AT&T, Verizon Name Appointees to the Governing Board of the California Emerging Technology Fund.

SAN FRANCISCO -- AT&T (NYSE: T) and Verizon today announced that they have named appointees to the governing board of the California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF).

Created by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the CETF will work to achieve statewide access to broadband and advanced services in California by 2010 using new and developing technologies.

"The creation of this board marks a watershed event here in California, as we strive to make affordable broadband and advanced services available to underserved communities throughout the state," said CPUC President Michael Peevey. "This board, arguably the first of its kind anywhere in the U.S., only serves to reinforce the California Public Utilities Commission's leadership in this very critical issue."

The CETF will begin with $60 million in funding, with a goal of obtaining at least $100 million in funding over five years. It will focus significant resources on addressing the needs of underserved communities in California, helping to bridge the digital divide, as well as promoting the advancement of telemedicine in California.

The CETF's governing board will eventually include a total of 12 members. Four were recently appointed by the CPUC. They are Michael R. Peevey, president, California Public Utilities Commission; Sen. Martha Escutia; Mike Volpi, senior vice president, Cisco Systems; and Carol Whiteside, president, Great Valley Center.

"I'm pleased with the stature and expertise of the eight appointees to the board," said Sen. Escutia. "I'm looking forward to completing the final appointments to expand the diversity of the board and to get started on making the infrastructure of the 21st century, including broadband and information technology services, available and useful to all Californians."

AT&T's three appointments are:

--Rich Motta - Retired from the former SBC in 2004 after 33 years of service in a variety of positions, with a focus on network and emerging technologies. Motta is also a resident of a rural county, so he will bring that key perspective to the board as it focuses on serving rural and underserved communities.

--Barbara Johnston - Executive director of the California Telemedicine & eHealth Center (CTEC), an organization that has facilitated the growth of telemedicine and eHealth in California. CTEC recently published a report on deploying ubiquitous broadband in rural California, so Johnston is well-versed on how broadband can bring significant benefits to rural populations.

--James Kirkland - Senior vice president for Strategic Development and general counsel of Covad Communications Company, a leading provider of integrated voice and data communications. Kirkland has a unique business and legal background in both wireline and wireless broadband technologies. He will bring a valuable perspective on network deployment and maintenance strategies to the CETF board.

Verizon appointed:

--Dr. Barbara O'Connor - Professor of communications at California State University, Sacramento. O'Connor is a nationally recognized expert in the fields of political communication and telecommunications policy and applications. Verizon appointed O'Connor as a strong advocate of policies that have expanded consumer access to advanced technologies.

The final four members will be chosen by the first eight board members.

More on CETF

The CETF will focus a significant amount of its resources on the needs of underserved communities and bridging the Digital Divide. Underserved communities include but are not limited to individuals, groups, and organizations that face telecommunications challenges or disadvantages due to physical disabilities, low incomes, inadequate telecommunications infrastructure, language and cultural differences, lack of technological understanding and/or equipment, and other constraints.

For more information, please visit the PUC's Web site at www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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.

(C) 2006 AT&T Knowledge Ventures. All rights reserved. Subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. provide products and services under the AT&T brand.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader in delivering broadband and other communication innovations to wireline and wireless customers. Verizon operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving 51.3 million customers nationwide; one of the most expansive wholly owned global IP networks; and one of the nation's premier wireline networks, serving home, business and wholesale customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce of approximately 250,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit www.verizon.com.