ATLANTA (Map) - ATLANTA, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) announced today that the company plans to invest more than $120 million in the Georgia network in 2008 to expand wireless coverage. The planned investment will bring AT&T's three-year network investment in Georgia for wireless and wired services to nearly $1.5 billion.

AT&T plans to add more than 80 new cell sites in the state and will expand high speed third-generation (3G) coverage in the Columbus and Savannah markets. AT&T also provides 3G services in Atlanta and Athens.

"Our goal is to provide high-quality coverage and the ability to communicate wherever you are and however you want," said Cliff Minor, vice president and general manager for AT&T's wireless operations in Georgia. "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 Georgia since introducing the 3G wireless broadband network in Atlanta in 2006. This year, AT&T will expand its current 3G network on more than 200 sites in the Atlanta area.

The planned expansion of the service area around Columbus, Savannah and other areas by the end of 2008 will bring AT&T's 3G wireless services to nearly 350 leading U.S. markets, including all of the top 100 cities.

The AT&T 3G wireless network delivers typical download speeds ranging from 600 to 1,400 kilobits per second (Kbps). AT&T's 3G wireless network allows customers to use their 3G handsets to quickly access feature-rich wireless content, including videos, games, pictures, music, entertainment, news and weather, through MEdia Net, the company's mobile Internet portal. AT&T's 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. Additionally, the AT&T 3G network offers AT&T LaptopConnect mobile customers faster speeds for their laptops and the ability to send and receive large files or access to the Internet, their company's intranet or corporate e-mail from anywhere within the 3G network.

"We're committed to the state of Georgia," said Sylvia Anderson, president of AT&T Georgia. "AT&T's investments will have a positive impact on economic development at both the state and community levels, in addition to the benefits that our customers will receive."

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 Packet Access (HSUPA) network by midyear, which will provide even faster capabilities to HSUPA-enabled laptop users and allow them to send large files and take advantage of the latest interactive Internet and business applications.

A summary of Georgia areas that will benefit from the addition of 80+ cell sites and from planned 3G expansion include:

Atlanta and North Georgia -- Enhanced coverage along Cobb Parkway and Windy Hill Rd. -- Enhanced coverage in the north Georgia mountain area Athens -- Enhanced coverage to the downtown university/residential areas and the UGA campus and sports complex Bainbridge -- Coverage concentrated in the Lake Seminole area and to better serve southwest Georgia -- Connecting Bainbridge to Donalsonville, Colquitt, Thomasville and Tallahassee. Columbus -- Enhanced coverage in the city's suburban areas, near the airport, Lake Bottom and Green Island area. -- Coverage in areas including Woodberry, Warm Springs, Zebulon, Hogansville, West Point Lake, Waverly Hall, Troy University area, Fort Benning, Pine Mountain, and along several highways to improve intra-city connectivity. Macon -- Enhanced coverage for commercial businesses along Bass Rd. Milledgeville -- New and expanded coverage to areas with hospital and educational institutions, including Georgia College and State University -- Coverage for new subdivisions, lake properties and commercial zone -- Connecting coverage from Milledgeville toward Macon Georgia areas with planned 3G expansion include: -- Columbus will launch 3G at more than 40 cell site locations -- Savannah will launch 3G at more than 60 cell site locations -- The Atlanta area will expand its current 3G on more than 200 sites.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) 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

SOURCE AT&T Inc.