AT&T serves up cloud connectivity for VMware customers

AT&T (NYSE: T) is tapping into the popularity of VMware, announcing that they will provide low latency private cloud network connectivity for VMware vCloud Air customers using AT&T's NetBond solution.

The two companies will enable customers to connect to VMware vCloud Air using AT&T's Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS)-based private network solution.

This latest partnership--one of many that AT&T has established as part of its growing User-Defined Network Cloud program--is focused on addressing business customers' move to deploy hybrid cloud solutions linking existing data centers with off-premises cloud infrastructure.

As a combined solution, AT&T will pair its VPN networking capabilities with VMware's hybrid cloud platform. One of the benefits for business customers is that they can dynamically connect to VMware vCloud Air from any location on their private corporate networks. 

The new solution is expected to be available in the first half of 2015.

Partnering with major cloud vendors such as VMware is important to AT&T as it continues to expand its User-Defined Network Cloud program since it provides greater flexibility and reach for business customers. Other partners that AT&T has invited to the cloud party include Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU), Fujitsu and salesforce.com.

Cloud services have been a major driver for AT&T on both the customer-facing side and as a way to improve its internal IT processes. In 2013, the telco said it put nearly 20 percent of its internal apps into the cloud. It said it is on track will be an entirely cloud-based enterprise by the next three to five years.

For more:
- see the release

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