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NASHVILLE -- AT&T unveiled Thursday its Tennessee wireless network investment plans for 2010, which include the addition of more than 20 new cell sites and the upgrade of approximately 525 additional cell sites to 3G throughout the state.

The planned wireless network enhancement strategy is part of AT&T’s 2010 wireline and wireless capital investment, which is expected to be in the $18 billion to $19 billion range companywide, an increase of between 5 and 10 percent over 2009. This planned amount also includes an increase of about $2 billion in capital expenditures for wireless and backhaul related to AT&T’s wireless network.

Thursday’s announcement builds on AT&T’s 2009 wireless investment, during which it added nearly 75 new cell sites in Tennessee and upgraded more than 75 existing sites to 3G. From 2007 through 2009, AT&T’s total capital investment in its Tennessee wireless and wireline networks was more than $1 billion.

Internet usage growth has brought benefits for consumers, but requires investments in infrastructure, according to the AT&T statement. The company has been working with governments to support a national broadband plan that enables broadband adoption and ensures broadband access to every American by 2014.

“In recruiting companies to Tennessee, we’ve long seen that strengthening our broadband networks is a critical part of our state’s infrastructure,” said Matt Kisber, commissioner, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development.