The UAE’s integrated telecom service provider, du recently signed an agreement with Dubai-based luxury hotel company and a member of Dubai Holding, Jumeirah Group, in order to provide global Immersive Telepresense Public Rooms in selected Jumeirah hotels.

The cutting-edge service, which is the region’s first, delivers real-time, face-to-face interactions around a virtual table through a combination of life-sized projections, fluid motion, spatial audio, high definition cameras and optimised networks. The result is a revolutionary visual conferencing environment that offers Jumeirah hotels’ business customers a unique opportunity to conduct effective international meetings, save time and boost productivity.

Jumeirah’s business customers can use this high-tech facility to connect their teams – across the country or around the world – for highly effective and effortless meeting experiences in a world class environment. The service is delivered using next-generation Immersive Telepresense technology that is easy, affordable and fully managed through du’s Video Network Operations Centre (VNOC). The commercial launch of the Immersive Telepresense Public Rooms service is expected by the end of 2011 and spans across five countries.

Saeed al Dashti, Chief Information Officer for Jumeirah Group, said, “The introduction of Telepresense rooms into our hotels is designed to meet our customers’ needs for international meeting solutions. We believe it will encourage business users to come together in our hotels in major commercial hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, London, New York, Frankfurt and Shanghai for their meetings. We are very proud that two Dubai-based companies are rolling out a high-end and sophisticated service that boosts productivity for our customers, while allowing them to experience the very best of the Jumeirah’s luxury hospitality.”

The backbone of the service is provided by du’s Video Network Operation Centre (VNOC) that delivers round-the-clock seamless experience. This includes a directory service to maximise reach to thousands of immersive and traditional video conferencing systems globally; assisted conferences for a hassle free controlled experience through a video concierge; and value plus service options that allows you to store or stream sessions for future playback, regulatory or training purposes.

“Our Immersive Telepresense Public Room initiative is a clear evidence of our drive in creating avant-garde solutions and innovations within the visual communications space in the UAE and beyond. We’re delighted to partner with Jumeirah Group, a company that embraces innovation and has a reputation for high standards. The Immersive Telepresense Public Room service offers next-generation open video collaboration technology with flexible commercial models – enabling businesses to compete globally, as well as locally, more effectively and economically”, said Farid Faraidooni, Chief Commercial Officer of du.

These dedicated global Telepresense Public Rooms – powered by du’s OmniPresenceTM service, will be available around-the-clock, and will provide Jumeirah’s corporate clients with a variety of tools including presentation and content sharing; life-sized images; surround sound audio; “as good as being there” impression; recording capabilities; concierge attended calls; and the ability to connect to a wide choice of public and private rooms around the world on demand.

City.Mobi offers the most comprehensive mobile travel guides available, with over 800 cities in 200 countries listed. Each is developed by the City.Mobi team to combine into a single global travel directory.
However, each city retains its own mobile identity via a dedicated domain. Already on offer are Brussels.Mobi, Paris.Mobi, Sanfrancisco.Mobi, and Sydney.Mobi.
Most entries are also linked to websites where users can quickly access more detailed information if needed.
Other key features include information on accommodation, restaurants, attractions, entertainment, nightlife, shopping, and transport.
City.Mobi guides include user reviews and traveller utilities such as a translation guide, currency converter, news and local weather guide