Interesting news release … I ain’t gonna lie … we saw this one coming …

AT&T Sees Surge in Wi-Fi Connections

Usage Boosted By Increase in Broadband Customer Base, Growth of Wi-Fi Enabled Devices

DALLAS — AT&T, the U.S. Wi-Fi leader with nearly 20,000 domestic hotspots, today reported dramatic growth in the number of Wi-Fi users and connections. AT&T Wi-Fi connections totaled 10.5 million in the first quarter of 2009 – more than triple the 3.4 million connections in the first quarter of 2008, and more than half AT&T’s 20 million total Wi-Fi connections for all of 2008. The usage surge was driven by growth in AT&T’s wired and wireless broadband customer base, the proliferation of Wi-Fi enabled devices and the transition of Starbucks locations to AT&T’s Wi-Fi footprint.

AT&T broadband connections – including wireline and wireless LaptopConnect cards – grew by 471,000 in the first quarter to reach 16.7 million in service. AT&T provides Wi-Fi access at no extra charge with qualifying AT&T high speed Internet plans, 3G LaptopConnect plans and select smartphone plans.

The number and type of Wi-Fi enabled devices continues to grow. In January, Sony introduced the world’s first Wi-Fi enabled digital camera with a built-in web browser and complimentary access to AT&T’s Wi-Fi network. AT&T is also offering wirelessly embedded mini laptops – the Acer Aspire One, Dell Inspiron Mini 9 and Mini 12, and LG Xenia – in select AT&T store trial promotions in Atlanta and Philadelphia. More than 4 million connections at AT&T’s U.S. Hot Spots in the first quarter were made with smartphones, including the iPhone 3G. AT&T is a leading provider of Wi-Fi enabled smartphones, including the BlackBerry Bold.

In the first quarter, Wayport Inc. – which AT&T acquired in December 2008 – began operating as AT&T Wi-Fi Services. Wayport’s footprint included hotspot locations in retail, hospitality and healthcare venues.

“Our customers are showing us that they value both speed and mobility in their broadband connections,” said Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president – AT&T Wi-Fi Services. “As the leading U.S. provider of wired broadband services, with the fastest 3G network and the largest Wi-Fi network, AT&T can deliver a better experience for our customers where they live and work.”

AT&T’s Wi-Fi network complements its wired broadband and wireless 3G networks with Wi-Fi connectivity in nearly 20,000 hotspots in the U.S. – including retail stores, restaurants and airports from coast-to-coast – and access to more than 80,000 global hotspots through our roaming agreements. Network availability, speed and the expanding list of devices help drive data usage.

A full list of AT&T Wi-Fi locations is available at www.attwifi.com.