AT&T's development of the single backbone MPLS network will supply additional bandwidth to the VA's current network and supports the VA's dual-carrier architecture with reliability, efficiency and value. The contract was awarded last year under the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Technology Service (FTS) 2001 Long Distance Crossover program.

AT&T will enable the VA to add more bandwidth, redundancy and performance by migrating approximately 48 distribution and core layer sites to the AT&T MPLS Private Network Transport Service. The MPLS network is a state-of-the-art Virtual Private Network (VPN) that is the nation's first and highest bandwidth all-MPLS network (OC-768) and is based on a highly secure and scalable IP-based infrastructure.

"Today, more and more agencies have to expand their existing bandwidth requirements in order to meet their mission-critical objectives," said Don Herring, president of AT&T Government Solutions. "With our networking expertise and IT services capabilities, AT&T can help the VA meet these objectives by reaping the technology and operational benefits of the largest MPLS network in the country. Our secure, scalable Internet Protocol (IP) network can help VA offices and hospitals meet the important needs of veterans throughout the country."

As a leading worldwide provider of network-enabled solutions and IP-based communications services to the federal government, AT&T will provide networking services such as engineering and design, network monitoring, on-site installation and integration, program management and router services for the network migration.

"AT&T's IP VPN Service will provide the VA with numerous network access options, enhanced redundancy features, multiple classes of service and above all, simplicity," said Herring - AT&T.