Communication Solutions

Avis Budget Group, a company that operates two of the most recognized brands in the global vehicle rental industry through Avis and Budget, has announced a new partnership with technology innovator, RaySat Broadcasting Corporation by bringing AT&T’s (News - Alert) CruiseCastSM satellite television service to rental car customers.

 

CruiseCastSM was introduced by AT&T to enhance long road trips and make them more enjoyable. This new satellite television service delivers news, family, sports, comedy and music channels to Avis and Budget rental cars.

 

Avis and Budget customers will be able to take advantage of this service starting in the second quarter of 2009. Customers can rent AT&T CruiseCast at select locations for $8.95 per day or $62.65 per week. The unit users a receiver and small, low-profile external antenna to provide 22 commonly-viewed satellite television channels and 20 satellite radio channels to a back seat entertainment unit.

 

Utilizing video-buffering technology, AT&T CruiseCast automatically stores up to three minutes of content so that viewing will not be disturbed by overpasses, a tall building or trees. The channel line-up includes the Disney Channel, Disney XD, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network Mobile, USA, COMEDY CENTRAL, MSNBC, CNN Mobile Live and CNBC.

 

“Parents and road warriors alike appreciate ways to make long drives seem shorter,” stated Michael Caron, vice president of product and program development at Avis Budget Group.  “The AT&T CruiseCast service lets our customers take their favorite channels with them on the road and makes choosing to rent with Avis or Budget easier than changing the channel.”

 

“We are very excited to bring this new offering to Avis and Budget customers,” said Winston Guillory, president of RaySat Broadcasting.  “The service provides a great benefit to both business and leisure travelers, and for parents, it ends the refrain ‘are we there yet?’”

A privately held company based in the U.S., RaySat Broadcasting Corporation is introducing Total In-Car Entertainment to the marketplace with the groundbreaking AT&T CruiseCast service with the AT&T CruiseCast brand. 

 

Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, RaySat Broadcasting Corporation capitalizes on pioneering technology that has enabled the creation of a small compact antenna for use on cars, trucks and SUV's. Its technology also provides continual coverage on-the-go thanks to an advancement that overcomes obstacles such as overpasses, buildings, trees or tunnels.

 

RaySat Broadcasting is an affiliate of Vienna, Virginia-based global satellite-antenna innovator RaySat, a manufacturer and supplier for the mass market of cost-effective, low-profile satellite antennas that enable communication on the move.

Avis Budget Group a provider of vehicle rental services, with operations in more than 70 countries. Through its Avis and Budget brands, the company is the largest general-use vehicle rental company in each of North America, Australia, New Zealand and certain other regions based on published airport statistics. Avis Budget Group is headquartered in Parsippany, New Jersey and has more than 28,000 employees.