AT&T Investment Delivers Improved Wireless Network Experience in El Paso

Network Investments to Date Providing Area Customers with Enhanced Voice Calling Experience.

AT&T* released El Paso network investment and expansion details that have contributed to customers benefiting from the nation�s fastest 3G network and an unsurpassed low local dropped call rate � one of the most common measures of wireless performance � according to drive test data collected by third-party independent wireless engineering firm Global Wireless Solutions (GWS).

�AT&T is committed to providing our customers with the very best possible network experience to complement our line-up of the most popular wireless devices that is unmatched in the industry,� said Adam Vital, vice president and general manager, AT&T North Texas. �Since 2007 through the third quarter of 2009 we have invested more than $8 million in the El Paso network to advance our goal of providing customers with a wireless experience that is second to none.�

AT&T supports twice the number of smartphone customers than any other U.S. provider. AT&T invested billions of dollars in its wireless network companywide in 2009. El Paso area network enhancements include initiatives to improve speed, capacity and coverage.

�Business and network investment create new opportunities for Texans,� said state Rep. Joseph Moody. �I�m always encouraged when businesses like AT&T continue their investment in our state to deploy new and innovative technology�

AT&T 2009 network enhancements in El Paso to date included:

* Activated four new cell sites.
* Deployed a second layer of capacity, or �second carrier� to 54 El Paso cell sites that substantially increased capacity on the 3G wireless network. Additional capacity is targeted to support higher volumes of mobile broadband traffic and provide more consistent speeds during peak system usage.
* Added a new Radio Network Controller � network management equipment that significantly increased network capacity.
* The addition of more than 220 T1s to increase voice and data capacity between the cell site and routing switch.
* Optimization of cell sites through modification and equipment upgrades to increase the ability to handle faster data speeds and provide increased capacity.

�We applaud lawmakers in Texas who work hard to create a positive economic environment for investment and job creation,� said Don Cain, president, AT&T Texas. �In these challenging economic times, we are investing in America.�

AT&T recently completed a software upgrade at 3G cell sites nationwide that prepares the nation�s fastest 3G network for even faster speeds. The deployment of High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) 7.2 technology is the first of multiple initiatives in AT&T�s network enhancement strategy designed to provide customers with the best possible mobile broadband experience, both today and well into the future. Faster 3G speeds will become available as AT&T combines the new technology with our second initiative during 2010 and 2011 to dramatically increase the number of high-speed backhaul connections to cell sites, primarily with fiber-optic connections, adding capacity from cell sites to the AT&T backbone network.

As part of AT&T�s ongoing commitment to deliver the best possible wireless experience, AT&T recently announced the launch of AT&T Mark the Spot, an iPhone app that enables customers to quickly and easily provide feedback on AT&T network performance in a specific location. The new AT&T Mark the Spot app adds to AT&T�s existing network performance data to further fine-tune network investment planning and prioritization moving forward. The app, available today as a free download via the iTunes App Store, enables users to provide valuable feedback with as little as two button clicks.

The GWS data confirms AT&T has a national call retainability rate of 98.68 percent and the nation�s fastest 3G network.