AT&T joins the cloud computing game
AT&T said Tuesday that it will offer cloud computing services via a new service dubbed AT&T Synaptic Hosting.
The telecom giant described Synaptic as a "next-generation utility computing service with managed networking, security and storage for businesses." That's a fancy way to say AT&T is offering a cloud computing service. AT&T's service (statement) is built with technology acquired from USinternetworking and the company's five "super IDCs." AT&T has 38 IDCs, or Internet data centers, spread across the globe.
These five super IDCs--based in Piscataway, N.J.; San Diego; Annapolis, Md.; Singapore and Amsterdam--will be the hub for AT&T's cloud computing services. AT&T said its initial effort will support on demand services across the company's hosting services. Ultimately, this cloud buildout will be coupled with AT&T's regional network for enterprise strength service.
AT&T is just the latest company to join the cloud computing game. Everyone from traditional IT giants like HP and IBM to Amazon and Google have cloud computing services catering to companies ranging from enterprise giants to startups.