Rochester's new broadband antennas boost wireless work at Mayo

A network of hundreds of new low-power, short-range antennas are in place throughout downtown Rochester's underground walkway system, known as the subway.

The network will prevent dropped calls and speed up the wireless Internet for Mayo Clinic staff, giving them better access to patient records from mobile screens, AT&T said Tuesday. It "changes the dynamics for the use of technology in health care," said AT&T Minnesota President Paul Weirtz.

Only AT&T customers can access the network currently, but other wireless carriers will be able to join in the future, a company official said.

AT&T also announced an expansion of its 4G LTE coverage to 11 additional communities in southeastern Minnesota and a $1.2 million donation to Mayo's Proton Beam Cancer Therapy program.