Got a Wicked Cool App? AT&T Seeks Best Mobile Application in New England

AT&T Inc. announced today the launch of Fast-Pitch New England, a mobile application developer competition akin to a high-tech version of "American Idol." The contest, which starts Monday, August 18, is designed to promote the local tech community while underscoring AT&T's commitment to be open to innovation and to offer its customers more choices than any other wireless company.

The Grand Prize of Fast-Pitch New England will be $10,000 cash. In addition the winner will be promoted in-store at all AT&T company-owned retail locations in New England, will receive application placement on the AT&T devCentral website (http://developer.att.com/developer/?_requestid=455792) and will receive promotional placement on http://www.att.com/choice. AT&T will also fast-track the winning application for wider distribution consideration on one of AT&T's mobile download portals, accessible to the company's 72.9 million wireless customers.

"Maximum customer choice is what real openness is all about. AT&T's customers have long enjoyed the freedom to choose applications from AT&T or from the Web to make the most of their wireless experience. Programs like Fast-Pitch New England help ensure that customers have the best applications at their fingertips," said Steve Krom, vice president and general manager of AT&T's wireless operations in New England. "The tech community is thriving here and we're pleased to be able bring attention to a talented application development company in the local area."

While AT&T has held a number of national competitions in the past, Fast- Pitch New England is the first locally-based mobile application contest in AT&T history. The national version of the Fast-Pitch program has helped AT&T find unique and innovative applications, including Ascendo Fitness (http://www.ascendo-inc.com), My Local TV News Over Wireless (http://www.newsoverwireless.com), and Mobile Comic Books by uclick (www.uclick.com). These and many other applications can be found on the AT&T MEdia Mall.

In 2002, AT&T became the first major wireless carrier to create a developer-relations program, which is called devCentral. In a competitive analysis of the developer-relations programs of major wireless carriers and device manufacturers published last year by Evans Data Corp., AT&T ranked first among carriers in its ability to help wireless developers successfully commercialize their applications from concept to certification to generating revenue.

All of AT&T's mobile applications operate on its GSM network, the world's standard in mobile communications used by nearly 3 billion people. GSM is inherently open, making it easy for developers and carriers to bring innovative applications to consumers.

Three of the region's top technology groups, Massachusetts Network Communications Council (MassNet Comms), Mass Technology Leadership Council (Mass TLC), and Mass Innovation & Technology Exchange (MITX) have joined AT&T as Sponsor Partners for Fast-Pitch New England, sharing the commitment to provide unprecedented choice and simplicity so that consumers can connect to their world -- everywhere they live and work, the way they want, when they want, using the devices and applications they want.

"We are proud to sponsor AT&T's Fast-Pitch New England. This event is an exciting opportunity to show that New England is a leader in cutting edge mobile technology," said Mark Horan, executive director of the Massachusetts Network Communications Council.

"The Mass Technology Leadership Council is pleased to be partnering with AT&T on this exciting initiative that supports and highlights the vibrant entrepreneurial community in the region," said Tom Hopcroft, executive director of the Mass Technology Leadership Council.

"As part of our commitment to fostering technology innovation in New England, MITX is happy to support the initiatives of companies such as AT&T to uncover and showcase the contributions our community continues to make to global technology development," said Kiki Mills, executive director of MITX.

Submissions will be accepted August 18, 2008 - September 30, 2008 through AT&T's Fast-Pitch site (http://clients.write-image.com/fastpitch/). Applications can be submitted in three categories: browsing, messaging, or downloads. (1)

Three finalists will be announced on October 22 and the finalists will be invited to present their application and business cases to a panel of AT&T leadership, a venture capital firm, a major wireless handset manufacturer and a select group of industry influencers on November 12, 2008. Each finalist will be given 15 minutes to "Fast-Pitch" their application. The winning applications will be announced at the end of the event.

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit http://www.att.com.

(1) Apple iPhone applications are not being solicited for this contest.
For general information on creating Apple iPhone applications,
developers can visit the iPhone Dev Center
(http://developer.apple.com/iphone/). Fast-Pitch New England
applications will be evaluated on the following criteria: (1)
Innovation & Originality, (2) Marketability, (3) Ease of Use, and (4)
User Interface Design. AT&T's Fast-Pitch New England contest is open
to legal residents residing in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont,
New Hampshire, Maine and Rhode Island, 18 or older. Not open to
employees or immediate family members (spouses, domestic partners,
parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren) of
employees of sponsor, its affiliates or advertising/promotion
agencies. For a complete list terms & conditions please click here
(http://clients.write-image.com/fastpitch/).

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.

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