Videoconferencing: The Alberta Advantage

• It is widely available: Nearly all colleges and universities across North America, Europe, Australia and Eastern Asia now have videoconference facilities. Tabletop and computer-based videoconference systems are increasing in numbers and usage.
  
  
• The technology has changed: With the development of high-speed networks such as SuperNet and NeteraNet in Alberta, the CA*net 4 optical network now available across Canada, together with Internet2 and other similar high-capacity networks in the US and around the world, the potential of real-time applications like videoconferencing is enhanced.
  
  
• Costs are decreasing: Equipment costs have come down and newer Internet-based systems are cheaper to operate than original ISDN based systems since there are no long distance bills to pay.
  
  
• Functionality is increasing: Multi-site videoconferencing is easier to use. Four video sites, joined together with any number of telephone participants in a single meeting, is a straightforward setup. Having a computer on hand allows participants to look at Web pages together, share a whiteboard, or work together on spreadsheets or documents. Desktop and notebook computers are widely available which allow integrated videoconferencing and application sharing as well using software like MSN Messenger or NetMeeting.
  
  
• Standards are in place: Most present-day ISDN and Internet-based videoconferencing systems use existing standards for maximum interoperability (H.320, H.323, T.120 interface for NetMeeting data sharing). Many systems can integrate four or more ISDN or IP-based videoconference sites together at the same time without the need for an external videoconference bridging service.