BEDMINSTER, N.J. -- AT&T today introduced a new capability that enables businesses and U.S. government agencies to securely run their private networks end to end on AT&T’s leading, global Internet Protocol (IP) network.

With today’s announcement, AT&T becomes the first U.S. networking company to deliver this capability over a multi- protocol label switching (MPLS)-enabled core IP network. With MPLS, the new AT&T Network Based IP VPN service delivers scalability, security, reliability and class-of-service features not found on traditional IP networks.

As a result, businesses can run their corporate networks and applications like intranets, e-mail and extranets, on an all-IP network, but securely separated from public Internet traffic. Customers who choose the new service benefit from:

With today’s addition, AT&T offers the most comprehensive set of network based IP VPN options in the industry and continues its leadership in IP networking. AT&T was the first to introduce MPLS VPNs and has been providing a “peerless” network-based IP VPN since 1999.

AT&T also was the first U.S. carrier to adopt MPLS as a strategic technology for its IP network for the creation of services and to support the seamless migration of customers’ networks to a global common IP infrastructure.

The new network-based IP VPN is designed for customers like Allied Electronics, a global distributor of electronic components based in Ft. Worth, Texas, who want an all-IP infrastructure providing direct connectivity to their disparate geographic locations, a wide range of access speeds, reduced networking costs and the capability to expand as their businesses change and grow. As these customers migrate to, or establish, their IP solutions, AT&T’s team of VPN specialists helps with their network design, deployment and support to assure a smooth transition.

AT&T Network Based IP VPN service also provides online usage reports via AT&T BusinessDirect®, an award-winning Web portal that enables customers to perform a variety of network and routine supplier-management tasks.

“These capabilities leverage our leadership in IP networking and VPNs and responds to customer need and demand,” said Rose Klimovich, vice president and general manager of AT&T Global VPN Services. “Companies increasingly want to do more of their business on IP, and we’re giving them that capability, using MPLS technology to assure security, as well as a platform for running critical applications, such as VoIP, video over IP, security and business continuity.”

“More and more enterprise customers view MPLS technology as a key component in their networking strategies and are beginning to migrate their data services to MPLS-based VPN services, or deploy MPLS-based VPNs for their new networking needs,” said Charles Carr of Gartner. "By 2005, the dominant approach to enhanced managed IP services will be MPLS."

AT&T Corp.