AT&T Leads the Future of the Connected Car - Announces New AT&T Drive Studio and Global AT&T Drive Platform

DALLAS, Jan. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As 4G LTE networks reach more and more people in the US, virtually every automobile manufacturer is working toward a connected car that takes advantage of next-generation data speeds, from voice-controlled apps and infotainment to advanced diagnostics.

AT&T* today announced two major initiatives to lead innovation in the connected car market – a first-of-its-kind connected car center in Atlanta, called the AT&T Drive Studio, and a modular, global automotive platform called AT&T Drive.

Located in Atlanta, the more than 5,000-square foot AT&T Drive Studio features working garage bays, a speech lab, a full showroom to exhibit the latest innovations, conference facilities, and much more.  The AT&T Drive Studio integrates AT&T solutions across multiple companies, and serves as a  hub where AT&T can respond to needs of automotive manufacturers and the auto ecosystem at large.

"We're making a significant commitment to lead the future of the connected car with the launch of the AT&T Drive Studio and our AT&T Drive platform," said Glenn Lurie, president, AT&T Emerging Enterprises and Partnerships, AT&T Mobility. "Our goal is to be the best carrier for connected car innovation in the world."

AT&T Drive Studio

AT&T is the first carrier to open a dedicated facility for connected car innovation and research. Called the AT&T Drive Studio, it will be the premier location for creating the future of connected cars.  

Located just blocks away from AT&T's newest Foundry innovation center in Atlanta, the AT&T Drive Studio is a working lab where AT&T tests and develops technologies to enhance the driving experience, by improving safety, convenience and entertainment. 

The Atlanta Foundry, AT&T's fourth such space, is dedicated to new wireless services, like the connected home, car and other consumer electronics.  Ideas started in these innovation centers will be integrated into AT&T Drive within the Drive Studio in Atlanta.

"The sky's the limit in the Drive Studio," said Chris Penrose, senior vice president, emerging devices, AT&T Mobility. "We're going to work here with automakers to build innovative new solutions to make the in-car experience better for the driver and passengers, all doing so safely, with a focus on minimizing driver distraction.  We're also going to use this facility to extend our relationship with the developer community and drive new applications and services focused specifically on the car and their end users."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49onIYrk5GU

AT&T Drive Studio showcases end-to-end solutions that AT&T and its contributors can provide automotive manufacturers around the world.  Significant ecosystem players are committed to the Drive Studio and will work alongside AT&T, including Accenture, Amdocs, Clear Channel's iHeart Radio, Ericsson, Jasper Wireless, Synchronoss and VoiceBox.

To learn more, visit www.att.com/drivestudio.

AT&T Drive

AT&T Drive is the company's connected car platform – a modular, global solution that allows automakers to pick and choose what services and capabilities are important to them in order to differentiate their solutions in the marketplace.  From connectivity and billing solutions to data analytics and infotainment, AT&T Drive will allow auto makers and developers to develop their own innovative and customized connected car solutions, now and in the future.

The platform allows AT&T to work with companies to bring new connected vehicle services to market quickly including:

• Global SIM and Global Provisioning
• Unique Global Billing Solutions
• Safety, Security, and Diagnostics Solutions
• Voice Enablement / Safe Driving Solutions
• Service Delivery
• Secure Firmware Updates
• Application Store Capabilities
• Policy Management Solutions

AT&T Drive allows automakers the ability to utilize or build their own services and join them with services from AT&T Drive, which helps create unique solutions for their end users.

AT&T Drive includes the leaders in the connected car ecosystem, including:

• Ericsson - Global application delivery framework
• VoiceBox - Natural language to vehicles
• Synchronoss (NASDAQ:  SNCR) - Cloud platform solution that enables seamless network activation
• Accenture - Connected vehicle  services and solutions, including telematics  and big data analytics
• Amdocs – Customized billing solutions  
• Jasper Wireless – Cloud-based global connected device platform  

As a telematics leader, AT&T already provides mobile internet access in vehicles manufactured by both domestic and foreign automobile makers. AT&T was the first to enter the market with a proprietary, global SIM platform which made it possible for automotive, consumer and M2M equipment makers to work through a single carrier to wirelessly enable and connect products across the globe, and cars are being sold throughout world today with this SIM.

AT&T Drive Studio Comments

"We look forward to being a key part of the AT&T Drive Studio ecosystem, working with AT&T and automakers to help create the innovative services that will drive the connected car market.  Amdocs' flexible billing and data monetization solutions can support the new connected-car billing models we're likely to see, in which new in-car applications may need to allocate billing charges between the automaker, service provider and consumer—a great opportunity for service differentiation," said Rebecca Prudhomme, vice president for product and solutions marketing, Amdocs

"We are committed to providing Clear Channel's industry-leading digital radio service to our listeners everywhere they expect, no matter where they travel," said Brian Lakamp, President of Digital for Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. "The AT&T Drive platform allows us to do just that, taking an innovative, safety-minded approach to offering iHeartRadio across a multitude of auto manufacturers in a seamless and standardized way."

"We are excited to be chosen by AT&T for this strategic business and groundbreaking introduction of services," said Per Borgklint, head of Business Unit Support Systems, Ericsson.  "The Ericsson Connected Vehicle Cloud is designed to truly transform the in-car digital experience for the consumer. The combined capabilities of AT&T and Ericsson in terms of superior network quality, technology and services leadership and global reach make this a very strong business relationship."

"Jasper is proud to be an integral contributor to AT&T Drive.  By combining the cloud-based AT&T Control Center platform, along with our Global SIM and Split Billing capabilities, we believe AT&T is primed to deliver amazing new connected experiences inside the vehicle," said Macario Namie, Vice President, Marketing at Jasper Wireless.  "With the AT&T Drive Studio, we're excited to showcase these new end-to-end solutions for automotive manufacturers around the world."

"Synchronoss has enjoyed a more than 10 year relationship with AT&T  to deliver a robust experience, which has given customers unprecedented access to their content no matter what device they use," said Steve Waldis, Chairman, Founder and CEO, Synchronoss.  "As the types of connected devices continue to expand, our Integrated Life platform is designed to help AT&T provide its customers with access to their content on a multitude of new connected devices, including automobiles.  We are excited to be a part of the AT&T Drive ecosystem as we help shape the future of the connected car industry."

"Next generation speech control will be absolutely critical to a safe driving experience," said Mike Kennewick, CEO at VoiceBox. "VoiceBox aims to meet these needs by delivering an intuitive interface through VoiceBox's award-winning, patented Conversational Voice technology. Leveraging our innovation with AT&T Drive Studio can enhance safety and unlock the power of infotainment and connectivity in the car."

*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 and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries.  It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse^® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.

Additional information about AT&T Inc. and the products and services provided by AT&T subsidiaries and affiliates is available at http://www.att.com/aboutus or follow our news on Twitter at @ATT, on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/att and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/att.

© 2014 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the AT&T logo and all other marks contained herein are trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

4G LTE speed claim based on national carriers' average 4G LTE download speeds. Reliability claim based on data transfer completion rates on nationwide 4G LTE networks. 4G LTE availability varies.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update or revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

SOURCE AT&T Inc.