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AT&T Plans to Invest Nearly $50 Million in Oklahoma Wireless Network in 2008

Posted on: Monday, 14 April 2008, 12:00 CDT

OKLAHOMA CITY, April 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. , the world's largest communications company, today announced a total planned investment of nearly $50 million in the Oklahoma wireless network in 2008. This will bring AT&T's three-year investment in Oklahoma to nearly $140 million, further demonstrating AT&T's commitment to provide Oklahomans with a stronger, expanded network and the newest wireless technologies and features.

"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 Larry Evans, AT&T vice president/general manager for wireless operations in Oklahoma and Arkansas. "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."

As part of the 2008 wireless network investment, AT&T plans to add 19 new cell sites and to roll out its higher-speed wireless network in additional communities throughout the state. AT&T also is now integrating 273 cell sites in Oklahoma that AT&T acquired from Dobson Communications, which AT&T acquired last year.

In 2008, new sites and other network enhancements will be deployed to expand wireless coverage for consumers and businesses, including enhanced coverage to those living and working in the Ardmore area and Osage and Tulsa counties.

The Dobson integration will improve service in the following counties: Adair, Cherokee, Craig, Delaware, Garfield, Mayes, McIntosh, Muskogee, Nowata, Okmulgee, Ottawa, Pittsburg and Washington.

AT&T is also delivering dramatic change in Oklahoma through the introduction and deployment of its third-generation (3G) wireless broadband network, which offers customers access to broadband-type speeds for their laptops, with the ability to access the Internet and work with 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.

This year, AT&T is expanding its wireless 3G network in the United States to more than 80 additional cities, bringing AT&T's 3G wireless services to nearly 350 leading U.S. markets. Already this year, AT&T has deployed 3G service in Shawnee. Later this year, 3G service will be launched in Bartlesville and Lawton.

"At the state Capitol, we're focused on creating an environment that encourages companies to invest here, particularly when it comes to the latest technology," said Glenn Coffee, co-Senate president pro tem of Oklahoma City. "When companies invest, everyone wins. This is yet another example of how the right rules provide greater competition in the marketplace, resulting in consumers having more choices and more innovative services."

"Thanks to our visionary state leadership, the state remains open for business," said Don Cain, president, AT&T Oklahoma. "Through investments such as this, we're able to ensure that as many Oklahomans 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 communications (GSM) 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: Andy Morgan of AT&T, +1-405-291-2758, mobile, +1-405-640-4560

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

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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