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AT&T Helps Military Families Connect for Independence Day with Free Phone Calls and Support from the USO

AT&T Helps Military Families Connect for Independence Day with Free Phone Calls and Support from the USO

Published 07-02-07

Submitted by AT&T Inc.

SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 2007--AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has announced the donation of 10,000 prepaid phone cards, which is the third installation toward more than 50,000 prepaid phone cards that AT&T will give away in 2007. The total 2007 donation is valued at more than $450,000. With the help of the USO, the cards will be distributed to military personnel who are stationed overseas. This donation builds on more than 85 years of AT&T support for U.S. military families and a 20-year partnership with the USO.

The latest donation marks 30,000 phone cards donated thus far this year via direct handouts with the USO. This set of 10,000 phone cards will be distributed on overseas military bases during USO entertainment tours that are slated for the weeks following Independence Day. According to AT&T, this donation is in honor of U.S. families, whether they are on active duty or have a loved one who is actively serving.

In the coming weeks, the USO will help AT&T distribute the phone cards to troops who are serving throughout Iraq, Kuwait, Afghanistan, South Korea, Japan and Europe. Each donated phone card will provide 20 free minutes of talk time from Iraq to the U.S.

"As we celebrate one of the most patriotic holidays of the year, we salute U.S. military families everywhere," said Carmen Nava, AT&T senior vice president-Distribution. "We also hope this donation will help ease some of the challenges posed by distance, time zones and ongoing military duties -- and bring loved ones closer together."

The donation builds on AT&T's work to help keep military families connected. Since January 2006, AT&T has donated nearly 200,000 prepaid phone cards -- valued at nearly $1.8 million -- to U.S. military members and their families. In the past 20 years, AT&T has contributed tens of millions of dollars to the USO in support of Operation USO Care Package, Operation Phone Home(R) and USO entertainment tours. AT&T also has helped the USO enhance troop morale through funding regional operations in Europe, Southwest Asia and the Pacific.

"USO is the way Americans support the nation's troops," said Ned Powell, USO president and CEO. "This kind of generosity by our worldwide strategic partners such as AT&T and the American people makes our work possible."

Since 1941, the USO has provided morale, welfare and recreation-type programs and services to enhance the quality of life for military personnel and their families around the world. The USO currently operates more than 130 centers, including 10 mobile canteens, and offers free Internet and e-mail access, prepaid phone cards, entertainment and lounge areas, libraries, travel assistance, educational programs and refreshments. USO entertainment tours bring volunteer celebrities to entertain and lift the morale of troops and to express the gratitude and support of the American people.

For more than 85 years, AT&T has remained dedicated to supporting active military personnel, their families and veterans through charitable contributions, sponsorships, the hiring of military veterans and maintaining policies that support reservists when called to duty. Since 2000, AT&T has donated nearly $8 million in free prepaid phone cards to military members and has provided nearly $6 million in grants that support military members and related nonprofit organizations. The company also has built 70 calling centers in Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan that help keep military members in touch with their families.

Note: This AT&T release and other news announcements are available as part of an RSS feed at www.att.com/rss.

About the USO

For more than 66 years, the USO (United Service Organizations) has been providing morale, welfare and recreational services to U.S. military personnel and their families. The USO is a nonprofit, charitable organization, relying on the generosity of the American people to support its programs and services. The USO is supported by Worldwide Strategic Partners AT&T Inc., BAE Systems North America, Clear Channel Communications, The Coca-Cola Company, DRS Technologies, Inc., Military Channel, S & K Sales Co., TriWest Healthcare Alliance and The Walt Disney Company. Other corporate donors, including the United Way and Combined Federal Campaign (CFC-11381), have joined thousands of individual donors to support the USO. For more information on the USO, please visit us at www.uso.org.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates, AT&T operating companies, are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services and the nation's leading wireless, high speed Internet access, and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding its TV entertainment offerings. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.

(C) 2007 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. AT&T and the AT&T logo are trademarks of AT&T Knowledge Ventures. For more information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at http://www.att.com/newsroom.

Copyright Business Wire 2007

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