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To: Kenneth E. Phillipps who wrote (3233)	8/27/1999 4:40:00 PM
From: Kenneth E. Phillipps	Respond to of 14638

Friday August 27, 12:33 pm Eastern Time Company Press Release SOURCE: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. AT&T Expands Its Multi-Vendor Infrastructure Strategy To Meet Continuing Demand for Wireless Services REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- As a result of strong demand for its wireless communications service, AT&T today announced a multi-vendor program that will significantly increase the capacity and reliability of its wireless network in high-growth, high-use markets while also improving operating cost efficiencies. The company said it signed letters of intent to install new wireless equipment provided by Lucent Technologies and Nortel Networks in a number of North American markets. Ericsson is currently the largest wireless infrastructure provider to AT&T Wireless. AT&T estimates the multi-vendor strategy using Ericsson, Nortel and Lucent will allow it to meet its equipment and increased network capacity needs over the next four years for $900M less than the company had previously projected. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed. ``The continued growth in demand for wireless service, combined with the success of AT&T's Digital One Rate program requires us to bring into balance our portfolio of suppliers,' said Dan Hesse, President and CEO, AT&T Wireless Services. ``Lucent, Ericsson and Nortel will provide us with the newest technology available, and this equipment will help us significantly increase the capacity and reliability of our wireless network.' Hesse noted that AT&T Wireless revenues grew 42.4 percent in the second quarter of 1999. ``We've selected the latest equipment from Lucent and Nortel to greatly increase our speed and efficiency in adding capacity and reliability to our wireless network,' said Frank Ianna, President of AT&T Network Services. ``We believe the new business model we've put in place with these vendors will also lower our wireless network operating costs.' Hesse added that the new equipment will allow AT&T Wireless to seamlessly evolve to new third generation digital technology, which will provide high speed data and global roaming capabilities, among other new services. Historically, Ericsson and Lucent have been AT&T's primary providers of wireless network infrastructure equipment. AT&T will be adding Lucent Technologies equipment in the metropolitan New York City area and parts of Los Angeles, in addition to the 11 states where Lucent equipment is already being used. Meanwhile, the new wireless equipment from Nortel will be deployed in Arizona, California (including parts of Los Angeles), Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Ericsson will continue to supply equipment to approximately one third of AT&T's service areas. Lucent, Ericsson and Nortel will supply equipment and services to AT&T, based on the digital TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) IS-136 standard. TDMA is a leading global digital standard that serves more than 19 million customers in the Western Hemisphere. AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. operates one of the largest digital wireless networks in North America providing wireless voice and data communication services. AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Corp. (NYSE: T - news), the world's leader in telecommunications services and technology. The foregoing are ``forward-looking statements' which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by and information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside AT&T's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Ken Woo, 425-580-8349 (Office), or 206-915-7212 (Wireless); or Dave Johnson, 908-234-5254 (Office), or 908-672-5793 (Wireless), both for AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. SOURCE: AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. More Quotes and News: AT&T Corp (NYSE:T - news) Related News Categories: ISDEX, telecom Help Copyright ¸ 1999 PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PRNewswire content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of PRNewswire. PRNewswire shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. See our Important Disclaimers and Legal Information. Questions or Comments?