TelePresence: Deutsche Telekom expanding live-conference service

• TelePresence as a complete service from the cloud
• Expanded range of user devices, and improved functionalities
• New applications for mobile devices

Deutsche Telekom is planning to begin offering its TelePresence live-conference service with added features and a broader product portfolio. As a result, the cloud-based service will be suitable for an extremely wide range of different business requirements. The upgraded service will feature new applications for mobile devices and the linking of additional international locations to the TelePresence platform.

A viable alternative to business travel, TelePresence cuts conferencing-related time, expenses and resources use. The system's superb video picture quality provides an "in the same room" videoconferencing experience. And Deutsche Telekom's all-inclusive, no-worries package from the cloud includes the necessary terminal devices, network infrastructure, security and service - at a single monthly rental price. Deutsche Telekom provides guaranteed bandwidth and connection quality in keeping with the individual agreement in each case. All data streams between conference participants are encrypted, and relevant data are hosted in Deutsche Telekom's high-security data centers in Germany. Deutsche Telekom's complete packages also include system installation and operation and a portal for booking TelePresence rooms.

New terminal devices and expanded functions
Deutsche Telekom offers TelePresence with various ranges of terminal devices, for different price categories and conference sizes. Examples of new additions to the service include the Cisco MX200 system, which is suitable especially for small and medium-sized companies. The regular monthly price for the complete package, with the MX200 system, is EUR 1,295 net, with the first 50 packages being made available at a special introductory price of EUR 995 net per month.

Deutsche Telekom can integrate customers' existing video conferencing equipment with the TelePresence platform, via customers' own networks, via dedicated lines provided by Deutsche Telekom or via the Internet. Deutsche Telekom ensures that the live-conference service functions perfectly with selected terminal devices of the manufacturers Cisco (including Tandberg) and Polycom. Connection of devices of the provider Lifesize is planned for mid-2012.

A new function, "Active Presence", now displays all participants of a multipoint session, during the video conference, in a filmstrip format at the bottom of participants' screens. As a result, all conference participants can always keep track of the overall conference group at any time. In addition, an "own-image" function enables participants to check their own images, in either "picture-in-picture" or full-screen mode, before and during a video conference.

The new, web-based booking portal shows customers all public and company-reserved TelePresence rooms. Via the portal, customers can plan, reserve and book their virtual conferences online. In addition, customer representatives are available to provide personal assistance.

Use TelePresence at any time - worldwide
The live-conferencing service has become even more versatile via new mobile-client solutions. As of early summer 2012, business customers will be able to join video conferences even on a mobile basis, via their iPad2, MacBook or PC notebook. And they can use either their devices' own integrated webcams or cameras that they attach separately to their devices. Deutsche Telekom's TelePresence service is available for such worldwide use for EUR 99 net per month (+ incurred connection charges).

Deutsche Telekom has already been linking international locations to the TelePresence platform for the purpose of supporting companies' internal conferencing. Now the company is planning to install links to other TelePresence providers worldwide, to enable companies to conference with partners, customers and suppliers who are located in other companies and/or who work with other providers. Before the end of the first half of 2012, companies will be able to conference with TelePresence locations around the globe.

In January of this year, Deutsche Telekom was awarded the Business Diamond Award 2012, in the "services" category, for its TelePresence services. In presenting the award, the jury highlighted the service's user-friendliness, excellent transmission quality and great potential for cutting companies' travel costs.

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About Deutsche Telekom
Deutsche Telekom is one of the world’s leading integrated telecommunications companies with over 129 million mobile customers, 34 million fixed-network lines and approximately 17 million broadband lines (as of December 31, 2011). The Group provides products and services for the fixed network, mobile communications, the Internet and IPTV for consumers, and ICT solutions for business customers and corporate customers. Deutsche Telekom is present in around 50 countries and has over 235,000 employees worldwide. The Group generated revenues of EUR 58.7 billion in the 2011 financial year - more than half of it outside Germany (as of December 31, 2011).