AT&T Accelerates Timetable for Launching Service in South Dakota

Published on Thursday, 02 September 2010 10:37 Written by TradersHuddle Staff

Alltel Customers Joining AT&T to Receive Free Mobile Devices on the Nation's Fastest Mobile Broadband Network

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Sept. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* said today that the timetable for bringing AT&T service to Sioux Falls, Rapid City and South Dakota Rural Service Areas (RSA) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 has been accelerated and that it expects AT&T service will be available here by the end of 2010 or the beginning of 2011.(1) That is significantly sooner than the earlier estimate for introducing AT&T service by mid-2011. The addition of these service areas is a result of AT&T's acquisition of assets from Verizon Wireless completed in June 2010.  

Every residential Alltel customer in these areas joining AT&T as a result of the transaction will receive an offer for a brand new AT&T handset at no additional cost.(2) Customers will be able to choose their free device from a list of the latest AT&T 3G handsets that are comparable to what they have today.(3) Additionally, the vast majority of customers choosing free comparable devices will be able to keep their existing rate plans, and none of these customers will be required to assume an additional contract term.

Customers will also have the opportunity to upgrade to a new device, like iPhone 4®, for an additional fee and with a new two-year contract, with current AT&T rates and associated data plan.

"AT&T has been working tirelessly to upgrade the Alltel network to the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, and we expect that coverage in these areas will be as good as — if not better than — it is today, with the ability to talk and surf the Internet at the same time," said Brian Jones, director of sales, AT&T South Dakota. "Our preparations will ensure that we deliver a superior customer experience when we launch service, and we look forward to joining the South Dakota community.

"AT&T customers have access to the nation's fastest mobile broadband network.  And not only does AT&T's network cover 97 percent of all Americans, AT&T also has the best international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider. That means our customers have voice service in more than 220 countries and data service in 200 countries."

AT&T representatives will communicate to new customers on a regular basis about any changes they can expect moving forward. For example, in the coming weeks, AT&T will send customers a letter describing the steps for choosing new devices. New devices will be mailed directly to AT&T customers' billing addresses approximately one to three weeks before service is launched in these areas.

AT&T is an industry leader in delivering the benefits of mobile broadband networks, devices and applications. With the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T provides accelerated mobile data speeds and simultaneous voice and data capabilities for an amazing wireless voice and data experience.

For updates on the AT&T wireless network, please visit www.att.com/networknews.

(1) South Dakota RSA 1 includes Butte, Harding, Lawrence and Perkins Counties. South Dakota RSA 2 includes Campbell, Corson, Dewey, Potter, Walworth and Ziebach Counties. South Dakota RSA 3 includes Brown, Edmunds, Faulk, McPherson and Spink Counties. South Dakota RSA 4 includes Clark, Codington, Day, Deuel, Grant, Hamlin, Marshall and Roberts Counties. South Dakota RSA 5 includes Custer, Fall River and Shannon Counties. South Dakota RS 6 includes Bennett, Gregory, Haakon, Jackson, Jones, Lyman, Mellette, Stanley, Todd and Tripp Counties. South Dakota RSA 7 includes Aurora, Brule, Buffalo, Charles Mix, Davison, Douglas, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Jerauld and Sully Counties. South Dakota RSA 8 includes Beadle, Brookings, Kingsbury, Lake, Miner, Moody and Sanborn Counties. South Dakota RSA 9 includes Bon Homme, Clay, Hanson, Hutchinson, Lincoln, McCook, Turner, Union and Yankton Counties.

(2) Applies only to postpaid customers with a contract.

(3) Customers with laptop cards and netbooks may not have a choice of devices, but they will receive a comparable new device at no additional charge.

*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.

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. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

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.  This AT&T news release and other announcements are available at http://www.att.com/newsroom and as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss. Or follow our news on Twitter at @ATTNews. Find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/ATT to discover more about our consumer and wireless services or at www.Facebook.com/ATTSmallBiz  to discover more about our small business services.

© 2010 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. Mobile broadband not available in all areas. 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. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.