Andre Yoskowitz
26 May 2010 21:48
AT&T has announced today the launch of an AT&T Wi-Fi Hotzone in Times Square, the company's latest effort to ease congestion on their 3G data networks in high-population areas.
The Wi-Fi service was installed on 46th street and 7th avenue and will service a large portion of Times Square.
The Hotzone is free to all of AT&T's subscribers, as long as they have a device that can connect to wireless. This includes smartphones and laptops with 3G LaptopConnect modems.
AT&T has received almost constant criticism for dropped calls and choppy 3G service in New York City and other high-population areas, especially from iPhone users that are notoriously bandwidth hungry.
Says John Donovan, AT&T's CTO (via press release): "Whether they're emailing photos and videos to friends back home, downloading a restaurant review, or ordering discount Broadway tickets online, people in Times Square want the mobile broadband connection that lets them get the most done in the least amount of time. With this pilot AT&T Wi-Fi hotzone, we're examining new ways to combine our Wi-Fi and 3G networks to help ensure that AT&T customers in Times Square always have a fast mobile broadband connection to do what matters most to them. It's another example of how AT&T is exploring the ideal blend of technologies to maximize the mobile experience for our customers in New York City."
The carrier says it has seen 5000 percent data traffic growth since 2007, and has since added 20,000 Hotzones in the U.S.