Upgraded 4G LTE Distributed Antenna System, Which is Part of AT&T’s Project VIP Investment Plan, Provides Additional Wireless Capacity for Customers on the Slopes
SNOWSHOE, W. Va., Feb. 12, 2015 — When skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes this winter at Snowshoe Mountain, they can expect to enjoy an enhanced mobile experience as they pull out their wireless device to share the most exciting moments with friends and family.
As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T* has expanded its mobile Internet coverage at Snowshoe Mountain by completing the installation of an Outdoor Distributed Antenna System (oDAS) to enhance customers’ cellular experience throughout the facility.
An outdoor DAS installation consists of multiple strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout Snowshoe Mountain, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas, such as ski resorts. An oDAS has the ability to provide enhanced, consistent wireless coverage to customers in indoor or outdoor spaces where geographical limitations – terrain, building construction, etc. – or crowd density might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience.
The Snowshoe Mountain oDAS is part of AT&T’s Project Velocity IP (VIP), a multi-year plan to invest for growth, announced in 2012. Through this investment, AT&T is supporting its customers’ growing desire for high-quality, fast wireless and wired services. As part of Project VIP, AT&T is deploying small cell technology, macro cells and additional DAS, which will increase the density of our wireless network. The wireless network densification will further improve network quality and increase spectrum efficiency.
“When our customers head out to the slopes to enjoy a ski vacation, we want them to have a great network experience throughout their trip no matter what they’re doing – whether that’s making a call, coordinating locations on the slopes, looking up weather conditions or checking email,” said Cristy Swink, vice president and general manager of AT&T MidAtlantic. “With initiatives like Project VIP, we’re continuing to investment in the wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage at Snowshoe Mountain is just one way that we’re investing in West Virginia.”
DAS technology helps improve the mobile Internet experience by shortening the distance a request must travel. The additional capacity also is expected to help improve call reliability, boost data traffic capacity and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.
These investments help to ensure that West Virginia residents and visitors continue to enjoy the best possible experience over the AT&T network, whether at home, at work or on the slopes. AT&T’s network has the nation’s strongest LTE signal, ** and AT&T also has the nation’s most reliable LTE network. ***
“Wireless connectivity here at Snowshoe has a reputation for being challenging, due to the federally regulated “Quiet Zone” administered by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, located a few miles away from the resort,” explains Frank DeBerry, chief operating officer at Snowshoe. “We have been working diligently the last two years to improve our wireless support and offer our guests better cell and email service. The enhanced mobile support from AT&T will go a long way in us being able to give our guests the technology they’ve grown accustomed to.”
Across West Virginia, AT&T’s 2014 investments have resulted in expansion and enhancement of our 4G LTE network, which provides ultra-fast speeds. Our 4G LTE deployment is ahead of schedule, covering more than 300 million people.
AT&T’s focus to deliver the best possible mobile Internet experience goes beyond 4G to embrace additional connection technologies. AT&T owns and operates more than 34,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 1 million 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.
AT&T invested more than $250 million in its West Virginia wireless and wireline networks from 2011 through 2013. Over the past six years (2008 to 2013), AT&T invested more than $140 billion into its wireless and wireline networks, when you combine capital investment and acquisitions of spectrum and wireless operations. Over the past six years, AT&T has invested more capital into the U.S. economy than any other public company. In a September 2013 report, the Progressive Policy Institute ranked AT&T No. 1 on its list of U.S. “Investment Heroes.”
For more information about AT&T’s coverage in Snowshoe or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. 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.
** Claim based on avg. LTE signal strength for national carriers.
***Reliability claim based on analysis of independent third party data re nationwide carriers’ 4G LTE. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.
**** A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T, news, filings) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We’re helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation’s strongest LTE signal and the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage. We’re improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T’s mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.
Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
© 2015 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Reliability and signal strength claims based on nationwide carriers’ LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not available everywhere. Global coverage claim based on offering voice and data roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offering the most wireless smartphones and tablets that work in the most countries.
About Snowshoe Mountain Resort
Snowshoe Mountain is the perfect year round destination for adventure filled vacations in West Virginia. Snowshoe covers a total area of 11,000 acres in the Appalachian Mountain Range, and includes the second highest point in the state at 4,848’ elevation. In addition to terrific outdoor winter recreation, Snowshoe offers extensive lodging options, fully developed mountain biking trails, a popular golf course designed by Gary Player, wedding and convention areas, and a wide variety of summer outdoor activities. Snowshoe Mountain Resort is part of the family of Intrawest Resorts.
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.
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