AT&T Identified as a Leader in Telephony-Based Hosted Unified Communications by Leading Analyst Firm

NEW YORK, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* today announced that it has been recognized as a leader in the telephony-based hosted Unified Communications (UC) space in International Data Corporation's (IDC's) latest analysis of the trends in this market.

The report, IDC MarketScape: U.S. Telephony-Based Hosted Unified Communications, 2010 Vendor Analysis(1) investigated hosted UC providers that "bring something interesting to the market". IDC highlighted AT&T's key strengths such as its extensive relationships with UC vendors such as Cisco, Microsoft and Avaya, and its focus on the unified experience through its own client, which can be delivered via a number of AT&T telephony solutions. AT&T's further strategic advantages in the hosted UC arena, as noted by IDC, include:

• AT&T's ownership of its network, which enables control over quality of service and strong service-level agreements (SLAs) as well as security and privacy services;
• Strong progress in the integration of AT&T's wireline and wireless services, which delivers a more seamless AT&T experience to customers;
• Impressive PBX functionality and AT&T solutions such as OfficeReach, an FMC solution delivered from the network.

"While the hosted UC space is still evolving, the solutions on the market today are strong indicators of just how powerful the hosted UC space will be going forward," said Carrie MacGillivray, program manager in IDC's Mobility and IP Communications program. "What goes on in this corner of communications is going to change how we do business from here on out. As an industry, we need to pay close attention to ensure the roads being paved today will lead us to a better tomorrow."

"AT&T's global IP network is the lynchpin in delivering a rich set of Unified Communications applications at the scale needed by global enterprises," said Frank Zvi, Vice President of AT&T Unified Communications. "Our array of innovative conferencing and messaging solutions help businesses strengthen their efficiency and effectiveness in the dynamic global environment."

AT&T's Unified Communications offering includes solutions such as AT&T Connect®, which combines voice, web and videoconferencing in one product, enabling unlimited conferencing and collaboration; audioconferencing; videoconferencing; and web conferencing. For more information on AT&T's UC solutions, go to http://www.att.com/gen/general?pid=7490.

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor's position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors. The full report is available at http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=222897.

*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.

(1) IDC, IDC MarketScape: U.S. Telephony-Based Hosted Unified Communications, 2010 Vendor Analysis, Doc #222897, May 2010

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, 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. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.