AT&T Continues Expanding Network Coverage in North Carolina; Plans to Invest More...

AT&T Continues Expanding Network Coverage in North Carolina; Plans to Invest
More Than $80 Million in Wireless Network Upgrades in 2008
Company Is Adding 85 New Cell Sites in North Carolina This Year; Investment in
Wired and Wireless Networks Approximately $1.5 Billion Over the Past Three
Years

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T)
announced today the continuation of an aggressive program that enhances and
maximizes the overall customer experience in North Carolina. The company plans
to invest more than $80 million in the North Carolina network in 2008 to
expand its wireless coverage. The planned investment will bring AT&T's
three-year network investment in the state for wireless and wired services to
nearly $1.5 billion.
AT&T will add 85 new cell sites in the state, including more than 30 cell
sites in Charlotte. While additional sites are being deployed in Raleigh and
Greensboro, the company will roll out its higher-speed third-generation (3G)
wireless network in Fayetteville and Jacksonville by the end of 2008. AT&T
also plans to expand its 3G coverage in the Raleigh metro area.
"Our goal is to continue providing high-quality coverage in the Carolinas
by significantly improving our network with additional cell sites and 3G
upgrades," said Alison Hall, vice president and general manager for AT&T's
wireless operations in the Carolinas. "After deploying 434 cell sites in North
Carolina between 2004 and 2007, we now have a better opportunity for customers
to experience our network improvements firsthand. This year's investment is a
testament of our continued momentum."
As part of this extensive multiyear network investment strategy, AT&T
diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its wireless network in North
Carolina. Third-party vendors assess the company's network performance, and
AT&T engineers continually monitor the network to ensure that it is operating
at peak efficiency.
"We're committed to our investments in the wired and wireless networks in
North Carolina," said Cynthia Marshall, president of AT&T North Carolina. "Our
investment in the network will have a positive impact at both the state and
community levels, in addition to the benefits that our customers will
receive."
AT&T has also delivered dramatic changes in North Carolina because of the
expansion of retail distribution. The company will open 17 company-owned
retail stores in 2008, and launch two AT&T Experience Store(SM) openings in
Charlotte. These stores showcase AT&T's complete portfolio of wireless,
broadband, video and wireline voice products and services in an engaging,
interactive format. AT&T currently operates more than 25 company-owned retail
stores in North Carolina, in addition to offering products and services
through authorized agents and national retailers, including Best Buy, Sam's
Club, Wal-Mart and Costco.
"As we continue to maximize our network, we want new and current customers
to have convenient access to all of our products and services, both wireless
and wireline, as well as quality customer service," Hall said.
AT&T's 3G wireless network makes it possible for customers to use their 3G
handsets to quickly access feature-rich wireless content -- including videos,
games, pictures and the latest music, entertainment, news and weather --
through MEdia(TM) Net, the company's mobile Internet portal. AT&T's 3G
customers also can take advantage of Video Share, a first-of-its-kind
technology in the U.S. that allows users to share live video during a wireless
call. AT&T's 3G network also offers AT&T LaptopConnect mobile customers faster
speeds for their laptops, with the ability to send and receive large files and
access the Internet, their company's intranet and corporate e-mail from
anywhere within the 3G network.
AT&T's wireless network is based on the Global System for Mobile (GSM)
communications technology, the most open and widely used network platform in
the world. AT&T plans to complete the nation's first High Speed Uplink Packet
Access (HSUPA)-enabled network by the middle of the year. HSUPA substantially
increases upload speeds on the 3G network, allowing AT&T's HSUPA-enabled
laptop users to send large files faster and take full advantage of the latest
interactive Internet and business applications.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates
and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and
uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of
factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or
revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or
otherwise.
About AT&T
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subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings
are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and
the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services?
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organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as
communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy,
AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Della Bowling of AT&T Inc. +1-704-417-2770, mobile, +1-843-290-4252,
Della.Bowling@att.com