AT&T Certifying Non-stock Devices at Record Pace in 2009
DALLAS, Sept. 2 / -- AT&T, which offers the nation's fastest 3G network and unsurpassed choice in devices, applications and operating systems, announced today the opening of a new lab facility dedicated to emerging device certification to accelerate the entry of innovative consumer electronics and M2M devices into the marketplace.

Located in Austin, the new lab will serve as the hub for testing network compatibility, data performance and audio quality for a broad range of non-traditional, wirelessly-enabled devices, such as netbooks, eReaders, portable navigation devices, utility products, and healthcare-related tracking devices, among others. The lab will also manage the field tests for these devices in markets across the country.

Designed specifically for the AT&T emerging device and business M2M (machine to machine) organizations, the network-ready lab will provide consumer electronics and M2M device manufacturers with a dedicated pipeline for certification for product use on the AT&T network.

"By offering emerging device manufacturers a one-stop shop for testing and certification, we're positioned to deliver even greater customer choice and innovation at a much quicker pace," said Glenn Lurie, president, AT&T Emerging Devices and Resale. "Our new lab will focus on consumer electronics and M2M manufacturers and thereby accelerate the process, make it easier for manufacturers and, ultimately, provide a top notch consumer and enterprise customer experience."

With the addition of this dedicated lab, AT&T is on track this year to exceed the number of non-stock devices - devices not sold in AT&T stores - certified for its wireless network. Last year alone, AT&T certified 355 non-stock wireless units, including devices, modules, and maintenance releases.

Since it began certifying non-stock devices in 2005, AT&T to date has certified more than 1,000 wireless hardware units for its network, enabling mainly business customers to access a range of new, innovative solutions to increase the efficiency and productivity of their operations. These solutions include wirelessly-enabled rugged handsets and laptops, healthcare tracking tools, personal navigation units, and meter-reading, vending machine, home detection and home security monitoring devices.

AT&T has been an innovative, proactive, early leader in M2M communications. Today's announcement is the latest example of AT&T's commitment to driving wireless capabilities into a wide variety of devices beyond traditional handsets for businesses. With millions of endpoints already connected, the market recognizes AT&T's success in developing an ecosystem of applications and M2M solutions to serve enterprise needs.

AT&T created the emerging device organization in October 2008 to expand its reach in the consumer electronics area, in addition to M2M. The group has announced several deals to wirelessly enable devices, including netbooks from leading manufacturers like Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo and LG, and eReaders, including the Plastic Logic eReader and Sony Daily Edition. AT&T also provides AT&T Wi-Fi service for the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3, the world's first Wi-Fi enabled camera with built in Web browser.

The emerging device organization is an extension of AT&T's early leadership in enabling smartphones. More smartphone customers have chosen AT&T over its nearest competitor. To enable constantly growing traffic from these smartphones and emerging devices, AT&T is investing more than any other U.S. telecom provider to enhance, expand and improve its wireless network. AT&T is adding more than 1,900 new cell sites to its network this year, expanding 3G service to cover more than 350 markets across the country, and completing a deployment of additional 3G spectrum in the 850 MHz band, which improves overall capacity and in-building coverage. Beginning later this year, AT&T will begin deploying HSPA 7.2 technology, which will substantially boost 3G speeds.

For more information on AT&T's open initiatives, please visit www.att.com/choice.