Marked increase in the use of phone and video conferences
Fornebu
4 minute read
Telenor has noted a great increase in the use of phone and video conferences this autumn. These conference formats have seen an increase in use of about 30 per cent from September to November this year compared with the same period last year.
There are two main reasons for the increase: The general recession in the IT and communications sector, and the after-effects of the terror strike against the US on September 11.
Phone conferences
In October and November the total number of phone conferences set up through Telenor's MeetAt 119 service went up by almost 35 per cent in comparison with the same period last year. The turnover in this period went up by 20 per cent. In November a new record was set, as more conferences were set up on one and the same day than ever before.
"This autumn we have seen an increase in phone conferences set up automatically by customers themselves through the web. Before, customers depended to a larger extent on support from staff at MeetAt 119 to set up conferences. However, both conferences set up manually and conferences set up automatically have seen an increase," said sales and marketing manager Erling Christoffersen at Telenor Teleservice.
Video conferences
Telenor's video conference service and the Meeting point at Itworks both offer video conferences to internal as well as external customers. They report an increase in use of about 25 to 30 per cent since September 11. Telenor's video conference service is offered nation-wide, and separate video conference rooms are available in larger Norwegian cities.
Itworks also reports a massive increase in the sale and use of video conference equipment. The company offers complete video conference solutions and services for linking several different locations into the same conference. For 2001 on a whole the use of the video conference format will increase with 50 per cent compared with last year. Telenor and EDB Business Partner control 44 per cent each of Itworks, while the Thrane Group holds a ten per cent stake.
"Itworks has had numerous inquiries from Norwegian companies regarding the use of video conferences this autumn. The sale of video conference systems is also rapidly increasing. The company can report an increase in turnover on the sale of video conference systems of 70 per cent from October to November this year," said section leader for video conferences Inge Isaksen at Itworks.
Phone conferences
In October and November the total number of phone conferences set up through Telenor's MeetAt 119 service went up by almost 35 per cent in comparison with the same period last year. The turnover in this period went up by 20 per cent. In November a new record was set, as more conferences were set up on one and the same day than ever before.
"This autumn we have seen an increase in phone conferences set up automatically by customers themselves through the web. Before, customers depended to a larger extent on support from staff at MeetAt 119 to set up conferences. However, both conferences set up manually and conferences set up automatically have seen an increase," said sales and marketing manager Erling Christoffersen at Telenor Teleservice.
Video conferences
Telenor's video conference service and the Meeting point at Itworks both offer video conferences to internal as well as external customers. They report an increase in use of about 25 to 30 per cent since September 11. Telenor's video conference service is offered nation-wide, and separate video conference rooms are available in larger Norwegian cities.
Itworks also reports a massive increase in the sale and use of video conference equipment. The company offers complete video conference solutions and services for linking several different locations into the same conference. For 2001 on a whole the use of the video conference format will increase with 50 per cent compared with last year. Telenor and EDB Business Partner control 44 per cent each of Itworks, while the Thrane Group holds a ten per cent stake.
"Itworks has had numerous inquiries from Norwegian companies regarding the use of video conferences this autumn. The sale of video conference systems is also rapidly increasing. The company can report an increase in turnover on the sale of video conference systems of 70 per cent from October to November this year," said section leader for video conferences Inge Isaksen at Itworks.