AT&T; Offers Integrated Voice, Data Services

AT&T; Corp., the nation’s largest telephone company, unveiled new services that allow businesses to transmit voice and data traffic on one integrated network, following the lead of rivals who offer similar services. The new AT&T; Integrated Network Connection combines voice and different types of high-speed data traffic on one network, instead of separate networks. The service is being tested and should be generally available in the second half of the year, AT&T; said. INC allows customers to shift toward more modern, Internet-based technology without having to abandon their existing equipment. The system automatically reacts to customers’ needs to transmit different types of network traffic, then allocates network space accordingly. AT&T;’s long-awaited announcement follows similar services introduced by Sprint Corp. and MCI WorldCom Inc., analysts said. Shares of AT&T; fell $2.75 to close at $86.88 on the New York Stock Exchange.