AT&T Upgrades Network in Georgia, Will Launch Faster Service for Former Alltel Customers

AT&T expands nation's most reliable 4G LTE network in Georgia, invests in new store locations

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Jan 23, 2015, 07:22 ET

ATLANTA, Jan. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 100,000 former Alltel wireless customers in Georgia¹ are seeing a change as AT&T² launches service for them. AT&T acquired Alltel's wireless operations in September 2013. The transaction included subscribers, spectrum and retail and network assets.

Since then, AT&T has been hard at work upgrading the network to combine the strength of Alltel's local coverage with AT&T's 4G LTE network — the most reliable 4G LTE network with the strongest signal in the nation — covering more than 300 million people.³The upgraded network was launched late last year with customers activating their new AT&T devices earlier this month.

"We've worked day and night to upgrade our network in Georgia so that former Alltel customers will have a great experience with AT&T," said Alex Parker, AT&T Georgia/South Carolina vice president and general manager. "These customers will have access to a better combined network. In fact, AT&T's 4G LTE network is capable of data speeds up to 10 times faster than the 3G speeds on the former Alltel network. Customers now also enjoy the latest smartphones and tablets and have award-winning retail locations to meet their wireless needs."⁴

Former Alltel customers will have access to AT&T's 4G LTE network.But speed and reliability enhancements are not the only benefits for these customers. The upgraded network in Georgia offers service on significantly more cell towers and better call quality than on the Alltel network.⁵

And former Alltel subscribers aren't the only ones to benefit. With the upgrades, existing AT&T cell towers can now provide enhanced indoor coverage and cover a wider area from each cell tower. In addition, the integration of former Alltel towers into the upgraded network has increased AT&T's cell towers in Georgia by more than 10 percent. So, all subscribers in this part of the state will benefit from a better high speed Internet experience on their mobile devices.

"AT&T's investment — in network infrastructure, store improvements and the jobs that accompany both — show the company's overall commitment to this area," said State Representative Gerald Greene. "These upgrades are important to the people and businesses in Georgia, who want and need access to the same technological tools enjoyed in larger communities. We are delighted to welcome these positive changes within our region."

Former Alltel customers needed new handsets to use the new faster AT&T network. All former Alltel wireless postpaid customers in Georgia were given the option to receive a new comparable device from AT&T at no additional cost and with no time added to their contracts. They also could choose an upgraded device from AT&T's exciting lineup of smartphones.⁶ Prepaid customers received special offers for new devices and plans.

AT&T also upgraded or relocated some former Alltel retail locations. AT&T customers, including former Alltel subscribers, in Georgia may now visit the following retail stores to learn more about AT&T's latest products or services:

AT&T Company Owned Retail Stores:

1101 E. Jackson St., Thomasville, GA 31792
2700 Dawson Rd., Albany, GA 31707
1206 Crawford Street, Americus, GA 31709
1408 Tallahassee Hwy., Bainbridge, GA 39819
903 E 16th Ave, Cordele, GA 31015
1401 Bowens Mill Road SE, Douglas, GA 31533
2421 Hwy 80 Dublin, GA 31021
116 Benjamin H Hill Road, Fitzgerald, GA 31750
552 West Oglethorpe Highway, Hinesville, GA 31313
1093 North Macon Street, Jesup, GA 31545
11 N. Kennedy, Metter, GA 30439
888 Kingsbay Road, St. Marys, GA 31558
581 Northside Drive East, Statesboro, GA 30458
226 South Main Street, Swainsboro, GA 30401
1059 Highway 19 N., Thomaston, GA 30286

AT&T is committed to ensuring everyone who walks through the door of one of our stores receives smart, friendly and fast service. As a result J.D. Power awarded AT&T the "Highest Satisfaction with the Purchase Experience among Full-Service Wireless Providers" in its 2014, Volume 1 study.⁷ Former Alltel customers can also visit any authorized retailer location or national retailer location that offers AT&T products and services.

Customers with general questions about the transition from Alltel to AT&T can visit www.att.com/alltel. Or for details about their new devices, they can visit www.att.com/mynewphone. Customers may also call (800) 331-0500 or speak with an AT&T sales rep at any AT&T retail location.

¹ Counties include: Baker, Ben Hill, Bleckley, Calhoun, Camden, Clay, Coffee, Crawford, Crisp, Decatur, Dodge, Dooly, Dougherty, Early, Glynn, Grady, Harris, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Lee, Liberty, Long, Macon, Marion, McIntosh, Meriweather, Miller, Mitchell, Montgomery, Pike, Pulaski, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Seminole, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, Telfair, Terrell, Thomas, Turner, Upson, Washington, Wayne, Webster, Wheeler, Wilcox and Wilkinson counties. And Chattahoochee and Muscogee counties and Russell County in Alabama

²AT&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.

³Claim basis: Nationwide carriers' LTE. Signal strength claim based ONLY on avg. LTE signal strength. LTE not avail. everywhere.

⁴10x faster 4G LTE claim compares 4G LTE download speeds to industry average 3G download speeds. Access to 4G LTE requires an LTE-capable handset. 4G LTE speeds not available everywhere. Learn more about 4G LTE at att.com/network.

⁵Based on general comparison between 3GCDMA network and AT&T 4G network technical capabilities, individual coverage and service experience will vary. Compatible device required. Coverage not available everywhere.

⁶Customers choosing an upgraded AT&T device were required to select an AT&T Mobile Share Value Plan.

⁷ AT&T received the highest numerical score among full service wireless providers in the proprietary J.D. Power 2013 (Vol. 2) and 2014 (Vol. 1) Full Service Wireless Purchase Experience Study^SM. Study based on 8,525 (Purchase Experience) consumer responses measuring 4 full service wireless providers and measures opinions of consumers who purchased a wireless product or service within last 6 months. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed July-December 2013. Your experiences may vary. Visit jdpower.com

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) helps millions of people and businesses around the globe stay connected through leading wireless, high-speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. We're helping people mobilize their worlds with state-of-the-art communications, entertainment services and amazing innovations like connected cars and devices for homes, offices and points in between. Our U.S. wireless network offers customers the nation's strongest LTE signal and the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network. We offer the best global wireless coverage. We're improving how our customers stay entertained and informed with AT&T U-verse^® TV and High Speed Internet services. And businesses worldwide are serving their customers better with AT&T's mobility and highly secure cloud solutions.

Additional information about AT&T products and services is available at http://about.att.com. 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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Global coverage claim based on offering voice and data roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offering the most wireless smartphones and tablets that work in the most countries.

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