AT&T Wireless delivers 3G UMTS in the US

July 20, 2004

AT&T Wireless began offering customers in Detroit, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle broadband mobile wireless services with its launch of the first commercially-available true 3G UMTS network in the United States. The company said it is also deploying UMTS technology in Dallas and San Diego, and expects to offer service in these markets before the end of this year.

Nokia 6651

AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service turns these markets into "metropolitan hotspots," offering customers continuous, high-speed wireless connections. Customers can now use a handset, PDA or laptop to receive streaming audio and video services; create and share video clips; experience richer and more visually compelling content; and connect to critical business information, in most areas throughout these cities. The company also noted that it launched commercial service in these four cities in fulfillment of NTT DoCoMo's shareholder rights agreement.

"We're delivering on our promise to offer 3G wireless services in the U.S., and bring the benefits to American consumers and businesses," said John Zeglis, AT&T Wireless Chairman and CEO. "In a few short years, we've increased wireless data speeds more than tenfold across the country. Today's announcement enables our customers to access information, video, and audio on their wireless device faster than most people do from their wired computer at home," he added.

The company said it now offers the fastest nationwide wireless data service with EDGE, and provides true 3G service in more U.S. markets than any other company. In addition, AT&T Wireless noted that its customers can use most of its GSM devices for voice services in more than 140 countries and data services in more than 60 countries, which is a significant advantage compared to the more limited reach of services from its competitors.

The commercial launch of UMTS by AT&T Wireless, and the expanded spectrum position that will result from the pending merger of AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless, will enable the new combined company to offer customers a more expansive portfolio of wireless data solutions in North America. With the completion of the merger targeted before the end of the year, the new combined company will be better positioned to deploy UMTS nationally. Cingular recently disclosed plans for UMTS deployment, which it said will include trials in Atlanta this summer and could begin rolling out in 2005.

AT&T Wireless said its wireless broadband service provides customers with average wireless data speeds between 220 and 320 kilobits-per-second (kbps), with bursts up to 384kbps. In the future, the company noted that UMTS can be easily and cost-effectively upgraded to HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access), which is estimated to attain peak data rates up to 14.4 megabits-per-second (mbps).

Motorola A845

Starting today, AT&T Wireless said its customers can access the new wireless broadband service using either the Motorola A845 ($299.99) or Nokia 6651 ($299.99) handsets. In addition to providing access to high-speed wireless data connections and enhanced content through AT&T Wireless' mMode in the four markets announced today, the company said the handsets can be used to make voice calls or access wireless data connections at speeds equivalent to standard wired dial up service, when customers travel outside the four initial markets. The company said it is also offering a UMTS modem developed jointly by Lucent and Novatel ($149.99 with rebate), in addition to the handsets.

For consumers, mMode offers a host of high-speed, premium steaming and downloadable video and audio entertainment services. Premium entertainment services provided by RealNetworks give mMode customers the ability to enjoy hours of new, fun and informative content every day, including: ABC News, NPR News, CBS Marketwatch, FOX Sports, Sporting News Radio, The Weather Channel, as well as, prime time TV and soap opera recaps, movie reviews and trailers, horoscopes, book reviews and more.

"We congratulate AT&T Wireless on the successful launch of the first commercially-available true 3G UMTS network in the US market - an undertaking that will transform the face of mobile communications for U.S. consumers," said Carla Stratfold, senior vice president North America, RealNetworks. "Leveraging Real's relationships with 3G operators in other parts of the world, we have created mobile content services able to fully leverage the throughput of high-speed data networks such as UMTS and EDGE to deliver power, convenience and of course, full-speed, fun and valuable content to customers' handsets."

AT&T Wireless said mobile professionals will be able to the use the modem or the handsets' Bluetooth connectivity to wirelessly enable Internet and e-mail access using HP handhelds and notebook PCs. Customers using Microsoft's Exchange Server 2003 with products in their work environment will receive a familiar and much-enhanced wireless connectivity solution for accessing their e-mail, contacts and calendar.

"Business professionals today understand the value of seamless and enhanced wireless access, and its ability to boost their productivity in the workplace," said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "AT&T Wireless' experience in high-speed data networks and services - combined with the power of Microsoft software and joint planning - makes the vision of mobile access to information a reality."

AT&T Wireless also said business customers who use IBM's Websphere Everyplace Connection Manager (WECM) will have a mobile-specific Virtual Private Network (VPN) that encrypts data and optimizes performance for ultra-fast mobile access, and SAP's mySAP Mobile Business customers will also benefit from the wireless broadband speeds. Intel has also formally endorsed UMTS technology and plans to work with AT&T Wireless on developing and co-marketing UMTS services in the future. In addition, AT&T Wireless also said companies such as Perseus Wireless will offer specialized solutions like remote monitoring of existing security camera systems using UMTS handsets.

Customers can select from any of AT&T Wireless GSM calling plans for voice services and can receive a monthly unlimited enhanced mMode plan for $24.99. Businesses can purchase unlimited data access for $79.99 monthly.