FE aQ 0 Bi E ws s4 ve au 1 Va monace Vyp> 88 a 36% Inierhome wet 42 ae a ess: 14 e y' 313 2% 1A IntermSysin At a A te 4 1% 94 -t \4 - Tips Help You Choose Telecom Providers for choosing a local service provider,” said Mike Lauricella, program manager for small and medium business market analysis at the Yankee Group. “There’s never been a more challenging time, and more importanttime, for businesses to make smart telecom services purchasing decisions.” Here are highlights from the Buyer’s Guide to help you choose a service provider: Find The Right Carrier For Your Needs: Determineif you need local, long distance, Before choosing local telecom service, ask a lot of questions and checkthe provider’s finan- cials as well as its services. (NAPSA)—You may want to get down to business whenit comes to evaluating which telecommunications service provider might work best for your company. Research shows that businesses welcome the opportunity to choose a local service provider just as they can select their own long-distance carrier. In one study, nearly one- third of corporate customers said they were likely to switch local carriers if a viable alternative was available. A buyer’s guide can help businesses ask the right questions so they can make smart buying deci- sions. AT&T, which developed the Local Telecommunications Service Buyers Guide, suggests that com- panies examinetheviability of the provider, the service offered, coverage area and price, as well as customerservice and support. “AT&T is taking the lead and lending its industry expertise to businesses by offering these tips voice, data, Internet access, security features or otherservices. Look for one providerthat can doit all—or choose the best in each area. Seek Savings Opportunities: Best price does not always guarantee the best service for your needs. You should notsacrifice quality to save money. Buying a bundle of services from one vendorcanlead to increased savings. Look Beyond Sales Literature: Do your research. Check out Websites, as well as media coverage, and even consult a third party such asthe Better Business Bureau or an industry analyst. Service Is Essential: Where can youcall with a question or problem and what are the hours of coverage? How quickly are calls answered? AT&T (NYSE: T) is among the world’s premier voice, video and data communications companies. More information about AT&T’s local services for businesses and a copy of the Buyer’s Guide are available at www.att.com/localtoo, or you can call 1-800-222-0400.
