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AT&T Signs Top Firms for Global VoIP Remote Worker Trials
BEDMINSTER, N.J., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T today announced it has signed 23 multi-national companies to participate in its Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Global Remote Worker pilot for a solution targeted for general availability in the first quarter of 2005. Some of the firms participating in the four-country trial include Air Products, BASF Australia Ltd, Bausch & Lomb Hong Kong Ltd, Global eXchange Services and VTech.
The trial, announced in June, involves companies with locations in Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia and the United Kingdom. This represents one of the industry's most comprehensive initiatives leveraging the capabilities of VoIP for global remote workers of multi-national firms.
"The velocity we've demonstrated in deploying this initiative is proof positive of AT&T's commitment to leverage both our leadership position with enterprises as well as our expertise in VoIP-based solutions," said Cathy Martine AT&T senior vice president of Internet telephony. "When it comes to VoIP and meeting the demands of businesses around the world, no one is better positioned than AT&T to VoIP-enable existing networks, deliver interoperable solutions and to provide a platform for VoIP application development."
Based on the AT&T CallVantage(SM) Service platform, this solution enhances the value of working remotely -- operational savings, greater end-user productivity, enhanced mobility -- by strengthening the bottom line impact. Trial participants anticipate seeing double-digit savings on their international calling. Some of the most popular advanced calling features include global teleconferencing, integration of voicemail with e-mail and do not disturb.
"We're very excited about the value this service can contribute to our bottom line," said Eric Wong, Bausch & Lomb Hong Kong's Manager of Information Management and Technology. "The conferencing capabilities and integrated voice-mail are significantly improving our ability to collaborate around the world."
This VoIP solution also is ideally suited to meet the needs of international business travelers moving from hotel to hotel around the world. With the convenience of a single phone number, advanced features and the ability to avoid wireless global roaming charges, end-users benefit in multiple ways.
Added Martine, "Not only does this solution serve the needs of road warriors, it's ideal for U.S. residents or military personnel living abroad. Users can have a U.S.-based phone number even if they're living in Hong Kong."
The initial installation and configuration of the service in non-U.S. markets typically takes less than 30 minutes and is compatible with most DSL or cable modem high-speed Internet services available around the world. Initial trial feedback shows nearly 100 percent satisfaction with the online ordering tools and half of the surveyed participants successfully activated their service in less than 30 minutes.
"As global remote working plays an ever greater role within today's multi- national corporations, companies are continually looking for ways to manage their communications costs while giving workers seamless access to corporate resources and to each other around the world," said Jan Dawson, Research Director, Ovum. "VoIP-based solutions directly address both of these needs. They allow enterprises to strengthen their bottom line while giving employees greater control and flexibility over their communications -- wherever they may be located."
In a separate announcement made today, AT&T released a new report on VoIP and business strategy. Done in conjunction with the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the report shows that a majority of corporate executives surveyed are currently using, testing or planning to implement VoIP within their enterprise. Additionally the report highlights the increased productivity VoIP-based solutions can deliver to remote workers. These and other findings are available at http://www.business.att.com/emea/english/whitepaper/.
As the industry leader for IP VPNs, AT&T is strongly positioned to leverage its expertise in remote connectivity to deliver world-class global VoIP solutions. Offering business VoIP services since 1997, AT&T is the only VoIP provider with interoperability agreements with the five leading equipment manufacturers -- Alcatel, Avaya, Cisco, Nortel Networks and Siemens -- which are critical to delivering integrated solutions. With its comprehensive set of VoIP services, AT&T is actively addressing the needs of multi-national corporations and is a leading provider of VoIP solutions for both consumers and businesses.
About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
AT&T 'Safe Harbor'
The foregoing contains "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by and information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside AT&T's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These risk factors include the impact of increasing competition, continued capacity oversupply, regulatory uncertainty and the effects of technological substitution, among other risks. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see AT&T's 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is presented solely to provide additional information to further understand the results of AT&T.
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AT&T
CONTACT: William Hoffman, +1-908-658-6402, wwh@att.com, or Niall Hickey,+44-771-577-1451, nhickey@emea.att.com, both of AT&T
Web site: http://www.att.com/
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