Cisco has added two new video conferencing facilities to the network of inter-operable telepresence systems, as the company introduces video conferencing to Casablanca and Tunis.

According to ITP.net, a Middle East technology news site, this is the first time that video conferencing services across Cisco’s telepresence platform have been available in both countries. The new facilities are based at Cisco’s own offices and according to Cisco’s North Africa division, are a key step to increased deployment of telepresence technology in the sub-saharan African region.

The telepresence studio at the Casablanca office is perhaps slightly more impressive than that at the Tunis office. Cisco’s Casablanca office has been equipped with a Cisco Telepresence System 3000, which has three 65-inch plasma screens and a stand-alone lighting array in addition to the cameras, microphones, speakers and specially designed table which form key components of a video conference system. 

Meanwhile the Tunis office has been equipped with the 1300 series, a smaller system which has one screen, three cameras and a built-in lighting system. The set up at both facilities allows up to six participants to virtually collaborate and conference with up to six participants at any of the other Cisco telepresence studios around the world.

Anthony Vonsee, managing director for Cisco North Africa said that the use of video conferencing in the region was likely to see rapid growth over the next few years with the arrival of submarine broadband cables, which offer higher bandwidth at lower prices than previously seen in the region.

Tags: telepresence, telepresence studio, video conference facilities, video conferencing services