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Media Alert: HDConnect High Definition Calling Trial Targets Washington Tech Policy Leaders

^{Published on 2009-12-07 05:36:57 - Market Wire}
 

WASHINGTON, DC and PLEASANTON, CA--(Marketwire - December 7, 2009) -

What:

The [ HDConnect Project ] and Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ PLCM ]) invite members of the Washington, D.C. tech policy community to experience high definition telephone calls via an HD calling trial starting Dec. 10, 2009. HDConnect Steering Committee members will hold a seminar and demonstrations in Washington, D.C. to help legislators and others learn more about why high definition telephony promises to transform the communication landscape. After the seminar, attendees may register to participate in the trial.

Who:

 Jeff Pulver, Founder, HDConnect Project Daniel Berninger, CEO, FWD Jeff Rodman, Co-Founder and CTO, Polycom, Inc. 

When:

 Thursday, December 10, 2009 10 a.m. - Noon Please RSVP for the seminar Email [ dan@danielberninger.com ], or call +1.202.250.3838 

Where:

 Hilton Washington 1919 Connecticut Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20009 +1.202.483.3000 

Why:

High definition telephony offers more than twice the voice quality of standard phone calls, and is the biggest advancement telephony has seen in more than 100 years. HD calling makes telephone calls significantly more productive because it all but eliminates the misunderstandings that arise because the standard phone system cuts out four-fifths of the human voice.

"Voice communication remains a foundation of almost all economic activity," noted Jeff Pulver. "As the Obama Administration marshals resources to catch up with the rest of the world in broadband, the U.S. is falling behind other countries in pursuit of high definition voice as the next major transformation in communications."

"The fastest way to appreciate the importance of HD communication is to experience it firsthand," said Daniel Berninger. "HDConnect believes the trial represents the best way to communicate an imperative for action that policy makers can only ignore at their peril."

Jeff Rodman of Polycom has been a proponent of HD Voice for many years. "We first introduced HD Voice in 2003 on our iconic SoundStation conference phones and now incorporate HD in all our new desktop and conferencing solutions," said Rodman. "We've always recognized that voice is the most critical means of communication, and with voice over IP is now becoming more and more ubiquitous, the only hurdle to universal HD Voice communication are the abilities of different networks to talk together. That's what HDConnect is all about, and Polycom is honored to be a part of this important initiative."

About the HDConnect Project

Jeff Pulver created the HDConnect Project to help build awareness about the potential of high definition calling. An initial focus on Washington, D.C. seeks to alert leaders in the Obama Administration that the U.S. already lags countries in Europe and Asia in the pursuit of HD communications.

About Polycom

Polycom, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ PLCM ]) is the global leader in telepresence, video, and voice solutions and a visionary in communications that empower people to connect and collaborate everywhere. Visit [ www.polycom.com ] for more information and follow us on Twitter [ @AllAboutPolycom ].

© 2009 Polycom, Inc. All rights reserved. POLYCOM®, the Polycom "Triangles" logo and the names and marks associated with Polycom's products are trademarks and/or service marks of Polycom, Inc. and are registered and/or common law marks in the United States and various other countries.