Tell me about telephone conferencing.
Christopher Brooks, 10 Aug 1999

Currently, we are using the Polycom Teleconferencing Telephones.

For use in conferences, we have a Polycom soundstation premiere (2 mics plus wireless mic ~$1600)

GSRC will purchase one Polycom Soundstation, (~$400 ea) for each for each site. The following locations have conference phones:

Note that to use the Polycom Soundstation, you will need to have an analog phone line (aka a Plain Old Telephone Service or POTS line) A PBX line is not likely to work. It may be possible to use a PBX to analog converter, which usually runs about $150. We tried a converter locally, at it worked for a time, and then stopped working.

To obtain a Polycom Soundstation: Send email to rnewton@ic.eecs.berkeley.edu and requesting a phone. Please include the following:

1. The room number where the phone will be primarily used.
2. The phone number that the phone will usually be connected to. By listing the phone numbers here, it will make it easier to set up conference calls
3. The name and the address of the person the phone should be shipped to.

Note that to use the Polycom Soundstation, you will need to have an analog phone line (aka a Plain Old Telephone Service or POTS line) A PBX line is not likely to work. It may be possible to use a PBX to analog converter, which usually runs about $150.

Ideally, the Polycom Soundstation should be located near a PC with a projector for use with Teleconferencing Video software and other collaborative applications.

For information about setting up conference calls, see See the GSRC Private Forum Question How Do I Schedule a telephone conference Call?