AT&T Further Expands 3G in South Carolina, Bringing Broadband Service to Charleston,...

AT&T Further Expands 3G in South Carolina, Bringing Broadband Service to
Charleston, Greenville; Plans to Invest More Than $30 Million in Wireless
Network in 2008
Company Adding Cell Sites and Upgrading Network in State; Investment in Wired
and Wireless Networks Estimated at More Than $750 Million Over the Past Three
Years

COLUMBIA, S.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 South Carolina. The company plans
to invest more than $30 million in the South Carolina network in 2008 by
expanding wireless coverage and upgrading to the higher-speed network that is
currently available in Columbia. The planned investment will bring AT&T's
three-year network investment in the state for wireless and wired services to
$750 million.
AT&T plans to roll out its higher-speed third-generation (3G) wireless
network in Charleston, Greenville, Spartanburg and Clemson by the end of June.
New cell sites will be added to the more than 330 cell sites that have already
been deployed throughout the past four years. The primary focus for these
additional sites is to expand coverage in Charleston and improve in-building
service in Columbia and Greenville.
"Our goal is to continue providing high-quality coverage by significantly
improving our network with additional cell sites in markets such as Charleston
and 3G upgrades in our metro areas," said Alison Hall, vice president and
general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in the Carolinas. "After our
aggressive cell site build-out in Columbia and Greenville, as well as in rural
areas throughout South Carolina, 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 South
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
South Carolina," said Pamela Lackey, president of AT&T South 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."
In addition to the state's network enhancements and upgrades, AT&T has
delivered dramatic changes in South Carolina, including the expansion of
retail distribution. The company will open four company-owned retail stores in
2008. AT&T currently operates 20 company-owned retail stores in the state, in
addition to offering products and services through authorized agents and
national retailers, including Best Buy, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart and Costco. AT&T
also now offers customers the convenience of purchasing local and long
distance telephone service and broadband, as well as video, through AT&T |
DISH Network at AT&T's wireless retail locations.
"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. The AT&T 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
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AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.

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