AT&T Invests Nearly $1.3 Billion Over Three Year Period To Enhance Local Networks In Tennessee

Investment Expands Access to Nation's Most Reliable 4G LTE Network, AT&T U-verse Services; Brings Powerful Fiber-Optic Connections to More Tennessee Businesses

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AT&T Inc.

Mar 24, 2014, 12:01 ET

NASHVILLE, Tenn., March 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* has invested nearly $1.3 billion in its best-in-class wireless and wired networks in Tennessee between 2011 through 2013, driving a wide range of upgrades to enhance speed, reliability, coverage and performance for residents and business customers.

Advancing its Project Velocity IP (VIP), an investment plan to expand and enhance its wireless and wired IP broadband networks, AT&T in 2013 made 703 network upgrades in Tennessee, including new cell sites, addition of wireless and wired network capacity, and new broadband network connections. Additionally, AT&T expanded the reach of its network, providing access to U-verse^® Internet and video services to more than 61,000 new customer locations and delivering powerful fiber-optic connections to 3,267 business locations at 162 multi-tenant business buildings and business parks.

"Tennessee residents depend on our fast and reliable broadband connections more and more every day, whether it's instant access to files and apps at work, watching a video at home, or even receiving updates from connected cars or home monitors," said Joelle Phillips, president, AT&T Tennessee. "AT&T is making robust investments locally to make sure that residents can take full advantage of the latest services and tools, and that businesses have the speed they need to compete and grow."

Notable Tennessee network enhancements in 2013 included:

Launching AT&T's 4G LTE network in 139 cities in Tennessee.
The completion of a new Distributed Antenna System (DAS) at both Bridgestone Arena and LP Field in Downtown Nashville to enhance the customer experience throughout each facility.
The launch of AT&T Digital Life in Middle Tennessee and Memphis. With Digital Life, customers can use their existing home broadband provider, and any wireless phone service, and enjoy the security and convenience of a home management system with the flexibility to meet their unique needs.

"Tennessee's economy is strong not only because we are attracting new businesses to relocate or build here, but also because existing businesses are investing and hiring," said Tennessee Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey. "Access to advanced communications services helps fuel economic activity in our state and we're working hard to encourage private companies to continue expanding these services across Tennessee."

"Tennesseans are using advanced broadband technologies and especially wireless service in so many new ways today," said Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell. "Tennessee is a growing part of the global economy and we need to keep pace with wireless broadband technologies and services that keeps our state connected now and in the future."

"For businesses in Tennessee to continue to thrive there are a few fundamentals we have to get right and communications infrastructure is one of them," said Charlie Howorth, executive director of the Tennessee Business Roundtable. "I want to thank Governor Haslam, Lt. Governor Ramsey and Speaker Harwell for working hard to maintain a favorable economic environment in Tennessee that incents companies to invest, hire and grow here."

"When leaders make the right decisions, we see more jobs and investment in Tennessee," said Catherine Glover at the State Chamber. "The leadership of legislators like Senator Mark Norris and Representative Gerald McCormick, working to modernize telecommunications law and regulations in our state, is a key driver in bringing technology investment to Tennessee. The Chamber applauds our elected leaders who understand the connection between what our state laws say and what companies do with their capital."

AT&T provides the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network today, covering more than 280 million Americans with 4G LTE service.**

AT&T U-verse is delivered over AT&T's advanced IP network and includes AT&T U-verse High Speed Internet, AT&T U-verse TV, and AT&T U-verse Voice.*** AT&T U-verse TV customers enjoy Total Home DVR^®, apps for entertainment on the go, and integrated features. AT&T was named Frost & Sullivan Video Company of the Year for 2013.

AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network**** including more than 32,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 529,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. Most AT&T smartphone customers get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly wireless data plans.

For more information about AT&T's coverage in Tennessee or anywhere in the United States, consumers can visit the AT&T Coverage Viewer. For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit the AT&T network news page.

* 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.
** Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.
*** Geographic and service restrictions apply to AT&T U-verse services. Call or go to www.att.com/u-verse to see if you qualify.
**** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots.
To define a market, we rely on the Core Based Statistical Areas (CBSA), as established by the United States Office of Management and Budget. Minor differences, if any, between annual totals reflect annual updating of market boundaries in our record systems.

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 internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE 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 service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.