AUSTIN, July 17, 2014 – A new wave of development is headed for Congress Avenue.

AT&T today announced it has secured property at 323 Congress for the AT&T Center for Innovation. The new space will serve as a meeting ground and technology development center for Austin-area application developers, tech leaders, citizens and entrepreneurs – anyone interested in collaborating and designing solutions for a more connected community.

Located in the heart of downtown Austin, the building offers 15,000 square feet of working space on two floors.  AT&T is planning a major renovation of the interior space, which is expected to take several months to complete.  An opening date has not been determined.

The new center is a cornerstone of a recently announced multi-million dollar AT&T community initiative, with a focus on technology, education and arts.  With a dedicated focus on data analytics, next generation video and the development of a variety of mobile applications and solutions, the center will also offer educational resources to local tech developers, as well as access to AT&T platforms for designing and testing new apps. The facility is also expected to house a studio where community members will be invited to create unique content for AT&T’s platforms, including TV, online and mobile.

“Inspire, innovate, invent — that is what our new Center of Innovation is all about," said Dave Nichols, president, AT&T Texas.  "When great minds have access to resources, technology and each other, the potential is endless.  We're excited about the possibilities as we prepare to launch an epicenter for the visionary, creative ideas that will benefit Austin and beyond.”

 When AT&T announced plans in 2013 to roll out its all-fiber U-verse® with AT&T GigaPowerSM network technology, the company said it would look for new ways to work with leaders and citizens to leverage its fastest broadband and advanced TV services to further the citywide technology ecosystem and build on the progressive nature of the community. 

The new Center for Innovation will serve as a gathering place for new ideas, new partnerships, new innovation, and real working solutions – all to leverage the best of Austin and make it an even more livable city.

When it announced plans for the center earlier this year, AT&T also awarded endowments to local technology organizations – the Austin Technology Council, the Austin Technology Institute, Capital Factory, Entrepreneurs Foundation, and the Tech Ranch – as part of its promise to support technology companies in Austin.

AT&T GigaPower broadband and TV services were introduced to thousands of Austin residents in December. The company said it plans to double the number of households it reaches in 2014 and will increase current broadband speeds of up to 300 megabits per second to up to 1 gigabit per second this year.** AT&T has also announced plans to offer its gigabit fiber services in Dallas and in several North Carolina communities.  AT&T is also exploring potential expansion in up to 100 new communities across the country.  More information is available at www.att.com/gigapower

*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.

**Internet speed claims represent maximum network service capability speeds.  Actual customer speeds may vary and are not guaranteed.  Actual speeds vary based on factors including site traffic, content provider server capacity, internal network factors and device capabilities, and use of other U-verse services.    

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company’s suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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