Multiple sites can be linked into a conference, with voice switching being used to switch between sites. These will then be connected to MANs, providing wide access to the service. Informal communication would normally use desk top systems. More formal meetings with several participants at each site would probably use dedicated studio settings. Collaborative work between researchers using shared applications Presentations Education.
Teaching usually involves one to many connections.
The student sites may receive audio and video but only send audio. The computers are mainly connected over a LAN with a 64K Internet connection. The system is used to link students with tutors, small group meetings between different sites, and informal contact between dispersed colleagues. Livenet at the University of London provides videoconferencing to several of its colleges over three ISDN 2 lines. A range of equipment allows the system to be used for one to one meetings through to lectures.