AT&T Expands Strategic Relationship With Microsoft to Deliver Unified Communications Solutions

DALLAS, March, 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* has expanded its global strategic relationship with Microsoft, adding Microsoft Lync to its Unified Communications (UC) portfolio of collaboration solutions. AT&T is combining Microsoft Lync, which allows workers to connect with others through instant messaging, video calls, and online meetings, with its world-renowned global IP network.

As a result, businesses will have access to a complete UC solution that is able to meet their performance, reliability and security needs. Another major benefit: company employees can use a wide range of connected devices such as PCs, tablets and smartphones as Lync enables voice and video sharing across most major operating platforms including Windows, Windows Phone, iOS and Android.

Microsoft Lync is the latest addition to AT&T's portfolio of UC offerings, aimed at giving businesses the technology they need to increase productivity and accelerate the pace of work that gets done.

AT&T business customers will have virtually anywhere, anytime access to Lync's powerful capabilities to:

• Collaborate in real-time on documents and applications
• Participate in telepresence, high definition video conference and virtual meetings
• Use instant messaging presence to quickly find and communicate with colleagues
• Provide a full range of enterprise voice capabilities.

In addition, AT&T plans to open its Application Programming Interface (API) to users of the Microsoft Lync platform, which gives developers the ability to create custom mobile and web-based business applications.

"Our customers expect to connect their employees with one another regardless of location or device," said Chris Hill, senior vice president, Advanced Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "By expanding our relationship with Microsoft, we now offer more choices for how customers can use our collaboration solutions to transform their organization."

AT&T customers can choose to run Lync in their own on-premise datacenter, have it hosted by AT&T, or as part of the Microsoft Office 365 service from AT&T, all conveniently delivered over the highly-secure and reliable AT&T network. AT&T also provides IT integration, management and ongoing support. The two companies have agreed to market the service to businesses of all sizes globally. 

"Lync has continued its rapid growth with customers, contributing to 11 straight quarters of double-digit growth," said Derek Burney, Corporate Vice President for Lync. "This expanded relationship with AT&T underscores the growing role Lync has in the Unified Communications landscape and is an opportunity for both of our companies to continue to deliver businesses the tools they need to collaborate."

These added solutions from Microsoft will enhance AT&T's existing suite of voice communication and collaboration offers, giving customers the ability to have full access to all of their communications tools at the tips of their fingers regardless of device – conveniently delivered over the highly-secure and reliable AT&T network. Learn more about AT&T Unified Communications.  

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's largest 4G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse^® and AT&T │DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.