AT&T, Boosted And Stressed By iPhone, Lays Out Network Plans

AT&T Inc. detailed its plans for beefing up its often-maligned network Thursday, just one day after being tapped to carry another closely watched Apple Inc. device that will likely add even more traffic to its airwaves.

The carrier’s attention to network issues reflects its deep reliance on the iPhone for growth.

Apple gave AT&T an important vote of confidence Wednesday by making it the carrier for the new iPad, but the consumer electronics company made clear earlier in the week that it is carefully monitoring AT&T’s plans for improving its network.

In 2009, AT&T put up about 1,900 new cell sites, opened new spectrum frequencies and upgraded their equipment to a faster wireless technology, he added. This year, the carrier plans to spend $18 billion to $19 billion on its networks, including spending twice as much on the wireless network as it did last year. Read more at online.wsj.com