AT&T Implements IP-VPN for HIT Rail B.V.

April 9, 2003 -- (FIND VPN) -- Communications carrier AT&T (ATT.com) announced on Wednesday that it has completed the implementation of a pan-European Internet-based IP VPN solution for jointly-operated railroad IT organization HIT Rail B.V.

The 15-country, 26-site Internet IP-VPN solution, says AT&T, will connect locations across Ausria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, and will be used to connect major European railways across one scalable international network.

HIT Rail will use the solution to provide its customers with an all-IP platform, based on IPSec, for supporting railway freight and passenger applications across Europe. The solution, says AT&T, enables smoother reservation transactions, billing and ticket distribution for railway passengers, and efficient tracking of shipments and wagons for freight customers.

By choosing the AT&T Internet IP-VPN platform, says AT&T, the European railways expects to see cost savings and new efficiencies over its previous international network. The railways will have added flexibility to expand its network to more locations, deploy additional applications and increase bandwidth capabilities.

"We're delighted that HIT Rail has chosen our VPN networking technology," said Jon Stretch, AT&T's vice president responsible for the company's operations in Europe, Middle East and Africa. "We have recently won several contracts in the transport and travel sectors, proving that AT&T has gained the confidence of organizations in these sectors. HIT Rail is an excellent example, since its mission critical international networking needs are a good match for AT&T's innovative solutions and state-of-the-art infrastructure."