AT&T To Provide $100 Million Of Free Mobile Access To Educational Resources

WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T today announced plans to commit $100 million of free mobile broadband access to educational websites, applications and services, and professional development to help middle-school students and their teachers. AT&T's mobile broadband service will enable students to utilize tablets and other mobile devices for educational purposes that support student learning in new and more effective ways.

"The most important investment we can make to drive long-term prosperity for our country is finding smart new ways to make technology work for schools, teachers and students," said Jim Cicconi, senior executive vice president, AT&T external and legislative affairs. "Providing access to mobile broadband for educational purposes and the tools teachers need to help their students excel is a foundational building block to improving educational results."

AT&T has long been focused on how technology can be used to improve education opportunities. The company's $350 million Aspire program includes providing technology solutions as well as supporting new models for higher education and extensive educational mentoring, all to address high school success and workforce readiness.

Currently, about one in five students does not graduate high school with their peers, and of those who do, many are not fully prepared for college and career success. Nationally, high school graduation rates are increasing, but not nearly as fast as they need to be. Participating in ConnectEd and focusing on low-income school districts is one more way that AT&T is using technology and innovative programs to support teachers and help students achieve.  Technology is rapidly changing how and where student learn, and is helping to equalize access to high-quality education by connecting all students with the best possible resources and tools.

Integrating technology into the classroom is most successful when educators are empowered with the proper support and resources.  As part of this commitment, AT&T also will provide professional development for teachers to help them take full advantage of mobile broadband service to ease their administrative burdens, easily engage with students and identify new high-quality content.

The additional efforts announced today are contingent on FCC e-rate compliance requirements, and federal, state, and municipal procurement frameworks that will not prohibit or extend these types of initiatives. Eligible school locations will be subject to network congestion, availability, and performance criteria.

About Philanthropy at AT&T

AT&T Inc. is committed to advancing education, strengthening communities and improving lives. Through its philanthropic initiatives, AT&T has a long history of supporting projects that create learning opportunities; promote academic and economic achievement; and address community needs. In 2012, more than $131 million was contributed through  corporate-, employee- and AT&T Foundation-giving programs.

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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SOURCE AT&T Inc.