National Press Release

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced a three-year contract with Sonic Automotive Inc., one of the nation's leading automotive retailers. The contract extends AT&T's network aggregation services and DSL connectivity to Sonic Automotive dealerships nationwide.

The AT&T solution provides disaster recovery data transport capabilities by establishing an alternative network for Sonic Automotive. The new contracted services will enable Sonic Automotive to replace its legacy backup network and seamlessly run business-critical applications using a new disaster recovery network that is faster, scalable and more efficient.

"The key objective was to architect a cost-effective data network recovery solution, enabling our business to continue selling and servicing cars as well as attend to our customers' needs in the event that there is a primary data network outage at a dealership," said Chris Maritato, national director, Business Technology Operations, Sonic Automotive. "AT&T came in with a solution, giving us faster network services as well as a strong partnership toward delivery execution. As a result, our company is able to continue focusing on what we do best -- automotive retail services."

This AT&T contract builds on a more than eight-year customer relationship with Sonic Automotive.

    * AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and
      affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Sonic

Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 company based in Charlotte, N.C., is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 164 franchises. Sonic can be reached on the Web at http://www.sonicautomotive.com.

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, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading 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 their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's lists of the World's Most Admired Companies and America's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.