AT&T, building on its strong 2010 record of network accomplishments, today announced network improvement plans designed to enable 4G speeds** and enhanced reliability toAtlantaand surrounding communities in 2011. The wireless network enhancement plans are part of AT&T's planned$19-billioninvestment in its wireless and wireline networks and other capital projects in 2011.

Sylvia Russell, state president, AT&T Georgia, says AT&T plans the following network improvements in theAtlantaarea in 2011:Deploying enhanced backhaul connections to more than 450 cell sites to enable 4G speeds and add capacity to support more mobile traffic, like adding traffic lanes to a highway,Installing approximately 12 new cell sites to improve network coverage,Adding spectrum carriers to more than 610 cell sites to support more traffic,Deploying Distributed Antenna System (DAS) networks at 12 venues to enhance network coverage during events,Launching AT&T Wi-Fi at Turner Field to further enhance the fan experience during home games.

"Our story is getting even better forAtlantaandGeorgia," Russell said. "Our recently announced agreement to acquire T-Mobile USA represents a great deal for customers and a major commitment to strengthen and expand our network. In fact, this deal, if approved, means that we'll be able to expand the next generation of mobile broadband – 4G LTE – from our current plan of 80 percent of the U.S. population to 95 percent."

Russell said the T-Mobile acquisition provides a fast, efficient and certain solution to the impending wireless exhaust situation facing both companies while adding cell towers. Additional towers mean additional capacity which means fewer dropped calls. "We'll be able to provide better voice quality and data performance to our customers," she said.

Russell said AT&T invested more than$2 billionin itsAtlantawireless and wireline network from 2008 through 2010 as part of its commitment to superior service in the area. In 2010, AT&T performed the following upgrades and improvements to its network in theAtlantaarea:Installing 50 new cell sites,Upgrading 9 cell sites for mobile broadband,Deploying enhanced backhaul connections to 33 cell sites to enable 4G speeds and more capacity,Adding spectrum carriers to 116 cell sites,Deploying DAS networks at 8 venues, including one at Turner Field to serve the heavily-trafficked areas throughout the stadium

"Investments in a strong wireless network help attract new business and strengthen our economy," said Georgia House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee ChairmanDon Parsons. "The Georgia General Assembly has worked diligently to help to create a public policy environment that provides the right incentives for companies to invest in our state."

The nation's fastest mobile broadband network is getting faster with 4G. A key planned upgrade for 2011 is deployment of enhanced backhaul connections to more than 450 cell sites in theAtlantaarea to enable 4G speeds. Backhaul connections carry traffic between cell sites and AT&T's nationwide network. Enhanced fiber-optic and ethernet backhaul connections expand capacity many times over, and enable additional expansion in the years to come.

"We're investing in ourAtlantanetwork to help AT&T customers take advantage of the numerous capabilities of their wireless devices," saidKeith Holmes, vice president and general manager, AT&T Georgia. "This year, we're committed to providing best-in-class wireless voice service to our customers, and we're backing that up with the right investments."

The investments made in theAtlantaarea wireless and wireline networks are part of the more than$3.3 billionAT&T invested from 2008-2010 acrossGeorgia, added Russell.

Sam Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, said AT&T's significant investment to improve its network will further bolster metroAtlanta's reputation as a great place to live and work.

"High-tech expansions like this one help our business community, our local economy and our overall quality of life," Williams said. "Few businesses today are more competitive than the wireless industry. That level of competition results in investment and new technology, which delivers benefits to the entire community."