Telstra launches videophone for hosted IP telephony customers

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 17 March 2010 17:56

Business IT - Technology

Telstra is to offer a videophone to business customers of its hosted IP telephony product, TIPT, claiming it is the first such offering from an Australian telco.

 

Telstra’s acting executive director data, IP & enterprise services, Carol White, said more than 300 organisations using TIPT could use the business video telephony service simply by upgrading their desktop phones. "We have partnered with Polycom to introduce our first videophone which will enable our TIPT customers to access affordable video calling from today."

The new device, called the Telstra VVX 1500 Business Media Phone, (VVX 1500 is its Polycom model number) is HD voice ready. It features an 18cm touch screen display, a gigabit ethernet switch and an integrated camera. Telstra says the phone is able to provide a high-quality video and voice experience thanks to quality of service (QoS) data traffic prioritisation on its Next IP network.

Telstra is also launching high-definition voice calling between businesses using TIPT. Its introduction follows Telstra launching internal HD voice calling for businesses in April 2009.

“HD voice calling delivers twice the clarity of ordinary phone calls and is like switching from AM to FM radio," White said. "Increasing voice clarity can improve understanding and can help businesses communicate and collaborate more effectively with customers and suppliers." Organisations currently using HD-capable TIPT handsets will automatically access HD voice calling when connecting with other TIPT customers with compatible handsets.

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