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First U.S. Offering to Enable Users to Share Live Video During a Wireless Voice Call


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Wish you were here" is no longer an empty thought. Now, it’s an invitation.

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) has announced the launch of AT&T Video Share, the first-ever service in the U.S. that allows users to share live video over their wireless devices while participating in a voice call. AT&T Chairman and CEO Randall Stephenson highlighted the service during the opening keynote of the NXTcomm industry event.

Video Share allows users to communicate special or everyday experiences in ways never before possible. Consumers can now share moments with family and friends while the moments are happening — everything from weddings and a baby’s first steps to a Little League at-bat or a clearance-sale find. The service also enables a range of innovative, time-saving business applications, from viewing real estate or retail displays to facilitating insurance claims or troubleshooting efforts.

“Even in today’s fast-changing environment, it’s rare to see a new service that truly redefines the possibilities of communication,” Stephenson said. “AT&T Video Share is just that sort of service. Users now have the ability to show others exactly what they see, when they’re seeing it, and to share that experience across town or across the country.”

Video Share is now available in three initial U.S. markets: Atlanta, Dallas and San Antonio. Service availability will then expand in late July throughout the company’s 3G wireless network footprint, which covers more than 160 U.S. markets today. The service works exclusively over the AT&T 3G wireless network.

A Video Share-capable handset is required and two Video Share service packages will be available, with prices of $4.99 each month for 25 minutes of Video Share usage, or $9.99 each month for 60 minutes of usage. Users may also choose to pay as they go and pay 35 cents a minute each time they use the service. (See AT&T Video Share fact sheet for additional details on specific market availability, compatible handsets and service package details.)

Video Share enables one-way, live streaming video feeds, which can be seen by both users while they are participating in a two-way voice conversation. Once users have initiated a Video Share call, either party can be the one generating the video stream for the other to see.

AT&T research has shown strong customer interest in Video Share for a range of uses, including:

Sharing. Consumers can share moments with family and friends as the moments happen.
Providing a Sense of “Being There.” Consumers or business contacts can be in one place while seeing and hearing what is happening in another.
Getting/Giving Advice. Consumers or business contacts can seek advice or quick decisions by sharing a video and audio of a given scenario.
Powered by New-Generation IMS Network Technology
Video Share is the first AT&T service to be delivered on the company’s new-generation network platform, which is based on Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) technology. This new platform will be used to deliver a range of new Internet Protocol (IP)-based services and applications and will increasingly enable AT&T customers to seamlessly access services and content over both wireless and wireline network connections.

Ultimately, services such as Video Share will be accessible over any of the three primary screens that customers use most frequently — the wireless device, the PC and the television. Today AT&T Labs researchers are perfecting service enhancements that eventually will enable wireless video feeds to be shared over IPTV or PC screens.

“Video Share is groundbreaking today as a wireless-to-wireless service, but the potential for the service will expand even further in the near future,” Stephenson said. “Imagine watching television when a notice pops on the screen that a daughter or granddaughter would like to initiate a Video Share call, then immediately switching the television screen to accept the video and audio. With our powerful IP-based network and flexible IMS platform, these scenarios will eventually be reality.”

Customers can order Video Share when it is available in their area at AT&T retail stores and through select national retailers. To view an interactive demonstration or find out more information, customers can go to www.att.com/videoshare.



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