Brackets games, trivia, polling and more available via text messaging and mMode services
REDMOND, Wash.--(COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--Mar 17, 2003--Starting this week, AT&T; Wireless customers can get into the game with an array of new text messaging and mMode (sm) services designed to keep college basketball fans tied to the tournament all season long.
�College Hoops� from AT&T; Wireless extends the fun and competition of the college basketball tournament to wireless phones. Millions of AT&T; Wireless customers can now participate in a variety of new text messaging-based applications including a unique brackets game, tournament trivia, polling and more. In addition, basketball fans with AT&T; Wireless� mMode(sm) service can follow the madness with the round-by-round ESPN Tourney Pick�Em Game presented by Pontiac.
�College basketball brings out the love of the game in fans of all ages, and keeping fans connected when they can�t be courtside is what wireless entertainment is all about,� said John Bunyan, senior vice president of AT&T; Wireless Mobile Multimedia Services. �The power of text messaging and our leadership in this space are again demonstrated today, as wireless phones become the next �must have� sports accessory for today�s college ball fans.�
Messaging Mayhem
In addition to trivia and polls, �College Hoops� features a new text messaging brackets game, created by content developer, Proteus, that allows millions of fans to take the ever-popular paper and web-based brackets game on the go. Participants can enter their predictions and get updates on advancing teams. Points will be awarded for each correct selection and tracked by player for each round, and players can check their real-time score at any time. Subscribers will compete for the title of Bench Warmer, Walk-On, Starter or All-American based on their round-by-round performance.
Users can sign up for �College Hoops� by simply sending a text message with the word PLAY to number 3777, the abbreviated number (or short code) assigned to the �College Hoops� applications. Customers can also get into the game and sign up via the Web at www.attwireless.com/collegehoops. Tournament-related games and features are available at no additional charge beyond standard text messaging charges. Customers can also show their school spirit by downloading college fight songs as ring tones, or select a tune from popular ESPN theme songs by visiting www.attwireless.com/ringtones.
More Madness on mMode
mMode subscribers can find up-to-the-minute tournament news, information and games under the �Sports� menu, including the popular ESPN Tourney Pick�Em Game presented by Pontiac, a round-by-round game that runs through the championship game of the Men�s NCAA Division I Tournament. Fans can make their picks throughout the tournament and check out scores, schedules and other tournament news. These services are also available at no additional cost beyond standard mMode fees.
mMode subscribers can even meet up with buddies at a local sports bar using Find Friends. �Find Friends� gives an AT&T; Wireless customer the approximate geographical location � a street intersection, for example -- of the wireless phone of someone he or she may want to contact. Once the friend is located, the customer can elect to call that person, send a text message, or arrange a meeting. So fans can arrange a last-minute get-together at a nearby sports bar and even get directions, based on their current location.
�College Hoops� text messaging games are the latest, innovative addition to AT&T; Wireless` broad messaging portfolio. AT&T; Wireless was among the first of the national carriers to offer text messaging in the U.S. beginning in October 2000. In November 2001, AT&T; Wireless became the first national carrier to allow its customers to send text messages to virtually any wireless phone - regardless of the carrier - simply by knowing the recipient`s phone number. In July 2002, AT&T; Wireless was the first to introduce picture messaging in the United States. For additional information, please visit us at www.attwireless.com/text.
About AT&T; Wireless
AT&T; Wireless (NYSE: AWE) is the second-largest wireless carrier, based on revenues, in the United States. With 20.859 million subscribers, and full-year 2002 revenues exceeding $15.6 billion. AT&T; Wireless will continue delivering advanced high-quality mobile wireless communications services, voice or data, to businesses and consumers, in the U.S. and internationally. For more information, please visit us at www.attwireless.com.
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This press release contains ''forward-looking statements`` which are based on management`s beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by management with information that is currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, management`s expectations regarding: our future financial and operating performance and financial condition, including the company`s outlook for the fiscal year 2003 and subsequent periods; subscriber growth; industry conditions; the strength of our balance sheet; our liquidity and needs for additional financing; and our ability to generate operating free cash flow.
Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside AT&T; Wireless` control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. Without limitation these factors include: the risks associated with the implementation of our technology migration strategy, our ability to continue to reduce costs, the potential competitive impacts of industry consolidation or alternative technologies, potential impacts on revenue and ARPU from competitive pricing and slowing penetration in the wireless industry, the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate, the risk of decreased consumer spending due to softening economic conditions, the outbreak of war or acts of terrorism, and consumer response to new service offerings.
For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see AT&T; Wireless` filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the information under the heading ''Additional Factors That May Affect Our Business, Future Operating Results and Financial Condition'' and ''Forward Looking Statements'' in its quarterly report of Form 10-Q filed on November 13, 2002.
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