AT&T said Wednesday that it was
implementing its acquisition of the IBM Global Network’s operations in Hong
Kong, Korea and New Zealand.
After completion of all acquisition phases, AT&T will have expanded its
Internet service operations in 11 Asian markets.
Approximately 350 employees are transferring to AT&T in Australia, China,
India, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South
Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The process is expected to be completed by the
end of the year.
AT&T has renamed the IBM Global Network business AT&T Global Network
Services (AGNS) and said it will become part of the AT&T Solutions Group,
the company’s network professional services unit.
The long distance giant’s purchase of the IBM Global Network business for
US$5 billion in cash is occurring in phases throughout 1999.
AT&T recently appointed Jonathan Stretch as Global Network Services Vice
President and General Manager, Asia/Pacific. His responsibilities include
sales, customer support, and portfolio profitability in the Asia/Pacific
region.
“My first priority in working with the AGNS Asia Pacific and the Korea
leadership team, and the rest of the AT&T Global Network Services team, is
to assure that all of our customers continue to experience the highest
possible level of service,” said Stretch.