Data Access Features from AT&T Increase End-to-End Communications Options.

WASHINGTON, D.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 29, 1996--AT&T today announced data network access options that fulfill the company's strategic commitment to provide customers with the widest array of end-to-end data communications connectivity, no matter where they may be.

The array of access technologies encompasses analog dial-up, dedicated, ISDN, cellular digital packet data (CDPD), and circuit-switched cellular.

The options include CDPD access, toll free access at 28.8 kilobits per second (Kbps), and ISDN connections whose permanent virtual circuits (PVCs) exist only as long as data calls to the AT&T InterSpanr Frame Relay network are in progress.

The company is the first to offer interconnectivity between a CDPD carrier's network and a nationwide frame relay network. CDPD, a wireless packet data service for people on the move, uses transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP) connectivity at 19.2 Kbps over cellular networks to reach customers' enterprise networks through services such as the AT&T InterSpan Frame Relay network.

Asynchronous dial-up at 14.4 Kbps and dedicated access have been available from AT&T's InterSpan Information Access Service (IAS) since 1992. With dial-up access speed doubled to 28.8 Kbps, reduced connection times can result in productivity improvements and cost savings to users.

By mid-year, AT&T plans to offer InterSpan Frame Relay customers an ISDN access service for which they will be billed only as long as their PVCs are in use. Unlike permanent virtual circuits, short-term PVCs use software-programmed routing to limit the number of full-time PVCs that customers might otherwise need. The new feature will enhance the value of customers' data networks and help reduce the complexity of their access requirements.

"Increasingly, people work from locations beyond the traditional boundaries of the corporate office and need to reach remote databases quickly and easily," said Joe Lueckenhoff, marketing vice president of AT&T Data Communications Services. "Our customers want to provide their employees with a wide variety of access options - available at any time, from anywhere. Because every business has unique data networking requirements, our new portfolio of end-to-end connectivity options lets them choose what's best for their individual needs. At the same time, our portfolio continues to provide the highest levels of reliability, performance, and network management in the industry."

AT&T InterSpan Information Access Service has been offering local dial access to its data customers since last October. When work requirements call for workers to move from one site to another, they can use either the IAS 950-1ATT dial service, or an optional 800 service number. Both access numbers are toll-free.

AT&T recently introduced an InterSpan Frame Relay-to-ATM internetworking feature that provides a seamless multiprotocol solution for customers' networks with Frame Relay and ATM endpoints. Customers can now access their InterSpan Frame Relay Service via the access options, including dial access using AT&T's 950-1ATT number, and communicate with both Frame Relay and ATM endpoints.

AT&T's InterSpan family of data services includes the Information Access Service, Asynchronous Transfer Mode, and Frame Relay Service. Detailed information about these and other AT&T data communications services may be obtained by calling 1-800-248-3632.

CONTACT: Bert Vorchheimer

908-221-7738

[e-mail]

or

Christine Corliss

908-221-2935

[e-mail]