Sehr wichtig für Covad.
Aktie +20% in nur eine Stunde, ich glaube das ist nur der Anfang.
Thursday May 5, 2:30 pm ET
Covad Will Extend Broadband Access to Merged Companies, to Enable Expansion of VoIP Services Out-of-Region, Promote Vigorous Competition in Telecommunications Industry
SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 5, 2005--SBC Communications Inc. (NYSE:SBC - News) and AT&T Corp. (NYSE:T - News) together have reached a services agreement under which Covad Communications Group Inc. (OTCBB:COVD - News) would extend broadband access to the merged companies, which would help the combined entity expand Internet protocol (IP) services, including voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP), out-of-region to consumers and businesses. The deal, effective upon completion of the SBC and AT&T merger, demonstrates the parties' commitment to promoting vigorous competition in the telecommunications industry among product and service providers.
"Consumers will continue to benefit from competition in the provision of telecommunications services, making them the real winners here," said Mark Keiffer, senior vice president-business marketing for SBC. "And agreements such as these will be especially important in enabling SBC, post-merger, to become a more effective out-of-region competitor. We look forward to working with Covad not only in offering services to consumers and businesses outside of our territory, but in building on the excellent relationship that exists between AT&T and Covad today to work to bring additional services to the market, post-merger."
AT&T entered into a long-term commercial agreement with Covad on Jan. 1, 2002, buying high-speed Internet access services for resale. SBC entered into an agreement for similar services with Covad on Nov. 12, 2001. This new commercial agreement, along with the current contracts, would continue past the completion of the SBC-AT&T merger.
SBC and Covad also signed a separate commercial agreement that covers the provision of line-sharing over copper and remote-terminal facilities in SBC's territory for a four-year period. Line-sharing allows communications providers like Covad to deploy high-speed DSL broadband on the same line customers use for their voice phone services.
"These agreements are very important to Covad as they ensure that we will continue to be a strong competitor and supplier to AT&T and SBC now and after their merger," said Charles Hoffman, president and chief executive officer of Covad. "It allows the provision of a robust suite of voice and data services over Covad's extensive network of collocated facilities. In particular, we look forward to supporting the combined company's out-of-region competitive efforts. We are pleased about the opportunity to continue working with SBC and AT&T, and to be a key supplier for the combined entity."
Covad, based in San Jose, Calif., is a leading nationwide provider of broadband voice and data communications for small and medium businesses, and a key supplier of high-speed Internet access for competitive voice and Internet services providers. Founded in 1996, Covad owns and operates the only nationwide DSL broadband network in the United States.
"Covad has been a valuable supplier," said Regina Egea, AT&T vice president of global access strategy and bandwidth product management. "We're very pleased that we will continue to utilize the competitively priced and high-quality services and capabilities of Covad once our merger with SBC is completed and the combined company competes to deliver IP, including VoIP, services around the nation."
Other specific terms of the agreements are not disclosed. Completion of the SBC-AT&T merger is expected by the end of this year or early 2006, following all regulatory and governmental approvals.
SBC Communications Inc. is a Fortune 50 company whose subsidiaries, operating under the SBC brand, provide a full range of voice, data, networking, e-business, directory publishing and advertising, and related services to businesses, consumers and other telecommunications providers. SBC holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which serves 50.4 million wireless customers. SBC companies provide high-speed DSL Internet access lines to more American consumers than any other provider and are among the nation's leading providers of Internet services. SBC companies also offer satellite TV service. Additional information about SBC and SBC products and services is available at www.sbc.com.
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
Covad Communications is a leading nationwide provider of broadband voice and data communications. The company offers DSL, Voice Over IP, T1, Web hosting, managed security, IP and dial-up, and bundled voice and data services directly through Covad's network and through Internet Service Providers, value-added resellers, telecommunications carriers and affinity groups to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad broadband services are currently available across the nation in 44 states and 235 Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and can be purchased by more than 57 million homes and businesses, which represent over 50 percent of all US homes and businesses. Corporate headquarters is located at 110 Rio Robles San Jose, CA 95134. Telephone: 1-888-GO-COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com.
About the Proposed SBC/AT&T Merger:
In connection with the proposed transaction, SBC Communications Inc. ("SBC") filed a registration statement, including a proxy statement of AT&T Corp., with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 11, 2005 (File No. 333-123283). Investors are urged to read the registration and proxy statement (including all amendments and supplements to it) because it contains important information. Investors may obtain free copies of the registration and proxy statement, as well as other filings containing information about SBC and AT&T Corp., without charge, at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov). These documents may also be obtained for free from SBC's Investor Relations web site (www.sbc.com/investor_relations) or by directing a request to SBC Communications Inc., Stockholder Services, 175 E. Houston, San Antonio, Texas 78205. Copies of AT&T Corp.'s filings may be accessed and downloaded for free at the AT&T Investor Relations Web Site (www.att.com/ir/sec) or by directing a request to AT&T Corp., Investor Relations, One AT&T Way, Bedminster, New Jersey 07921.
SBC, AT&T Corp. and their respective directors and executive officers and other members of management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from AT&T shareholders in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding SBC's directors and executive officers is available in SBC's proxy statement for its 2005 annual meeting of stockholders, dated March 11, 2005, and information regarding AT&T Corp.'s directors and executive officers is available in the registration and proxy statement. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants is included in the registration and proxy statement and other relevant documents filed with the SEC.
For SBC-AT&T