PULSE EFT Selects AT&T to Strengthen its Data Network

AT&T has won a five-year, multi-million dollar integrated networking contract to expand and enrich PULSEs data and voice networking capabilities, enabling the network to process electronic transactions faster, with enhanced security and reliability and at PULSEs continued low per-transaction cost. The contract encompasses communications network services and hardware provisioning. Enhancing the capabilities of the PULSE virtual network helps us achieve our overall business goal to continue providing member financial institutions, merchants and processors with access to low-cost, high-quality switching and settlement services, said Warren Coles, executive vice president of operations and chief operating officer of PULSE. AT&Ts integrated networking solution has exceeded PULSEs expectations in terms of system reliability, and AT&T makes it easier for us to expand our network as our business grows. According to a recent nationwide consumer payment preference study released by the American Bankers Association, increases in debit payments are steadily eroding the use of cash and checks. In 2003, 31 percent of payments were made with debit cards - up from 21 percent in 1999. The fact that AT&T has the largest domestic network footprint is important to us on several levels; it provides increased reliability and flexibility, while also enhancing business continuity capabilities. The AT&T solution combines a portfolio of local, long-distance and private-line data, Internet Protocol and voice services. The contract renews and significantly expands a long-standing relationship between the two companies.