DALLAS and REDMOND, Wash.,
July 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ --
AT&T Communications and Microsoft Corp. are embarking on an
extensive, multiyear alliance where the two companies will apply
technologies, including cloud, AI, and 5G, to improve how people
live and work today and in the future. Microsoft will be the
preferred cloud provider for non-network applications, as part of
AT&T's broader public cloud first strategy, and will support
AT&T as it consolidates its data center infrastructure and
operations.
AT&T is becoming a "public cloud first" company by migrating
most non-network workloads to the public cloud by 2024. That
initiative will allow AT&T to focus on core network
capabilities, accelerate innovation for its customers, and empower
its workforce while optimizing costs.
As part of the agreement, AT&T will provide much of its
workforce with robust cloud-based productivity and collaboration
tools available with Microsoft 365, and plans to migrate
non-network infrastructure applications to the Microsoft Azure
cloud platform.
AT&T and Microsoft will together help enable a future of
ubiquitous computing through edge technologies and 5G. AT&T was
the first to introduce mobile 5G in the
United States and expects to have nationwide 5G by the
first half of 2020. Microsoft will tap into the innovation AT&T
is offering on its 5G network, including to design, test, and build
edge-computing capabilities. With edge computing and a
lower-latency 5G connection enabled through AT&T's
geographically dispersed network infrastructure, devices can
process data closer to where decisions are made. Recently,
Microsoft and AT&T worked together to test an edge
computing-based tracking and detection system for drones. With more
connected devices and the growing demand for streaming content from
movies to games, businesses and consumers require ever-increasing
network capabilities.
The global scale of Microsoft's Azure cloud and AT&T's
domestic 5G capabilities will enable unique solutions for the
companies' mutual customers. The companies will bring to market
integrated industry solutions including in the areas of voice,
collaboration and conferencing, intelligent edge and networking,
IoT, public safety, and cyber security. The companies already have
joint enterprise solutions for networking, IoT, and blockchain in
market, and expect to announce additional services later in 2019.
The two companies envision scenarios with 5G enabling
near-instantaneous communications for a first responder who is
using AI-powered live voice translation to quickly communicate with
someone in need who speaks a different language.
"AT&T and Microsoft are among the most committed companies
to fostering technology that serves people," said John Donovan, CEO, AT&T
Communications. "By working together on common efforts around
5G, the cloud, and AI, we will accelerate the speed of innovation
and impact for our customers and our communities."
"AT&T is at the forefront of defining how advances in
technology, including 5G and edge computing, will transform every
aspect of work and life," said Satya
Nadella, CEO, Microsoft. "The world's leading companies run
on our cloud, and we are delighted that AT&T chose Microsoft to
accelerate its innovation. Together, we will apply the power of
Azure and Microsoft 365 to transform the way AT&T's workforce
collaborates and to shape the future of media and communications
for people everywhere."
In addition to their technology collaboration, AT&T and
Microsoft will work together on technology-enabled approaches and
solutions aimed at social good. Both companies have been focused on
addressing sustainability, accessibility, and community challenges
such as homelessness and see an opportunity to support each other's
work to address urgent social needs, including Microsoft's
affordable housing initiative and the AT&T Believes
campaign.
About AT&T Communications
We help family, friends
and neighbors connect in meaningful ways every day. From the
first phone call 140+ years ago to mobile video streaming, we
innovate to improve lives. We have the nation's fastest wireless
network.* And according to America's biggest test, we have the
nation's best wireless network.** We're building FirstNet just for
first responders and creating next-generation mobile 5G. With
DIRECTV, DIRECTV NOW and WatchTV, we deliver entertainment people
love to talk about. Our smart, highly secure solutions serve nearly
3 million global businesses - nearly all of the Fortune 1000. And
worldwide, our spirit of service drives employees to give back to
their communities.
AT&T Communications is part of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T). Learn
more at att.com/CommunicationsNews.
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. Additional information about
AT&T products and services is available at about.att.com.
Follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at
facebook.com/att and on YouTube at youtube.com/att.
© 2019 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved.
AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service
marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated
companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of
their respective owners.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking
Statements
Information set forth in this news 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.
This news release may contain certain non-GAAP financial
measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures
and the GAAP financial measures are available on the company's
website at https://investors.att.com.
*Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
average download speeds for Q2 2019.
**GWS OneScore, September
2018.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital transformation
for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its
mission is to empower every person and every organization on the
planet to achieve more.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/att-and-microsoft-announce-a-strategic-alliance-to-deliver-innovation-with-cloud-ai-and-5g-300886310.html
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.