Despite a capex cut of up to $3 billion this year, ATT Inc. (NYSE: T) made it clear today that it intends to spend to improve and expand its 3G network -- adding 3,000 jobs in the process to support "mobility, broadband, and video."

That's slight counterbalance to the 12,000 job cuts ATT announced in December. (See ATT to Cut 12,000 Jobs .) ATT acknowledged this in today's press release, saying it expected to continue cutting jobs in its wireline operations.

ATT reiterated that it's going to spend $17 billion to $18 billion this year. That's about even with its $17.7 billion in capital expenditures (capex) in 2007, but it represents a 10 to 15 percent cut from the $20.3 billion the carrier spent in 2008.

The capex figure is about what ATT predicted during its most recent earnings announcement.(See ATT Cuts Capex by up to $3B.)

ATT has said, though, that it expects to keep its international spending at around the 2008 level of $1 billion. 

ATT's plans for 2009 spending include a lot of 3G work -- no surprise, considering 3G was a big earner for ATT in 2008 with total wireless revenues up over 15 percent on 2007 to $49.3 billion. Much of this increase was driven by buoyant wireless data revenues and the continued success of the 3G iPhone

About two thirds of ATT's capex this year will go toward increasing network coverage. Specifically, the operator intends to expand 3G service to 20 new markets this year with more markets converting to 850 MHz for better indoor coverage. It already covers nearly 350 markets with its 3G network.

The network will get faster too: ATT intends to ramp up its high-speed packet access (HSPA) network to provide download speeds of 7.2 Mbit/s with "bursts" in the 20 Mbit/s range.

In the home, ATT wants to expand 3G coverage with tiny base stations, promising "customer trials leading toward general availability of ATT 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize femtocells and home broadband connections to enhance in-building wireless coverage."

The firm also said that it will continue adding to its 20,000-plus network of WiFi hotspots in the U.S.

The press release quotes chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson saying data traffic on ATT's network is growing at 50 percent per year.