AT&T Enhances Industry-Leading Customer Portal

Global Network Management and Online Collaboration Tools Increase Visibility

and Control; Company Trials Electronic Contract Renewal

BEDMINSTER, N.J., Jan. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. (NYSE:
T) today announced enhancements to its industry-leading customer
portal, AT&T BusinessDirect(R), that expand global visibility into
business customers' network operations and improve service and support
capabilities with new online collaboration tools.

AT&T BusinessDirect combines service management and support reporting
tools into a single, secure extranet site that provides users with
increased visibility and cost control over their network performance
and investments. New additions to the portal include AT&T
BusinessDirect Map International and AT&T BusinessDirections(SM).

-- AT&T BusinessDirect Map International is expanded to give portal users

a global view of their network operations in 88 countries. The maps

provide intuitive point-and-click network-management and -monitoring

capabilities, including a single, integrated view of inventory,

service-ordering, and trouble-reporting tools that can proactively

identify and resolve problems.

-- AT&T BusinessDirections allows customers to collaborate with a service

representative over a secure Internet connection directly from within

the portal interface. This "click-to-chat" functionality gives users

service support in context, customized to meet their precise needs,

exactly when they need it.

AT&T also announced today that it is currently trialing a new
electronic contract renewal tool. The new feature, accessible from
AT&T BusinessDirect, will streamline and simplify the contract renewal
process, allowing customers to spend less time managing their account
and more time on their own business- critical activities.

"AT&T BusinessDirect's user base is diverse, ranging from large
multinational organizations with broad global network support needs to
businesses with more targeted service requirements," said Bob Sloan,
vice president eSales and Service, AT&T. "We will continue to leverage
technology, enhance the portal's robust suite of tools and deliver the
best online experience to our customers around the world."

Customers use the suite tools to improve the return on investment of
their AT&T solutions. USA 800 Inc. is finding value in the simple and
intuitive means that AT&T BusinessDirect provides to manage their
network infrastructure.

"Our business is built on providing clients with the highest level of
service, professionalism and technology solutions," said Jeanne Hicks,
director of Contact Centers, USA 800 Inc. "AT&T clearly shares this
philosophy. AT&T BusinessDirect gives us the support necessary to
manage our network while saving valuable time and resources for our
own critical business activities."

Each month, 458,000 businesses conduct approximately 2.9 million
transactions using AT&T BusinessDirect. Customer transactions through
the portal -- including ordering and maintenance inquiries --
increased 12 percent last year.

About the New AT&T

AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding
companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally
under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading
worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business
and as leading U.S. providers of high-speed DSL Internet, local and
long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising
services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular
Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with more
than 52 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T
Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at
http://www.TheNewATT.com . SOURCE AT&T Inc.