AT&T refutes infrastructure neglect claims, talks future upgrades

By on Dec 21, 2009 at 2:01 PM
News December 21, 2009

You know it’s bad when AT&T starts to take some heat from Saturday Night Live and not just Twitter and the blogosphere. With ongoing criticism about its network and sub-par performance, AT&T was recently accused of increasing data revenues and neglecting its infrastructure. In response to these claims, AT&T not only denies ditching its network maintenance while swimming in cash, but it also delineates plans for improving future performance. While AT&T won’t break down capital expenditures to tell us exactly how much was spent on infrastructure for competitive reasons, here is part of its statement regarding the rumors:

Here’s a look at how we’re spending what’s expected to be between $17 and $18 billion in improvements in 2009 to our wireline and wireless networks, with billions on wireless:

  • We are nearly doubling the wireless spectrum serving 3G customers in hundreds of markets across the country, using high-quality 850 MHz spectrum. This additional spectrum expands overall network capacity and improves in-building reception.
  • We are adding about 2,000 new cell sites to our network in 2009, expanding service to new cities and improving coverage in other areas.
  • We’re adding about 100,000 new backhaul connections, which add critical capacity between cell sites and the global IP backbone network.
  • We’re enabling widespread access to our Wi-Fi network – the largest in the country with more than 20,000 hotspots in all 50 states – allowing customers to take advantage of the best available AT&T mobile broadband connection.
  • We’re rolling out even faster 3G speeds with deployment of HSPA 7.2 technology and are preparing for field trials of next generation, LTE wireless networks next year, with deployment planning to begin in 2011. This schedule aligns with industry expectations for when a wide variety of compatible 4G wireless devices should be available.

While plans and numbers sound impressive, and we’ve already heard it before, we’re sure most of you are far more concerned with results and real-world use.

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  • Lori

    I live in north scottsdale in AZ. The coverage has improved, more range of coverage and less dropped calls. I’m happy with my service.

  • rainman

    @prophet – Your right att can do all those things that you mentioned and their 3G service is the fastest.. However read between the lines.. Its not that difficult to see that, they are just using a play on words to try to look like they are much better.. For example.. Their new ad campaign states faster 3G service. Voice and data at the same time yet then they show their 2G coverage map?? Why are they not saying ya you can do all these great things that Verizon cant and then they make no ref to their piss poor 3G coverage area? It is a fact that they have 5x less coverage then VZW.. Another thing.. Read their post.. they are investiing “18 Billion” in their wireless and WIRELINE networks.. with Billions of that going into their wireless.. Great.. VZW has invested $6Billion this year and has invested $4 – $5 billion for the past 6 years each year into its WIRELESS network… So if you want to talk about facts.. why are they misleading the public with their half truth statements??

  • M

    This is laughable… AT&T claims they cannot disclose the amount of money they spent on their network annually for competitive reason. Why is it the Verizon Wireless freely and happily discloses the amount of money they spend every year? Nice try AT&T. Enjoy your exclusive while it lasts.

  • Tmogeek

    Just spoke with an ATT wireless tech yesterday. He bemoaned the jump to 100 sites per tech, the nefarious trackers installed in their service trucks, the neglect of site air conditioners and generators. The site he was at had dying palm trees suffering from inattention and the site was flooded from an irrigation system that had sprung a leak. He was hoping for a better 2010.

  • Chapps

    ATT has truthfully poured a ton of $$ into their network, more than their competitors, from what I’ve read in industry reports. No way to know for sure, though. Yeah, it’s *lousy* in some areas (my area of L.A., Silver Lake usually degrades to EDGE or nothing at all, and dropped calls are a fact of life), but I’d really like to see what would have to Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile if they had millions of iPhones sucking at their network pipes.

    Anyway, the fact is, ATT *does* have the iPhone and needs to more quickly adjust their network to this fact of life. In addition, the coverage area for their 3G network needs to be extended. But guess what, folks? This doesn’t come for free. ATT subs will be paying for these upgrades, one way or the other. That’s the way capitalism works.

  • http://twitter.com/nunya_bisness Nunya Bisness

    Neglect?
    Yes.

    Corporate Intentional??
    I have my mind made up, do you?

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