GOP and AT&T Partner to Enhance Convention Communications

TAMPA, Fla., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Republican convention organizers today announced that AT&T has been named the "Official Wireless Provider of the 2012 Republican National Convention" and will provide an array of products and services to support and enhance carrier-provided wireless communications in and around key convention venues in the Tampa Bay area.

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Under an agreement with the convention, AT&T will support convention planners' overall mobility efforts by providing voice and data communication services and a variety of mobile devices to help maintain fully integrated communications throughout the convention process. 

In addition, AT&T is helping the convention expand its outreach and communications through the development of mobile applications and other services.

As part of the official provider announcement, the Republican National Convention announced a text messaging campaign, supported by AT&T technologies, that allows interested parties to sign up to be among the first to receive breaking news about the August event, including convention speakers and a schedule of daily events.

To sign up for these alerts, text "convention" to 99000 from your mobile device.

"This will be the first national political convention of the social networking era, with unprecedented demand for carrier-provided wireless broadband and AT&T is working to making sure that the convention is more than up to the task," said convention Chief Executive Officer William Harris. 

"Thanks to the improvements we envision, Tampa Bay will be the envy of the world," said Harris. "This will help ensure convention-goers are able to share the sights, sounds and excitement of our 40th presidential nominating convention."

"We are delighted to be working with the Republican National Convention to provide wireless service and support at this summer's convention," said Ralph de la Vega, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Mobility.  "AT&T is privileged to offer the technical expertise of our employees and the capabilities of our wireless network to serve the 50,000 visitors expected in the Tampa Bay region. We look forward to continuing to invest and providing Floridians with superior service long after the convention is over."

About AT&T:

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world http://www.att.com/corporateawards. 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 largest 4G 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 services under the AT&T U-verse(r) 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.

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About the 2012 Republican National Convention

The 2012 Republican National Convention will be held at the Tampa Bay Times Forum August 27-30, 2012.  Nearly 50,000 visitors are expected to come to the Tampa Bay area for the event, including delegates, alternate delegates, media and other guests.  For more information about the 2012 Republican National Convention, please visit www.GOPConvention2012.com, follow us on Twitter, @GOPconvention, or "Like" us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/GOPconvention.

SOURCE 2012 Republican National Convention