MEDINA, Ohio, July 20, 2012 - As more and more people make the switch from simple cell phones to so-called 'smartphones' that offer Internet access, e-mail and thousands of 'apps', AT&T has announced that their newest, fastest 4G wireless network is now available in the city of Medina as well as surrounding areas of Medina County.
The faster the network is, the more quickly users can perform tasks - like downloading music, documents and videos, or browsing websites. And when it comes to speedy wireless networks, the new AT&T 4G network will give many users speeds that can rival or surpass those of the best Internet connections they might have at home.
"As part of the Ohio community, we're always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced mobile Internet coverage and our investment to expand 4G LTE throughout greater Cleveland is another way to accomplish this," AT&T Ohio state president Tom Pelto said on Thursday. "Between 2009 and 2011 AT&T invested $1.4 billion in our wireline and wireless networks, and today's announcement continues to build on that." This three-year infrastructure investment undertaken by the company equates to roughly a million dollars spent every single day in Ohio.
While the newest portion of the AT&T 4G network is the 'LTE' component referenced by Pelto, AT&T is the first wireless carrier to provide a dual-layer 4G network. The LTE (or Long Term Evolution) portion of the network joins a previously-launched HSPA+ (High Speed Packet Access) portion. The combination of the two provides a safety net, keeping users at fast 4G speeds even when they venture outside an area where LTE is offered. In third-party tests conducted by PC World, AT&T's 4G technologies delivered faster download speeds than any other wireless company.
"The expansion of mobile Internet service throughout the greater Cleveland area will help my constituents and local businesses, who are working hard to rebuild Ohio's economy," said State Representative Bill Batchelder, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives. "Access to the latest technologies via mobile Internet is a critical economic driver for businesses and consumers to remain competitive, and I would like to thank AT&T for their positive investment in our community."