Global Network purchase brings IBM brains to AT&T

As AT&T announced last week that it had completed the U.S. phase of its acquisition of IBM's Global Network-rechristened the AT&T Global Network-it revealed plans for new services that leverage IBM's security and networking expertise.

The cornerstone of AT&T's virtual private network offering will be an IBM-developed remote access platform.

"What's been built within the network is the ability to pick up traffic from remote locations and deliver it to [Systems Network Architecture] networks, [Internet protocol] backbones, the Internet, transaction networks and the rest on a common platform," said William Gewirtz, managing partner at AT&T Solutions. "As we integrate that with AT&T Global Venture frame and IP networks, we will be able to provide [narrowband or broadband] access to a set of backbone networks, building the world's premiere set of secure global VPNs."

The remote access platform was IBM intellectual property that passed to AT&T and is built by a vendor to IBM specifications, said Frank Dzubeck, president of Communications Network Architects.

"Large Fortune 500 companies require employees not to be tethered," said Dzubeck. "[With this platform], they get to have access to everything they do normally. Whether they're at home, in the office or on the road, it looks the same."

AT&T Global Network-which will be headed by Gary Weis, who came from IBM, and operates as a unit of AT&T Solutions Group-also may leverage IBM's security expertise.

"One of the services a lot of our customers are asking for-the ability to transit from frame relay networks reliably to the Internet with virtual firewall capability-is one we hope to bring to market jointly with IBM capability linked to the AT&T network," said Gewirtz.

The companies also are working together on management platforms for embedded devices to remotely manage gas pumps, thermostats and the like, he said.

AT&T hopes to complete its acquisition of the IBM network by the end of year, subject to regulatory approvals in other countries.