at&t in-flight connectivity press release 4 28 14
TRANSCRIPT
For more information, contact: Roberta Thomson
Mobile: +1 214-205-4102
Email: [email protected]
MOBILIZING THE SKY: AT&T BUILDING 4G LTE IN-FLIGHT
CONNECTIVITY SERVICE
4G LTE-based air-to-ground service to transform connectivity for the U.S. aviation industry and its
passengers
DALLAS, TEXAS, April 28, 2014 — AT&T* today announced plans to launch a high-speed 4G LTE-
based in-flight connectivity service for airlines and passengers in commercial, business and general
aviation. The service, planned to be available as soon as late 2015, will be capable of providing in-flight
broadband for customers including fast, reliable Wi-Fi and onboard entertainment. Following launch,
aviation customers can also expect improved connectivity solutions such as cockpit communications,
maintenance operations and crew services.
To deliver this new service, AT&T plans to build an innovative air-to-ground network in the continental
United States, based on global 4G LTE standards, to provide fast speeds and efficient utilization of
spectrum already owned by AT&T. As the architect and operator of the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE
network**, AT&T has the expertise, spectrum and financial strength to transform airborne connectivity.
“Everyone wants access to high-speed, reliable mobile Internet wherever they are, including at 35,000
feet,” said John Stankey, Chief Strategy Officer at AT&T. “We are building on AT&T’s significant
strengths to develop in-flight connectivity technology unlike any other that exists today, based on 4G
LTE standards. We believe this will enable airlines and passengers to benefit from reliable high speeds
and a better experience. We expect this service to transform connectivity in the aviation industry – we
are truly mobilizing the sky.”
Honeywell, an aerospace industry leader, recently issued its Wireless Connectivity Survey indicating
that in-flight Wi-Fi currently causes frustrations for nearly nine in 10 users worldwide, most often due to
2
inconsistent or slow connections. AT&T plans to work with Honeywell to provide hardware and service
capabilities to deliver the in-flight connectivity solution. Along with Honeywell’s expertise, AT&T’s
technical strength and scale in building networks and managing their evolutions provide a unique
opportunity to change the way passengers and airlines connect to the mobile Internet. With AT&T’s
planned new network, passengers would gain the reliability they have long hoped for in the sky – for
browsing the Internet, checking email, keeping in touch with friends and family through social
networking and messaging services, and increasing business productivity. AT&T’s in-flight connectivity
also offers the potential for improved communications between the plane and the ground through
transmission of real-time aircraft data for optimizing, monitoring and evolving airlines’ operations.
In-flight connectivity is a natural fit for AT&T, which over the past six years (2008 to 2013) has invested
more than $140 billion into its wireless and wireline networks, when you combine capital investment
and acquisitions of spectrum and wireless operations, and already operates the nation’s most reliable
4G LTE network. AT&T has more than 116 million wireless subscribers, more than 16.5 million total
broadband subscribers and serves many of the world’s largest corporations, including all of the Fortune
1000. AT&T is a leader in connected devices and continues to win awards for its wireless and wireline
services, while also continuing to innovate with its recent launches of its Connected Car platform and
Drive Studio, and introduction of AT&T U-verse® with GigaPowerSM in select U.S. cities.
AT&T sees an opportunity to deliver an innovative and high-performing in-flight connectivity and
entertainment service, and will build on existing relationships within the aviation industry to deliver a
better customer experience than what is available from others today. AT&T plans for its in-flight
connectivity service to support both business aviation and commercial airline customers from day one
of the service launch. AT&T will provide information on pricing and availability prior to launch.
AT&T does not expect additional capital expenditures required for this initiative to be material, nor will it
have any impact on the company’s previously-announced financial guidance.
*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.
3
**Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability
varies.
Web Site Links:
Related Media Kits:
AT&T News
AT&T Wireless Network
AT&T Investor Relations
AT&T Network News
Wireless Networks
AT&T 2012 Annual Report
Related Releases: Related Fact Sheets:
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in
the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the
United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most
reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-
based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S.
carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with
the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most
advanced in the world.
Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability
varies.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and
affiliates is available at http://about.att.com or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.
© 2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that
are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may 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 or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or
otherwise.