AT&T And Sabre To Test And Develop New Mobile Services For Travel Industry Companies

-- Test will explore how advanced location and proximity-based services could personalise the travel experience

LONDON, Jan. 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T and Sabre, a global travel technology company, today announced they will jointly explore solutions which could usher in a more personalised, stress-free trip experience for travellers.

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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."

Phase one of the pilot project between Sabre and AT&T is expected to be completed during the first half of 2014.

About Sabre
Sabre is a global travel technology company, serving the world's largest industry – travel and tourism. We provide software to travel agencies, corporations, travelers, airlines, hotels, car, rail, cruise and tour operator companies through our four businesses: Sabre Airline Solutions, Sabre Hospitality Solutions, Sabre Travel Network and Travelocity (including lastminute.com and Zuji). Sabre has approximately 10,000 employees in 60 countries around the world. It has large development and customer care centers in the United States, Argentina, India, Philippines, Poland and Uruguay. Sabre has won numerous awards for being a top employer and corporate citizen in Argentina, Brazil, India, Mexico, Peru, Poland, and the United States. Headquartered in Southlake, Texas, Sabre is privately owned by Texas Pacific Group (TPG) and Silver Lake Partners. For more information please visit: www.sabre.com.

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 wireless coverage worldwide of any U.S. carrier, offering 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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