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AT&T Plans to Invest Nearly $200 Million in Texas Wireless Network in 2008

Posted on: Wednesday, 9 April 2008, 12:00 CDT

SAN ANTONIO, April 9, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. , the world's largest communications company, today announced a planned investment of nearly $200 million in the Texas wireless network in 2008. This will bring AT&T's three-year investment in the state to more than $700 million, further demonstrating AT&T's commitment to provide Texans with a stronger, expanded network and the newest wireless technologies and features.

As part of the 2008 wireless network investment, AT&T plans to add 102 new cell sites and to roll out its higher-speed wireless network in additional communities throughout the state. Many of the improvements will benefit Texans who live and work in rural areas.

"Our goal is to ensure that AT&T customers have the very best wireless experience possible, and that includes providing unmatched coverage, quality of service, competitive calling plans and innovative wireless devices," said Adam Vital, vice president and general manager of AT&T's wireless unit in North Texas. "This year's investment will increase coverage in the places our customers live and work, and the planned expansion of our 3G network will allow more customers to enjoy increased data and video speeds while they are on the go."

The expanded wireless coverage will benefit those who live and work in Angleton, Austin, Bastrop, Brenham, Brownsville, Canyon Lake, Clute, Dallas, Denison, Edinburg, Fischer, Fort Worth, Harlingen, Hidalgo, Hockley, Huntsville, Iowa Colony, Livingston, Lockhart, Magnolia, Mission, Rio Grande Valley, Rosharon, San Benito, Sherman, South Padre Island, Spring Branch and Weslaco.

The new cell sites will also enhance coverage on interstates 28, 67, 69 and 277; U.S. highways 87, 181, 183, 259, 281 and 380; and state Highway 6.

AT&T is also delivering dramatic change in Texas through the introduction and deployment of its third-generation (3G) wireless broadband network, which offers customers access to DSL-type speeds for their laptops and gives them the ability to access the Internet and e-mail from within the 3G network. Customers with 3G handsets have quick access to the latest news, weather, music, entertainment, videos, games and pictures through MEdia(TM) Net, the company's mobile Internet portal.

AT&T is expanding its wireless 3G network this year by more than 80 additional cities, bringing AT&T's 3G wireless services to nearly 350 leading U.S. markets. AT&T has already deployed 3G service this year in Brenham, Longview and Tyler. Later this year, AT&T plans to launch its 3G service in Bastrop, Boerne, El Paso, Denison, Greenville, Huntsville, Killeen, Laredo, Las Cruces, Livingston, Lubbock, Marble Falls, Sherman, Temple, Uvalde and Waco.

"Thanks to our visionary state leadership, the state remains open for business," said Jim Epperson, president of AT&T Texas. "Through investments such as this, we're able to ensure that as many Texans as possible remain connected in every way. We're committed to providing consumers unprecedented choice and flexibility in devices, applications and service plans so that they have access to the people, information and entertainment they care about."

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

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) 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.

AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Natasha Collins of AT&T Inc., +1-214-665-1327, Mobile,+1-214-538-6256, ncollins@attnews.us

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

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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