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BellSouth Provides Communications Infrastructure for Largest Aquarium in the World
ATLANTA, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- BellSouth announced today that it is providing a complete communications solution to support the Georgia Aquarium, which will become the world's largest when it officially opens on Nov. 23 in Atlanta, Ga.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051116/CLW011)
BellSouth has implemented custom voice, data and Internet solutions as well as a network that supports the advanced life support and security systems at the aquarium facility.
"The Georgia Aquarium has more than 100,000 animals and eight million gallons of water on the premises and we expect thousands of visitors per day. The communications network simply must be world class and BellSouth has delivered," said Jeff Swanagan, executive director, Georgia Aquarium.
The life support and environmental control systems are the most critical components of any controlled habitat. BellSouth engineers designed and implemented the network that connects data sensing devices to advanced systems that allow biologists, researchers and veterinarians to constantly monitor both animals and the environment. Indicators alert those monitoring the systems if anything needs adjustment and changes can be made immediately to return the environment to equilibrium.
The aquarium is utilizing a robust security system that helps ensure the safety of the animals, as well as employees and visitors. The system incorporates 99 surveillance cameras, 97 proximity card readers with integrated photo ID recognition and a sophisticated monitoring system.
The animal research and acquisition team from the Georgia Aquarium gathers marine life from all over the world, including whale sharks from Taiwan and beluga whales from Mexico. BellSouth coordinated distribution of wireless voice and data devices that allow this team to stay in contact with the aquarium while traveling.
BellSouth's solution provides a complete portfolio of voice and data services for the aquarium including cabling infrastructure to support all local area network (LAN) functions, voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), dedicated Internet access and a high-speed data connection to the offsite animal receiving warehouse.
BellSouth voice services allow call center representatives to arrange guest ticketing and provide general information. Due to the popularity of the new attraction, reservation times are required to maintain comfortable levels of visitors at all times. BellSouth(R) Dedicated Internet Access service links the aquarium's online ticketing site to the internal network to provide the most up to date information for reservation availability. BellSouth voice and data services support the needs of aquarium management staff as well as the restaurant and gift shops and children's programs and events that will meet in special facilities on campus.
"Similar to how the Georgia Aquarium has assembled the best aquatic life from around the world, BellSouth has the resources to develop creative solutions that meet the unique communications needs of our customers," said Fred Shaftman, president, BellSouth Business.
For more information about BellSouth voice and data solutions for businesses, visit http://www.bellsouthlargebusiness.com/.
About BellSouth Corporation
BellSouth Corporation is a Fortune 100 communications company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. BellSouth has joint control and 40 percent ownership of Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless voice and data provider with 52.3 million customers.
Backed by award-winning customer service, BellSouth offers the most comprehensive and innovative package of voice and data services available in the market. Through BellSouth Answers(R), residential and small business customers can bundle their local and long distance service with dial-up and high-speed DSL Internet access, satellite television and Cingular(R) Wireless service. For businesses, BellSouth provides secure, reliable local and long distance voice and data networking solutions. BellSouth also offers online and directory advertising through BellSouth(R) RealPages.com(R) and The Real Yellow Pages(R).
BellSouth believes that diversity and fostering an inclusive environment are critical in maintaining a competitive advantage in today's global marketplace. More information about BellSouth can be found at http://www.bellsouth.com/.
About the Georgia Aquarium
The Georgia Aquarium will open in Atlanta, Georgia on November 23, 2005, as the world's largest aquarium facility. With more than 8 million gallons of marine and fresh water, and more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species, the Georgia Aquarium is a gift to the people of Georgia from Bernie Marcus, co-founder of The Home Depot, and his wife Billi, through the Marcus Foundation. The Aquarium will be overseen by a nonprofit corporation run by a board of directors. The mission of the Georgia Aquarium is to be an entertaining, educational and scientific institution featuring exhibitions and programs of the highest standards, offering engaging and entertaining visitors' experiences, and promoting the conservation of aquatic biodiversity throughout the world. Additional information on the Georgia Aquarium can be found at http://www.georgiaaquarium.org/
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051116/CLW011AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
BellSouth Corporation
CONTACT: Elyse Hammett of BellSouth Corporation, +1-404-829-8892, orcell, +1-404-376-5563, or j.elyse.hammett@bellsouth.com
Web site: http://www.bellsouth.com/http://www.bellsouthlargebusiness.com/http://www.georgi
aaquarium.org/
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