AT&T Reveal 2009 Expansion Plans: Continued Investment in Missouri

AT&T Boosts Wireless Coverage, Announces New 3G Markets and Plans to Expand AT&T U-verse Availability

St. Louis, Missouri, May 18, 2009 -- AT&T* plans to add approximately 55 new cell sites throughout Missouri in 2009. It also plans to launch its third-generation (3G) mobile broadband network in Cape Girardeau and Joplin. In February, AT&T completed its St. Joseph 3G launch. Additionally, AT&T plans to expand its existing 3G network in St. Louis.

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AT&T will also continue expanding AT&T U-verseSM services, including AT&T U-verse TV, AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet and AT&T U-verse Voice. AT&T launched AT&T U-verse Voice in St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo., in 2008, and plans to expand the triple-play of U-verse services to more homes throughout this year. AT&T U-verse was recently expanded to parts of Arnold, Ellisville, Jefferson County, Murphy, Oakville, St. Peters and Weldon Springs.

"In an increasingly global world, Missouri business-owners must be able to connect instantaneously with clients and customers, whether those customers are across town or across the globe," Gov. Jay Nixon said. "AT&T's increased investment in our state will help ensure that Missourians have access to the latest technologies to stay competitive in the 21st-century economy. I am committed to working with companies and consumers alike to attract new investment to our state, and to make sure Missouri is a great place to do business."

From 2006 to 2008, AT&T's capital investment in Missouri was more than $1.75 billion.

"We're committed to delivering dependable, high speed broadband access in more places across Missouri for consumers and business customers who need to stay connected to work, family and friends," said Dave Nichols, president, AT&T Missouri. "The ongoing investment we're making in Missouri will help us fulfill this vision."

AT&T's 3G network opens the door to a new era of advanced mobile services, devices and feature-rich audio and video content, such as LaptopConnect and AT&T Video ShareSM, a first-of-its-kind technology that allows users to share live video during a wireless call.

"Our number one priority in 2009 is to continue to enhance the wireless network so our customers have a top notch experience every time they make a call, send a text or check an e-mail on their AT&T device," said Nancy Garvey, vice president and general manager, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets in the Greater Midwest.

New Coverage – 2009 Build-Out Plans

AT&T's 2009 network build-out plan for Missouri includes approximately 55 new cell sites. Some of these new cell sites will be located across Cass, St. Francois and St. Charles Counties, Joplin and along U.S. 67 in southeastern Missouri. Annapolis and Noel also will be receiving new cell sites and new AT&T coverage. Additionally, AT&T plans to enhance service on more than 50 existing cell sites in areas including:

* Cape Girardeau County
* Fort Leonard Wood
* Jasper County
* Newton County
* Scott County
* Ste. Genevieve County

This builds on AT&T's 2008 investment in which it added more than 25 new cell sites in Missouri and enhanced service on nearly 250 existing sites throughout the state. AT&T also launched its 3G network in Springfield, and completed a 3G expansion in the Kansas City and St. Louis areas last year. AT&T's 3G network is now available in nearly 350 U.S. major metropolitan areas.

AT&T also completed its fiber network upgrades in 2009, which support High Speed Internet access, and brought broadband technology to its remaining 42 central offices in Missouri – which were mainly in rural areas – that were previously without High Speed Internet capability. Today, all 212 switching offices statewide are DSL-ready. Areas that are now able to receive DSL thanks to the expansion include:

* Bollinger County: Patton
* Buchanan County: Agency, Rushville and San Antonio
* Butler County: Fisk and Qulin
* Cass County: Archie
* Camden County: Climax Springs, Climax Springs North and Macks Creek
* Cape Girardeau County: Delta, Oak Ridge and Old Appleton
* Dunklin County: Holcomb and Hornersville
* Franklin County: Beaufort
* Greene County: Fair Grove and Walnut Grove
* Howard County: Armstrong
* Jefferson County: Ware
* Osage County: Argyle, Freeburg and Meta
* Maries County: Vienna
* Miller County: Tuscumbia
* Mississippi County: Wyatt
* New Madrid County: Morehouse and Risco
* Pemiscot County: Deering and Wardell
* Perry County: Frohna-Altenburg
* Pike County: Frankford and Paynesville
* Ralls County: Center
* Scott County: Benton
* Stoddard County: Bell City and Essex
* St. Francois County: Leadwood
* Ste. Genevieve County: Bloomsdale and St. Mary's
* Washington County: Richwoods
* Wayne County: Wappapello

Additionally, AT&T continues to rollout AT&T U-verse enhancements. New features and services introduced in 2008 include AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR and AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet Max 18 for consumers and small businesses.

Across its national footprint, AT&T is investing billions of dollars to build the advanced broadband networks, both wired and wireless, that will create jobs and fuel economic growth. AT&T also is investing in its employees by creating and preserving high-tech jobs that pay well, have good benefits and provide opportunities for training and advancement.

AT&T's wireless network is based on GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technologies, the most open and widely used wireless network platform in the world. As a result, only AT&T can offer 3G data roaming in more than 60 countries, as well as voice calling in more than 200 countries, in addition to AT&T's constant 3G expansion in the U.S. Nearly all devices in AT&T's current portfolio are "world phones" that can be used globally.

AT&T operates 40 AT&T-owned retail locations in Missouri. AT&T's products and services are also available at a number of other authorized dealers and national retail locations.

For more information about AT&T's wireless coverage in Missouri or anywhere in the United States, consumers can go to http://www.wireless.att.com/coverageviewer/. The online tool can measure the quality of coverage based on a street address, intersection, ZIP code or even a landmark.

*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.

Source: AT&T