News Releases
GSA Extends AT&T and Sprint FTS2000 Bridge ContractsGSA # 9769 December 7, 2000
According to Sandy Bates, FTS Commissioner, "Continuity of service is essential - we cannot and will not leave our customers stranded. Now it is time to move full speed ahead to get onto the new networks." In general, prices under both the Sprint and AT&T extensions revert to those in effect in January 1999. Promotional prices that were offered during fiscal year 2000 to match FTS2001 price levels were discontinued. In addition, volume based pricing for switched voice service was reintroduced hence unit costs will climb as usage declines. The AT&T contract requires a fee of $8 million to maintain FTS2000 systems for program management, provisioning, billing and emergency monitoring beyond December 6, 2000. Some agencies will incur additional costs because of increases in standby charges for excess capacity. Frank Lalley, Assistant Commissioner for Service Delivery, whose organization manages both FTS2000 and FTS2001 programs, stated "Certainly we would have preferred to shut FTS2000 down on December 6 as planned. However, as a practical matter agencies must have more time to move." Index of News Releases
Last Reviewed 8/22/2005
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