ATLANTA, Nov. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Fernbank Museum of Natural History is combining old artifacts with new digital solutions to enrich the museum goer experience. The launch of the new AT&T Wi-Fi network is part of a sponsorship supporting a new application at the popular Atlanta museum.

On average each month, more than 30,000 guests visit Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Now, as you walk the grounds, your tablet or smartphone can become your personal guide uncovering journals written by the experts and offering new information about artifacts. The guest's device easily connects to the AT&T Wi-Fi Network, and utilizes the application to determine where you are in the museum - delivering new information and activities as you near each exhibit. Visitors with a Wi-Fi enabled device can easily connect to AT&T Wi-Fi through a simple log-in. Customers with an AT&T smartphone or tablet can connect through an auto-authentication process - no set up or log-in required. The museum application leverages more than 70 AT&T Wi-Fi access points to provide a seamless network connection combined with Cisco's geo-location based platform.

"We are working to find new and innovative Wi-Fi solutions, that together with mobile apps and other technologies available today can help enrich the customer experience," said Josh Goodell, AVP of AT&T Wi-Fi Services. "Collaborating with venues like Fernbank Museum of Natural History and partners like Cisco will continue to make Wi-Fi a relevant service to how our customers live, work and play."

"Visitors have a new way to experience a day at the museum through this innovative collaboration we have with AT&T and Cisco, which will help to amplify the education value that we provide at Fernbank Museum," said Jennifer Grant Warner SVP and Chief Programming officer for Fernbank Museum of Natural History. "This groundbreaking technology maximizes convenience and engagement opportunities for visitors and offers an educational experience like no other -- while offering analytics to derive improved business planning and marketing strategies."

"Bringing together minds from each business allows us to find solutions for our customers that are going to offer a one of a kind customer experience," said Joey Schultz, VP AT&T Consumer Marketing. "With solutions provided by AT&T, Cisco and Fernbank museum we are able to impact the way museum visitors interact with exhibits, adding a new layer to the educational value of this iconic facility."

AT&T operates the nation's largest Wi-Fi network** including more than 31,000 AT&T Wi-Fi Hot Spots at popular restaurants, hotels, bookstores and retailers, and provides access to more than 340,000 hotspots globally through roaming agreements. AT&T customers with a qualifying smartphone, 3G LaptopConnect, and high speed Internet plans get access to our entire national Wi-Fi network at no additional cost, and Wi-Fi usage doesn't count against customers' monthly data plans.

*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.

** Largest based on company branded and operated hotspots. Access includes AT&T Wi-Fi Basic. A Wi-Fi enabled device required. Other restrictions apply. See www.attwifi.com for details and locations. 

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 around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G 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 services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.