AT&T Expanding Wireless, Broadband Coverage in Alabama; Plans to Invest $76 Million in Network Upgrades in 2008

Deploying 17 new cell sites in Alabama this year; investment in wired and wireless networks tops $794 million over the last three years

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), the world's largest communications company, announced today that AT&T plans to invest more than $76 million in the Alabama network to expand wireless coverage.

The company said it plans to add 17 new cell sites in the state this year and roll out its higher speed wireless network in Montgomery and Mobile by the end of 2008. AT&T also plans to expand high speed third-generation (3G) coverage in the Huntsville metropolitan area. The company has invested more than $794 million from 2005 through 2007 in Alabama's wired and wireless networks.

"High quality coverage and the ability to communicate wherever you are and however you want -- that is our goal," said Joe Larussa, vice president and general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in the Gulf States. "Customers rely on us for exceptional service, and this investment is a testament that being the best communications and entertainment company for our customers is paramount."

AT&T has delivered dramatic changes in Alabama through the introduction of a "third generation" (3G) wireless broadband network in the state last year. The company plans to expand the 3G footprint in Hunstville in 2008. This year alone, AT&T will expand is wireless 3G network in the U.S. to more than 80 additional cities, including two more in Alabama. This planned expansion will bring AT&T 3G wireless services to nearly 350 leading U.S. markets by the end of 2008, including all of the top 100 U.S. cities.

AT&T's 3G wireless network makes it possible for customers to quickly access feature-rich wireless content on their 3G handsets, including videos, games, pictures and the latest music, entertainment, news and weather, through MEdia Net, the company's mobile Internet portal. AT&T 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. Additionally, the AT&T 3G network offers AT&T BroadbandConnect mobile customers faster speeds for their laptops, with the ability to send and receive large files, or access the Internet, their company's intranet or corporate e-mail from anywhere within the 3G network.

Last year, AT&T deployed 6 new cell sites in Alabama. This year, new sites and other network enhancements will be deployed in the following areas to expand wireless coverage for consumers and businesses in:

-- Blount County, including Oneonta, Cleveland, Highland Lake and
Allgood
-- Hunstville, including Providence and Zierdt Road
-- The eastern side of Montgomery and Millbrook
-- Roanoke, Albertville and Tallassee.

"We're committed to the state of Alabama," said Tom Hamby, president of AT&T Alabama. "The investments by AT&T will have a positive impact at both the state and community levels, in addition to the benefits that our customers will receive."

AT&T diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its wireless network. In addition to third-party vendors who assess the company's network performance, AT&T network engineers constantly monitor the network and drive throughout the state to ensure the network is operating at peak efficiency.

AT&T's wireless network is based on Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, the most open and widely used network platform in the world. The company is already establishing a path to develop a 4G network. AT&T plans to roll out the nation's first High Speed Packet Access (HSUPA) network by mid-year, which will provide even faster capabilities to HSUPA-enabled laptop users, allowing them to send large files and take advantage of the latest interactive Internet and business applications.

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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

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. 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? In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM 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 AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

(C) 2007 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 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. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

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Source: AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Sue Sperry of AT&T, +1-504-528-2298, cell, +1-504-343-2350,
sue.sperry@att.com

Web site: http://www.att.com/
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2008-03-12 23:05:24 0311370 PRNEWSWIRE