Cisco offers low-cost video for 'Net phones
In a move aimed at encouraging greater take-up of Internet telephony, Cisco Systems Inc. unveiled Wednesday a new system enabling real-time videoconferences on Internet phones for less than US$200 per user.
Release 4.0 of the company's CallManager software, which is designed for IP (Internet Protocol) voice server systems, and the new Cisco Video Telephony (VT) Advantage client software allow real-time person-to-person video sessions to be added transparently to telephone calls, the company said.
"We want to show users that they can do a whole lot more with their Internet phones than just make calls," said company spokeswoman Emma Bluck. "With our new technology, they can set up videoconference sessions as quickly and cheaply as they make regular phone calls."
Customers who already own CallManager voice software with a service agreement and Internet phones from Cisco can upgrade to the latest version for free and purchase a PC package consisting of Cisco VT Advantage video software and Web camera for about $190 per user, said Darren Pryke, product manager of IP communication systems at Cisco.
The latest release of CallManager, which is sold separately from Cisco servers, is already available, while the new Cisco VT Advantage software and camera package will begin shipping in a couple of weeks, he said.
The CallManager software is also designed to work with traditional video conference systems from several manufacturers, including Tandberg ASA and Polycom Inc., according to Pryke.
IDG News Service
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