April 7, 2016

AT&T NAMED OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY PROVIDER FOR 2016 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

Permanent and Temporary Network Upgrades Underway:

More than 500 LTE capacity upgrades planned in the Philadelphia area

AT&T* will be the Official Communications and Technology Provider to the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

The announcement was made during a special event at the Hilton Penn’s Landing featuring Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, executives from AT&T and Democratic National Convention CEO Rev. Leah D. Daughtry.

“Philadelphia and the region will benefit from the investments AT&T is making here as the convention’s Official Communications and Technology Provider. This is another great example of the positive impact the convention can have on the city after we’re gone. This strong partnership is part of our overall effort to make the 2016 Democratic Convention the most innovative convention in history.”
DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION CEO, REV. LEAH D. DAUGHTRY

“Thanks to AT&T, delegates and other Convention visitors will have strong wireless connections, allowing them to share their Philadelphia experience with the world and to stay connected to one another.  We appreciate the company’s investment in the City – both in supporting this event and in providing infrastructure that will serve Philadelphians long after the Convention is over,” said Mayor Jim Kenney.

J. Michael Schweder, president, AT&T Mid Atlantic, said AT&T has started work on network enhancements in anticipation of the July event.

“We appreciate the chance to showcase AT&T’s team and our network during the 2016 Democratic National Convention this July,” said Schweder. “While we’re working hard to prepare for the convention, our commitment to Pennsylvania is illustrated every day in our more than 6,000 employees and retirees in the state, millions of dollars in giving programs and the more than 32,000 volunteer hours statewide.”

Schweder added AT&T is the country’s largest private employer of a union workforce and the only wireless company employing a union workforce.

“AT&T is the only wireless provider with a fully unionized workforce. That matters to working families who want the opportunity to make a good living and build a good life,” said Chris Shelton, president of the Communications Workers of America representing AT&T workers.

“For more than a century, our employees have built and maintained a network that connects Philadelphians to each other and their world,” Schweder said. “We’re excited to showcase our great employees – and our great mobile Internet network – during the convention.”

For the Papal visit in 2015, AT&T invested more than $23 million in wireless network upgrades. Data usage on the network skyrocketed during the visit, setting a record for the amount of data used during a two-day event.

Historic data usage is also expected during the convention. AT&T is building on those improvements to strengthen the network even more and invest in wireless network upgrades.

PRIOR TO THE CONVENTION, AT&T PLANS TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING UPGRADES:

  • More than 500 LTE capacity upgrades planned in the Philadelphia area to increase capacity and allow for a more reliable experience with faster download and upload data speeds.
  • Doubling the LTE capacity inside the Wells Fargo Center to ensure users stay connected during the main convention events.
  • Doubling the network capacity at the XFINITY Live! location and all areas surrounding the Well Fargo Center to support media, security and convention attendees.
  • Installing LTE-capable small cell solutions in key downtown hotels and venues to improve mobile coverage and capacity for delegates and visitors.
  • Doubling LTE capacity in the downtown Philadelphia area. 
  • Lastly, Philadelphia is a Voice-over-LTE (VoLTE) enabled market.  VoLTE will use AT&T’s LTE network to convert conversations into data packets over an IP network, allowing for higher quality calls, video calling, and enhanced messaging services.
During the convention, the network experience will be boosted by temporary installations to improve coverage and capacity at key locations throughout the Philadelphia area.

In addition, the majority of the upgrades being made are permanent investments that will be in place for years to come. For more information on AT&T’s network upgrades in the Philadelphia area, please visit Philly2016.att.com.


*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.