New Distributed Antenna System Provides Additional Capacity to Help Enhance Wireless Experience for Caregivers, Patients and Visitors

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 12, 2010 — As part of its continuing network investment to support growing the demand for advanced mobile devices and applications, AT&T* has announced the activation of a new antenna system at LeConte Medical Center that will help to enhance wireless service for caregivers, patients and visitors at the new medical center in Sevierville, which is part of the Knoxville-based Covenant Health system.

Known as a Distributed Antenna System, or DAS, the installation consists of several strategically placed antennas that distribute AT&T’s wireless network coverage throughout LeConte Medical Center, providing for more efficient management of wireless capacity in heavily trafficked areas. The additional capacity will help to improve call reliability, increase download speeds and enable more consistent network access to help customers make the most of their AT&T devices.

“LeConte Medical Center is a picture of technology at work in healthcare and the enhanced voice and data coverage capability by AT&T makes it even better,” said State Rep. Richard Montgomery.

LeConte Medical Center opened earlier this year and offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, including a spacious emergency department that provides care 24-hours a day, seven days a week. The surgery department features four surgical suites and two endoscopy suites. The Dolly Parton Birthing Unit offers family-centered maternity care in comfortable rooms, complete with views of the Smoky Mountains.

LeConte Medical Center also offers a full range of diagnostic services including laboratory services, cardiac cath lab, and imaging services such as MRI, ultrasound, and CT scans. The Dolly Parton Center for Women’s Services features a breast center where women can have their annual mammograms, biopsies if needed, as well as bone density exams. The Center also includes the county’s only hospital-based sleep disorders center.

“With the antenna system, we are providing excellent cell phone connectivity anywhere in the medical center,” said Art Jeffords, Covenant Health IT communications manager. “Cell phones can operate at a lower output signal level, which preserves battery power.”

“The new technology capabilities at LeConte make it easier for our employees, patients, and physicians to communicate throughout our facility,” added Ellen Wilhoit, president and CAO, LeConte Medical Center.

Wireless data traffic on the AT&T network has grown more than 5,000 percent over the past three years, largely attributed to the increasing popularity of advanced smartphones and the performance of AT&T’s 3G network, the nation’s fastest. AT&T launched 3G services in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville in June of last year.

“Today it is imperative that healthcare providers have access to critical information when they need it and where they need it, and this is a great example of technology that works for the good of the patient,” said State Senator Doug Overbey.

“Our goal is pretty simple: we want you to have an extraordinary experience regardless if you are a caregiver, patient or visitor when you make a call, check e-mail, send a note to friends and family, or connect to the Internet on your AT&T device,” said Alan Hill, regional director of external affairs, AT&T Tennessee. “As part of the Sevierville community, we’re always looking for new opportunities to provide enhanced coverage and improving access to the local AT&T wireless network is just one way to accomplish this.”

“We continue to work aggressively to improve our network infrastructure throughout Sevierville to improve the quality of our services,” said Jim Thorpe, vice president and general manager, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, Tennessee and Kentucky. “We also continue to enhance and expand the nation’s fastest 3G network to deliver unmatched voice and high-speed data coverage, top-quality service and unsurpassed reliability for millions of AT&T devices.”

For more information about AT&T’s 3G coverage in Tennessee 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.

*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.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verseSM and AT&T │DIRECTVSM brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com. This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz to discover more about our small business services.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

About Covenant Health
Covenant Health is a community-owned health system providing comprehensive health services throughout East Tennessee. Headquartered in Knoxville, Covenant Health includes seven acute care hospitals with a total of more than 1,500 licensed beds, as well as numerous outpatient services and clinics.  The health system also includes specialty providers of behavioral, oncology, and rehabilitation services, along with home care, physician clinics, and community wellness and outreach programs.  Covenant Health has more than 9,000 employees and 1,000 affiliated physicians systemwide.

This entry was posted on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 8:55 pm and is filed under Press Releases.
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