Smartphone and Tablet Protection Critical to Helping Small Businesses Stay Connected and Productive

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Smartphones and tablets are no longer a luxury item for most small businesses ... in fact, mobile devices like these are now a necessity in helping them successfully run their businesses. Yet, 1 in 4 devices, including those used by small businesses, will experience an incident any given year, according to technology protection leader Asurion.

To give them peace of mind and keep their business running in case something happens to their mobile devices, AT&T* announced today an industry-first suite of mobile services for small businesses – AT&T Mobile Protection Pack, which provides Mobile Insurance**, Enhanced Support, and Mobile Locate for smartphones and tablets.

Cathy Martine, Executive Vice President of AT&T Small Business Solutions, announced the new offering today at the National Small Business Week conference's Town Hall forum in Washington DC.

According to the recent AT&T Small Business Technology Poll, 85 percent of small businesses use smartphones and 66 percent use tablets, with some 63 percent indicating it would be a major challenge to survive without mobile technology. So making sure business owners are protected in case a device is lost, stolen, or damaged is more important than ever.

Key Features

The AT&T Mobile Protection Pack offers:

• Mobile Insurance – Replace a lost, stolen, damaged or out-of-warranty malfunctioning device.  Once a claim is approved, the replacement device is shipped and in most cases, received the next business day.  
• Enhanced Support – Call or click for personalized service from basic functionality, set up and security to email connectivity and technical issues.
• Mobile Locate – Download this app to lock and locate a lost or stolen device using an alarm or GPS, to keep your information secure.

Customers that are within 30 days of new activation or upgrade can enroll for $9.99/month per mobile number enrolled, with insurance deductibles starting at $50. Most popular models of devices including smartphones and tablets are eligible, including models on most major mobile operating systems. Small businesses looking for more information should go to http://mobileprotectionpack.att.com.

Quotes

"Small and midsize businesses often have unique requirements when it comes to mobility, and will appreciate a cost effective services bundle to meet their needs for basic but high-quality management, security, and support," said Kathyrn Weldon, Principal Analyst for Enterprise Mobility at Current Analysis. "AT&T has created a set of tailored services that responds well to these needs."

"We understand that for small business owners, mobile devices have become a lifeline for their livelihoods," AT&T's Cathy Martine said. "With Mobile Protection Pack, we're making it easier than ever for small business owners to quickly replace or locate their devices and get the support they need so they can spend their time doing what they do best – running their business."

General Information

Small businesses that want more information about all AT&T products and services can visit AT&T Small Business. For free business resources such as webinars, articles, case studies and best practices, they can visit AT&T Small Business InSite.

Additionally, real-time information and updates can be found on the AT&T Small Business Facebook page and AT&T Small Business Twitter channel.

*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.

**Mobile Protection Pack consists of Mobile Insurance, Enhanced Support and Mobile Locate. Mobile Insurance is underwritten by Continental Casualty Company, a CNA company and administered by Asurion Protection Services, LLC, a licensed agent of CNA. AT&T Mobile Insurance is not available for and does not apply to BlackBerry® PlayBook™, phones on GoPhone® accounts, tablets with prepaid data plans, AT&T 3G MicroCell™, device models not sold by AT&T,or docks. Enhanced Support Requires qualifying device and data plan. Data charges may apply. Functional computer and broadband internet connection required in some cases. Mobile Locate service is provided by Asurion Mobile Applications, Inc. Wireless data usage charges may apply.

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 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, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, 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® 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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SOURCE AT&T Inc.