NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its continuing network investment to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services, AT&T* today announced that it has expanded its mobile broadband coverage in the New Orleans tourism corridor by completing the installation of new Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to serve customers, revelers and sports fans in and around the Central Business District, Convention Center and the French Quarter.

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

DAS systems also were installed at seven major hotels along Canal St. and Poydras St. In the Quarter, additional capacity was added throughout the district. To boost capacity for the both the game and parades, 11 temporary cell sites are being installed at busy spots in the Quarter, CBD, Garden District and Uptown.

A DAS installation consists of several strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T's wireless network coverage throughout a facility, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas. DAS has the ability to provide enhanced 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 additional capacity is expected to help improve call reliability and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.

"We want our customers to have a great network experience whatever they're doing - whether that's making a call, checking e-mail, downloading apps or surfing the Internet," said Joe Larussa, vice-president and general manager, AT&T Consumer & Mobility, Gulf States. "We're committed to our investment in the local wireless network, and providing enhanced wireless coverage in the downtown corridor is just one way that we're investing in New Orleans."

"The city of New Orleans will soon be on the biggest of stages as we host one of the world's grandest sporting events, along with the traditional Mardi Gras celebration season," said Sonia Perez, AT&T President - Louisiana.

"Hundreds of thousands of people will visit our city, and they will undoubtedly want to share their once-in-a-lifetime experiences with friends and loved ones - as these experiences happen. We are proud of the investments made into our wireless network, and we look forward to helping to make the events even more memorable for everyone."

AT&T is an industry leader in delivering the benefits of mobile broadband networks, devices and applications. With the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data 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 225 countries and data service in more than 200 countries.

AT&T also operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 29,000 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 mobile broadband coverage in New Orleans or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit an AT&T Coverage Viewer.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit our 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.
** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. 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) 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 around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, 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. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising.

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. 4G 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.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.