AT&T Inc. (T) has quickly productized new TelePresence features from Cisco Systems Inc. (CSCO) into its AT&T TelePresence Solution offering which is now available with multipoint, inter-company connectivity.
Cisco TelePresence Multipoint is the ability to bring many rooms together in a single meeting, so that people can sit face to face in one virtual meeting room, without any performance degradation, said AT&T.
AT&T Telepresence Solution now offers multipoint functionality and secure inter-company capabilities, which allow multiple locations within and between companies to connect to each other, according to the telco. The AT&T Telepresence Solution offers a “meet me” feature with a secure PIN code that simplifies inter-company calling.
Conspicuous in its absence from the new features and functionality is mention of support for TelePresence over satellite communications links, another new capability announced by Cisco today.
AT&T did not say if the new features would carry an additional charge or what that charge would be.
"The economic benefit to subscribers of the AT&T Telepresence Solution is now stronger than before ― more locations in a secure, reliable, high-quality meeting environment can further reduce travel costs, shorten cycle time and improve decision making," said Ronald E. Spears, president and CEO of AT&T Business Solutions, in prepared comments.
The AT&T Telepresence Solution enables businesses to interact and collaborate with others, using the Cisco TelePresence system to deliver life-size images via High Definition video (1080p) and spatial audio within a specially designed environment, according to the telco.
The AT&T offering also features concierge service and a scheduling and administration portal, which complements common enterprise calendar applications, making it easy to schedule a multipoint inter-company call with just the push of a button.
The AT&T Telepresence Solution provides AT&T-owned Cisco TelePresence equipment, installation, full monitoring and management of the application, remote help desk service and on-site equipment maintenance and repair and works over AT&T VPN transport.
Other operators are looking to broader ways to offer the service, be it as a fully managed option or by the hour of usage.
AT&T says three-screen and one-screen site options are available, based on the Cisco TelePresence System 3200, Cisco TelePresence System 3000, Cisco TelePresence System 1000 and Cisco TelePresence System 500 endpoints.
