AT&T Indiana to Bring 425 Jobs to Indianapolis; Progressive Telecom Reform Legislation Continues to Benefit Hoosiers
Indianapolis, Indiana, February 27, 2007
AT&T, Inc. (NYSE: T) announced that AT&T Indiana will bring 425 new jobs to Indianapolis this year. Gov. Mitch Daniels and Mayor Bart Peterson joined state legislators and AT&T Indiana President George Fleetwood today to celebrate job growth in the state's telecommunications sector.
"AT&T committed to invest more in Indiana, and the company is as good as its word. AT&T has connected dozens of small towns across the state to the Web, and we are getting hundreds of new jobs, all the result of telecom deregulation and video reform," said Governor Daniels.
"In this highly competitive global economy, companies have more choices now than ever when it comes to expansion options," said Mayor Peterson. "It says a great deal about our city and state that a premier telecommunications and entertainment company like AT&T chose to invest and grow here."
These jobs are part of an initiative AT&T announced last September involving the relocation of customer service positions that had previously been outsourced. Employees in the new Indianapolis positions will assist AT&T Yahoo!® High Speed Internet subscribers who self-install their service or have basic questions about the service. The employees will work in AT&T's Indiana headquarters building at 220 North Meridian St.
"We applaud all the visionary leaders that helped put Indiana at the front of a progressive telecom-reform movement that has since swept the country," said Fleetwood. "These jobs could have gone anywhere in the country. But they are here because Indiana created an environment that encourages companies like AT&T to invest. I'm pleased that we are expanding our operations here at home."
On March 14, 2006, Gov. Daniels signed HB 1279 into law. The legislation was championed by Rep. Mike Murphy and Sen. Brandt Hershman; Rep. Carolene Mays of Indianapolis was one of the bill's co-sponsors. The legislation received overwhelming bipartisan support.
AT&T estimates that the new jobs will result in $10.6 million in payroll by 2009 and some $4.6 million in capital investment.
"HB 1279 helped to make these jobs a reality for Indianapolis," said Jerry Schaeff, Indiana Communications Workers of America international staff representative. "We have one of the best, most well-trained telecom work forces you'll find anywhere in the country right here in Indiana. We have a history of serving customers, and I'm confident that our new workers will continue that proud tradition."
Since HB 1279 became law, AT&T Indiana has announced that the company will invest $250 million to deploy new technology in the state. The company also introduced its new AT&T U-verseSM video service in limited areas of Indianapolis, Anderson, Bloomington and Muncie markets. In addition, the company deployed its high speed Internet service to 33 rural communities across Indiana and now provides high speed Internet through every central office that AT&T operates in the state.
"We are excited about all of the positive developments HB 1279 has helped to create across the state's telecommunications industry," said Fleetwood. "And we are especially excited to welcome the new employees to Indianapolis."
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About AT&T
AT&T Inc. is a premier communications holding company in the United States and around the world, with operating subsidiaries providing services under the AT&T brand. AT&T is the recognized world leader in providing IP-based communications services to businesses and the U.S. leader in providing wireless, high speed Internet access, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising through its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations. As part of its three-screen integration strategy, AT&T is expanding video entertainment offerings to include such next-generation television services as AT&T U-verseSM TV. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at www.att.com.
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