Published in
Telecomworldwire
on Friday, 09 May 2008 at
15:37 GMT
Copyright (C) 2008, M2 Communications Ltd.
Virtual family reunions are being provided for US troops serving in Iraq by Verizon Business (Verizon), a provider of integrated communications and information technology (IT) solutions and a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), Cisco (Nasdaq:CSCO) and Wal-Mart Stores Inc (NYSE:WMT), along with SkyPort Global Communications Inc (SkyPort) and the USO (United Service Organizations), which provides services to US military personnel and their families.
Verizon said a lifelike video communications technology known as Cisco TelePresence is being used to enable troops to speak to family in the US, from now until 6 July 2008.
According to Cisco, its TelePresence solution demonstrates how users can communicate and collaborate in real-time as though meeting face-to-face.
The companies confirmed free connections are provided, using Verizons Private IP network and a SkyPort satellite uplink, available 24/7, linking two remote Iraq bases to two Wal-Mart stores in Camp Pendleton, California and Fort Drum, New York.
Ciscos TelePresence rooms are located at the Wal-Mart Store in Temecula, California and at the Wal-Mart Store in Evans Mills, New York, while SkyPort has installed satellite ground links at two bases in Iraq.
