Panasonic and Verizon Wireless Join Together to Unveil Mobile High Definition Visual Communications at CES

LAS VEGAS and BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- From the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Panasonic today announced a portable High Definition Visual Communications System (Mobile HDVC) that takes advantage of the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network.

"Panasonic is proud to team up with Verizon Wireless to deliver new applications for visual communications solutions over the fastest, most advanced wireless network in the United States," said Bill Taylor, president of Panasonic System Networks Company of America.  "The 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network provides the HD Visual Communications System with versatility and flexibility on a portable station to be used on the 4G LTE network."

The medical sector is one that may immediately find benefits.  With the Panasonic mobile HDVC system, emergency medical technicians can transmit essential visual patient data from a remote location to awaiting teams in the ER so those teams can prepare.  Patients with disabilities can have "virtual" appointments with their doctors by simply stepping into an on-site van with a mobile HDVC system.  Other potential users may include emergency response teams, who can update central command posts with real-time images in the aftermath of a crisis or natural disaster; and lawyers, who can consult with or obtain documents from their clients without the need for travel.  

Panasonic's mobile HDVC solution is flexible and scalable to accommodate multiple display, camera and recording configurations.  Through its compact design, high-resolution image quality and blazing broadband speeds, the system offers business customers increased levels of flexibility and mobility.  The mobile HDVC system consists of two setups: one for the remote site and the other for the static location.  Each remote site setup comprises a Panasonic display, a Panasonic VC500 HDVC CODEC (the main system unit), a Panasonic HD microphone, a Panasonic Pan/Tilt/Zoom camera, and optional detachable secondary camera and digital video recorder for medical uses.  These are connected through the 4G LTE network via an LTE-enabled CradlePoint mobile router.  The stationary site includes the same configuration (sans the optional detachable secondary camera and recorder), plus a special router that can handle LTE.

The mobile HDVC system delivers high-definition visuals with MPEG4-AVC technology and features 360-degree full duplex stereo sound quality, stable connectivity with QoS, and rate control forward error correction.

The Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network, launched in December 2010, is the fastest, most advanced 4G network in the United States, providing speeds up to 10 times faster than Verizon Wireless' 3G network.  Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE Mobile Broadband network currently reaches one-third of all Americans, with plans to expand the network to the company's entire 3G coverage area over the next three years.

Mobile HDVC will be highlighted from Jan. 6-9 in Verizon Wireless' booth (#35216 in the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center) at CES.  For more information about the LTE Innovation Center and Verizon Wireless' 4G LTE network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's fastest and most advanced 4G network and largest and most reliable 3G network, and serves more than 93 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 80,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE, Nasdaq: VZ) and Vodafone (LSE, Nasdaq: VOD).  For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

About Panasonic System Networks Company of America  

Based in Secaucus, NJ, Panasonic System Networks Company of America is a unit of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Panasonic Corporation (NYSE: PC). A comprehensive business-to-business solutions provider, the company develops and delivers reliable, affordable, and flexible solutions for communication, collaboration, security and productivity. The complete suite of solutions addresses home and business communications, security and surveillance systems, retail information systems, office productivity solutions, and high definition visual conferencing, keeping Panasonic customers connected, informed, accessible and secure. Information is available at www.panasonic.com/psna. Additional company information for journalists is available at www.panasonic.com/pressroom.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless