Have an iPhone? You are in luck.

AT&T increased its network speed in Mount Pleasant.

The expansion of 3G service is a company initiative to enhance its network’s speed and performance in areas around the state, said Gavin Goetz, AT&T’s director of external affairs in Michigan.

The company added its 3G network coverage to the city Monday, said Tom Gruber, the director of sales for Northern Michigan.

Those with AT&T plans should already notice their phones processing faster, Goetz said, and AT&T already added 3G coverage to the Muskegon and Traverse City markets.

Jeff Wilson, manager of Technology Operations at CMU and assistant director of Residence and Auxiliary Services, said 3G is a term for the speed of the wireless connection.

“Basically, 3G is a speed factor,” Wilson said.

With 3G service, he said, phones can surf the Internet faster and retrieve data faster, as long as the phone is within its service range.

“When you’re not near a Wi-Fi port, you’re going to want to use some sort of cell transmission,” Wilson said. “(3G) just makes it faster.”

People who use iPhones and those on the AT&T network with BlackBerrys and wireless Internet capabilities will have faster speeds, Smith said.

“If you’re on AT&T, this is a pretty big deal for you,” he said.

Laptops, businesses benefit

Those who own a laptop or netbook can also benefit from AT&T’s increased speeds by purchasing an aircard, Goetz said. The aircard will allow the computer to access AT&T’s 3G network anywhere.

Area businesses also can benefit from AT&T’s increased speed, said Cindy Barraza, AT&T marketing account executive.

“This goes beyond just the students — (it’s) small businesses, too,” she said.

CMU gets donations

AT&T presented donations to CMU at a press conference Thursday in AT&T’s Mount Pleasant location.

AT&T employees who donate funds to CMU can have their donation matched by the company, said Rich Juday, senior development officer for development and alumni relations at CMU.

“AT&T as a corporation will match any gift (given by an employee),” he said.

This program is available at other universities and schools, as well.

E-mail the author: Hilary Farrell