AT&T comes on the line
Published 7:00 am Sunday, February 16, 2014
Pro Cellular store manager Candace Rohrbach, center, along with wireless consultants Jamie Sreng, right, Riley Powell, left, work at the newly-opened AT&T provider in the strip mall next to Walmart. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
There’s a new cell phone company in town.
Pro Cellular, an authorized AT&T cellular provider, opened in Austin Monday. The store has a full line of wireless products, including iPhones, iPads and other smartphones and tablets, wireless Hotspot devices, prepaid GoPhones and a large amount of accessories.
Michael Johnsen, Pro Cellular Director of Operations, said AT&T has significantly improved its network in southeastern Minnesota since 2011. The company erected a new cell tower in Austin last fall, bringing the total to three.
The cell phone provider has 4G coverage in Austin, and 4G LTE surrounding the city and in Albert Lea and Rochester, Johansen said. AT&T plans to have 4G LTE coverage in Austin this year.
Pro Celluar, an authorized AT&T cellular provider opened just this past Monday.
Johansen said he has heard from customers who are glad to have another cell phone provider in town.
“We’ve had great visits from people stopping in,” he said. “People who had other carriers, and others who have [AT&T] and were excited not to drive.”
Johansen said they just lowered their family rate plans for new and current customers. AT&T has never had a cellular provider in Austin, according to Johansen. The nearest stores were in Rochester and Faribault.
Pro Cellular’s hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. The Austin location’s phone number is 507-396-8198.
Pro Cellular has 11 locations, mostly in South Dakota.
