DIRECTV Tunes In To Expanded AT&T Contract
23 February 2005
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- 23 Feb, 2005 -- AT&T announced today that it has expanded its decade-long relationship with DIRECTV, Inc., the nation’s leading provider of digital multichannel television service, with a new three-year networking contract valued at more than $69 million.
The agreement ensures that DIRECTV is better able to control costs while gaining the flexibility it needs to continue to support its customer service operations and its entire enterprise. The agreement will provide DIRECTV with the ability to roll out new Internet Protocol (IP)-based technologies, like Voice Over IP (VoIP), in its call center support networks and enterprise networks. DIRECTV provides digital multichannel television service to more than 13.9 million customers nationwide.
“In such a competitive industry, it was absolutely critical that our network gives us the ability to react quickly to customer demand and marketplace dynamics,” said Robert Pacek, executive vice president and chief information officer, DIRECTV, Inc. “AT&T not only provides the critical voice services and features that are the backbone of our Customer Service, but also the data network that supports our entire Enterprise.”
DIRECTV also has access to an AT&T wide-area networking solution that enables the company to effectively communicate with customers, employees, and business partners. A key component in that communication channel is the secure AT&T customer portal, AT&T BusinessDirectâ, which provides operational efficiencies, including around-the-clock, online access to real-time reports on network performance and direct connection to trouble management systems.Use of the portal, allows DIRECTV and its business partners to monitor the data network, troubleshoot potential problems and resolve issues quickly and easily.
About DIRECTV
DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider with more than 13.9 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (NYSE:DTV). The DIRECTV Group is a world-leading provider of digital multichannel television entertainment, broadband satellite networks and services. The DIRECTV Group is 34 percent owned by Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News Corporation.
About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE 'T') has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
