Wifi Revolution

AT&T has reportedly announced a significant increase in the number of Wi-Fi connections on the AT&T (News - Alert) network for the second-quarter. The company attributed the rising number of customers with Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones with an increase number of connections.

 

A communications holding company, AT&T provides wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services and also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide.

 

AT&T handled around 15 million Wi-Fi connections on its network in the second quarter. This number indicates a 41 percent increase over the first quarter. AT&T Wi-Fi connections have reached around 25.6 million in 2009, which is higher than the 20 million connections seen in all of 2008.

 

The number of customers with Wi-Fi access as part of their AT&T service is also on the rise. AT&T broadband connections, which include both wireline broadband and wireless LaptopConnect cards, grew by 209,000 in the second quarter. AT&T includes unlimited Wi-Fi access along with qualifying AT&T High Speed Internet plans, 3G LaptopConnect plans and with select smartphone plans.

 

Almost 49 percent of the total connections in the second quarter were made by integrated devices. This is an increase of 41 percent over the first quarter of 2009. According to David Christopher, chief marketing officer at AT&T mobility and consumer markets, the Wi-Fi network is a competitive differentiator for AT&T and a major value for customers. Customers are taking advantage of the unlimited Wi-Fi access included with the majority of AT&T’s broadband and smartphone plans, he said in a statement. This feature is another reason why twice as many smartphone customers choose AT&T over any other carrier.

 

AT&T has quadrupled its Wi-Fi network authentication capacity in preparation for increased sessions, the rise in consumer demand for Wi-Fi, and to ensure reliable performance on the network. In addition, AT&T made several Wi-Fi enhancements and formed strategic relationships in the second quarter. These include smartphone-friendly upgrades to the Giants Digital Dugout Wi-Fi portal at AT&T Park in San Francisco, and a strategic agreement with Barnes & Noble bookstores to provide complimentary Wi-Fi to any customer that visits a store nationwide.

 

AT&T’s Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks. It offers Wi-Fi connectivity in more than 20,000 hotspots in the U.S. such as retail stores, restaurants and airports.

 

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