New Delhi: AT&T today announced the rollout of the state-of-the-art 'multi-protocol label switching' (MPLS)-based global communication network for TCS — the first large-scale deployment of an MPLS network for an Indian IT company.

AT&T will provide an MPLS-based internet protocol virtual private network (IP VPN) solution integrating more than 130 TCS locations across North America, South America, Europe and Asia-Pacific - including more than ten 'global delivery centers' that will be connected over the new network.

The Asia-Pacific portion of the network includes Singapore, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia; Hangzhou in China; Yokohama in Japan; and Mumbai and Chennai in India, for which VSNL will provide the network links within and from India.

The first phase of deployment covers 27 sites - ten locations in North America; seven across Europe, Middle East and Africa; seven in Asia Pacific; and three in Central and Latin America. The second phase will cover another 100 TCS locations across the globe and will extend application support for many of the TCS offshore development teams.

Says K Ananth Krishnan, vice president, TCS, "This network knits the global TCS community on one platform and enables a single view of the enterprise from any part of the world. TCS associates across the world can now collaborate and innovate using the knowledge management system, telephony, mail and chat, video conferencing - all available on a single global platform, thanks to our technology partners, AT&T as well as VSNL."

Steve Lowe, vice president of AT&T Asia Pacific, said that cooperation with TCS as its preferred network service provider is a major achievement in one of the world's most dynamic markets. "India has become one of the most exciting and important markets in the world for the telecommunications and technology industries. TCS has established itself as one of India's most successful technology companies and with its rapid expansion worldwide, networking has become TCS' central nervous system. We have committed to keeping more than 130 locations connected at all times and we're thrilled that TCS has entrusted its critical networking business to AT&T. We look forward to supporting their continued success and global expansion."

The IP VPN solution provided by AT&T will serve as the foundation for a single global network for TCS offices all around the world, and support its evolution toward a converged multi-service networking platform, enabling deployment of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) as well as other converged and collaborative services.