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These technologies transmit life-size, high-definition images and spatial discrete audio, which gives users the ability to discern facial expressions for business discussions and negotiations across the "virtual table."

John Simon, Managing Director, Optus Business said; "The Cisco TelePresence implementation provides Optus with a multitude of benefits for our business, our staff, and our customers. Already, we have experienced a significant reduction in travel for the Optus senior leadership team since deploying the solution. Not only will the technology help us to reduce travel and its associated costs but it will also provide us with a proven solution to demonstrate to customers and prospects."

The multipoint TelePresence System 3000 gives Optus employees the ability to employ up to 48 systems in different locations. A three-screen Cisco TelePresence System 3000 unit for six participants on one side of the virtual table has been implemented at the Optus Macquarie Park campus in Sydney and in Optus' Melbourne office.

Optus is also deploying Cisco's TelePresence System 500 at its Macquarie Park campus. This personal Cisco TelePresence system retains the same qualities of the ?in-person', lifelike, interaction while giving organizations the flexibility to support intimate, one-on-one meetings and enable employees to join larger group meetings from personal workspaces. The deployment of all four Cisco TelePresence systems at Optus will allow up to 15 users to collaborate between Sydney and Melbourne.

Les Williamson, vice president of Cisco Australia and New Zealand, said: "Networking technologies, particularly those that use video such as Cisco TelePresence, are playing a critical role in the evolution of business as it becomes more collaborative and productive. Optus will benefit from its deployment of Cisco TelePresence in terms of encouraging collaboration and reducing the impact and cost of its travel."