PROVIDENCE – AT&T plans to expand its third-generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Providence and other parts of Rhode Island this year, the company said last week.
AT&T offered few details about its plans for network upgrades this year. But the company said it would bring 3G service to additional municipalities, and expand its reach in Providence, Washington and Kent counties.
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AT&T said it added 3G service to more than 55 cell sites in 2008 as part of a nearly $60 million investment in its Rhode Island wireless network over the past three years. Most of the investment has been focused on the eastern part of the state.
Along with Providence, the 3G network is currently available in Newport, Bristol, Warwick and Woonsocket.
AT&T’s 3G service is used with Apple’s iPhone, as well as devices from other companies including Research in Motion, which produces BlackBerry phones, and LG.
AT&T said it is addressing growing demand for wireless data service. The carrier’s network has come in for criticism in some quarters for being slow and spotty.
However, Andy Cutler, a local public relations consultant who uses his iPhone for work, said he found AT&T’s 3G coverage in the Providence area to be “excellent.” The previous iPhone did not use a 3G network, and Cutler said service has improved since the new iPhone came out last summer.
AT&T is the second-largest phone company in the U.S., behind Verizon. The company owns and operates nine retail locations in the state.
In a statement, Gov. Donald L. Carcieri thanked the company for investing in Rhode Island.
“Innovation and creativity is the result of investment by the private sector,” the governor said, echoing a theme in his State of the State address earlier this month, “and I applaud AT&T for their investment in Rhode Island’s technology infrastructure.”
Carcieri added: “Expanding Rhode Islanders’ wireless broadband access can play an important part in creating greater economic opportunities for consumers and businesses that will drive our state to a more prosperous future.”
Localized information on AT&T coverage is available at www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/.
Competition among wireless providers is growing in Rhode Island. MetroPCS, a discount carrier, activated a network in Rhode Island this month, and telecom giant Cox Communications has announced plans to offer wireless service at some point this year.
