AT&T announced today its plan for delivering a fully managed Cisco Telepresence service that will allow companies to connect worldwide with their customers, partners and suppliers.

The new service, which is AT&T’s Telepresence Solution, is a scalable offering that creates unique, 'in-person' experiences within a phone call. The AT&T Telepresence Solution will also provide a "meet-me" feature that enables intercompany connectivity.

The AT&T Telepresence Solution is expected to be available in the second half of this year in 23 countries, with additional countries planned for 2009. AT&T and Cisco have started early trials with key customers. Sales teams from AT&T and Cisco will target U.S.-based multinational companies and selected companies headquartered outside of the U.S. in their initial efforts.

AT&T and Cisco agreed to combine Cisco’s Telepresence product with AT&T's Internet Protocol (IP) network and Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities to create new ways for companies to collaborate and conduct global business across industries that will include health care, high-tech, retail and government.

"The AT&T Telepresence Solution is the latest example of how we're helping enterprises to improve 'business velocity' by enabling them to move quicker and make better business decisions," said Ronald E. Spears, AT&T group president of global business services.

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