CALABASAS, Calif. and DALLAS, June 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise have teamed up to make the school bus a classroom on wheels, introducing a "Connected Bus" solution that helps K-12 school districts deliver new, affordable learning experiences and other capabilities to students, teachers and bus drivers across their school transportation system.
Available nationwide today, Connected Bus supports various technology-in-education initiatives in the U.S. by using wireless technology, AT&T's 4G LTE network and devices to increase students' access to information, instruction and teachers. Designed to perform on the move, Connected Bus provides new options for school districts to extend the school day from the time students board the school bus, until they arrive at home.
Connected Bus offers a comprehensive way for school systems to address many of the issues they face in pupil transportation. The solution:
- makes it easier than ever to extend Internet connectivity on buses. With onboard Wi-Fi, students can access the Internet on their own devices. They can communicate with family or friends, complete homework or access information on the way to a field trip.
- offers real-time streaming video and broadcast speakers, enabling schools to deliver individual or districtwide broadcast announcements.
- is a student safety tool. The solution allows remote monitoring of driver and student behavior to limit the potential for accidents and bullying.
An interactive demonstration will be shown at the 2014 ISTE Annual Conference in Atlanta, GA, June 29 – July 1 (AT&T booth #3348).
"Today's education climate has increased pressures not only to keep students safe, but meet students' digital expectations," said Neal Tilley, Education Solutions development, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise. "We recognize technology can create solutions that offer students a safe and successful school experience. Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise is excited to be working with AT&T to deliver this level of extended learning and offer connectivity where others have failed."
"Mobility is a key factor to ensure high-quality digital learning resources and materials are available to students and teachers," said John Irwin, Senior Vice-President of Government, Education and Healthcare. "Connected Bus from AT&T and Alcatel-Lucent provides a comprehensive way to unlock potential solutions for schools in many ways. It's just one more way that technology is evolving the student experience inside – and now outside – of the classroom."
Today's announcement builds upon AT&T's ongoing commitment to using technology to transform education. Recently, AT&T pledged $100 million to ConnectED, a White House initiative to connect 99 percent of classrooms to next-generation digital learning by 2017. The funds will provide 50,000 middle and high school students in Title 1 schools free Internet connectivity for educational devices over the company's 4G mobile broadband network. Additionally, AT&T is working with Udacity to create nanodegree – efficient, accessible, affordable online training for high-demand tech jobs. Courses will be on-line, self-paced and taught by leaders in tech, with personalized, coaches, career counselling and access to industry experts every step of the way. Both programs are a part of AT&T Aspire, the company's ongoing commitment to prepare learners for success in school and the 21st Century workforce.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company and one of the most honored companies in the world. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and internationally. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's most reliable 4G LTE network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet, voice and cloud-based services. A leader in mobile Internet, AT&T also offers the best global wireless coverage, based on offering roaming in more countries than any other U.S. based carrier, and offers the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV service with the AT&T U-verse® brand. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world.
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About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
We are at the forefront of global communications, providing products and innovations in IP and cloud networking, as well as ultra-broadband fixed and wireless access to service providers and their customers, and to enterprises and institutions throughout the world. Underpinning us in driving the industrial transformation from voice telephony to high-speed digital delivery of data, video and information is Bell Labs, an integral part of the Group and one of the world's foremost technology research institutes, responsible for countless breakthroughs that have shaped the networking and communications industry. Our innovations have resulted in our Group being recognized by Thomson Reuters as a Top 100 Global Innovator, as well as being named by MIT Technology Review as amongst 2012's Top 50 "World's Most Innovative Companies". We have also been recognized for innovation in sustainability, being named Industry Group Leader in the Technology Hardware & Equipment sector in the 2013 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices review, for making global communications more sustainable, affordable and accessible, all in pursuit of the Group's mission to realize the potential of a connected world.
With revenues of Euro 14.4 billion in 2013, Alcatel-Lucent is listed on the Paris and New York stock exchanges (Euronext and NYSE: ALU). The company is incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.
For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on: http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.
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SOURCE AT&T Inc.