Cisco Launches IP Videoconferencing For Education

Cisco Systems has teamed up with Tandberg Education solutions to offer a videoconferencing solution designed to meet the needs of distance educators.

The IP Videoconferencing Solution for K-12 allows combines Cisco's IP VC 3500 series videoconferencing software with Tandberg's 6000 MXP codec technology. This will allow educators to integrate the Tandberg Educator MXP product, a modular solution that includes a console, monitor, video camera, whiteboards and related network collaboration technologies, to create advanced interactive remote classrooms.

"Our new IP Videoconferencing solution will extend the reach of teachers to students outside the classroom, bring the world to students via virtual field trips, and eliminate the time and hassles associated with physically traveling from one meeting to another," Cisco education solutions manager Phylis Hawkins said in a statement. "With schools moving to IP-based networks, they are realizing not only the application benefits, but the cost benefits as well."

According to collaboration technology market analysis firm Wainhouse Research, American schools are increasingly migrating to IP networks and ISDN to provide converged network access and to allow them to take advantage of Internet 2's advanced videoconferencing resources. The firm expects the IP videoconferencing market to grow at 15% annually, with 80% of videoconferencing to be carried over IP networks.