AT&T last week announced its VoIP plans for the year, saying it will integrate VoIP into all its data services, roll out new voice applications and offer VoIP services throughout its local markets.

The company is among a handful of carriers developing their VoIP offerings. BellSouth, Global Crossing MCI, Savvis Communications and Sprint also are readying offerings.

"We are accelerating our VoIP plans based on what we're learning from our customers and what they're asking us for," says AT&T's Pat Traynor, vice president of network integration.

That acceleration covers three dimensions: VoIP networking, application development and equipment interoperability, she says.

Traynor says all AT&T's data services will support VoIP by year-end. And she says AT&T in May will roll out its Enhanced VPN service, which is a fully managed Multi-protocol-Label-Switching-based VPN that supports voice and data. The carrier also will support VoIP over its IP Enabled Frame Relay service, standard ATM and frame relay offerings.

Ryla Teleservices has used AT&T's Managed Internet Service with VoIP support for two years and wouldn't consider switching.

"We're saving 30% compared to traditional telephony services," says Robb Duke, director of marketing at the contact management outsourcing company in Woodstock, Ga. The company doesn't have to pay for usage, and the predictable costs make for easier budgeting.

The company has 13 T-1 access circuits at its headquarters. It divides which channels support voice or data and it has worked flawlessly, he says.

Ryla also is keeping an eye on telework VoIP services AT&T is developing. These include network-based VoIP services that will extend the same features and functionality as headquarters, such as four-digit dialing, conferencing and voice mail, to small-office or home-office users.

The service is called Independent Teleworker and is scheduled to launch midyear. Traynor says it will let employees use their DSL or cable modem Internet connections to support voice.

"Teleworking is part of our business plan," Duke says. Although Ryla doesn't know exactly when it will support teleworkers, the company knows it wants to be able to extend the same VoIP capabilities it enjoys at headquarters, he says.