AT&T Corp last week entered the race to provide video-conferencing to the desktop with the launch of WorldWorx services. The system works by compressing video signals to travel on the same line with data and voice traffic. Two people working at computers miles away can share data, see a video of each other and talk […]
AT&T Corp last week entered the race to provide video-conferencing to the desktop with the launch of WorldWorx services. The system works by compressing video signals to travel on the same line with data and voice traffic. Two people working at computers miles away can share data, see a video of each other and talk to each other. From a business perspective, AT&T’s WorldWorx helps expand the markets for several computer and software companies. Eight companies – Apple Computer Inc, Sun Microsystems Computer Corp, Novell Inc, Lotus Development Corp, PictureTel Corp, Xerox Corp, VideoServer Inc and IBM Corp formally pledged to support AT&T’s line with hardware and software. Users will need an ISDN or switched 56Kbps line to get WorldWorx services. AT&T would not disclose how much users will have to pay for the services that will be available early next year. One name missing from the supperters’ club was Intel Corp, which in January announced a collaborative effort involving AT&T, using Intel’s Indeo compression standard for desktop video transmission. AT&T said it was still a partner in Intel’s effort, but appears to be ready to compete with Intel with its own alternative as well, and plans to price its adaptor boards which use the H320 compression system – very low, although at present such boards cost $5,000 a time and very low here still means around $3,000. The cost of a video call to a business using the WorldWorx system would be from 50 cents to $1.50 a minute, excluding all the equipment costs.
