Tandberg, a videoconferencing solutions company based in Oslo, Norway, today announced what it claims is the first-to-market videoconferencing product capable of running on a 802.11b WLAN. The Tandberg 1000 is an integrated device which consists of an LCD screen with multiple network interfaces including IP, ISDN, and WLAN.
The company describes the Tandberg 1000 as a compact device suitable for use in executive offices, meeting rooms, and shared office environments. President and CEO Bengt Thuresson stated that perhaps the device will become the ‘killer app’ that makes companies choose wireless technology for their networking needs.
The Tandberg 1000 runs on a wireless LAN, but it does require a single cable for the power connection. As such, it can be used for ad hoc meetings or incorporated into use in the current trend in workspace sharing. Companies not currently using WLAN technology can take advantage of the multiple network interfaces and effectively reduce the cost of ultimately switching to a WLAN.
The Tandberg 1000 is fully compatible with the IEEE 802.11b standard. The unit requires a PC/PCMCIA card that fits into the slot at the top and interfaces with a WLAN access point. The company reported that currently supported cards include the Compaq WL110 and the Lucent Orinoco PC24E-H-(ET/FC/FR/JP).
The unit will be demonstrated by Tandberg at the TeleCon 2001 show in Anaheim, Calif. on October 23, 2001, at which point it will also be available for purchase. Pricing starts at $5,490. Further information can be found at the Tandberg Web site.
Matthew Peretz is Managing Editor of 802.11-Planet.com
