AT&T to Deliver 3G Mobile Broadband Speed Boost

Initiatives will Deliver Faster Speeds, Enhancements to Mobile Broadband
Performance, Availability

DALLAS, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced plans to
upgrade the nation's fastest 3G network to deliver considerably faster mobile
broadband speeds. The network upgrades are slated to begin later this year,
with completion expected in 2011.

The upgrade to High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is part of
AT&T's plan for continued investments to deliver the nation's best mobile
broadband experience - the ideal combination of speed, coverage and best
device line-up. AT&T today has the nation's fastest 3G network and has
attracted more than twice the number of smartphone users than any other
competitor.

With its network built on the 3G UMTS technology that is commonly deployed
throughout the world, AT&T can boost the speed of its mobile broadband network
and offer a wide variety of devices to take advantage of it well in advance of
2011-2012, when most industry observers expect 4G LTE networks and device
availability to scale. AT&T plans to begin LTE trials in 2010, with deployment
beginning in 2011.

In addition to the planned speed upgrade, AT&T is enhancing its mobile
broadband coverage by nearly doubling the wireless spectrum dedicated to 3G in
most metropolitan areas to deliver stronger in-building reception and more
overall network capacity. Also, AT&T is adding thousands of new cell site
backhaul connections to support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by
HSPA 7.2 and LTE.

"AT&T's network infrastructure gives us a tremendous advantage in that we're
able to deliver upgrades in mobile broadband speed and performance with our
existing technology platform," said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T
Mobility and Consumer Markets. "With the array of smartphones, laptops and
emerging devices taking advantage of AT&T's 3G network today, we know that
customers are excited to experience higher mobile broadband speeds, and we are
deploying the right technologies at the right times to help them get the most
from that experience."

The upgraded network platform could allow for theoretical peak speeds of
7.2Mbps. Typical real-world downlink and uplink speeds experienced by
customers with upgraded 3G will be less than the theoretical peak and will
vary based on a number of factors, including location, device, and overall
traffic on the local network at a given time.

AT&T's 3G mobile broadband network is now available in nearly 350 U.S. major
metropolitan areas, with about 20 additional metro areas planned for
deployment in 2009. The HSPA 7.2 technology will be deployed widely in the
network, with the benefits of the network upgrade to be announced on a local
basis as the faster speeds are turned up. AT&T will introduce multiple HSPA
7.2-compatible laptop cards and smartphones beginning later this year.

The speed upgrade is one of several ongoing initiatives to expand and enhance
AT&T's mobile broadband service. Other key projects in 2009 include:

-- Near-Doubling Radio Frequency Capacity. In 2008 and 2009 to date,
high-quality 850 MHz spectrum has been deployed in more than half of
AT&T's 3G network footprint to improve overall coverage and
in-building reception, with additional markets planned for later in
the
year.
-- More Bandwidth to Cell Sites. We are adding fiber-optic connectivity
and
additional capacity to thousands of cell sites across the country this
year, expanding the critical connections that deliver traffic from a
cell site into the global IP backbone network. These upgrades will
support the higher mobile broadband speeds enabled by both HSPA 7.2
and
LTE.
-- More Cell Sites. Deployment of about 2,100 new cell sites across the
country.
-- Wi-Fi Integration. Many AT&T smartphones will be able to switch
seamlessly between 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity. AT&T customers with
qualifying smartphone and 3G LaptopConnect plans have access to the
nation's largest Wi-Fi network - more than 20,000 hotspots,
including locations in all 50 states - at no additional charge.
AT&T's global Wi-Fi footprint covers more than 90,000 hotspots,
and AT&T also can create permanent or temporary extended Wi-Fi zones
in areas with high 3G network use, like a grouping of hotels or a
festival.

-- MicroCells. Customer trials leading toward general availability of
AT&T 3G MicroCell offerings, which utilize femtocells to enhance
in-building wireless coverage.

Capital investment for these projects fits within AT&T's previously outlined
expectation of total capital expenditures for 2009, targeted toward the $17
billion to $18 billion range. AT&T matches this network investment with
unsurpassed choice in the range of devices, services and applications
compatible with its 3G network. AT&T offers a wide variety of devices from
more than a dozen manufacturers, including handsets that are compatible with
six different operating systems and five different e-mail applications. Our
Media Mall 2.0 offers more than 90,000 content options, and customers can
download additional applications over the Internet. Additionally, AT&T
supports a community of more than 20,000 application developers via its
devCentral portal.

HSPA 7.2 is part of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) family of
technologies, which include GSM and UMTS. Emerging LTE technology is also part
of the 3GPP technology roadmap, enabling AT&T's network to offer backward
compatibility, or the ability for users with qualifying devices to seamlessly
switch among 4G LTE, 3G and 2G service areas to maintain the fastest-available
connection. This availability will be critical for customers in the early
years of LTE deployment across the industry, when access to LTE service will
be geographically limited.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and
affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its
subsidiaries and affiliates - AT&T operating companies - are the providers of
AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array
of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a
leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services.
AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless
phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services
under the AT&T U-verse(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) brands. The company's suite
of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in
the world. In domestic markets, AT&T's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM
organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and
advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications
industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies.
Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided
by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and
other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties,
and actual results might 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 and revise
statements contained in this news release based on new information or
otherwise.

(C) 2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service not
available in all areas. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained
herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Jason Hillery, +1-314-982-9160, jhillery@attnews.us, for AT&T Inc.