AT&T launches inter-company Cisco TelePresence services

Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 09 December 2008 10:05

Your IT - Home IT

AT&T has launched intercompany telepresence videoconferencing service based on Cisco Telepresence systems.

The service operates over AT&T's VPN network and between AT&T-owned Cisco TelePresence equipment in the participating companies' premises. AT&T follows BT which launched its version of the service on 30 September.

AT&T provides monitoring and management of the application, remote help desk service and on-site equipment maintenance and repair. 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. AT&T claims that conferences can be set up "with the simplicity of a phone call."

Cisco TelePresence, introduced in 2006, is claimed to be Cisco’s fastest-growing new product category, with more than 200 customers and 1,000 systems worldwide. Cisco has also implemented more than 300 Cisco TelePresence rooms on its own internal network.

Earlier this year BT, AT&T and Indian telco, Tata Communications, all announced plans to offer inter-company TelePresence services AT&T said it expected is service to be available in the second half of 2008 in 23 countries and more in 2009. It has not indicated the extent of availability in its launch announcement.

Telstra, which launched Cisco Telepresence service in June, said that inter-company services were part of its future plans.