AT&T and KDD of Japan launch global switched digital service at 384 KBPS.

BEDMINSTER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 23, 1995--AT&T and KDD, overseas communications Japan, today announced the availability of switched 384 kilobits per second (kbps) ISDN service between the U.S. and Japan, providing businesses with advanced networking capabilities that will improve the efficiency,

Switched 384 kbps digital service is an advanced ISDN communications solution that provides customers with exceptional videoconferencing, router-to-router interconnection, and bulk data transfer applications.

"Switched 384 is part of an award-winning service platform that enables our customers to transmit important information with the reliability, quality, and efficiency that they expect from AT&T," said Dick Slezak, managing director, AT&T global switched digital services. "Japanese multinational corporations subscribing to switched 384 kbps service can expect even greater access to locations within the United States as we expand our 384 points of presence by 40 percent in the first half of 1995."

The usage sensitive pricing and flexible availability of this high-speed switched digital service makes it cost-effective for applications such as videoconferencing which require large amounts of bandwidth on demand.

The service provides a contiguous 384 kbps channel for maximum throughput and high performance, making it appropriate for imaging, telemedicine, and electronic document distribution applications. Distribution of legal documents, photographs and blueprints can be delivered with near picture-perfect accuracy at a cost-effective rate.

"KDD business customers require the highest quality of services and cost efficiency," said Toshika Ueda, manager of ISDN at KDD. "With this service, customer requirements are perfectly met because the price of switched 384 kbps service is economical in comparison with that of switched 64 kbps service and the service is provided in cooperation with AT&T. Our customers can depend on KDD and AT&T for the best service and value for their global networking needs."

AT&T's Global Switched Digital Services won Data Communications magazine's 1994 Users' Choice Awards and made Network World magazine's 1994 Short List of inter-exchanging carriers for switched digital services.

Videoconferencing using 384 kbps service can reduce the need for expensive international travel by allowing people to meet face-to-face using a video or computer screen while they collaborate and share data.

Other features and applications include:

o Real time access to remote databases

o LAN-to-LAN interconnection

o High speed distribution of compressed film clips and documents

The service provides usage sensitive billing in which customers pay only for the duration of the call in six second increments after an initial period of up to thirty seconds.

AT&T works with leading equipment vendors to provide compatibility with high performance videoconferencing systems, multiplexers, routers, Group 4 facsimile machines, and other applications ware.

KDD is Japan's principal international telecommunications carrier and global leader in the industry. The company is dedicated to maintaining its strong position in the industry by using its extensive resources in cooperation with overseas carriers to develop and provide innovative international telecommunications services that meet the increasingly sophisticated and diverse needs of customers.

AT&T is the world's networking leader, providing communications services and products, as well as network equipment and computer systems, to businesses, consumers, telecommunications providers and government agencies.

CONTACT: AT&T

Patricia Allen, 908/658-6676(office) or 908/873-3207(home)

or

KDD

Shiro Ashida, +81-3-3275-4731 (from overseas) or

+0120-309100 (domestic toll-free Japan)