Providers enhance teleconferencing offers and IP-VPN portfolio - Video conferencing moves to 3D and HD Video - Vodafone and Microsoft partner to combine Online Services with voice and data services.

Stuttgart, Germany - Virtual meetings come closer to reality as providers in Europe and in the US focus on offering richer business communications and collaboration services with enhanced teleconferencing applications as well as improve IP-VPN portfolio offerings.

BT Conferencing, for instance, has launched HD Video Bridging, a high definition video conferencing service, which allows users to mix both standard and high definition video conferencing. The service is available worldwide and allows users to choose preferred network provider. Users can integrate other BT services such as Self Service Bridging, which enables users to use BT’s Engage Meeting manager to schedule and manage meetings.

In the meantime, Masergy Communications, in cooperation with UK-based Musion Systems Limited launched trials for 3D hologram communication, which enables live, interactive meeting using 3D holograms over fixed line networks. Users appear as 3D holograms to interact with other users in remote locations. Musion provides Musion Eyeliner - a high definition projection system that creates the 3D images \ while MASERGY provides a high-speed network connection that optimises the delivery of an HD video signal.

Innovations Spotlights by InfoCom also include:

- Single communications and collaboration solutions for fixed and mobile voice as well as data services, customer equipment and devices with Microsoft Online Services, provided by Vodafone.

- Business Ringback Tones, customised messages played when customers call an enterprises’ mobile numbers with professional add-ons, such as services from advertising scriptwriters and voice-over-artists to write and record customised messages.

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