Video conferencing technology - often regarded as an option only for cash-flush, First World corporates - offers enormous opportunities for Africa. Indeed, video conferencing could - and should - play an integral role in the roll-out of projects aimed at improving healthcare and education across the continent.
So says Aldean Prior, GM of the ICT Division at Reed Exhibitions South Africa which is organising Tel.Com Africa 2002, who says several solutions on display at Tel.Com Africa 2002 will illustrate just how effective telemedicine and tele-education can be.
Tel.Com is the continent`s longest established telecommunications industry exhibition and takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 23 to 25 October.
This year`s theme is "Nation Building through Telecommunications Technology Solutions", aligning it with Nepad (New Partnership for Africa`s Development).
One exhibitor which will focus strongly on this theme is China`s Huawei Technologies Co, a leading global provider of telecommunications equipment and networking solutions.
The company is using Tel.Com Africa 2002 to launch a new suite of video solutions for telecom carriers and varied enterprises in Africa.
The ViewPoint 8000 video conferencing system differs from traditional video conferencing systems, in that it`s designed with a hierarchical architecture that features a logically clear-cut three-layered network structure consisting of the service management layer, the service switching layer, and the service user layer. It`s as simple to use as making a voice telephone call.
The high-performance system has been widely deployed in a number of developed and developing countries - US, Russia and Indonesia - enabling millions of people to enjoy a wealth of video services such as tele-education and telemedicine, as well as business conferences at their desktops.
China Telecom`s Hainan Telecom subsidiary recently selected Huawei as its leading system provider to build its first phase business (IP) video conferencing network based around Huawei`s ViewPoint 8000 integrated video conferencing system.
MCT Telecommunications, a member of the CIE Group, will also launch a video conferencing solution at Tel.Com Africa 2002.
The company, which provides cable monitoring systems, also offers total solutions for ISDN network termination and test instruments, ADSL network termination and test instruments, video conferencing, audio conferencing, telemedicine and video surveillance.
At the exhibition, MCT Telecommunications will unveil its videophone, set top, rollabout and audio/video Codec range of video conferencing products. The company will also introduce a video-based access control security system.
Grintek Telecom, a division of JSE-listed Grintek Ltd, and one of SA`s leading empowerment IT and telecommunications solutions and integration companies, uses its partnership with world leader British Telecom and Tandberg, to provide video conferencing solutions to the market.
These combine audio, video and telecommunication networking to create an interactive, multimedia business meeting that anyone can attend - anywhere.
Video conferencing, Grintek Telecom maintains, is the next big move for increased productivity and efficiency and the company has developed the skills to ensure that it fulfils the promise to enhance telecommunication across a company and across the world.
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Reed Exhibitions SA (RESA) is SA`s premier exhibition organiser specialising in trade and industry events.
RESA`s flagship title is Computer Faire, SA`s most comprehensive information technology business exhibition which is held annually in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
RESA organises Tel.Com Africa on behalf of the Computer Society of South Africa and the Electronic Industries Federation. The 11th Tel.Com exhibition takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 23 to 25 October 2002.
RESA is wholly owned by the world`s leading exhibition company, UK-based Reed Exhibitions.
For more information about Tel.Com Africa 2002, go to www.teldotcom.org.za.
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