AT&T cell customers in Arcadia who have been frustrated with poor service may soon notice a big improvement. The company announced today that it has deployed 4G to its mobile broadband network in Arcadia and added network enhancements, including new layers of frequency (also known as “carriers”) to several cell sites throughout Arcadia to more efficiently manage available spectrum and increase mobile broadband capacity.
When combined with enhanced Ethernet connectivity between the cell site and the wireless switch center later this year, the deployment will enable 4G wireless data speeds of up to four times faster than ordinary mobile broadband, enhancing the experience for customers and businesses who use the Internet or data-heavy applications on tablets, mobile devices or smartphones.
AT&T’s advanced network provides several important advantages for customers including customers with the ability to talk and surf at the same time. For instance, you can look up directions to an event while still talking on the phone, or browse your favorite social media sites while chatting with a friend.
The state-of-the-art improvements are expected to give Arcadia more ability to handle a growing volume of calls, video, Internet and other data. The expanded Arcadia wireless network is part of AT&T’s $450 million investment in network improvements throughout Los Angeles.
Among the several upgraded cell sites in Arcadia is one hidden discreetly within The Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden. Whether uploading a Twitpic of their favorite exotic plant or checking the Internet to learn if they can grow it at home, Arboretum explorers can now do so hassle-free with improved wireless service.
The expansion helps manage ever-growing demand for mobile broadband services by allocating more network resources for AT&T’s mobile broadband network.
“We are investing heavily in Arcadia because we recognize that our customers here need the highest quality wireless service to take advantage of all the capabilities of today’s mobile broadband devices,” said Rich Roche, External Affairs manager for AT&T and a longtime member of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. “It is our highest priority to ensure that our network enhancements are keeping pace with the growing needs of businesses, government entities and individuals.”
“We’ve seen an astounding 8,000 percent increase in data traffic in the last four years,” said Andy Shibley, VP and general manager, Greater Los Angeles Region. This has been our call to action to keep pace and stay ahead of customer demand. To ensure this, we’re adding new cell sites, enhancing in-building coverage, increasing data speeds and, most importantly, servicing and tuning our network – all to improve our customer’s experience.”
AT&T’s mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the best international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries.
AT&T also operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network** with nearly 27,000 hotspots in the U.S. and provides access to nearly 190,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly wireless data plans.
For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Arcadia or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, visit the AT&T network news page.
— By Scott Hettrick