AT&T* and the Houston Astros today announced they have expanded broadband connectivity at Minute Maid Park with a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) and Wi-Fi. This is part of AT&T and the Astros’ ongoing efforts to support growing demand for advanced wireless devices and services and is designed to enrich baseball fans’ wireless experience whether they are checking scores, updating social networking sites, or uploading photos to friends while cheering in the stands.
AT&T Wi-Fi is now available at Houston Astros games at Minute Maid Park as part of a new agreement with AT&T, an industry pioneer in Wi-Fi with the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network.** Inside the venue, there are 225 access points to cover 40,950 seats, concession stands and concourse areas. Minute Maid Park visitors with a Wi-Fi-enabled AT&T smartphone can easily connect to the AT&T Wi-Fi network without any setup or log in required, through an auto-authentication process.
A DAS installation consists of hundreds of strategically-placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout Minute Maid Park, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily-trafficked areas. DAS has the ability to provide enhanced wireless coverage to customers in indoor or outdoor spaces where geographical limitations – terrain, building construction, etc. – or crowd density might otherwise prevent an optimal wireless experience. The additional capacity is expected to help improve call reliability and enable more consistent network access to help Houston Astros fans at Minute Maid Park make the most of their AT&T devices.
“We want our customers to have a great network experience anywhere they go, and our alliance with the Astros has allowed us to build a robust combination of both the AT&T Wi-Fi and DAS systems to do just that,” said Chris Penrose, South Texas vice president and general manager, AT&T. “We’re committed to our investment in the local wireless network, and the new DAS at Minute Maid Park is just one way that we’re investing in Houston.”
“When we’d look in the stands, we were seeing a greater number of fans using their smartphone or tablet while watching the game. Our fans can not only make phone calls but also get real-time game and player stats right on their device, which combines the experience of being at the game with the additional information you’d get if you were watching on TV at home,” said John Sorrentino, vice president, Business Development for the Houston Astros Baseball Club. “It’s the best possible way to enjoy the game.”
AT&T’s focus is on delivering the benefits of mobile broadband networks, devices and applications. With the nation’s fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data experience.
AT&T’s mobile broadband network is based on the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of technologies that includes GSM and UMTS, the most widely used wireless network platforms in the world. AT&T has the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, providing access to voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in more than 200 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 135 major cruise ships, as well as mobile broadband services in more than 130 countries.
AT&T also operates the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network** with more than 24,000 hotspots in the U.S., and also provides access to more than 135,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. AT&T customers with a qualifying smartphone, 3G LaptopConnect, and high speed Internet plans get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn’t count against customers’ monthly data plans.
For more information about AT&T’s mobile broadband coverage in Houston or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/. The online tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.
For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit www.att.com/networknews and for more information on AT&T Wi-Fi and how to connect, visit AT&T Wi-Fi Access.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
**Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations.
