AT&T Sees Surge in Wi-Fi Connections

Published on: 23rd April 2009

AT&T has reported dramatic growth in the number of Wi-Fi users and connections. The US firm reported Wi-Fi connections totaled 10.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 - more than triple the 3.4 million connections in the first quarter of 2008, and more than half AT&T's 20 million total Wi-Fi connections for all of 2008.

The company says that the usage surge was driven by growth in AT&T's wired and wireless broadband customer base, the proliferation of Wi-Fi enabled devices and the transition of Starbucks locations to AT&T's Wi-Fi footprint. In the first quarter, Wayport - which AT&T acquired in December 2008 - began operating as AT&T Wi-Fi Services. Wayport's footprint included hotspot locations in retail, hospitality and healthcare venues.

AT&T broadband connections - including wireline and wireless LaptopConnect cards - grew by 471,000 in the first quarter to reach 16.7 million in service. AT&T provides Wi-Fi access at no extra charge with qualifying AT&T high speed Internet plans, 3G LaptopConnect plans and select smartphone plans.

More than 4 million connections at AT&T's U.S. Hot Spots in the first quarter were made with smartphones, including the iPhone 3G. AT&T is a leading provider of Wi-Fi enabled smartphones.

"Our customers are showing us that they value both speed and mobility in their broadband connections," said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president - AT&T Wi-Fi Services. "As the leading U.S. provider of wired broadband services, with the fastest 3G network and the largest Wi-Fi network, AT&T can deliver a better experience for our customers where they live and work."

AT&T's Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks with Wi-Fi connectivity in nearly 20,000 hotspots in the U.S. - including retail stores, restaurants and airports from coast-to-coast - and access to more than 80,000 global hotspots through our roaming agreements.

 

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