ATT Announces CruiseCast In-Car Satellite Service

AT&T already provides customers with Highspeed Internet, TV at home, Landlines, and cellphones but they also want to provide you with in-car satellite TV service with their new CruiseCast service. CruiseCast was announced by AT&T at CES this year and according to AT&T the service will be launching as early as this Spring. CruiseCast will have around 20 channels of programming initially with up to 20 satellite radio stations to choose from as well. Some of the programming that the service will deliver will include programming that family members of all ages enjoy at home, which will include Disney Channel, Toon Disney, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network Mobile, USA, COMEDY CENTRAL, MSNBC, CNN Mobile Live and CNBC.

The groundbreaking service was developed in collaboration between RaySat, Inc. a leading manufacturer and supplier for the mass market for cost-effective, low-profile satellite antennas that enable communication on the move, and AT&T, the world's premier telecommunications company. RaySat Broadcasting Corporation, a privately held U.S. company, will be working with AT&T to introduce the new product to the marketplace.

"AT&T CruiseCast is a significant advancement from what is in the market todayboth in terms of technology and channel offerings," said Winston Guillory, President of RaySat Broadcasting Corp.. "We see this as opening up an exciting new source of accessory revenue for the automotive manufacturer, accessory distributors, and the local auto dealershipsone that will make quality total in-car entertainment a reality for the end consumer."

AT&T CruiseCast is made consumer-friendly by the unique scaling down of satellite technology into the small pod-like antenna that affixes to the roof of vehicles. The antenna is paired with a receiver that is mounted in the vehicle and provides all video and audio connections to the appropriate vehicle systems, such as Rear Seat Entertainment, Vehicle Audio System etc.

"AT&T is a leader with innovations that enable people to do more and get more from technology," said Sean O'Leary, vice president of Business Development for AT&T. "We will deliver an unprecedented capability for people to enjoy live television in their vehicles. AT&T CruiseCast furthers AT&T's mission to enable people to access the content and applications they want and need, whenever and wherever they may be."

Yoel Gat will serve as Chairman and CEO of RaySat Broadcasting Corp. "Due to our smaller antenna and expansive programming we believe consumers will flock to bringing living room entertainment into the back seat of their car," said Gat. "AT&T CruiseCast is the first service that uses video-buffering technology to minimize loss of programming when a vehicle loses line of sight with the satellite while driving alongside a tall building or under a tunnel."

AT&T CruiseCast Service will be sold through auto dealerships and other automotive product vendors where buyers can have the compact antennas and receivers installed to link into rear-seat entertainment systems. Initially, the installation will be on sedans, SUVs and mini-vans properly outfitted with roof-racks, with additional mounts introduced in the coming months.

Pricing and Availability:
The initial kit to get started will set you back $1,299 USD and the service will cost $28 per month. The new service will be available this Spring and more information can be found at cruisecast.com