One could say that the ability to communicate is a key to success. Merriam Webster’s defines communication as a verbal or written message and also the technology of the transmission of information (as by print or telecommunication) (http://aolsvc.merriam-webster.aol.com). There are various ways people communicate today, face-to-face, on the phone, the Internet, radios, television to name a few. This paper will focus on one mode of communication called Video Conferencing. This paper will provide a detailed description of Video Conferencing, discuss the technology involved, future trends, companies involved, imposed regulations and global implications.
Detailed Description Many companies are joining the bandwagon and getting onboard with the technology of video conferencing for their businesses. Video Conferencing is the use of technology where people can communicate with each other with voice and video from one location to another. Recently, desktop systems and even IP-phone are being introduced into the market to also be used. The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) creates the H.323 protocol standards or video conferencing standards. “The H.323 is the international standard for multimedia communication over packet switched networks, including LANs, WANS, and the Internet. It was first defined by the ITU in 1996 and has been updated regularly” (Techabulary.com). The H.323 includes other standards like H.225.0, H.245, H.450, H.460, and allows use of T.120 for data transfer. T.120 provides real-time connection or communication between two or more personnel. This includes: application sharing, white boarding, file exchange, and chat. Video conferencing was first originally developed for at house networks. The demand for further reaching became a must and want for many of the businesses. There are three types of conferences. The first is a person to person. This is used mainly with two computers talking to each other. The