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AT&T boosts network speeds & coverage in Erie, Niagara counties

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Mon, Mar 8th 2021 05:05 pm

Expansion will help give AT&T customers and FirstNet subscribers better access to mobile internet

AT&T customers and FirstNet subscribers in Erie and Niagara counties got a big boost in wireless connectivity with the addition of 17 new cell sites (13 in Erie and four in Niagara) to enhance the area’s 4G LTE coverage and help give residents and first responders faster, more reliable wireless service.

A press release stated, “Our investment will help customers get the most out of their mobile devices.”

The new cell sites serve Lockport, Wheatfield, Pendleton, Amherst, Orchard Park, the City of Buffalo, Depew, Cheektowaga, Hamburg, Lackawanna, and the towns of Evans and Eden.

The four new cell sites in Niagara County serve parts of Lockport, Wheatfield, North Tonawanda, Pendleton and the Route 429 corridor between Sanborn and North Tonawanda.

“We want our customers to have a great experience. With 4G LTE service, they’ll be able to experience better network connectivity while staying connected with work, streaming videos, sharing on social media or texting family and friends,” said Amy Kramer, president of AT&T New York. “We consistently work to provide better coverage for the community and its first responders. And we’re investing in our wireless network to accomplish that.”

The release added, “We know how important it is for our customers to stay connected. That’s why we’re also boosting network reliability and capacity as we expand our network. This helps New York residents get the best possible experience over the AT&T network wherever they live, work and play.

“These upgrades will also benefit public safety and first responders on FirstNet – public safety’s dedicated communications platform which gives New York’s first responders access to always-on, 24-hours-a-day priority and preemption across voice and data. FirstNet is bringing public safety communications into the 21st century with new, innovative capabilities to help those users stay safe and save lives.

“These enhancements also bring Band 14 spectrum to the area. Band 14 is nationwide, high-quality spectrum set aside by the government specifically for FirstNet. We look at Band 14 as public safety’s VIP lane. In an emergency, this band – or lane – can be cleared and locked just for FirstNet subscribers. When not in use by FirstNet subscribers, AT&T customers can enjoy Band 14’s added coverage and capacity.”

FirstNet is built with AT&T in a public-private partnership with the First Responder Network Authority. It’s designed to help first responders in New York and across the country connect to the information they need – when they need it – so they can keep themselves and the communities they serve safer.

From 2017-19, nearly $1.6 billion was invested in the New York wireless and wired networks to boost reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and their businesses.

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