Polycom Partners with IBM for Consumer Videoconferencing Service

In a move to better compete with the popular communications software company Skype (News - Alert) and Cisco Systems, Polycom Inc., a Pleasanton, Calif.-based provider of telepresence, video conferencing services, reportedly announced that it is teaming up with IBM to launch videoconferencing services targeting consumers

 

The two firms are slated to reveal a high-definition video conferencing product this week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, according to a Reuters (News - Alert) report. The new product will let multiple participants use video chats over high-speed Internet, Polycom (News - Alert) said. No pricing details or a launch date were available.

 

IBM (News - Alert) is using the demonstration at CES to showcase its vision of a “futuristic home,” Reuters said. The company, however, said it has no plans to sell consumer videoconferencing products under its own name, the report said.

 

Polycom, a HD Voice provider, and IBM are partners in corporate videoconferencing products.

 

The move comes as popularity of Skype continues to grow. Likewise, Cisco (News - Alert) plans to roll out a consumer version of its corporate videoconferencing product, TelePresence in the near future, according to Reuters.

 

With its entry, competition in the online video communications market is heating up. Recently, Cisco won control of videoconferencing leader TANDBERG, securing ownership of 91.1 percent of the company's shares. Cisco in November agreed to up its bid for the company to acquire it for $3.4 billion.