By Katie Marsal
Published: 08:35 AM EST (05:35 AM PST)
In conjunction with the nationwide rollout of ConnecTech and netbook sales, cell phone carrier AT&T this week announced the completed renovations of more than 2,200 retail locations across the U.S.
The revamping of the company's stores aims to give customers a "more interactive and informative hands-on experience" as they browse the company's selection of products.
“Just as we are focused on delivering the products and services that connect our customers to their worlds, we remain committed to making it easy for them to do business with us,” said Paul Roth, president of Retail Sales & Service with AT&T Mobility. “With these changes, all of our customers -- from consumers to small businesses -- will enjoy a more personalized, educational and interactive shopping and buying experience at our stores.”
The new stores are "refreshed" with a more intuitive layout of products and services, while all wireless devices are on power-enabled displays, allowing customers the ability to easily try each phone's features.
Since AT&T merged with BellSouth and purchased Cingular Wireless, the company has offered both wired and wireless products. Now more than half of the company's retail locations service both customers. In addition to cell phone service, AT&T also offers U-verse, which provides IPTV and high speed VDSL Internet.
The ConnecTech service aims to bolster the variety of services offered by AT&T. The service, available for both AT&T and non-AT&T customers across the country, offers installation, maintenance and repair of home technology needs. The company also offers tech support for small businesses.
After a successful soft launch in Atlanta and Philadelphia earlier this year, AT&T will offer low-priced, low-powered netbooks for its customers both in stores and online "in the coming days." The computers
will offer connection to AT&T's high-speed 3G network.
As the exclusive provider of Apple's iPhone, AT&T has found tremendous success thanks to the smartphone. The recent launch of the iPhone 3GS gave AT&T and its retail locations the company's
best sales day ever.
As the exclusive contract between AT&T and Apple expires next year, the company is
reportedly currently negotiating to retain the exclusive rights to Apple's phone.
The wireless carrier owns and operates more than 2,200 retail stores. There are additional locations provided through retailers like Best Buy and Walmart, as well as authorized resellers.
