AT&T Extends Its Telepresence Solution to Videoconferencing Systems

AT&T announced a new feature that will allow companies to connect their existing videoconferencing systems to the AT&T Telepresence Solution, a fully-managed solution enabled by Cisco TelePresence.

AT&T also made an announcement about its forthcoming plans to double the number of Cisco (News - Alert) TelePresence rooms deployed at AT&T locations across the United States and globally.

Using the AT&T global MPLS-based VPN platform, the AT&T Telepresence (News - Alert) Solution offers an "in-person" meeting experience. This multipoint meeting capability allows to meet with employees, suppliers, partners, in multiple locations around the world, while retaining a high level of security on  VPN network.

Regarding its new telepresence interoperability feature, by the end of 2Q 2009, it is expected that companies will be able to connect their existing H.323 compatible legacy videoconferencing systems with the AT&T (News - Alert) Telepresence Solution, with a cost-effective solution.

The new feature allows intra-company conferencing, existing SD (standard definition) or Internet Protocol-based videoconferencing systems to participate as an end-point when a Cisco TelePresence session begins. Companies that have already made investments in video-conferencing technology will now be able to use their technology with the AT&T Telepresence Solution.

Ronald Spears, president and CEO of AT&T Business Solutions, said, "This is another example of the way in which AT&T is working with companies to extend the value of their existing investments, while introducing them to leading-edge technology like the AT&T Telepresence Solution."

"In these challenging times, we're doing all that we can to help companies improve productivity and collaboration in the most cost-effective way," added Spears.

For its internal communication, AT&T has been using its own managed Telepresence solution for over a year. AT&T currently has more than 25 sites deployed in the U.S. and globally including recently added rooms in London and Hong Kong, with plans to double the number of Telepresence rooms by the second half of this year.

"Since launching the AT&T Telepresence Solution within our own operations, AT&T has experienced a significant improvement in collaboration across our business units and increased employee productivity, as well as realizing a savings of nearly 10 percent in travel costs," further adds Spears.

"Since we joined forces with AT&T last year, our companies have seen strong demand from the international business community for the fully managed intercompany service for Cisco TelePresence," said Marthin De Beer, senior vice president and general manager, Emerging Technologies Group, Cisco. "In addition, both AT&T and Cisco are actively using the intercompany Cisco TelePresence Exchange, which in turn is enabling real-time collaboration, delivering travel-cost savings and other efficiencies in key verticals."