General Motors Corp has awarded AT&T a five-year global networking contract worth nearly $1bn (£510m), one of the largest commercial contracts in AT&T's history.

Under the agreement, AT&T will deliver next-generation telecommunications capabilities and support General Motors' third-generation information technology business model, which is designed to ensure General Motors' IT suppliers are working as one, around the world.

'AT&T’s networking expertise and global reach make it uniquely qualified to meet the telecommunications needs of a global, multinational company like ours,' said Ralph Szygenda, group vice president and chief information officer of General Motors.

'This ensures that we have the basic infrastructure in place to give GM employees anywhere in the world the ability to collaborate online in real time on engineering, manufacturing, design and supply-chain.'

AT&T will provide network integration management covering all aspects of GM’s worldwide telecommunications infrastructure, including voice and data applications and systems support.

As part of the agreement, AT&T will be responsible for managing the performance of key regional telecommunications providers around the world, and network management responsibility for participating telephone companies to drive consistent IT service delivery and support.

AT&T will continue to collaborate with GM's Information Systems and Services organisation to support its global business strategy.

The contract renews and expands an existing strategic global relationship in which AT&T provides GM with a global Virtual Private Network (VPN) solution, integrating GM locations around the world.

AT&T’s solution supports a full range of capabilities including local, long distance, global voice mail, conferencing, high speed Internet access and telecommunications business-continuity services.

The network will enable General Motors employees across the enterprise to have the same telecommunications tools, such as common voice mail and conferencing capabilities, and will enjoy the same quality of service whether they’re sitting in the corporate headquarters in Detroit or in a manufacturing facility in Australia.

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