AT&T Positioned as a Leader in Mobile Enterprise Services Market by IDC MarketScape

DALLAS, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced that its enterprise mobility products and solutions have earned the attention of industry analyst firm IDC. In the recent study, "IDC MarketScape: Mobile Enterprise Services 2010 Vendor Analysis,"(1) IDC placed AT&T in the leaders' segment for mobile enterprise services, citing AT&T's commitment to delivering advanced technology and integrated solutions to its business mobility customers as key reasons for the company's success. In addition, AT&T has once again received the top provider position for global network services in a separate IDC 2010 survey(2) of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the Forbes Global 2000.

Since establishing the Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions (AEMS) group last year, AT&T has augmented its ability to serve companies' mobility needs, providing more application services, integrated devices, and machine-to-machine communication solutions than ever before. The IDC Mobile Enterprise Services MarketScape report explains that AT&T "sees mobile opportunities for business process improvements" and therefore works to bring productivity-enhancing solutions to its customers.

IDC also commented on the ways in which AT&T has shifted its approach to enterprise mobility sales and services. In order to effectively meet customers' business needs, AT&T has dedicated mobility applications consulting teams as well as groups of experts for each major industry vertical to work on designing and deploying targeted solutions.

The AT&T network lies at the core of its enterprise mobility strategy. In the Mobile Enterprise Services MarketScape report, IDC calls attention to AT&T's mobile broadband network upgrade to HSPA+ software, which will help to boost data speeds.

With respect to AT&T's industry-leading VPN capabilities, IDC program manager Carrie MacGillivray writes, "AT&T offers a global network client, which provides seamless VPN access. This allows customers remote VPN services through a variety of connection types such as mobile broadband, WiFi, and DSL/cable modem broadband."

AT&T's capabilities in the enterprise mobility space not only garnered recognition in IDC's vendor analysis, but also contributed to AT&T's leadership position in IDC's survey of multinational corporations. According to IDC group vice president Mark Winther, "Mobile communications is a top priority and a top challenge for MNCs." AT&T's mobility services – as well as its IP and overall offerings – were ranked first by the global companies surveyed.

"The momentum of AT&T's enterprise mobility efforts has surged forward since we formed the AEMS group last year," said Chris Hill, vice president of Advanced Enterprise Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "IDC analysts and multinational corporations alike clearly recognize the strengths of our expanding portfolio – in mobility and in other areas. At AT&T, we're always working to deliver the highest quality enterprise networking services to our customers and we're not slowing down any time soon."

IDC's very positive description of AT&T's enterprise mobility approach in the MarketScape report captures the company's progress in providing innovative mobile products and services to its clients. Additionally, AT&T's placement as a top global network solutions provider in IDC's survey highlights companies' satisfaction with the services AT&T delivers. AT&T today offers an integrated enterprise mobility portfolio of wireless and wireline choices and a variety of IP, hosting, application, and security solutions, all of which simply and seamlessly support its customers' businesses.

(1) IDC MarketScape: Mobile Enterprise Services 2010 Vendor Analysis, Doc # 225770, Dec 2010.

(2) IDC White Paper, Sponsored by AT&T: "AT&T Maintains Lead as Top Provider of Global Network Solutions to Multi-National Corporations," Doc# 226339, Dec 2010.

*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. 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 mobile broadband 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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About IDC MarketScape

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.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.