AT&T Expands Customer Trials Of Enhanced Push To Talk Solution

DALLAS, June 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- You asked, we answered. Since February, AT&T* has offered a limited preview of its forthcoming AT&T Enhanced Push to Talk (PTT) solution. In response to increased interest and positive customer feedback from the trial, AT&T is now doubling the number of business PTT users who may participate in its free program.

In addition, AT&T expects to offer a choice of up to five compatible smartphones, including multiple devices from Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC (Samsung Mobile), when Enhanced PTT is anticipated to be commercially available later this year.

"A feature-rich PTT solution plus an exciting lineup of SAFE™ mobile devices – it's an ideal combination," said Tim Wagner, Vice President and General Manager of Enterprise Sales at Samsung Mobile. "Samsung has a long history of working with AT&T, and we're collaborating again on the launch of AT&T Enhanced PTT. Between AT&T's service and our PTT phones, which today support the 810F Mil-STD for ruggedness, we're helping make business communications better and faster for our customers."

The response so far to AT&T's charter program has been extremely positive. CourierNet, an Atlanta-based courier company, is trialing AT&T Enhanced PTT with its team of more than 500 drivers and 75 dispatchers. A single CourierNet dispatcher often coordinates time-sensitive document and package deliveries with anywhere from 20 to 30 drivers at a time, so speed, prioritization and reliability are key when it comes to choosing the right technology for the job.

"Our customers call us and want answers now. The quickest way to find the answers is with PTT," said Steve Colkitt, IT Director at CourierNet. "What separates AT&T's service from other PTT technology is the speed and quality of the connection. We will invest whatever it takes in a solution that reaches the level of quality we experienced in the trial of AT&T Enhanced PTT."

At a time when other carriers are phasing out PTT networks, AT&T's goal is to provide customers with the type of communication service they need for instant group communications, backed by 4G technology and a broad portfolio of devices and business applications. AT&T offers a basic PTT service today, but expects to launch its Enhanced PTT solution – with dramatically improved performance, features and device choices – in late 2012.

"We've heard what our customers are asking for – an enhanced PTT solution that offers great performance, advanced features, integration with mobile apps and interoperability with radio systems – all running on the nation's largest 4G network," said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business and Home Solutions. "We want people to know that AT&T will be not just an option for PTT service, but also one with clear advantages – and that's why we're expanding the opportunity for some customers to try the solution today."

"With advanced features like those from AT&T, PTT could potentially expand beyond today's narrow vertical markets," wrote Sue Rudd, Wireless Operator Strategies at Strategy Analytics(1). "Officeless employees will discover that mobile PTT services enable them to become far better integrated into the firm's operations and dramatically improve communications and productivity."

Businesses and organizations of all sizes can also benefit from the expertise of the AT&T Mobility Solutions Services (AT&T MSS) team, which provides solution architecture, development and lifecycle management for AT&T's enhanced PTT charter program and the entire AT&T portfolio of mobile solutions.

Want to see the AT&T Enhanced PTT service in action and learn more about what new capabilities wireless technology is bringing to field service organizations? Over the next several months, AT&T will bring its first-ever Field Force Automation Advanced Technology Forum road show series to 27 cities in the U.S. Planned venues include(2):

Organizations interested in learning more about AT&T Enhanced PTT can visit www.enhancedptt.com.

(1) Strategy Analytics, "Back to the Future: Push to Talk (PTT) Smartphones and Tablets Create New Market for 'Officeless' Employees. And Maybe Instant Social Networks?", May 2012.

(2) Venues and dates subject to change.

*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 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, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile broadband and emerging 4G capabilities, 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 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.

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.