TMCnet News
AT&T Inks Data Services Contract with First National Security Co.TMCnet Contributing Editor AT&T just inked a new data services contract with Arkansas-based First National Security Company, a financial services provider with 27 branch locations across the state and 3 branch locations in Oklahoma.
The three-year contract calls for AT&T (News - Alert) to implement a managed data network at all First National Bank locations, using Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Private Network Transport (PNT). With the delivery of an MPLS-based IP network, First National Security Company will implement a scalable network that will provide access to data over AT&T's MPLS-enabled IP backbone. The new system will also provide the bank with increased bandwidth to merge its existing networks and to support future IP applications, such as VoIP. The enhanced system will provide a unified WAN infrastructure, supporting the transport of data from the hub location to any bank branch. AT&T will manage the network, allowing the bank to consolidate its IT resources and deliver improved and expanded customer service.
"We were in search of a provider capable of consolidating our networking tools under a single data solution and delivering connectivity between our headquarters location and our branch offices," noted Ray Mashburn, vice president of Data Processing of First National Security Company in a statement. "With the solution provided by AT&T, we're confident that we will not only connect all locations under one network infrastructure but will also see increased reliability and flexible bandwidth for implementation of future applications."
Today's announcement follows AT&T's recent expansion of its AT&T OPT-E-MAN managed metropolitan optical transport service. The telecom announced on Tuesday that its service will now cover 22 additional cities. This expansion brings the number of metropolitan areas where OPT-E-MAN is available to 41.
The added metropolitan areas are in Columbus, Dayton, Akron/Cuyahoga Falls/Canton, Toledo and Youngstown, Ohio; South Bend, Indiana; Springfield, Rockford and Champaign/Urbana, Illinois; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; El Paso, Corpus Christi, Amarillo and Laredo, Texas; Topeka, Kansas; and Modesto/Stockton/Merced, Fresno, Bakersfield, San Luis Obispo and Redding, California. OPT-E-MAN's original service areas included San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, Kansas City, St. Louis, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Green Bay, Appleton, Madison, Eau Claire and all major metropolitan areas in Connecticut.
AT&T Inc.
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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne's columnist page.
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