PCCW Global and Tata Communications separately launched new videoconferencing services, and are calling for carrier partners to help drive take-up.
PCCW Global rolled out its service that offers switched point-to-point high-definition (HD) video calling.
The new service does not require a conference bridge or a preset time to speak.
“HD video calling is really about applying carriers’ expertise in voice trading to video sessions. This is in carriers’ DNA,” said Jordick Wong, PCCW Global’s SVP for product and vendor management.
Wong said that by offering HD video calling, which requires large amounts of managed capacity, carriers can monetize the investments that have been put into their big bandwidth networks, and do so on a per-minute basis.
Meanwhile, Tata Communications launched its video conferencing service dubbed “jamvee,” which can be accessed on any device.
Tata describes jamvee as a multi-device compatible cloud-based service.
The company said that while video conferencing is becoming increasingly popular among organisations as a way to increase productivity of their mobile workforce, it hasn’t yet realized its true potential due to quality and interoperability issues, especially with multi-user global video conferencing. Tata Communications cites the experience with over-the-top (OTT) video communication solutions that use only the internet to connect users.
“Lack of interoperability, consistency of experience per location, complicated price plans and the need for third-party reservations have stood in the way of truly global enterprise collaboration,” said John Hayduk, Tata Communications president and CTO.
The jamvee software application supports Windows, Mac OSX, and iOS devices -- with Android support following in August. Users of Microsoft Lync and other video conferencing software, as well as those with access to standard video conferencing systems such as Immersive Telepresence, can also meet using jamvee.
Jamvee also offers a self-service portal for professionals who need a personal video service.