Telepresence Offers Edge over Videoconferencing

SINGAPORE--(Business Wire)--
Telepresence solution promises to be the visual communications
tool of the future. After a tepid start, the technology now tops
videoconferencing systems in utilization rates on the strength of its
high quality images and sound, simplicity and tightly integrated
service element.

These features enable users to work productively without
experiencing communication fatigue for longer hours due to the natural
feel of the solution. As a result, a large number of existing users
have increased the deployment of telepresence solution across their
regional outfit.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan
(http://www.conferencing.frost.com), Asia Pacific Telepresence Market,
finds that the market - covering six sub-regions (14 countries) in
Asia-Pacific - earned revenues of US$17.7 million in 2007 and
estimates this to reach US$144 million by end-2014, at a CAGR
(compound annual growth rate) of 34.9 percent (2007-2014).

By end-2008, revenues are forecasted to grow by nearly 91 percent
to reach a market size of US$33.8 million.

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which provides
service providers, vendors/manufacturers, end users, and other
industry participants with an overview of the Asia-Pacific
telepresence market, then send an e-mail to Sarah Lourdes at
sarah.lourdes@frost.com, with your full name, company name, title,
telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address. Upon receipt of the
above information, an overview will be sent to you by e-mail.

The growing demand for telepresence is influenced by several
micro- and macro-economic factors. Among others, the rising trend in
outsourcing and offshoring operations in Asia, coupled with the
increasing globalization and virtualization of businesses which has
resulted in the growing number of manufacturing and R&D hubs in
emerging markets such as China and India.

The influx of FDI (foreign direct investments) and business
expansion in Asia-Pacific has also resulted in countries such as
Singapore, Hong Kong, and Australia rise to prominence as regional
headquarters. This changing business environment - from a centralized
to a flatter and more dispersed organization structure - raises the
importance of real-time collaboration and communication from a
distance that enhance overall business productivity, decision-making
and speed-to-market.

"Telepresence technology has seen encouraging demand not only from
the corporate sector but also from service providers and governments,"
says Frost & Sullivan senior industry analyst Yen Yen Har. "Demand has
been strongest from Australia, Greater China and Japan, while
impressive inroads were noted in India and South Korea as well."

Uptake of telepresence is also aided by the growing awareness of
climate change and the need for businesses to proactively demonstrate
corporate social responsibility and mitigate carbon emission. Efforts
to promote green initiatives are also observed among governments,
particularly those at the top of the list in carbon emission such as
China, Japan, South Korea and India.

Har points out however that the Asia-Pacific region is far more
predisposed to price sensitivities and bandwidth barriers than any
other region in the world. "This is one of the primary reasons that
Asia-Pacific still trails behind Europe and North America in the
adoption of telepresence solutions," she says.

"Higher bandwidth availability is vital for enhanced user
experience and the lack of adequate bandwidth often inhibits
deployment of telepresence," adds Har.

"In some cases, bandwidth limitations may compel potential users
to invest in cheaper alternatives and less bandwidth-intensive
solutions such as high-definition videoconferencing," she cautions.

The Asia Pacific Telepresence Market study is part of the
Conferencing & Collaboration Growth Partnership Service program, which
also includes research in the following markets: videoconferencing
endpoints, videoconferencing infrastructure systems, and audio, video
and web conferencing services. All research services included in
subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry
trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with
market participants. Analyst interviews are available to the press.

Frost & Sullivan, the Growth Partnership Company, partners with
clients to accelerate their growth. The company's TEAM Research,
Growth Consulting and Growth Team Membership empower clients to create
a growth-focused culture that generates, evaluates and implements
effective growth strategies. Frost & Sullivan employs over 45 years of
experience in partnering with Global 1000 companies, emerging
businesses and the investment community from more than 30 offices on
six continents. For more information about Frost & Sullivan's Growth
Partnerships, visit http://www.frost.com.

Frost & Sullivan
Corporate Communications - Asia Pacific
Sarah Lourdes, +603-6207-1030
sarah.lourdes@frost.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008