Connection in an Instant: Customers to Trial Enhanced Push To Talk Services from AT&T

DALLAS, Feb. 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In today's fast-paced business world, every second counts. Communication must happen in a flash to keep an organization moving. And to help meet this need for speed, AT&T* is launching a charter program to trial a suite of enhanced push to talk (PTT) services that will take workgroup communications to the next level.

The enhanced PTT solution trial, powered by Kodiak Networks Inc. InstaPoC™ technology, will harness AT&T's mobile broadband speeds, expansive wireless network coverage, broad portfolio of devices and the power of IP-based technology. That means faster and richer collaboration, lower cost of ownership and great potential for integration with mobile applications.

In addition, AT&T is working to integrate traditional private mobile radio (PMR) systems with this enhanced PTT service trial, and will demonstrate the functionality with Raytheon JPS at the 2012 International Wireless Communications Expo (IWCE). AT&T and Raytheon expect that push to talk interoperability across different networks will extend coverage of existing PMR systems and facilitate better communications for field dispatch and operations, when many people from many different organizations need to reach each other quickly.

Charter Program Details

• Selected business customers in a range of industries – transportation, utilities, manufacturing and more – will get a first look at potential PTT services through AT&T's charter program.
• Participants will use powerful, state of the art smartphones to test the technology.
• The charter program will provide AT&T and customers with a better understanding of the potential that the enhanced PTT service can offer.
• AT&T will work closely with customers participating in the program to measure results, and participants will have the opportunity to give feedback on their experiences.

Imagine how a field worker could benefit from enhanced PTT. Instead of lugging around a bag with a clipboard, a cell phone and a mobile radio, workers could carry one mobile device, complete with mobile apps and AT&T's PTT services. If an employee has a question while on the job, he or she could connect almost instantly to a supervisor – and even fill out forms on a mobile app while talking. A dispatcher could also reference PTT presence status to locate field workers quickly and assign the right employee to the task at hand.

"AT&T – with its fast LTE network, rugged device portfolio, business know-how and open approach to application development – is well-positioned to develop enhanced PTT services," said Andrew Seybold, CEO & Principal Consultant, Andrew Seybold, Inc., a consultancy focused on cellular and private mobile radio industries.

"Our customers are looking for a holistic PTT service – one that supports instant calls, numerous devices, dispatch applications and Application Programming Interfaces for developers," said Chris Hill, Vice President, Advanced Mobility Solutions, AT&T Business Solutions. "Our goal is to meet and exceed those expectations. What's more, we want to combine enhanced PTT services with an array of advanced mobility applications to build truly comprehensive solutions."

AT&T's mobility application consultants can also help charter customers craft their strategies for migration from legacy networks that are currently being phased out to AT&T's anticipated high-performance solution.

Sneak Peak into AT&T's Enhanced PTT Offer

AT&T's enhanced push to talk service charter program features:

• A combination of high-performance PTT communications and mobile data services that allow users to talk and use productivity applications simultaneously
• Large contact lists and groups, ideal for organizations with lots of mobile employees
• Faster call setup times than traditional PTT solutions
• Integration with business applications for field force automation, fleet management, dispatching, GPS tracking and more
• Ability to run on a wide range of smartphones, rugged phones, feature phones and specialty devices
• Interoperability with existing mobile radio systems, such as Land Mobile Radio (LMR) and Private Mobile Radio (PMR)

For more information on the AT&T enhanced PTT charter program, visit http://www.corp.att.com/forms/ptts/.

*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.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this press release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might 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 and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

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. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.