AT&T‘s new spectrum hits the 5G accelerator and deployed mid-band (3.45 GHz) spectrum from EchoStar to nearly 23,000 cell sites in a matter of a few weeks. This new spectrum unlocks substantial increases in speed and capacity for customers in more than 5,300 cities across 48 states.
By accelerating and expanding the Company’s opportunity to offer advanced connectivity across the country, AT&T expects this transaction to support strong and sustained growth in its high-value base of converged customers that subscribe to both its home internet and 5G wireless services. In addition, AT&T expects to achieve long-term operating efficiencies as the acquisition of these licenses will reduce the need to boost network capacity through the capital-intensive construction of additional cell sites.
With this spectrum customers are starting to see significant improvements in download speeds on upgraded spectrum bands, and may possibly see download speeds up to 80 percent faster for mobility and 55 percent for AT&T Internet Air.
“We’ve put EchoStar spectrum to work on our network and customers are already feeling the difference,” said Jeff McElfresh, chief operating officer, AT&T. “This gives us the runway to expand availability of AT&T Internet Air for consumers and businesses and add even more download speed to our 5G service. We’re setting the bar for what it means to be the best advanced networking company in America.”
Over the past 5 years, AT&T has invested more capital than any other company in U.S. telecommunications infrastructure. “We’ve been investing in our network for decades, and this deployment is another proof point of how we’re delivering the best combination of wireless and broadband connectivity in America,” said McElfresh.
Deploying this spectrum also enhances first responders’ 5G experience on FirstNet®, Built with AT&T, the only network built with and for public safety. FirstNet is an all-band solution that means first responders have always-on priority and preemption not only on public safety’s Band 14 spectrum, but across all of AT&T’s commercial spectrum bands too. It’s all part of why more first responders choose FirstNet to reliably communicate than any other network.