AT&T signs contract for network services in Florida state

Corporate IT Update, April 11, 2008

CORPORATE IT UPDATE-(C)1995-2008 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

US communications holding company AT&T Inc (NYSE:T) announced on Thursday (10 April) that the company has entered into a USD500m contract with the Florida Department of Management Services, Florida, USA.

The contract is an extensive project that will provide services to over 4,000 locations across the state of Florida.

AT&T currently provides the state with Internet access, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services and Centrex central-office based voice service at over 5,000 locations.

Under this new contract AT&T will establish Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS)-enabled voice, video and data transport services for government, education, rural health care and non-profit operations across Florida.

The MPLS solution will reportedly support advanced applications for state employees and citizens, as well as low-cost broadband transport services state-wide to meet critical public needs. It will also allow the state to more efficiently prioritise voice, video and mission-critical data and significantly increase bandwidth, minimising the need for future network upgrades, AT&T said.

Financial details of the contract were not disclosed.

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