AT&T Wireless 2012 Annual Report Download - page 7

AT&T Inc.
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taken the lead — reaching out to entrepreneurs,
application developers and others outside our
company and collaborating with them to bring
innovation onto our network faster. Our goal is
to foster a virtuous cycle of demand, growth
and further innovation.
Accelerating the pace of innovation also requires
a willingness to obsolete old technologies so that
we can give our customers the best and most
advanced solutions. That’s an important part
of what we’ve committed to do with Project VIP.
By 2020, we expect to have fully transitioned our
customers from decades-old, legacy technologies
to an all-Internet Protocol network architecture.
This will require us to rethink every aspect of how we
operate, but the long-term payoffs are significant
in terms of better service, new capabilities for our
customers and lower costs.
Create a future-focused regulatory model
An important key to future investment and
innovation in our industry is regulation that doesn’t
lock our customers into old technologies. That’s
why we continue to work closely with policymakers
as we transition beyond decades-old rules that
were designed for point-to-point communications
through copper wires and antiquated technology.
To make possible a mobile-centric world of
anywhere-to-everywhere connectivity, it’s critical
that regulations obsolete themselves as old
technologies fall away. Customers and the entire
industry benefit from regulatory models that don’t
struggle to play catch-up with new technologies,
but actively pave the way for them.
 It’s a great privilege to be part of a company
whose services touch and benefit so many lives.
In keeping with this role, we’ve also committed our
company to philanthropic leadership in areas that will
make a difference in the communities we serve.
Our employees volunteer their time and make
generous contributions to thousands of community
projects, and their heroic efforts in the face of natural
disasters such as Superstorm Sandy this past year
bring to life the very best of our company’s heritage.
Of special note, our employees have played a major
role in our signature philanthropic initiative — AT&T
Aspire. Launched in 2008, this project initially
committed more than $100 million to support
programs that help high school students succeed
in school and prepare for careers. In 2012, we
committed an additional $250 million to Aspire
over the next five years — to bring new resources
to help students who are at risk of dropping out
of high school. We’ve expanded the mentoring
program, and we’re driving technology innovations
to reach and engage young students.
I also ask you to join us in another important
cause. Please help set a good example and remind
your family and friends to never text while driving.
Let’s change behavior and save lives.
Finally, let me emphasize that our achievements
in these areas and across our business come
from the great talent, dedication and hard work
of AT&T’s employees. On their behalf, thank you
for your continued confidence and support.
Sincerely,
Randall Stephenson
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
February 11, 2013
TO OUR INVESTORS