AT&T and Microsoft to Enable Shared Content Across TV, PC and Mobile Devices

AT&T and Microsoft to Enable Shared Content Across TV, PC and Mobile Devices

AT&T chooses Microsoft PlayReady content access and protection technology to enable next-generation entertainment services across its mobile and in-home offerings.

DALLAS and REDMOND, Wash., March 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. and AT&T* announced today a collaborative effort to use Microsoft PlayReady content access and protection technology to enable shared content and converged entertainment experiences across AT&T's TV, broadband and wireless services.

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As part of this collaboration, Microsoft intends to add support for PlayReady into its Microsoft Mediaroom IPTV software platform, enabling access to PlayReady-based content through AT&T U-verse TV set-top boxes.

"We're committed to offering compelling entertainment experiences across a wide variety of platforms and devices," said Brian Shay, senior vice president of Converged Services, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "PlayReady will help us give customers broader access to compelling content."

"AT&T's vision of converged entertainment services is something we share, and our collaboration on the use of PlayReady technology for content access and protection represents a significant milestone toward the future of integrated entertainment across multiple screens," said Enrique Rodriguez, corporate vice president of the TV, Video and Music Business Group at Microsoft. "Through the power of software such as PlayReady and Mediaroom, AT&T will bring its customers an exciting new range of services and content."

PlayReady is designed to enable digital entertainment services across devices and software applications, with a specific focus on meeting the needs of mobile and network operators, service providers and device manufacturers. PlayReady supports a broad range of business models that can be applied to almost any type of digital content and a wide range of formats. PlayReady also provides features such as service domains and embedded licenses specifically designed to make it easy for consumers to enjoy content on all their registered devices without the need of an active connection.

* 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 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. Among their offerings are the world's most advanced IP-based business communications services, the nation's fastest 3G network and the best wireless coverage worldwide, and the nation's leading high speed Internet access and voice services. In domestic markets, AT&T is known for the directory publishing and advertising sales leadership of its Yellow Pages and YELLOWPAGES.COM organizations, and the AT&T brand is licensed to innovators in such fields as communications equipment. As part of their three-screen integration strategy, AT&T operating companies are expanding their TV entertainment offerings. In 2008, AT&T again ranked No. 1 in the telecommunications industry on FORTUNE(R) magazine's lists of the World's Most Admired Companies and America's Most Admired Companies. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/.

(C) 2009 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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Source: Microsoft Corp.

CONTACT: Laura Gonia of Weber Shandwick, +1-425-452-5400,
lgonia@webershandwick.com, for Microsoft; or Destiny Belknap Varghese of
Fleishman-Hillard, +1-214-665-1314, dvarghese@attnews.us, for AT&T Corporate
Communications

Web Site: http://www.microsoft.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment