AT&T launches new Internet services, first Internet backbone linking Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.

introduced both a range of Internet services and the first-ever Internet "backbone" network in Asia.

AT&T Internet Services, available immediately in Hong Kong and later this year in Australia, give businesses and Internet access providers easy and reliable access to the Internet. The new AT&T Internet backbone network will provide the first dedicated, high-quality, intra-regional connection for Internet customers in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan. AT&T is also offering consulting services to help Asian businesses set up sites for electronic commerce on the Internet's World Wide Web (WWW).

For the last two years, AT&T Jens Corporation, AT&T's value-added services subsidiary in Japan, has pioneered Internet growth in the region by providing SPIN -- Internet access to service providers, web site facilities, and management and consulting services -- to commercial customers. Recently, AT&T entered the Internet market with AT&T WorldNet (sm) Services in the United States and AT&T Internet Solutions in Europe.

Two of the first customers using AT&T Internet Services are Jardine Fleming Holdings Limited, the financial services and consulting firm, and the Asian Sources Media (ASM) Group, Asia's leading trade publisher.

Initially, AT&T Internet Services will provide Jardine Fleming with the infrastructure for a dedicated and secure gateway to the Internet. In a second phase, AT&T will set up Jardine Fleming's own WWW homepage so that their clients can use the Internet to electronically access Jardine Fleming's range of services and marketing solutions.

The ASM Group has selected AT&T Internet Services to establish their recently announced Internet venture, Asian Sources On-Line, a vast WWW site that will provide ASM buyers with up-to-the-minute product and pricing developments from both advertising and editorial services.

"An increasing number of Asia/Pacific businesses are gaining a competitive edge through electronic commerce -- using the Internet and other electronic technologies to conduct their business," said Kathleen Earley, AT&T's vice president of Business Multimedia Groupware Services. "AT&T Internet Services will provide all the necessary tools for these businesses to not only gain access to the millions of worldwide Internet users but to set up, manage and support on-going operations for quick, secure and reliable service." AT&T Internet Services include dedicated or dial-up access, user-friendly interfaces to help customers easily access the Internet, and information directories to guide users through the vast array of information and services available. AT&T Internet Services work with most of today's popular Internet browsers including Netscape, a leading provider of browsers and other Internet client/server software.

AT&T Internet Services' dedicated access uses high speed -- 64kbps and above -- leased lines. Internet mail gateways and batched services to LAN workgroups are also offered. Dial-up services give access to users with a PC and modem with speeds up to 28.8 kbps, and LAN access through dial-up instead of leased line connections. Host Unix to Unix Copy Protocol (UUCP) allows corporate customers to connect a LAN site via dial-up modem for batch transmissions and reception of data.

In addition, AT&T Internet Services provides web site consulting services that help customers set up Unix accounts and firewalls, design and deliver system management training, and manage off-site web services such as the purchase of leased lines and customer training. "These services help customers gain competitive advantage through electronic commerce -- "storefronts" on the Internet, secure sales transactions through EDI (electronic data interchange), electronic catalogs, and more," said AT&T's Ms. Earley.

AT&T has long been involved with the Internet through AT&T Bell Laboratories, the world's foremost research and development institution, which developed the technologies the Internet is built upon. AT&T's many Internet innovations include the development of the UNIX operating system, the first implementation of security firewalls, and the development of the InterNIC 'directory of directories' for the Internet. In June of this year AT&T's World Wide Web site was voted among the Top 5 corporate home pages by Interactive Age magazine.

AT&T Internet Services are offered through the company's Communications Services Group. The group provides global long distance, data and messaging services for the company's 90 million business and residential customers. It also installs and manages AT&T's global networks and customers' private networks. The group is active in 14 countries in the Asia Pacific region.

The Communications Services Group is home to the Consumer Communications unit which last year helped AT&T win its third Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in the U.S. for quality processes in support of its products and services. In 1994, AT&T was awarded Japan's Deming Prize and the Taiwan National Quality Award. With revenues of US$75 billion in 1994, AT&T has a major presence in Asia/Pacific, with more than 13,000 employees regionwide.

AT&T, a global communications and computer company, operates the world's largest and most advanced network, handling 190 million voice, data and video calls every day. The company provides communications services and products, as well as network equipment and computer systems to businesses, consumers, telecommunications service providers and government agencies world-wide.

Business customers seeking information on AT&T Internet Services can call 852-2511-5828 in Hong Kong. Customers may access the AT&T Internet Services home page at http://www.att.net.ap, SPIN's services can be accessed at http://www.spin.ad.jp. AT&T's Asia/Pacific home site can be accessed at http://www.att.com.hk.

CONTACT: AT&T

Diane Nakamura, 201/331-4061 (office)

201/307-9082 (home)