-of-the-art infrastructure in our state, AT&T is making
business growth possible and making sure our residents have the
tools to stay connected and entertained."
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
Minnesota, 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 Duluth, Moorhead, Rochester and St.
Cloud. 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.
- Minnesota 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.
4
- 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 Minnesota, 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
Does not represent average speeds. Speeds vary and may be
lower.
4 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.
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