AT&T Ohio Marks One-Year Anniversary of Statewide Video Reform Legislation; Rapid Deployment of AT&T U-verse Benefits Ohio Consumers

AT&T Ohio Marks One-Year Anniversary of Statewide Video Reform Legislation; Rapid Deployment of AT&T U-verse Benefits Ohio Consumers

Video Reform Legislation Leads to Investment and Strong Market Response for Enhanced TV Experience

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced that AT&T U-verse(SM) TV is now available to 600,000 living units in Ohio, marking a significant expansion since the enactment of Ohio Senate Bill 117 (S.B. 117) one year ago today. In the past year, AT&T U-verse TV has redefined the television experience for Ohio consumers by using a 100 percent digital platform that enables new, innovative features and provides a desired alternative to cable services.

"Thanks to the foresight of the Ohio General Assembly and Gov. Ted Strickland, consumers throughout the Buckeye state now have a choice when it comes to their TV provider," said Tom Pelto, president, AT&T Ohio. "Senate Bill 117 has paved the way for increased value and innovation in pay TV and greater investment in the state of Ohio."

S.B. 117, sponsored by Sen. Jeff Jacobson, reformed Ohio's video franchising system, bringing the benefits of video competition to Ohio consumers by establishing statewide uniform standards that streamlined the authorization process and encouraged competition and new investment. S.B. 117 passed by large bipartisan majorities in both the Ohio Senate and Ohio House. Gov. Strickland finalized reform efforts by signing the bill, which became effective Sept. 24, 2007.

AT&T is fulfilling its commitment to invest $500 million in Ohio as a result of these reforms. Over the next several years, the company will continue to invest in fiber network upgrades, further broadband deployment and Internet-based technologies to bring new services to Ohio consumers. As part of this effort, AT&T is also completing work to equip its remaining wire centers, primarily in rural areas, with broadband technology.

New jobs have also resulted from reform efforts and the significant expansion of AT&T U-verse.

AT&T estimates that several hundred jobs throughout the state -- at least 470 from AT&T alone -- have been created to upgrade the network and provide cutting-edge television services to Ohioans.

"The Communications Workers of America (CWA) is glad to be part of the effort with Gov. Strickland to bring both jobs and choice to many Ohio consumers," said Seth Rosen, CWA district four vice president. "Our members are working hard to make AT&T U-verse services available to more and more customers across the state."

AT&T U-verse is now available in parts of nearly 200 Ohio communities, including Akron, Canton, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Springfield.

"More Ohio consumers are realizing that AT&T U-verse TV is more than just TV; it's about a complete entertainment experience," said Amanda Harris, general manager of AT&T Ohio. "U-verse TV offers better choice, a huge HD lineup, popular programming and greater control and features. This new video choice is exceeding all expectations in Ohio."

The rapid expansion of AT&T U-verse in Ohio mirrors the growth of U-verse services nationwide. AT&T had 549,000 U-verse customers at the end of the second quarter and is on track to reach more than 1 million customers by the end of 2008.

Ohio customers can choose from a variety of U-verse packages, which include popular programming options, unmatched features and prices that start as low as $44 a month, depending on the selected programming and Internet packages (other monthly charges apply).

Since introducing U-verse services in Ohio, AT&T has launched several new features that take advantage of its 100 percent Internet Protocol (IP)-based platform. IP technology helps U-verse TV offer advanced capabilities that customers don't get from other local providers, such as the ability to record four programs at once on the digital video recorder (DVR), Web and Mobile Remote Access to the DVR, and access to more than 45 High Definition (HD) channels.

The interactive features -- available to customers at no extra charge -- that were added in the past year and further differentiate U-verse TV from cable include:

* AT&T Online Photos from Flickr, which lets you simply and conveniently browse the photos you've uploaded to flickr.com and watch slide shows on your U-verse TV screen from the comfort of your couch.

* AT&T U-bar, which brings customizable weather, stock, sports and traffic information to the U-verse TV screen, without interrupting the current program. AT&T High Speed Internet subscribers can personalize the U-bar from the AT&T portal to display weather at specific locations, your personal stock portfolio and scores for your favorite sports teams.

* Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football, which allows you to track the progress of your fantasy football team -- including current team matchups and league standings -- directly from your TV screen through the AT&T U-bar. YELLOWPAGES.COM TV, for fast and easy searches to find local businesses and other information via your TV screen.

* AT&T Yahoo! Games, so you can now play your favorite online games -- including Sudoku, Solitaire, JT's Blocks, Mah-jongg Tiles and Chess -- on the TV screen.

Earlier this year, AT&T introduced AT&T U-verse Voice, a next-generation digital voice service delivered over the AT&T U-verse IP network. U-verse Voice completes the company's IP triple play and brings together your AT&T home phone, wireless, broadband and TV services -- all on one bill -- with unique features that provide a new level of integration, convenience and control.

AT&T is the only national provider to offer a 100 percent IP-based television (IPTV) service, making AT&T U-verse TV one of the most advanced television offerings available anywhere. AT&T is deploying next-generation video services, including AT&T U-verse TV, as part of its mission to connect people with their world, everywhere they live and work, and do it better than anyone else.

Customers who want additional information on AT&T U-verse TV -- or to find out whether it's available in their area - can call 800-ATT-2020, visit http://uverse.att.com/ or stop by the nearest AT&T retail location.

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. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 on Fortune magazine's World's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list and No. 1 on America's Most Admired Telecommunications Company list. 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/.

(C) 2008 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies.

Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at http://www.att.com/rss. For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

Living units consist of occupied and unoccupied housing as well as platted housing lots.

Source: AT&T Inc.

CONTACT: Bob Beasley of AT&T Inc., +1-614-736-3441,
bob.beasley@attnews.us

Web site: http://www.att.com/

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