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American Hospital Association Endorses AT&T as Preferred Communications Technology Provider


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AT&T’s IP Network Infrastructure Delivers Customized Communications Services to Help the Nation’s Healthcare Providers Enhance Patient Care, Protect Privacy and Facilitate Electronic Health Record Initiatives

San Diego, California, February 13, 2006, AHA Solutions, Inc., a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association (AHA), and AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) today announced that AHA has endorsed AT&T voice and data networking products as the preferred communications solutions for AHA’s membership of nearly 5,000 hospitals and healthcare organizations and 37,000 healthcare professionals.

In conjunction with the endorsement, AHA and AT&T unveiled an agreement to promote the adoption of state-of-the-art communications solutions, including Internet Protocol (IP)-based communications and mobility applications, across the nation’s hospitals and healthcare systems. The AT&T-AHA agreement is designed to make these new-generation communications solutions available to the nation’s healthcare providers to help them enhance patient care, protect privacy, and adopt efficient electronic health record systems.

The selection of AT&T by AHA Solutions culminates an extensive review and market assessment by AHA Solutions’ professional staff of the services and healthcare-specific offerings available from leading communications and networking providers. AHA’s endorsement of AT&T is an indication to hospitals and medical IT professionals that the AT&T portfolio of voice, data and IP solutions meets the needs and standards of today’s healthcare provider.

“AT&T not only has the widest U.S. and global presence, but they also demonstrated to us a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing healthcare and a deeply rooted commitment to delivering telecommunications products and services that meet the long-term IT needs of our field,” said Anthony J. Burke, president of AHA Solutions, Inc. “We look forward to working with AT&T, along with our portfolio of other technology solutions, to promote the adoption of communications and IT solutions that enhance quality patient care and enable hospitals to operate more effectively and efficiently.”

Under the agreement, AT&T will market its voice and data networking products and services to hospitals, as endorsed by the AHA. In addition, AT&T, AHA and AHA Solutions will cooperate in sponsoring various marketing and educational activities focused on healthcare information technology.

As a benefit for AHA members, AT&T in the coming months plans to offer in-depth communications and IT assessment for hospitals and healthcare offices. These assessments will help healthcare facilities to gauge strengths and weaknesses of their current technology strategies, benchmarked against best practices of peer organizations. AT&T will analyze these strategies and provide recommendations for improvements. In addition, AHA Solutions will develop and market ongoing promotional campaigns to AHA members with new features and benefits.

“AT&T is proud to be endorsed by the AHA, and we look forward to providing AHA members with access to one of the world’s most advanced IP networks and a single source for their communications needs,” said Frank Jules, AT&T senior vice president-Business Marketing. “The new AT&T is a next-generation communications provider with the proven infrastructure, global breadth, financial resources and commitment to meaningful innovation to be a stable, long-term partner for all segments of the healthcare field.”

Among the AT&T services that were reviewed and endorsed by the AHA are: digital private line services, optical networking solutions, ATM and frame relay, Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP-VPN), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), local and long distance phone services, custom calling features, dedicated Internet access, DSL service (AT&T Yahoo! High Speed Internet Business Edition), network management, Centrex, ISDN service, video transport services, WAN management and reporting services, network management, and comprehensive communications management.

AHA’s endorsement of AT&T’s voice and data networking products was officially announced at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Annual Conference and Exhibition, which opened today in San Diego.

AT&T’s complete portfolio of product solutions for the healthcare field are on display at the HIMSS conference (Booth #2121) this year, with a special focus on:

Security — AT&T offers a secure carrier network and managed and equipment-based security applications for customers that provide increased organizational network security. This helps healthcare providers enhance patient privacy and compliance with the federally mandated Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
Telemedicine — AT&T optical network solutions allow healthcare facilities to expand the continuum of care for a patient beyond its four walls to other skilled nursing facilities, universities and even a patient’s home.
Mobility — AT&T’s mobility solutions provide in-building wireless network functionality, in conjunction with Cingular Wireless medical applications, including for recording and accessing patient information, and for accessing essential clinical references and related tools in one easy-to-use, continually updated, affordable application.
IP Networking and Applications — The AT&T portfolio of business productivity services includes a full range of IP-VPN connectivity options, as well as IP applications such as AT&T Voice DNA (Dynamic Network Applications), a network-based voice over IP (VoIP) service ideal for small facilities, branch offices and remote locations. AT&T business services are backed by AT&T BusinessDirect, the company’s industry-leading customer portal, which provides automated, online access to ordering, service, management and monitoring functions for all business networking services.

About the AHA
The AHA is a not-for-profit association of healthcare provider organizations and individuals committed to the improvement of health in their communities. The AHA is the national advocate for its members, which includes close to 5,000 hospitals and healthcare systems, networks, and other providers of care, and 37,000 individuals. Founded in 1898, the AHA provides education for healthcare leaders and is a source of information on healthcare issues and trends. For more information, visit www.aha.org.

About AHA Solutions, Inc.
AHA Solutions, Inc. is a subsidiary of the American Hospital Association that collaborates with companies to create strategic financial, technology, regulatory, employee benefit, and insurance products and services for healthcare professionals. It functions as a resource agency to AHA-member hospitals and other healthcare organizations. For more information, contact AHA Solutions at 800.242.4677 or visit www.aha-solutions.org.

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 54 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.TheNewATT.com.

© 2006 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand. All other brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Cingular is a registered trademark of Cingular Wireless LLC. For more information and detailed disclaimer information, please review this announcement in the AT&T newsroom at www.sbc.com/newsroom.

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