NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) May 15, 2006--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it assigned its 'A' rating to San Antonio, Texas-based diversified telecommunications carrier AT&T Inc.'s planned approximate $1.5 billion in notes with various maturities. "The rating on this shelf drawdown has been simultaneously placed on CreditWatch with negative implications," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Catherine Cosentino. Proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of a portion of outstanding long-term debt that will mature in 2006. Existing ratings for AT&T, including the 'A' corporate credit rating, remain on CreditWatch, where they were placed with negative implications on Jan. 13, 2006, due to heightened concern about the company's wireline business, in light of increasing competitive
