AT&T Unveils Plans To Expand Global Business Network

Although it's still in the process of being acquired by SBC Communications, AT&T announced Thursday that it is making a sweeping expansion of its global networks, including IP VPN-based services that are aimed at business customers.

The deployments and upgrades range from new access nodes in China and India to increased Wi-Fi build outs and WiMAX trials.

"With these latest enhancements, we continue to drive deeply into the global markets where most of our enterprise customers do business today," said AT&T Chairman and CEO David Dorman in a statement.

In addition to new access nodes for China and India, AT&T said it is deploying nodes in Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Malaysia, Qatar, Panama, and the United Arab Emirates. The firm said it has established network interconnections with China Netcom and China Telecom to complement earlier interconnections with China's Unisiti. Other in-country interconnections are being established in Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and the U.K.

AT&T also said it is beefing up its access technologies, for instance, it plans to increase its global Wi-Fi hotspot total to 15,000 and wired Ethernet to more than 1,700. WiMAX trials are underway in New Jersey and Georgia, the firm said. DSL is expanding into Europe and Asia.In agreeing to acquire AT&T, SBC--a former "Baby Bell"--noted that its former "Ma Bell" had built a powerful network for business users.

Former Baby Bell Verizon Communications is in the process of acquiring MCI, which also has a network serving business customers.