AT&T Plans Roughly $250 Million in Network Investments in 2008

"AT&T is making a substantial commitment toConnecticut and continues to deliver significant benefits to consumers and businesses across the state -- a direct result of the company's efforts to expand and enhance its network operations and the synergies that come from being part of the world's leading communications company," said Ramona Carlow, president for AT&T in Connecticut. "Our 2008 technology investment is a tangible measure of our desire to provide our customers with unsurpassed service and delivers on our promise to further innovation that will help grow the state's overall economic well being."

"Our robust wireless and wired networks inConnecticut let our customers talk, surf and view content across devices and mediums, from televisions to computers to some of the industry's most cutting-edge wireless devices -- like the upcoming next-generation iPhone," added Steve Krom, vice president and general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in the six New England states.

As part of the 2008 investment plan, AT&T recently expanded its high speed third-generation (3G) network to 210 additional cell sites in the state. Within theHartford area, this brings mobile broadband capability to customers inTolland,Manchester,Vernon,Southington,Enfield,Middletown,Simsbury and Bristol. In theBridgeport andNew Haven areas, AT&T customers will see more robust wireless speeds in areas ofWaterbury,Meriden,Oakville,Southington, Berlin,Wolcott,Middlebury,Watertown,Cheshire,Beacon Falls,Woodbridge, Branford,Hamden,Shelton,Naugatuck,Guilford,Southbury,Ansonia,New Canaan,Danbury,Derby,East Haven,Bethany,Stamford,Orange, Westville, Monroe andProspect. AT&T first introduced its 3G network inConnecticut in 2006. All of the state's major population centers are now covered by the company's high-speed network, with continued expansion to meet ever increasing bandwidth demands planned for the future.

The enhanced wireless network speed lets customers download a 5 MB file in 25 seconds, a three minute song (about 3MB) in 15 seconds and a ringtone that might take one minute and 45 seconds over slower mobile technologies -- only takes an average of 25 seconds on AT&T's 3G network. Equally as important as the network, which is now available in 280 U.S. major metropolitan areas, is the device through which a customer experiences it. AT&T's handset portfolio in company-owned stores is more than 75 percent 3G-capable.

Expanded Wireless Coverage:

In addition to this year's mobile broadband investment, AT&T plans to build 21 new cell sites in the state. Five of these sites have already gone live, including a new cell site inHartland, two sites inLedyard, boosting coverage in and around Foxwoods Resort Casino, and two sites inGreenwich -- one of which provides enhanced in-building coverage at the Greenwich Hospital.

Competitive Advanced Television and Internet:

AT&T also continues to invest heavily in its wired network inConnecticut, expanding the reach of its AT&T U-verse(SM) services, a triple-play of phone, TV and Internet services that run over a fiber-rich network to neighborhoods in more than 80 cities and towns acrossConnecticut today.

The company intends to continue expanding U-verse availability, offering unmatched features including the ability to:

-- Browse personal photos and slide shows right on the TV with AT&T Online Photos from Flickr.

-- Manage home and AT&T wireless voice mail messages from any PC or phone line with AT&T U-verse Voice.

-- Watch more than 40 High Definition (HD) channels with HD service and choose from programming packages with popular channels like NFL Network.

-- Get free Wi-Fi Internet access at more than 17,000 Wi-Fi hotspots, including 7,000 Starbucks locations.

AT&T is uniquely positioned to serve consumers inConnecticut with all their communications needs -- be it a new wireless phone, faster internet access or advanced television, at its 43 company owned retail locations and 25 authorized dealers in the state. AT&T's wireless products and services are also available through the company's authorized dealers and national distribution outlets including Best Buy, Costco, RadioShack and Wal-Mart. To find a store near you go to http://www.wireless.att.com

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 inthe 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. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. 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 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.

(C) 2008 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.

Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.

Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze, Daily News

Tags: Computers and Electronics, VOIP, Phones and Telecommunications, High Tech, connecticut

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