AT&T Extends Comprehensive Networking Contract With Ford Motor Company.

DETROIT, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T today announced it has signed a contract extension with Ford Motor Co. to provide a comprehensive portfolio of voice, data and Internet access services that will help Ford gain efficiencies while reducing costs. The contract extends and expands upon a long-term relationship between the two companies. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

AT&T's wide-area networking services connect Ford's data centers to engineering, scheduling, supply and logistics resources to support Ford's vision of flexible manufacturing. Ford's wide area network carries advanced engineering and computer-aided design and manufacturing applications needed to create innovative car and truck designs.

"In the auto industry, the strategic application of information technology can be a competitive differentiator," said Jerry Gerami, AT&T vice president. "We've been delighted to work closely with Ford for more than a decade to provide leading-edge networking solutions that supports them in the marketplace."

AT&T also manages AT&T ACCU-Ring(R) Network Access Service at seven Ford Motor Credit Co. locations across the U.S., and at Ford's Michigan data centers. The fiber-optic ACCU-Ring service significantly expands transmission capacity and allows Ford to integrate voice and data services for increased networking efficiencies. ACCU-Ring's self-healing capabilities also support Ford's business continuity and disaster recovery plans.

AT&T also provides toll-free services to support sales, service and customer care agents at U.S. call centers supporting Ford and its wholly owned subsidiary, Hertz Corp. Ford and Hertz rely on toll-free advanced features to create custom call routing plans for multiple locations and different agent groups that balance call volumes to ensure customers' calls are answered promptly.

The services are provided under an AT&T Virtual Telecommunications Network Service (VTNS) contract, which affords very large customers the ability to bundle AT&T services in a custom-designed contract.

About AT&T

For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.

CONTACT: Katie Hutchinson, +1-312-230-4292, katiehutchinson@att.com, or Mike Pruyn, +1-312-230-4894, mpruyn@att.com, both for AT&T

Web site: http://www.att.com/