AT&T will expand RIC's bandwidth by implementing a fully managed switched-optical Ethernet service to 14 RIC locations throughout Chicago.

AT&T Inc. yesterday announced a new optical and data-networking services contract with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), a rehabilitation hospital in the country.

Under the terms of the five-year contract, AT&T companies will expand RIC's bandwidth by implementing a fully managed switched-optical Ethernet service to 14 RIC locations throughout Chicago. With additional bandwidth and redundancy, RIC will be able to securely transmit Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications and data traffic among the organization's locations, improving productivity and overall patient care. AT&T companies will also provide RIC with dedicated Internet access to digital high-speed connectivity that's always available. AT&T companies are the primary provider of voice and data services to RIC.

"We wanted to uphold our reputation as the best rehabilitation hospital in America by working with a communications provider that could help us expand our capabilities and improve our productivity," said Tim McKula, CIO, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. "We're confident that AT&T companies will provide us with high-quality equipment and services to help us effectively care for our patients."

"We're thrilled to serve the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago," said Vicki Jones, President-Business Communications Services, AT&T Global Services, Inc. "Our optical services will allow RIC's doctors, administrators, and health care providers to utilize new technologies that will help reduce inefficiencies so that they can focus on their most important business: their patients."