AT upgrades Louisiana coverage

Cell phones are getting an upgrade in Louisiana. AT&T plans to add more than 30 new cell sites and upgrade more than 700 existing ones across Louisiana. The wireless network enhancements are part of AT&T’s planned $19 billion investment in its national wireless and wireline networks and other capital projects in 2011. The project will support plans to enable 4G speeds over an increasing portion of the country throughout the year, including the planned initial launch of LTE beginning mid-year and the deployment of enhanced backhaul connections that enable 4G speeds. “Louisiana residents are relying more and more on wireless technology to communicate with each other and access information,” says Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. “Network enhancements like these benefit countless consumers while making our state an attractive place to work, live, and play.” In 2010, the company added nearly 50 new cell sites in Louisiana and upgraded more than 50 existing sites to mobile broadband. From 2008 through 2010, AT&T’s capital investment in its Louisiana wireline and wireless networks was more than $2.8 billion.