DES MOINES, Iowa, Feb. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* invested more than $150 million in its Iowa wireless and wireline networks from 2010 through 2012, with a focus on expanding 4G mobile Internet coverage and enhancing the overall performance of its networks.**

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120612/DA23287LOGO)

AT&T has made nearly 300 wireless network upgrades in six key categories in Iowa during 2012, including activating new cell sites, adding capacity, upgrading cell sites to provide fast 4G mobile Internet speeds, deploying high-capacity Ethernet connections to cell sites, and adding or upgrading Distributed Antenna Systems, which boost wireless coverage and capacity in buildings and at major venues like convention halls or sports arenas.

"We know our customers depend on us for fast, reliable mobile Internet connections at home, work and everywhere in between," said Hardmon Williams, AT&T vice president general manager for Iowa, Minnesota and the Northern Plains. "Delivering for our Iowa customers is a top priority and our ongoing investment here is designed to deliver a superior mobile Internet experience, encompassing speed, coverage and reliability."

"One of the reasons Iowa has become such a dynamic place to live, work, and conduct business, can be attributed to the contributions of companies such as AT&T," said Mike Ralston, president, Iowa Association of Business and Industry. "AT&T's continued investment in our state's technological infrastructure is a strong indicator that Iowa is open for business and companies can thrive and succeed in our state. We need to continue to adopt pro-business policies that encourage this type of investment."

"We're proud to invest in Iowa and expand our wireless broadband network to support growing demand for the latest wireless devices and capabilities," said Beth Canuteson, regional vice president for AT&T Iowa. "We'd like to applaud policymakers for seeking a pro-business environment that provides regulatory certainty and encourages private investment in our state's communications infrastructure.  This type of investment helps spur economic development, job creation and greater access to healthcare, education and other vital services."

Planned Investment to Expand Reach of Wireless and Wired Broadband

AT&T recently launched Project Velocity IP (VIP), a three-year investment initiative to expand and enhance its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks. As part of Project VIP, AT&T plans to increase the density of its wireless network by deploying more than 10,000 macro sites, more than 1,000 distributed antenna systems, and more than 40,000 small cells. Through this initiative, we also plan to:

• Expand 4G LTE to cover more than 300 million people by year-end 2014
• Expand the AT&T wired IP network to 57 million customer locations, covering 75 percent of customer locations in its wired service area by year-end 2015
• Expand the AT&T fiber network to reach 1 million additional business locations by year-end 2015

AT&T's innovation and investment has resulted in the nation's largest 4G network, covering 288 million people with ultra-fast speeds and a more consistent user experience.

AT&T is the only U.S. service provider to deploy two compatible 4G technologies to deliver more speed to more smartphone customers. AT&T's HSPA+ network enables mobile Internet speeds up to four times faster than 3G technologies.***  

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Iowa or anywhere in the U.S., consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure quality of coverage from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark. For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.

*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.

**Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. 4G speeds not available everywhere. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Compatible device and data plan required. Learn more at att.com/network.

***Claim compares 4G download speeds to industry average 3G download speeds.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT.

© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might 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 and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.