This comes from Fox (I know… I feel the same) News, via user whats4lunch… with thanks!
BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec 16, 2009 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ —-AT&T* today announced an update on the availability of its third generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Vermont.
“Vermonters are keenly aware of the value and importance of having access to high speed voice and data networks within the state and the news of AT&T’s introduction of 3G capabilities to their network is welcome, indeed,” said Thomas E. Murray, Executive Director of the Vermont Telecommunications Authority. “The VTA values the investments of partners like AT&T in Vermont as the VTA works toward fulfilling its mission to make broadband and wireless coverage available across the state.”
AT&T’s third generation (3G) mobile broadband network opens the door to a new era of mobile services and feature-rich audio and video content for AT&T customers. As part of AT&T’s initial network upgrade plan, 3G will go live on a rolling basis starting in Bennington, Brattleboro, Brownsville, Killington, Vernon, Warren, West Dover and White River Junction sometime this week. By December 31st, 3G will be added in Burlington, Colchester, Essex Junction, Fayston, Hartford, Jamaica, Jeffersonville, Middlebury, Rutland, South Burlington, St. Albans, Stowe, Waitsfield, West Rutland, West Townshend, West Wardsboro, Williston and Winooski.
This year’s 3G expansion is the first part of an ongoing network upgrade in Vermont. Additional coverage enhancements, including early first quarter 3G expansions in Barre, Montpelier and Northfield are already planned for 2010.
The network extension is part of AT&T’s ongoing efforts to drive innovation and investment to deliver the benefits of smartphones and mobile broadband for customers. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over any other U.S. competitor, and AT&T is committed to driving continual enhancement of network capabilities to meet these customers’ ever-growing mobile broadband needs.
“Delivering dependable wireless coverage for consumers and business customers who need to stay connected to work, family and friends is our ultimate objective,” said William Leahy, vice president of Atlantic region legislative and regulatory affairs for AT&T. “Our ongoing investments in the state will help us ensure that our customers have access to the wireless services that help drive economic growth.”
In addition its local 3G expansion, AT&T has integrated all legacy Unicel cell sites in Vermont into AT&T’s existing nationwide network and added a dozen new cell sites across the state. AT&T closed its acquisition of Unicel’s Vermont assets in December 2008.
“It has been an exciting first year for us in Vermont and we are thrilled to bring 3G to the state,” said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager, AT&T New England. “We know that demand for wireless bandwidth is growing, whether it’s for sharing video and photos with friends, watching a movie, checking the latest scores, or listening to music on a phone, netbook or other mobile devices on the go.”
AT&T matches its network investment with unsurpassed choice in the range of devices, services and applications compatible with its 3G network – the nation’s fastest, according to independent testing. AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications. Our Media Mall 2.0 offers more than 90,000 content options, and customers can download additional applications over the Internet. Additionally, AT&T supports a community of more than 20,000 application developers via its devCentral portal.
AT&T’s 3G mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most open and widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T’s 3G network is available in more than 350 major metropolitan areas. AT&T also offers 3G data roaming in more than 100 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 215 countries.
To find out more details about AT&T’s wireless coverage in Vermont or anywhere in the United States, consumers can go to http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/. The online tool provides up-to-date wireless coverage information for specific locations. The tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark. There are ten AT&T-owned retail locations in Vermont. AT&T’s products and services are also available at a number of authorized dealer and national retail locations.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit www.att.com/networknews.
*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.
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