AT&T Eyes 100 U.S. Cities and Municipalities for Its Ultra-Fast Fiber Network

DALLAS, April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced a major initiative to expand its ultra-fast fiber network to up to 100 candidate cities and municipalities nationwide, including 21 new major metropolitan areas. The fiber network will deliver AT&T U-verse^® with GigaPower(SM) service, which can deliver broadband speeds up to 1 Gigabit per second and AT&T's most advanced TV services, to consumers and businesses.

AT&T will work with local leaders in these markets to discuss ways to bring the service to their communities. Similar to previously announced metro area selections in Austin and Dallas and advanced discussions in Raleigh-Durham and Winston-Salem, communities that have suitable network facilities, and show the strongest investment cases based on anticipated demand and the most receptive policies will influence these future selections and coverage maps within selected areas. This initiative continues AT&T's ongoing commitment to economic development in these communities, bringing jobs, advanced technologies and infrastructure.

The list of 21 candidate metropolitan areas includes: Atlanta, Augusta, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale, Greensboro, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, Oakland, Orlando, San Antonio, San Diego, St. Louis, San Francisco, and San Jose. With previously announced markets, AT&T now has committed to or is exploring 25 metro areas for fiber deployment.

"We're delivering advanced services that offer consumers and small businesses the ability to do more, faster, help communities create a new wave of innovation, and encourage economic development," said Lori Lee, senior executive vice president, AT&T Home Solutions. "We're interested in working with communities that appreciate the value of the most advanced technologies and are willing to encourage investment by offering solid investment cases and policies."

In addition to the previously announced Austin, Dallas, Raleigh-Durham, and Winston-Salem markets, the list of metros and municipalities identified as candidates include, but are not restricted to:

AT&T U-verse uses advanced IP technology and a network that includes fiber-optic technology to go beyond what cable can offer. It transforms the user experience for consumers and business users and is an essential part of AT&T's commitment to fiber infrastructure.

The planned expanded availability of U-verse with GigaPower is part of AT&T's Project Velocity IP (VIP) investment plan to expand and enhance its wireless and wireline IP broadband networks to support growing customer demand for high-speed Internet access, advanced TV services, and new mobile and cloud services. This expanded fiber build is not expected to impact AT&T's capital investment plans for 2014. And AT&T continues to expect that its wired IP broadband network will reach 57 million customer locations in its 22-state wireline footprint by the end of 2015.

AT&T U-verse with GigaPower services are expected to include:

• Internet speeds reaching up to 1 Gigabit per second, faster than the fastest consumer Internet available in most communities today. With Gigabit speeds, you can download an HD online movie in less than 36 seconds, download 25 songs in one second, and download your favorite TV show in less than 3 seconds.**
• Access to cutting-edge TV services that include the most advanced AT&T Total Home DVR with more HD TV streams to record and watch multiple shows simultaneously, plus greater DVR storage capacity.
• Super-fast Wi-Fi speeds and the ability to schedule DVR recordings and watch hit TV shows on more than 30 varieties of smartphones and tablets, as well as your PC.
• Faster speeds that enable small businesses to more quickly and seamlessly:
  • Upload, download and share large data files and images
  • Back up data remotely in the cloud at one or multiple locations
  • Videoconference with suppliers, business partners, and customers

AT&T U-verse with GigaPower services are available in Austin and some surrounding communities, and are expected to roll out in parts of Dallas this summer. AT&T first made the services available to tens of thousands of households in Austin and surrounding communities in December 2013 and recently announced it will expand the fiber network to double the households in the Austin area this year as a result of high demand that has exceeded expectations.

AT&T announced earlier this month that it is in discussions with North Carolina Next Generation Network (NCNGN) to bring U-verse with GigaPower to parts of Carrboro, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham, Winston-Salem and Raleigh. The proposed plan for the North Carolina communities, which requires ratification from the six city councils, outlines fiber deployments in areas where there is demand for ultra-fast broadband and sound policies for investment.

For more information about AT&T U-verse with GigaPower, please visit www.att.com/gigapowercities

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

**Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds.  Actual customer speeds may vary and are not guaranteed.  Actual speeds vary based on factors including site traffic, content provider server capacity, internal network management factors and device capabilities, and use of other U-verse services

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability varies.

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.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.