AT&T Connects New Zealand’s Giant Rugby Ball to the World

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, October 12, 2009 — AT&T* is to provide data communications services to New Zealand’s giant rugby ball venue at its next destination, Tokyo, the host city for the first match of the All Blacks’ end of year tour against Australia, on 31 October.

As well as being open to the public, the spectacular venue will be used by Tourism New Zealand, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to host international media and trade partners in order to promote tourism and trade opportunities.

Tourism New Zealand has been taking the giant rugby ball on a tour of major tourism markets in the lead up to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand 2011. First unveiled in Paris during the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the ball next appeared in London in November 2008 to coincide with the All Blacks’ tour.

Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said connectivity with the world’s media was important to the ongoing success of the giant rugby ball programme.

“To achieve the impact we need, it’s vital that pictures, videos and other material can be instantly distributed to local and international media from wherever the ball happens to be. AT&T has been our global networking partner for a number of years, and we’re delighted that they’re helping us out with this campaign.”

“This high profile campaign is strategically important to New Zealand,” said Roger Payne, AT&T New Zealand general manager. “This service is yet another example of how AT&T can help New Zealand organisations with global requirements communicate more effectively, with greater reliability and more efficiency.”

*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 Tourism New Zealand
Tourism New Zealand is a Crown Entity established under the New Zealand Tourism Board Act 1991. Tourism New Zealand's principal objective is to ensure New Zealand is marketed internationally as a visitor destination in order to maximise the long term benefits for New Zealand. www.tourismnewzealand.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. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. AT&T offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^SM and AT&T DIRECTV^SM brands. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T’s Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations are known for their leadership in directory publishing and advertising sales. In 2009, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE® magazine’s list of the World’s Most Admired Companies.

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