AT&T Invests Nearly $150 Million in Louisiana Networks

METAIRIE, La., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- In just the first six months of this year, AT&T* invested nearly $150 million in its wired and wireless networks to continue improving service for customers in Louisiana. Upgrades to the AT&T wireless network included new cell sites, expanded mobile broadband coverage and increased 3G capacity. The investment also included upgrades to the AT&T wireline infrastructure, such as expanded AT&T U-verse® services, additional AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots, and extended reach of broadband services.

AT&T customers are seeing the results of this investment with faster mobile broadband speeds and strong reliability, according to the latest round of comprehensive drive testing by Global Wireless Solutions Inc. (GWS).  This GWS testing showed that AT&T maintained the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, connected more than 98 percent of calls on the first attempt, and carried 98.65 percent of calls to completion, a difference of less than one call out of 1,000 from the only higher-scoring provider.

AT&T Louisiana President Sonia Perez said AT&T's local investment creates many advantages for the people of Louisiana.

"Our investment stimulates the economy and fosters employment for U.S. workers," Perez  said. "We are proud of that.  In fact, AT&T has invested more in the last three years in our networks than any of our U.S. competitors.  That creates economic growth across the board.  Even in this troubled economy, we plan to invest $18 to $19 billion this year, assuming the regulatory environment remains favorable.  Our plan to invest up to 10 percent more than we did last year—again in these tough economic times—is a major commitment to our customers.  But it's also a huge commitment to our state and to our nation."

Joe Larussa, AT&T's vice president and general manager, Gulf States, said that AT&T remains focused on making the nation's fastest mobile broadband network even faster.  

"Our investment strategy allows us to continue increasing speeds, which means our capabilities continue to grow with our customers.  Average national mobile broadband network speeds during the first six months of 2010 are up more than 25 percent, based on internal data." These faster speeds have been delivered even as AT&T has managed unprecedented growth in mobile data usage.  Over a three-year period (2007-2009), mobile data traffic on AT&T's wireless network jumped about 5,000 percent.

"Put that in perspective," said Larussa.  "Can you imagine if traffic on the I-10 increased 5,000 percent?  It would be an impossible situation, worse than the 60-mile traffic jam recently in China.  But we have not only met that unprecedented growth, our network serves customers better and faster than before. No other company in the country has faced that kind of growth.  There's no way to tell how their networks would have fared.  But we've been tested by fire—like none other—and because of that, our customers are benefiting."

The network investment complements the introduction of new wireless data plans that make the benefits of mobile broadband more affordable for more people. Customers can choose the data plan that best fits their needs, starting with the DataPlus plan at $15 per month.

For more information about AT&T's mobile broadband coverage in Louisiana or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer.  Using the online tool, AT&T customers can measure coverage quality of coverage from a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark. A map of AT&T Wi-Fi locations is available at www.att.com/go.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit www.att.com/networknews.

*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.

DataPlus plan requires a wireless agreement and includes 200MB of data; each additional 200MB of overage is $15 and other restrictions apply.

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 in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

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Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might 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 and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.