AT&T Customers Made Record Number of Wi-Fi Hotspot Connections in the Third Quarter

For First Time, Smartphones and Integrated Devices Account for More Than Half of All Wi-Fi Connections.

AT&T*, an industry leader in Wi-Fi with the nation’s largest Wi-Fi network, reported its highest-ever number of Wi-Fi connections made on its network in a single quarter. Continuing the record pace of Wi-Fi growth, AT&T customers made 25.4 million Wi-Fi connections in the third quarter — exceeding the 20 million connections made in all of 2008 and nearly equaling the 25.6 million connections made in the first half of 2009.

The record third-quarter brings total AT&T Wi-Fi connections to more than 51 million since the beginning of 2009 — more than double the connections for the full year of 2008. Wi-Fi usage has been increasing significantly each quarter, up from 5.2 million connections in the third quarter of 2008.

The significant increase can be attributed to the rising number of smartphones and other Wi-Fi enabled devices and to the growing number of AT&T customers with Wi-Fi included in their AT&T service plans — both areas where AT&T leads the competition.

For the first time, the number of Wi-Fi connections made by smartphones and other integrated devices in the third quarter surpassed connections from laptops. Sixty percent of all AT&T Wi-Fi connections were made from integrated devices, up from 49 percent in the second quarter.

More than 27 million AT&T customers have Wi-Fi access included with their qualifying smartphone, AT&T High Speed Internet and 3G LaptopConnect plans, an added value and convenience that drives Wi-Fi usage. Twice as many smartphone customers choose AT&T than any other carrier. Many of the most popular AT&T smartphone handsets support auto-authentication at AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots, and in the third quarter, AT&T also expanded Wi-Fi availability to select Windows Mobile devices. AT&T broadband connections — which include both wireline broadband and wireless LaptopConnect cards — grew by 138,000 in the third quarter to reach 17.1 million in service.

“Our AT&T Wi-Fi network has proven to be a valuable benefit for our customers,” said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president, AT&T Wi-Fi Services. “From adding new hotspots, to enabling auto-authentication and including Wi-Fi service in customers’ plans, we’re providing customers with choice and simplicity in getting and staying connected while also evolving our network to meet their needs.”

Also in the third quarter, Barnes & Noble extended its relationship with AT&T to provide complimentary Wi-Fi in all of its stores nationwide. The in-store Wi-Fi received an overwhelming reception from customers, and Barnes & Noble announced after only six weeks that it had reached 2 million total AT&T Wi-Fi connections – furthering AT&T’s goal to drive more customers to retail venue locations.

AT&T also signed strategic agreements with Pennsylvania State University and the University of South Carolina to deliver Wi-Fi service for Internet connectivity across their university campuses.

AT&T’s Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks, offering Wi-Fi connectivity in more than 20,000 U.S. hotspots — including retail stores, restaurants and airports from coast-to-coast. A full list of AT&T Wi-Fi locations is available at www.attwifi.com.