PRESS RELEASE:
AT&T is deploying LTE-M technology across its network in Mexico1. The company completed LTE-M pilots in Tijuana and Puebla, Mexico in the third quarter. The firm has also completed the first LTE-M international data session between the U.S. and Mexico, and says this was the world’s first international data session on LTE-M.
AT&T deployed a nationwide LTE-M network within its 4G LTE network in the U.S. earlier this year. The company can now reaffirm plans for deployment across Mexico by the end of 2017. It will create the first North American footprint for technology that promises to connect more “things” than ever before.
“The success of these pilots validates we’re on schedule to expand our North American footprint this year,” said Carlos Sánchez, chief technology officer for AT&T inMexico. “The possibilities for business customers on both sides of the border are endless.”
LTE-M is a low-power wide-area technology with many advantages over traditional LTE connectivity. They include better coverage deep inside buildings and underground, longer battery life (up to 10 years) and compact module size – as small as a penny. It’s ideal for personal wearables, smart meters, asset tracking, security and alarm monitoring, and more. LTE-M is part of the company’s broad base ecosystem of collaborators, devices and applications for a more connected world.
The first pilot was held in Tijuana, the largest city on the Baja California Peninsula. Strategically located on the border with the U.S., Tijuana is a key manufacturing, financial and industrial center. The second pilot was held in Puebla. Located in central Mexico, Puebla is an industrial and technology hub that hosts the automobile industry.
AT&T worked with tech leaders and providers to evaluate performance of the LTE-M network and chipset technology in a variety of situations. The company tested LTE-M chipset technology with Qualcomm Technologies and network technology with Ericsson.
In Tijuana, AT&T completed the first international LTE-M data session from its U.S. LTE-M network to its Mexico LTE-M network. This is a big step toward creating a North American footprint. Business customers want the same consistent LTE-M experience across the U.S. and in Mexico that they now have with the AT&T 4G LTE network.