AT&T Completes Makeover in More Than 2,200 Stores

AT&T Completes Makeover in More Than 2,200 Stores

AT&T Delivers a More Hands-On Shopping Experience; Prepares to Roll out Netbooks and AT&T ConnecTech Services in All AT&T-Owned Stores Nationwide

• Press Release
• Source: AT&T Inc.
• On Monday July 20, 2009, 9:30 am EDT

DALLAS, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced it has revamped its more than 2,200 retail locations across the country -- an initiative designed to provide consumer and small business customers with a more interactive and informative hands-on experience when shopping for wireless, broadband, video and entertainment services.

As part of the makeover, AT&T has transformed its AT&T-owned stores to feature a refreshed, more intuitive organization of products and services. In addition, all wireless devices are now showcased on new power-enabled displays that will make it easier for customers to experience interactive applications like social networking and personal navigation or to compare and contrast features like touch screens versus full Qwerty keyboards.

These changes will allow consumers and small businesses to locate products and services more easily and to test drive them before they buy. The store enhancements are also part of an effort to prepare for:

 

• The nationwide rollout of netbooks from AT&T -- successfully trialed in Atlanta and Philadelphia earlier this year - in stores and online in the coming days.
• The availability of AT&T ConnecTech(®) services for purchase in 2,200 retail locations nationwide, which include: nationwide next day in-home service and 24/7 remote support for netbook installation and setup; laptop performance optimization and diagnosis; peripheral device and wireless network installation; and/or a home network security audit.

 

AT&T ConnecTech helps support any home tech need from installation to maintenance and repair - for AT&T and non-AT&T customers in all 50 states. In addition, for small businesses nationwide, AT&T offers AT&T Tech Support 360(SM), which provides 24/7 online computer support, installation assistance and PC performance tuneups.

The makeover builds on significant investments AT&T has made over the past 18 months since AT&T's merger with BellSouth and acquisition of Cingular Wireless. More than half of all AT&T-owned stores now offer visitors both wired and wireless products and services.

In addition, AT&T also now ranks as the leading bilingual telecommunications retailer, with more than 700 locations nationwide converted to bilingual stores to better serve markets with significant numbers of Hispanic customers like Florida, California, New York and Texas.

AT&T today can also connect customers to Call Center representatives who speak more than 160 languages, including Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Tagalog and Arabic.

"Just as we are focused on delivering the products and services that connect our customers to their worlds, we remain committed to making it easy for them to do business with us," Paul Roth, president -- Retail Sales & Service, AT&T Mobility. "With these changes, all of our customers -- from consumers to small businesses -- will enjoy a more personalized, educational and interactive shopping and buying experience at our stores."

24/7 Store -- att.com -- Continues to Focus on Customer Service

AT&T also continues to focus on delivering a consistent and integrated shopping experience to customers through www.att.com [1]. Leading the telecommunications industry in unique visitors and online sales activities according to third party research, the Web site provides millions of customers with convenient access to AT&T's complete portfolio of wireless, broadband, video and voice services.

Key features of www.att.com [2] include easy-to-use navigation tools that guide customers to various ordering, customer service and self-service applications; eBilling that allows customers to pay bills and review account details online; 360 degree graphics of devices and features; and the first and largest customer user forum in the wireless industry that attracts millions of monthly unique visitors. Last year, AT&T also introduced the Online Experience Store(SM), www.att.com/onlineexperience [3], which allows shoppers to experience and purchase AT&T products and services online.

Recently, AT&T was recognized as one of the leaders in online customer experience for small and midsize business customers for the AT&T Small Business InSite, www.att.com/smallbusinessinsite [4], according to Compass Intelligence.

Expanding Distribution through National Retailers

AT&T has more than 2,200 AT&T-owned retail stores; with additional distribution through alliances with the nation's leading retailers such as Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, RadioShack; and multiple resale relationships.

For more information, visit www.att.com/netbooks [5] or www.att.com [6].

*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 [7] - News [8]) 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 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T 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(SM) and AT&T | DIRECTV(SM) 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's Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(®) magazine's list of the World's Most Admired Companies. 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 [9].

© 2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. 3G service 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.

Note: This AT&T news release and other announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss [10]. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom [11].

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.