MILAN, Italy -- Epta-Group, a multi-brand global player in retail equipment, has selected AT&T to provide its global data networking solution in a three-year contract worth $2.2 million.

With annual revenues of $470 million, the Italian company is extending its lead in the retail equipment marketplace. Under the terms of the agreement, AT&T will provide an Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) for 25 sites across EMEA, 15 of which will also use AT&T's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. AT&T's service will enable the deployment of proprietary, mission-critical applications on the company's corporate network.

Mr. Gianfranco Santorso, Manager of General Service at Epta-Group,said: "This agreement is key in developing the network flexibility and reliability essential to Epta-Group's future growth. We found AT&T to be a highly professional and value-focused company that offered competitive pricing as well as a reliable and highly advanced networking solution that can accommodate the geographic expanse of our business and support our day-to-day operations."

AT&T's global, integrated IT networking infrastructure provides a high level of security and also supports business continuity. The IP VPN solution gives Epta-Group a fully managed network and delivers operating efficiencies. The solution provides Epta-Group employees with secure, high-speed, online access to corporate databases and proprietary applications, including sales, marketing, manufacturing and supply-chain systems.

Bill Archer, President of AT&T, EMEA, added: "This is a significant win for AT&T in the highly competitive Italian market. The agreement further reinforces AT&T's position as the leading networking company and shows that companies trust in AT&T as a truly global service provider."

AT&T Corp.