Enbridge Midcoast Energy, L.P., an indirect subsidiary of Enbridge, Inc. has a new three-year, $9 million (USD) networking contract with AT&T Inc. to integrate an advanced Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) solution.
The agreement renews and expands a long-standing relationship between the two companies and also provides Enbridge with significant savings for these services.
Energy distribution company Enbridge owns and operates Canada's largest natural gas distribution company, and provides distribution services to 1.8 million customers in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and New York State. Enbridge employs approximately 4,500 people, primarily in Canada, the U.S. and South America.
AT&T's global networking platform will incorporate AT&T's Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, connecting more than 225 Enbridge sites across the United States and Canada. AT&T's MPLS network includes more than 1,500 nodes with service availability in more than 127 countries.
The AT&T solution enables Enbridge employees to easily and securely access data and applications residing on a particular server, providing Enbridge's staff access to real-time information about the natural gas, crude oil, natural gas liquids and other liquid hydrocarbons flowing through their pipelines.
"We transport more than 2 million barrels of liquid hydrocarbons each day across North America and each day deliver about 5 billion cubic feet of natural gas, so it is critical that we have real-time access to accurate information," said Ben Backor, director of transportation services and information systems at Enbridge's Houston office. "AT&T's networking solutions provide the security, stability and reliability we expect and the service and value we demand."
In addition to enabling more effective communications between Enbridge's Houston office and its hundreds of field locations throughout North America, the AT&T solution will provide secure high-speed connectivity for fast and easy access to company databases and online applications.
AT&T also provides Enbridge with video and audio conferencing, domestic and international long distance and toll-free services.
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian company, is a leader in energy transportation and distribution in North America and internationally. As a transporter of energy, Enbridge operates, in Canada and the U.S., the world's longest crude oil and liquids transportation system. The Company also has international operations and a growing involvement in the natural gas transmission and midstream businesses.
AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high-speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with more than 55.8 million wireless customers.
