BISMARCK, N.D., April 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* has invested more than $80 million in its best-in-class wireless and wired networks in North Dakota from 2010 through 2013, driving a wide range of upgrades to enhance speed, reliability, coverage and performance for residents and business customers.

Advancing its Project Velocity IP (VIP), an investment plan to expand and enhance its wireless and wired IP broadband networks, AT&T in 2013 made more than 300 network upgrades in North Dakota, including:

• 14 new sites built
• 203 capacity enhancement adds
• 100 enhanced fiber (Ethernet) backhaul adds

"North Dakota residents depend on our fast and reliable Internet connections more and more every day, whether it's instant access to files and apps at work, watching a video at home, or even receiving updates from connected cars or home monitors," said Cheryl Riley, director, external affairs, AT&T North Dakota. "AT&T is making robust investments locally to make sure that residents can take full advantage of the latest services and tools, and that businesses have the speed they need to compete and grow."

"Consumers and businesses across the North Dakota are using new wireless devices and services that require faster and more advanced broadband networks and technology," said Andy Peterson, President and CEO of the Greater North Dakota Chamber. "Mobile broadband communications are the lifeblood of many local businesses and important to job creation and the growth of our local economy. AT&T's continued investment in our state and the rollout of LTE service across North Dakota is a strong indicator that North Dakota is open for business and a great place for technology."

AT&T provides the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network today, covering more than 280 million Americans with 4G LTE service.**  In 2013, several markets in North Dakota were added to AT&T's extensive LTE network, including:   

• Fargo
• Minot
• Williston

AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network*** including more than 32,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 529,000 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 coverage in North Dakota or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer.  For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the 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.
** Speed & Reliability claims based on analysis of independent third party data re nationwide carriers' 4G LTE. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.
*** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots.
To define a market, we rely on the Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSA), as established by the United States Office of Management and Budget.  Minor differences, if any, between annual totals reflect annual updating of market boundaries in our record systems.

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 internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, 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 service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube athttp://www.youtube.com/att.

^© 2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 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.

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SOURCE AT&T