AT&T Taps Exec To Work With Resellers On New Wireless Products

AT&T Thursday said it has formed a new organization, AT&T Emerging Devices, National Distribution and Resale, which is charged with the development of emerging wireless devices beyond traditional handsets.

As part of the initiative, the company named Glenn Lurie president of the new division, and he will also manage AT&T's presence with national retailers and resellers. Lurie formerly was the president of National Distribution for AT&T Mobility.

"He led the negotiations with Apple that made the iPhone exclusive to AT&T in the U.S., and in this expanded role, he will continue to find more innovative devices and applications to run on AT&T's networks," said Ralph de la Vega, CEO, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets, in a statement.

AT&T said its strategy is to drive wireless connectivity to new consumer electronics devices and applications, including personal computers, mobile Internet devices or mini computers, in-car entertainment and navigation systems, cameras and machine-to-machine communications solutions.

"High speed wireless broadband service can enhance a huge variety of gadgets," said Lurie in a statement. "There is also a host of exciting new applications -- from social networking to navigation to location-based solutions -- being developed that will rely on wireless connectivity."

AT&T said it will provide widespread distribution options to electronic manufacturers in addition to 2,000 company-owned retail stores and agreements with Best Buy, Wal-Mart, Costco and RadioShack and multiple resale relationships.

Lurie said he believes those relationships will fuel growth.

"Once we select a new emerging device, we can then work with our partner to decide on the best distribution channels to sell it," he said. "This will be a win-win-win situation for our retail and resale relationships, for AT&T and, most importantly, for customers."

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