Subject: [NEXTEL-1] Videoconferencing for emergencies

From: Marcel <[email-masked]>
Date: Tue, 13 May 2003 08:31:07 -0400

Videoconferencing for emergencies

 BY Dibya Sarkar
 May 12, 2003

 Norwegian-based company Tandberg LLC today is unveiling two
 new briefcase-size videoconferencing units geared for field use by
 civilian emergency workers and military personnel.

 Based on open architecture, the highly secure Tandberg Tactical
 6000 and 2500 systems include a 15-inch screen, headset, camera,
 microphone and speakers. The rugged units are enclosed in
 heavy-duty aluminum cases and measure 18 by 21 by 8 inches.

 The company says both systems contain the highest level of
 standards-based encryption — Advanced Encryption Standard
 and Data Encryption Standard with the ability to integrate Type 1
 encryption devices. Both can connect to satellite, leased-line or
 other external networks and both work on multiple network
 protocols, such as IP or ISDN.

 The 2500 system can perform up to speeds of up to 384
 kilobits/sec with ISDN service and 768 kilobits/sec with IP service.
 The 6000 system has bandwidth of up to 2 megabits/sec for ISDN
 and 3 megabits/sec for IP.

 Cost ranges from $21,490 to $34,490 per unit.

 Robert Widlandky, Tandberg's director of product marketing, said the units could help at
onsite
 briefings during emergencies. For example, police, fire and emergency medical workers
could
 use it to relay pictures of earthquake damage in real time. In military training
exercises out in the
 field, officials could use it for routine communication or to display maps.

 In the past, the company has sold the "guts and intelligence" of the unit, he said, but
never as a
 whole package. Users had to integrate other components, such as a screen or camera. This
 marks the first time, a standalone, all-integrated unit is available.

 Widlandky said while videoconferencing has been prevalent in military and intelligence
circles,
 state and local agencies are only now starting to learn more about such communication
devices.

 "We're seeing a lot more interest than we have in the past," he said. Such systems have
become
 more affordable with the use of IP, he said, adding that state and local organizations
are realizing
 the benefits of such systems. He said cutting down on travel costs is a driver, but not a
main one.
 Many are using videoconferencing for training as well.

http://www.fcw.com/geb/articles/2003/0512/web-video-05-12-03.asp

------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Rent DVDs Online - Over 14,500 titles.
No Late Fees & Free Shipping.
Try Netflix for FREE!
http://us.click.yahoo.com/YoVfrB/XP.FAA/uetFAA/61FxlB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/