To: Secret_Agent_Man who wrote (559 ) 12/5/1999 10:01:00 PM From: Secret_Agent_Man Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 792
AT&T Expands Its Multi-Vendor Infrastructure Strategy To Meet Continuing Demand For Wireless Services REDMOND, WASHINGTON — As a result of strong demand for its wireless communications service, AT&T today announced a multi-vendor program that will significantly increase the capacity and reliability of its wireless network in high-growth, high-use markets while also improving operating cost efficiencies. The company said it signed letters of intent to install new wireless equipment provided by Lucent Technologies and Nortel Networks in a number of North American markets. Ericsson is currently the largest wireless infrastructure provider to AT&T Wireless. AT&T estimates the multi-vendor strategy using Ericsson, Nortel and Lucent will allow it to meet its equipment and increased network capacity needs over the next four years for $900M less than the company had previously projected. Financial terms of the agreements were not disclosed. “The continued growth in demand for wireless service, combined with the success of AT&T's Digital One Rate program requires us to bring into balance our portfolio of suppliers,” said Dan Hesse, President and CEO, AT&T Wireless Services. “Lucent, Ericsson and Nortel will provide us with the newest technology available, and this equipment will help us significantly increase the capacity and reliability of our wireless network.” Hesse noted that AT&T Wireless revenues grew 42.4 percent in the second quarter of 1999. "We've selected the latest equipment from Lucent and Nortel to greatly increase our speed and efficiency in adding capacity and reliability to our wireless network," said Frank Ianna, President of AT&T Network Services. "We believe the new business model we've put in place with these vendors will also lower our wireless network operating costs." Hesse added that the new equipment will allow AT&T Wireless to seamlessly evolve to new third generation digital technology, which will provide high speed data and global roaming capabilities, among other new services. Historically, Ericsson and Lucent have been AT&T's primary providers of wireless network infrastructure equipment. AT&T will be adding Lucent Technologies equipment in the metropolitan New York City area and parts of Los Angeles, in addition to the 11 states where Lucent equipment is already being used. Meanwhile, the new wireless equipment from Nortel will be deployed in Arizona, California (including part sof Los Angeles), Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. Ericsson will continue to supply equipment to approximately one third of AT&T's service areas.Lucent, Ericsson and Nortel will supply equipment and services to AT&T, based on the digital TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) IS-136 standard. TDMA is a leading global digital standard that serves more than 19 million customers in the Western Hemisphere. att.com