AT&T ranks first among U.S. wireless providers for second consecutive year.
DALLAS – AT&T announced that it was selected as the “Best Global Phone/Data Provider” in the 2013 Best in Business Travel Awards, conducted by Business Traveler (BT) magazine. The annual survey gives readers the chance to voice their opinions in support of companies that have made their business travel easier and more efficient. This is the second consecutive year that AT&T has claimed the top spot.
“We are honored that Business Traveler readers recognize our ongoing commitment to provide our customers with a best-in-class mobile experience when traveling abroad,” said Bill Hague, executive vice president, International Alliances & Integrations, AT&T Mobility.
AT&T delivers the following benefits to global travelers:
- Broad international voice and data coverage. AT&T offers the broadest international voice and data coverage of any U.S. carrier, with voice roaming service in more than 225 countries and data roaming service in more than 210 countries and 3G voice and data roaming in more than 175 countries.
- Access to 4G LTE Speeds. AT&T is the first and only U.S. carrier to have launched international LTE roaming. Currently, AT&T customers can enjoy 4G LTE wireless speeds when roaming on available networks in Canada, the UK, Switzerland and South Korea.
- Voice and data coverage on more than 250 major cruise ships, including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Disney and Celebrity Cruise Lines.
- Extensive portfolio of world devices. AT&T offers an extensive selection of quad-band world devices – those that work on 850/900/1800/1900 MHz frequencies, along with a great selection of 3G devices that also operate on 2100 MHz, for use in Japan and S. Korea. AT&T customers also enjoy a great selection of LTE devices, a growing number of which will operate on LTE bands outside North America.
- Easy to use. AT&T’s network uses GSM technology – the worldwide standard for wireless, which makes it more convenient to stay in touch with family, friends and business colleagues while abroad – all on the same device and wireless number used at home.
- True smartphone multi-tasking. AT&T customers can use both voice and data at the same time on their device – both in the United States and internationally.
- International packages that deliver more choice and value. AT&T offers several international discount packages for voice, data and messaging. For example, AT&T Data Global Add-On Packages let customers take advantage of discounted international data rates while traveling in over 150 countries. AT&T also offers discounted packages for cruise ship travelers as well as students and faculty studying abroad.
Also, AT&T and Sabre announced they will jointly explore solutions which could usher in a more personalised, stress-free trip experience for travellers. The two companies are developing and testing solutions that take advantage of AT&T’s newly enhanced Location Information Services (LIS) – Hybrid, which allows developers to build geo-aware mobile applications. They are exploring how device-based location information services can help airlines, airport retailers, and other travel-related companies deliver intelligent, predictive and personalised services throughout a traveller’s journey.
AT&T LIS Hybrid has the ability to define custom geo-fences (a virtual boundary within a geographic area) in any shape or size, both indoors and out, using mobile, GPS and WiFi information shared by the user from their device. Knowing when a traveller enters or leaves a pre-defined geo-fence would allow travel suppliers to provide personalised services and relevant offers based on the traveller’s real-time location.
“By applying cutting edge technologies with data analytics and better intelligence, we can give travellers the personalised experience they have come to expect in today’s connected world,” said Sarah Kennedy, director, Sabre Labs, the technology incubator and research lab at Sabre. “Together with AT&T, we will explore the role advanced location-based services can have in helping travel suppliers provide better, more personal service to their customers.”
Imagine an app that can alert airline staff when a high-status passenger is still clearing security when her flight is due to depart; or that notifies travellers of special promotions as they approach an airport bookstore; or warns a passenger if he is in the wrong terminal for his connecting flight. The two companies are exploring technology that could underpin these types of apps across almost all types of smartphones, tablets and operating systems. Any services developed as part of the trial will meet location services best practices guidelines when it comes to customer privacy including customer opt-in.
“Our application programming interface, or API, and software development kit allows companies like Sabre to build multi-carrier geo-aware mobile applications,” said Laura Merling, vice president of Ecosystem Development and Platform Solutions, AT&T. “AT&T LIS Hybrid works with WiFi as well as existing mobile device-based information location services such as GPS, to deliver near-precise device location information indoors and outdoors.”
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
