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Vidtel(TM) Announces First Video Calling Service for the Polycom(R) VVX 1500(TM) Business Media Phone

Posted on: Friday, 13 March 2009, 10:42 CDT

Instant Video Conferencing and Video Calling Service Fills Void in Small-to-Medium Enterprises

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Vidtel, Inc. today announced the Polycom VVX 1500 Business Media Phone as its premier appliance for video calling and video conferencing in small-to-medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Vidtel video calling and conferencing service fills the void between high-end room conferencing systems and lower-quality video chat. The company enables video calling and video conferencing instantly on every desk with an affordable service that provides interoperability among a growing range of value-priced handsets, sophisticated models like the Polycom VVX 1500 and PC software clients.

Vidtel is the world's first video communication service to make video calling and instant video conferencing accessible for distributed offices, telecommuting, customer service and other businesses where personal contact is key. While high-end room conferencing proved the value of bringing people closer together with video, high cost and interoperability among video-enabled devices has imposed barriers to widespread adoption in the price-sensitive SME and consumer markets. While video chat software is very low cost, lower quality, inconvenience and lack of interoperability with video-enabled appliances make it inadequate for widespread business use.

"Vidtel delivers video calling and instant video conferencing in affordable, easy-to-use, always-on devices," said Scott Wharton, Vidtel founder and CEO. "Until now, there've been no good solutions between high-end room conferencing and free video chat software that's inadequate for regular business use. Vidtel adds video to any voice call. As affordable, video-enabled devices become more available, we will continue expanding interoperability in the network to let any video-enabled device or software interoperate. That lets SMEs choose the appropriate price/value/quality option for any need."

The Polycom VVX 1500 transforms individual productivity through a unique combination of full-featured telephone equipped with Polycom HD Voice(TM), personal video conferencing, and an interactive information portal for integrated business applications. A touch-based device that is as simple to use as a traditional desktop phone, the VVX 1500 delivers a quick ROI through high-quality face-to-face collaboration without requiring travel.

"Vidtel offers a reliable, affordable service that delivers the value of the Polycom VVX 1500 to small-to-medium sized enterprises," added Jim Kruger, vice president of marketing for Polycom Voice Communications Solutions. "With the VVX 1500 and Vidtel service, companies can initiate high quality, ad-hoc voice and video calls with the simple touch of a screen, and with the added possibility for integration with key business applications. The VVX 1500 business media phone streamlines collaboration, reduces travel and enables faster decision-making and improved productivity."

Silicon Valley's Plug and Play Tech Center uses Vidtel to unify its three facilities and reduce staffing costs. For video reception, Plug and Play Tech Center deployed Vidtel service with the beta version of the Polycom VVX 1500 late last year to enable Sunnyvale, Calif. reception staff to serve visitors at its remote Redwood City and Palo Alto communities. People entering remote lobbies call the Sunnyvale main visitor center to gain access to the secured, remote facilities. They also use Vidtel instant video conferencing on Polycom VVX 1500s for weekly staff meetings and instant video conferences between facilities.

"Plug and Play Tech Center is a dynamic community where more than 150 start-up companies share ideas and the cost of a high-quality environment," said Plug and Play Tech Center COO Kayvan Baroumand. "Maintaining the security, professionalism and high-touch service of personal reception with Vidtel service enables us to dramatically cost reduce staffing remote facilities without sacrificing very personal service through face-to-face communication. This is the very essence of finding revolutionary ways to use technology to change the way we work and live."

About Vidtel, Inc.

Vidtel is the first video communication company to make video calling and conferencing easy-to-deploy, easy-to-use and affordable for small-to-medium sized enterprises and consumers. Vidtel fills the void between high-end room conferencing systems and lower-end consumer video software with always-on, instantly available video conferencing and video calling that's as easy to use as any phone. Interoperability among a growing range of Broadsoft compatible, value-priced and high-end appliances and software clients gives SMEs the broadest range of options for all their business needs. See Vidtel on the web at www.vidtel.com or call 1-(877) 698-4383.

About Plug and Play Tech Center

PlugandPlayTechCenter.com is a community of over 150 technology startups. Since January 2006, the center has helped startups raise over $600M in venture funding creating a value of over $2B. Entrepreneur-centered with strong relationships with the most influential Silicon Valley VC firms and Ivy League universities nationwide, PlugandPlayTechCenter.com is the ultimate place to launch and grow promising new technologies. For further information, contact Jupe Tan at jupe@plugandplaytechcenter.com or 1-(408) 524-3100.

For further information contact:

Brooke Fernandez Schulz Vidtel, Inc. 440 North Wolfe Road Sunnyvale, CA 94086 brooke@vidtel.com 650-265-0425

SOURCE Vidtel, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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