AT&T And GE Sign Global Alliance Agreement For Machine-To-Machine Solutions

GE Will Use AT&T's Global Network, Mobility Assets and M2M Expertise to allow wireless connectivity for "Industrial Internet" Solutions

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AT&T

Oct 09, 2013, 09:09 ET

DALLAS, Oct. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* and GE today announced they have signed a global alliance agreement to allow GE machines to connect to the AT&T network and cloud, creating the first highly-secure wireless communications system for GE's "Industrial Internet."

The companies expect their machine-to-machine (M2M) communications system will allow customers to benefit from increased productivity. Workers using the system will be able to remotely track, monitor, record and operate GE machinery, virtually anywhere in the world.

AT&T and GE plan to develop offerings that meld AT&T network technologies, single Global SIM (subscriber identity module), device expertise, security, and cloud access for industrial products like electric vehicle chargers, lighting and engines. The companies also plan to collaborate in the AT&T Foundry® innovation center to build M2M solutions for GE's software platform Predix™ that can proactively maintain and remotely control industrial machines.

"Imagine a world where an airline for example can remotely monitor, diagnose and resolve issues with its fleet engines virtually anywhere in the world," said Andy Geisse, Chief Executive Officer, AT&T Business Solutions. "GE's vision of the Industrial Internet combined with our global network and leadership in machine-to-machine solutions are a powerful combination to help businesses realize the benefits of connected machines."

"GE's collaboration with AT&T validates our shared and common vision for the Industrial Internet," said Bill Ruh, Vice President and Corporate Officer, GE Software. "Together, we see a future where the intersection of people, data and brilliant machines will have an enormous impact on the productivity and efficiency of industries around the world. By connecting machines to the network and the cloud, we are taking an important step to enable workers all around the world to track, monitor, and operate our machinery wirelessly and remotely through highly secure and machine-to-machine communications."

AT&T is a global leader in developing and deploying M2M communications and has a proven M2M success record, with millions of emerging devices connected to its network, and the company has been recognized by industry analysts for its solutions deployment experience and capability. AT&T experienced a 38% increase in number of M2M customers over the last year.

In the 2012 M2M Scorecard for Communications Service Providers, analyst firm Analysys Mason named AT&T an Industry icon. The report noted "AT&T received top scores in M2M partnerships, M2M R&D and M2M organizational structure. AT&T has excelled in crafting its partnership strategy and internal organization. Its R&D focus – both in core research and solution development – is superlative."

AT&T's Outstanding Network

AT&T has the fastest and now most reliable 4G LTE network in the U.S., as supported by independent third-party data.** The great performance of AT&T's 4G LTE network continues to be validated by independent third-party testing:

AT&T's 4G LTE service was recognized as having faster average download and upload speeds than any of its competitors in PCWorld/TechHive's most recent 20-market speed tests – the second consecutive year that AT&T has ranked 1st overall. PCWorld/TechHive also ranked AT&T's as the fastest combination of 3G and 4G services in the 20 cities it tested. ***
AT&T was named America's fastest 4G LTE network in PC Magazine's 2013 Fastest Mobile Networks 30-market study – and also swept the top rankings in all six U.S. regions from coast to coast: Northeast, Southeast, North-Central, South-Central, Northwest and Southwest. ****

For more information on this global alliance agreement, please visit: http://networkingexchangeblog.att.com/enterprise-business/coming-together-for-innovation-in-m2m/

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

** Speed claim based on comparison of national carriers' average 4G LTE download speeds. Reliability claim compares data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. LTE is a trademark of ETSI. 4G LTE not available everywhere.

*** PCWorld/TechHive, May 23, 2013, "AT&T clocks best overall speeds with 3G/4G combo"

**** PC Magazine, June 17, 2013; http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420333,00.asp

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

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© 2013 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

4G LTE speed claim based on national carriers' average 4G LTE download speeds. Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability varies.

AT&T Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

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