Internet2, FuzeBox Offer Cloud-Based HD Videoconferencing
Internet2 and
FuzeBox have partnered to provide cloud-based HD
videoconferencing to nonprofit higher education or research
institutions.
Owned by its members and founded in 1996, Internet2 is an "advanced
technology community," according to information released by the
organization, comprising nearly 200 universities, 78 coporations, 39
state and regional education agencies, 70 affiliate members such as
government agencies and "more than 65 national research and education
networking partners representing over 100 countries."
FuzeBox provides video, Web and voice conferencing via mobile dvice,
desktop computer, or room-based systems and "connects traditional video
conferencing and telepresence systems from
Cisco,
Polycom,
Tandberg,
LifeSize,
Radvision and others in one-to-one and group video
calls," according to a news release.
Saint Louis University
recently sponsored the service for Internet2's
NET+ program after it deployed FuzeBox to
approximately 20,000 faculty, students and staff at campuses in St.
Louis and Madrid following a successful pilot program. Now the
university uses FuzeBox for distance courses, online office hours, test
prep, training, bringing guest lecturers to campus virtually, and for
administrative purposes.
"We are just scratching the surface on the transformational impact the
use of the emerging next generation, high definition, anyone to
anywhere, real-time video collaboration products can have within
research and education," said Shelton Waggener, Internet2 senior vice
president, in a prepared statement. "The ability to extend the reach of
institutions and engage students in dynamic, interactive ways from
different locations, using smartphones, tablets or room-based systems
creates endless opportunities to enhance and evolve the education
experience. This Internet2 NET+ initiative gives our members and the
entire nation's non-profit education community a proven application
like FuzeBox to make this a reality today."
More information is available at
internet2.edu.
About the Author
Joshua Bolkan is contributing editor for Campus Technology, THE Journal and STEAM Universe. He can be reached at [email protected].