TAMUNING, Guam–(BUSINESS WIRE)–GTA TeleGuam said Thursday it will invest more than $2 million over the next few months to add capacity and expand coverage of its 3G wireless network.
GTA TeleGuam plans to add 50 percent more cell sites throughout the island. The company also plans to integrate and use its buried fiber optic landline network on Guam to more efficiently backhaul wireless network traffic using Ethernet technology from cell sites to its mobile switching centers.
Much of the work is expected to be finished before the end of the year.
“GTA TeleGuam is making this network investment now to stay ahead of brisk demand for smartphones and rapid data communications growth on Guam,” said Andrew Gayle, executive vice president of product development and management for GTA TeleGuam.
“We want to ensure much of our network expansion is complete before a flood of new smartphones access our network following an expected holiday sales crunch this year,” Gayle said. “Smartphones now represent almost half of all MPULSE wireless phone monthly subscriptions.”
GTA TeleGuam network engineers monitor data traffic volume closely and make new investments to ensure reliable network performance. There was a data communications traffic surge last month after GTA TeleGuam’s launch of iPhone 4.
Smartphones like the iPhone and BlackBerry allow users to access the Internet, send email, browse the Web, stream music, download videos, send photos, text, talk and more.
GTA TeleGuam’s 3G wireless network expansion will ensure faster data connections for sending and receiving messages and downloading information from the Internet.
Smartphone prices start at less than $100 with a two-year service agreement. Customers can get discounts when they bundle their smartphones with other GTA TeleGuam communication services, including local and long-distance phone service, high-speed Internet access and GUdTV, short for Guam Digital Television.
GTA TeleGuam offers a wide range of smartphones from top manufacturers to best match consumer needs, preferences and budgets. These include Nokia, Research in Motion (BlackBerry), Apple (iPhone), HTC, Samsung, Motorola, Palm, Sony Ericsson, and Pantech.
GTA TeleGuam was first to introduce the popular BlackBerry smartphone on Guam in September 2006. The company is the only authorized carrier for the iPhone in Guam.
