AT&T Expanding Wireless and Broadband Coverage in Mississippi; Plans to Invest $66 Million in Network Upgrades in 2008

JACKSON, Miss., March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. , the world's largest communications company, announced today that the company plans to invest more than $66 million in the Mississippi network to expand wireless coverage.

The company plans to add 70 new cell sites in the state this year and roll out its higher-speed 3G wireless network in Biloxi, Gulfport, Hattiesburg, Meridian, Oxford, Starkville, Columbus and Vicksburg by the end of 2008. AT&T also plans to expand high speed third-generation (3G) coverage in the Jackson metropolitan area. The company has invested $717 million from 2005 through 2007 in Mississippi's wired and wireless networks.

"High-quality coverage and the ability to communicate wherever you are and however you want -- those are our goals," said Joe Larussa, vice president and general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in the Gulf states. "Customers rely on us for exceptional service, and this investment is a testament that being the best communications and entertainment company for our customers is paramount."

AT&T has delivered dramatic changes in Mississippi through the introduction of its 3G wireless broadband network in Jackson last fall. The company plans to expand the 3G footprint in Jackson in 2008. This year, AT&T will expand its wireless 3G network in the U.S. to more than 80 additional cities, including six in Mississippi. This planned expansion will bring AT&T 3G wireless services to nearly 350 leading U.S. markets by the end of 2008, including the 100 largest cities.

AT&T's 3G wireless network makes it possible for customers to quickly access feature-rich wireless content -- including videos, games, pictures and the latest music, entertainment, news and weather -- on their 3G handsets through MEdia Net, the company's mobile Internet portal. AT&T 3G customers also can take advantage of Video Share, a first-of-its-kind technology in the U.S. that allows users to share live video during a wireless call. The AT&T 3G network offers AT&T BroadbandConnect mobile customers faster speeds for their laptops, and they have the ability to send and receive large files or access the Internet, their company's intranet or corporate e-mail from anywhere within the 3G network.

Last year, AT&T deployed more than 45 new cell sites in Mississippi. In the next several months, new sites and other network enhancements will be deployed in the following areas:

-- Tutwiler -- A site located near the town of Tutwiler at the intersection of U.S. Highway 49 and state Highway 3 in Tallahatchie County will provide coverage in Tutwiler and along highways 49 and 3. -- Holmesville -- A site located on U.S. Highway 98 between Tylertown and McComb in Pike County will provide continuous coverage between Tylertown and McComb. -- Melvin -- A site located near the intersection of Lamey Bridge and Melvin roads in Harrison County will provide additional coverage to the northern portions of Woolmarket and D'Iberville. -- Pinehurst Lake -- A site located along state Highway 24/48 west of McComb in Pike County will complete continuous coverage between Liberty and McComb on Highway 24/48. -- Tangipahoa River -- A site located along U.S. Highway 98 between I-55 and state Highway 569 in northwestern Pike County will complete continuous coverage between Summit and Bude along Highway 98. -- Smithdale -- A site located near the intersection of U.S. Highway 98 and state Highway 570 between Summit and Bude in Franklin County will complete continuous coverage between Summit and Bude along Highway 98. -- Webb -- A site located along U.S. Highway 49E between Tutweiler and Glendora in Tallahatchie County will provide continuous coverage along the Highway 49E corridor.

"We're committed to the state of Mississippi," said Mayo Flynt, president of AT&T Mississippi. "The investments by AT&T will have a positive impact at both the state and community levels, in addition to the benefits that our customers will receive."

AT&T diligently monitors the quality and coverage of its wireless network. Third-party vendors assess the company's network performance, and AT&T network engineers constantly monitor the network and drive across the state to ensure that the network is operating at peak efficiency.

AT&T's wireless network is based on Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, the most open and widely used network platform in the world. The company is already establishing a path to develop a 4G network. AT&T plans to roll out the nation's first High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) network by midyear, which will provide even faster capabilities to HSUPA-enabled laptop users, allowing them to send large files and take advantage of the latest interactive Internet and business applications.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. 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. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

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