BEDMINSTER, NJ— AT&T will begin offering remote wireless access to its industry-leading virtual private network services from more than 2,000 access points in at least 20 countries in the fourth quarter. AT&T is the first carrier to adopt a new WiFi (802.11b) access service from GRIC Communications Inc., Milipitas, CA. AT&T currently uses GRIC to provide remote dial Internet access from more than 140 countries. Because there are no standard authorization protocols for the WiFi industry, each wireless service provider implements its own authorization methodology. GRICs service provides a customized integration and interoperability specification that will allow AT&T to implement GRICs authorization methodology, and provide AT&T a customized solution that will enable it to integrate into its traditional remote access software any hot spot in the world that is currently certified by GRIC and is part of its TierOne Network. This reportedly helps AT&T avoid having to modify its systems and dialer software repeatedly to interoperate with a variety of wireless service providers. AT&T expects that by the fourth quarter it will have completed the integration of GRICs WiFi access points into the AT&T Global Network remote access software and that this new capability will be available at that time in 20 countries to U.S.-based customers of AT&Ts IPSec-based VPNs, with availability for customers outside the U.S. to follow in the first quarter of 2004. AT&T plans to extend WiFi access to its entire IP VPN portfolio in 2004.
