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AT&T CallVantage Service Now Available in 100 Major Markets BEDMINSTER, N.J., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Achieving a key milestone in its deployment of residential Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service, AT&T today announced the availability of AT&T CallVantage(SM) Service in 100 markets nationwide with the addition of 28 new markets and seven additional states, offering those households a high-tech alternative for their personal communications needs.In addition, the company today made service available to residents of Dover, Del.; New Bedford, Brockton, Fitchburg-Leominster, Lawrence, Lowell and Worcester, Mass.; and Pittsburgh and Reading, Pa. "Today's market entries place us in 29 states and Washington, D.C. -- that's 100 major markets in just 16 weeks since service introduction," said Cathy Martine, AT&T senior vice president for Internet Telephony, Consumer Marketing and Sales. "This demonstrates the velocity at which we're working to get IP technology into the hands of consumers. "AT&T already provides traditional residential local service to more than 4.3 million households nationwide, but AT&T CallVantage Service marks the beginning of an exciting new era in voice communications that gives customers a compelling new choice," she added. While VoIP is an exciting technology with great promise, it is not a complete substitute for traditional telephone service because it does not serve the needs of millions of Americans who cannot obtain or afford the high- speed Internet connection required for AT&T CallVantage Service. Though a growing number of households have access to these broadband connections through their cable or local telephone company, only about one in five subscribe nationally. According to data from TNS Telecoms, broadband penetration in the markets entered today range from a low of 15.9 percent in Alabama to a high of 24.3 percent in Connecticut. "VoIP applications might just be the 'value-add' that consumers are seeking to justify their investment in broadband," said Martine. "However, for the foreseeable future, this exciting new option will be reserved for those households fortunate enough to maintain a broadband connection." AT&T CallVantage Service is an innovative service that promises to transform the way people communicate. A core concept of the service, which is built on AT&T Labs patented technology, is the ability to quickly introduce new features and capabilities to the platform. "AT&T continues to lead the adoption of VoIP services by both businesses and consumers as it delivers the next generation of communications that our customers demand." said Martine. "Last month, we announced global telework trials in Asia and Europe for a service designed to allow multinationals the ability to provide their employees a suite of advanced calling features in the home or hotel environment. We expect to make it generally available next year. "And later this year, we expect to introduce a domestic telework solution targeted towards small office and home office users that leverages the AT&T CallVantage Service platform," she added. Broad array of features AT&T CallVantage Service is different than traditional phone services because, through the use of IP-based networks, it can offer customers typical features such as call waiting, three-way calling, and call forwarding, and far more advanced ones as well. Indeed, consumers will get unprecedented convenience and control with innovative features including: -- "Call Logs," to track incoming and outgoing; -- "Do Not Disturb," to receive calls only when wanted; -- "Locate Me," which rings up to five phones, all at once, or sequentially; -- "Voicemail with eFeatures," to listen to messages from any phone or PC and forward them to anyone on the Web; and -- "Personal Conferencing," to set up meetings with up to nine additional callers. In May, the company announced the first in an ongoing series of service innovations including the addition of an online, searchable "Phone Book." This new feature enables customers to store up to 250 names and phone numbers on their Personal Call Manager homepage with click-to-dial accessibility. The company also introduced a set of enhancements to simplify the management of calls and messages. These new capabilities were designed to enhance the customer experience and at no additional charge to the customer. More new features are planned for introduction later this year. All that is required for service is an easy-to-connect, plug-in telephone adapter (TA) provided by AT&T, a broadband Internet connection and regular telephone supplied by the customer. It is simple to use and easy for consumers to install -- typically in 10 minutes. AT&T CallVantage Service works with most cable modem or digital subscriber line (DSL) broadband connections. The TA is compatible with most home computer networks and may be used in conjunction with various home network routers. And the adapter can be used from almost any location where there is a telephone and a broadband connection. That gives customers the ability to stay connected by taking this service with them when they travel. Promotional price extended The company has extended its special six-month introductory rate of $19.99 a month through August 31, 2004, and recently reduced the full retail price to $34.99 per month for all subscribers. The promotional rate includes a complete calling solution that provides unlimited local and long-distance domestic calling, including calls to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, discount rates for international calling, and a suite of advanced features that customers have never experienced before. "One thing that became absolutely apparent as we've entered market after market is that consumers appreciate the opportunity to test the VoIP waters with an introductory offer," said Martine. "We're very happy with the reception we've received to date and don't want to change a winning formula." As a special incentive, the company will offer AT&T CallVantage customers an opportunity to participate in its program that provides up to one month of free service (maximum of 12 months) for each referral and sale, where permissible by state law. To date, the service is generally available to consumers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, D.C., and Washington state. To learn more about AT&T CallVantage Service, consumers can visit http://www.callvantage.com/ or call 1-866-816-3815, extension 70339. About AT&T For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services. AT&T 'Safe Harbor' The foregoing contain '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. This information is presented solely to provide additional information to further understand the results of AT&T. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991018/ATT ) Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991018/ATT AT&T CONTACT: Tom Hopkins, +1-312-230-4889, [email protected], or GaryMorgenstern, +1-908-234-6416, [email protected], both of AT&T Web site: http://www.att.com/http://www.callvantage.com/ |