AT&T Announces $400 Million Planned Investment to Bring New Technology to Consumers in Louisiana

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) announced plans to invest approximately $400 million over the next several years in fiber network upgrades, further broadband deployment and Internet-based technologies to bring new services to Louisiana consumers, including cutting-edge television, upon passage of statewide video franchise legislation.

This announcement is a direct result of the Louisiana Legislature's consideration of the Consumer Choice for Television Act, Senate Bill 422 and House Bill 1009.

As introduced, the Consumer Choice for Television Act will enable companies that want to provide competitive video services to obtain a state-issued franchise rather than negotiate with individual municipalities, a process that often takes years to complete.

"We commend the authors of the bill, Sen. Ann Duplessis and Rep. Noble Ellington, for their vision to ensure that Louisiana is not left behind in efforts to give consumers more choices in the video services market," said William A. Oliver, president of AT&T Louisiana. "Passage of the bill will give consumers a new world of communications and entertainment. We look forward to delivering advanced television, voice and Internet services to Louisiana."

"This legislation will give Louisiana consumers more choices and deliver the benefits of competition, including the opportunity for lower prices, better customer service and new products," said Duplessis. "I want my constituents and other Louisiana consumers to reap the benefits of competition as quickly as possible."

"Today's announcement by AT&T has the potential to be a real economic boost for our state," said Ellington. "This is proof that eliminating the barriers to competition not only brings choice to consumers but that it also encourages investment in our state. In turn, investment in next-generation broadband network infrastructure will help bring new technology and jobs to Louisiana."

In part, the new technology upgrades being considered by AT&T will support Internet Protocol (IP)-based television, high speed Internet and Voice over IP (VoIP) services.

AT&T is the only national provider to offer a 100 percent IP-based television service, making U-verse(SM) TV one of the most robust and feature-rich services available today.

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.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.