AT&T Expanding Wireless Coverage in Mississippi; Investing $20 Million This Year in Wireless Network

Mon Jul 23 14:55:00 2007

Adding 45 New Cell Sites in 2007

JACKSON, Miss., July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T, the nation's largest wireless carrier, is investing nearly $20 million in Mississippi's network in 2007. AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) has announced the addition of 45 cell sites in Mississippi before the end of this year.

AT&T's wireless unit has delivered dramatic change in Mississippi through the expansion of the network; the synergies that come from being part of AT&T, the world's largest communications company; and the company's continuing efforts to enhance network operations.

"We are accelerating the changes that our customers see and experience in Mississippi, and that's as exciting for the company as it is for customers and employees," said Joe Larussa, AT&T's vice president/general manager for wireless operations in the Gulf Region.

"Our goal is to ensure that AT&T customers have the very best wireless experience possible -- which includes unmatched coverage and quality of service. We have been working hard for many years to enhance service for our customers and to provide the best-value calling plans and cutting-edge wireless devices."

  Network enhancements planned for 2007 in Mississippi include:

  -- Enhanced coverage to those living and working throughout the state
  -- New coverage on Interstate 55 near Brookhaven
  -- New cell site at "The Stack" in Jackson
  -- Nine new sites in the Delta*

An important addition to AT&T's wireless network is the launch of broadband 3G service in Jackson later this year. This third-generation service now gives Mississippi customers access to DSL-type speeds for their laptops, with the ability to access the Internet and work with e-mail from anywhere within the 3G network. Handset customers have access to the latest entertainment, news and weather programming through AT&T Video and AT&T Music.

"The versatility of our network is unsurpassed," Larussa said. "Since our network is based on the GSM standard, if a customer leaves our 3G service footprint, they will automatically convert to our EDGE network -- the largest high speed data network in the country. With other services, a customer could lose their access until they re-enter a comparable network." AT&T customers also can browse the Web and perform other data functions in more than 130 countries and make a phone call in more than 190 countries and territories.

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

Larussa said that consumers received an immediate boost as a result of the new AT&T Unity(SM) plan. This plan gives customers the ability to call all AT&T landline and wireless customers at no additional charge, for a free calling community of more than 100 million people.

AT&T's wireless stores also have been offering products such as high speed Internet since 2006. Larussa said the addition of AT&T products to wireless stores is only a small part of the benefit that comes from AT&T's growth.

"Through our ability to combine wireless and wireline networks, AT&T is accelerating the convergence of new voice, data and video services that will lead the industry's shift to next-generation, IP-based technologies," Larussa said. "IP is the new foundation of our business, enabling us to give consumers and businesses what they are demanding -- 24/7 access to any content or application on any device, wired or wireless."

The rebranded 1,800 AT&T stores signal more than a change of company name, they reflect the new direction of AT&T. The iPhone, an AT&T exclusive, revolutionized the wireless world when it launched June 29 and combines three amazing products -- a mobile phone, a widescreen iPod and a breakthrough Internet device. The iPhone combines both communications and entertainment and represents the future of mobile phones.

"The bottom line is that AT&T is the premier wireless company in the country," Larussa said. "We're off to a great start already, and the future promises to be very exciting for Mississippi."

*The Delta is defined as the region between the Yazoo River and the Mississippi River from Tunica to Vicksburg.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. 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 Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Knowledge Ventures. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: rolf.gatlin@fleishman.com

Source: AT&T Inc.

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

Web site: http://www.att.com/

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