AT&T and BT Announce Inter-Provider Telepresence Connectivity

DALLAS and LONDON, Nov. 30, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* and BT announced today the commercial availability of the industry's first inter-provider exchange-to-exchange telepresence meeting capability. The new connection between AT&T and BT telepresence exchanges allows their business customers to schedule telepresence meetings and to connect their telepresence endpoints seamlessly.

With the new inter-provider telepresence capability, AT&T and BT customers can now meet "face to face" from their Cisco TelePresence® endpoints with an expanded network of customers and suppliers. Last summer, customers piloted this capability and successfully conducted numerous meetings between AT&T and BT telepresence locations.

AT&T and BT telepresence customers will enjoy a consistent service experience when using this new feature of their existing telepresence service. For example, AT&T customers may schedule business-to-business meetings involving a BT endpoint using the AT&T Telepresence Solution® scheduling portal in the same way they schedule business-to-business meetings today, and BT's telepresence customers will be able to do the same on BT's scheduling portal. Customers will continue to rely on their respective service providers as a single point of contact for meeting support, assistance, and billing.

Additionally, key features such as encrypted connections will be available and can be established for highly sensitive meetings to ensure both AT&T and BT customers enjoy the same high level of security as today's business-to-business telepresence meetings. In the future, AT&T and BT customers will also have access to a directory that will help them determine what other registered organizations and locations are accessible through the inter-provider connection.

Brian Washburn, research analyst at Current Analysis, said: "AT&T and BT's exchange-to-exchange connection marks a significant milestone in the industry. Exchange-to-exchange telepresence is a major stride forward in building smooth, end-to-end telepresence experiences for customers across network boundaries worldwide, and advancing Cisco's efforts to support inter-provider connectivity for telepresence."

Kevin Peters, chief marketing officer, AT&T Business Solutions, said: "Businesses are recognizing the value of telepresence as an effective global collaboration tool, and we're seeing increasing adoption of our AT&T Telepresence Solution quarter after quarter by both small and large businesses across industries. The inter-provider connectivity established with BT is an important step forward for the industry and underscores our commitment to expanding the network of accessible telepresence locations for our customers and increasing the value of their investments."

Chris Clark, managing director, BT Enterprise, said: "This is good news for BT and AT&T customers.  Companies are looking for ways to make employees more productive, reduce carbon emissions, lower travel-related costs and create a competitive advantage. Being able to connect across telepresence networks greatly expands the reach and value of the service and maximizes the business benefits. With this industry-first, BT and AT&T are changing the way businesses collaborate. It is a testament to our commitment to unified communications and telepresence."

Today's announcement marks the latest of many joint BT and AT&T projects that are delivering benefits to customers across more than 100 countries today. Collaboration between the companies continues to offer tremendous potential for customers and both companies alike.      

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

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About BT

BT is one of the world's leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale. In the year ended 31 March 2010, BT Group's revenue was pounds Sterling 20,911 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

SOURCE AT&T Inc.