Local telcos to deploy Cisco's Telepresence for OFWs
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 07:45pm (Mla time) 09/01/2007
MANILA, Philippines -- Local telecom companies are planning to deploy Cisco Systems' high-end videoconferencing system for services geared toward overseas Filipino workers.
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Launched October last year, Telepresence supports high-definition video. Cisco sells two packages, priced approximately $80,000 and $300,000, including plasma screens and proprietary audio equipment.
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"We expect to deploy six to seven Telepresence units before the year ends," said Luichi Robles, Cisco's country manager for the Philippines.
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At least one telco is looking to use Telepresence in providing video-based services for OFWs in Hong Kong, Italy and Singapore, Robles added in an interview.
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"In some countries, OFWs prefer to stay and work rather than go home on a regular basis, which is why telcos see a good market for a video service," he said.
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Telepresence marks Cisco's entry into the videoconferencing market. HP has announced a similar high-end system called Halo. These solutions take advantage of sophisticated technology to create real-time communication using video.
-Cisco has saved more than $50 million in travel costs alone after deploying Telepresence internally, according to Andre Smit, Cisco senior director for technical operations in Asia Pacific.
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"Pricing becomes not much of an issue because awareness of the value Telepresence brings is rising," he said. Telstra, a telecom company in Australia, is already using Telepresence, he added.
Cisco will deploy Telepresence in next year's Summer Olympics in Beijing, China to accommodate real
