DALLAS, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. today announced the company's wireless network delivered an outstanding performance this week in Denver with more than 244 million text messages sent and received via AT&T wireless phones during the four days of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
AT&T, handling unprecedented levels of wireless data usage from the record crowds attending the event, confirmed the increase was more than 48 percent the amount of wireless data sent over the company's wireless network in Denver compared with the prior week. On Thursday, the network handled a 207 percent increase in data usage inside the Pepsi Center, INVESCO Field at Mile High, and the immediate surrounding area, compared with an average day the week prior.
Other findings include: * There was a 57 percent overall increase in wireless calls over the AT&T network during the convention, compared with the previous week. * Inside the Pepsi Center, INVESCO Field and immediate surrounding area on Thursday, AT&T experienced a 21 percent text messaging traffic spike and a 358 percent increase in call volume, compared with an average day the week prior. * AT&T customers sent more than 244 million text messages during the four days. * AT&T saw a 101 percent increase in call volume during the convention, compared with the 2007 World Series traffic in Denver.
"We have been anticipating heavy network traffic for months and methodically increased our network capacity to accommodate the expected network usage of technologically savvy attendees," said Jace Barbin, vice president and general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in Colorado. "We are very pleased that we were able to meet the demand and keep our customers connected to their world while attending this exciting event."
In preparation for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, AT&T made multi-million dollar enhancements to the Colorado network, adding permanent as well as temporary network capacity in and around Denver. In addition, during the past two years, AT&T network improvements and expansion have included the addition of more than 140 new cell sites throughout the state.
For more information on AT&T's support of the 2008 political conventions, please visit http://www.att.com/.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. 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/.
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