DALLAS, March 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* wireless customers in the carrier's 4G LTE markets** have access to the fastest mobile Internet speeds on their smartphones.

How fast? RootMetrics®, an independent mobile analytics firm, has reported an average download speed of 18.6 Mbps and an average upload speed of 9.0 Mbps, based on recent testing. That means ultra-fast song downloads, faster photo sharing and app downloads, faster mobile Internet access—virtually everything you do with a smartphone, just easier and faster.

In their LTE Performance Review released today, RootMetrics called AT&T's network "blazing-fast." According to the RootMetrics study, "AT&T easily offered the fastest pure LTE download speed of any carrier."

The RootMetrics LTE March 11, 2013, Performance Review is based on more than 725,000 4G and 4G LTE data samples gathered from the top 77 U.S. markets during the second half of 2012. AT&T had officially deployed 4G LTE technology in 47 of those markets at the time they were tested.

"There are more reasons than ever to choose AT&T," said John Donovan, senior vice president-AT&T Technology and Network Operations. "Nationwide, we are continuing to expand 4G LTE and expect our deployment will cover 300 million people by year-end 2014."

Over the past five years, AT&T invested nearly $98 billion into operations, more than any other public company in the U.S.

Performance rankings are derived using data sampling and analysis methods that are subject to statistical variation. The results of the Report are not an endorsement of AT&T by RootMetrics. Wireless network performance is subject to a number of factors. Your experiences may vary. Visit www.rootmetrics.com for more details.

*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.

**4G speeds not available everywhere. Limited 4G LTE availability in select markets. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. Learn more at att.com/network. Claim compares 4G download speeds to industry average 3G download speeds.

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 largest 4G 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 services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 4G not available everywhere. 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. Results of 2012 LTE Report are © RootMetrics 2013.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.