HP Extends Halo Studios for Affordable Video Collaboration with Global Reach

  
    
  
  
    
      HP (NYSE:HPQ) today announced that the network that forms the backbone 
      of its HP Halo studios now circumnavigates the globe via an alliance 
      with Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited, VSNL (NYSE:VSL), a leading provider 
      of international communication solutions.
    
    
      The extension of the Halo Video Exchange Network (HVEN) enhances the 
      natural, personal connection experience by further reducing the 
      no-perceived latency standard of Halo. It also gives added business 
      continuity protection to Halo customers by enabling automatic re-routing 
      of Halo connections during earthquakes or other disasters that can 
      disrupt all forms of network traffic.
    
    
      Additionally, HP introduced two new Halo Collaboration Studio editions 
      to offer customers access to the truly global network at dramatically 
      lower prices.
    
    
      The HP Halo Collaboration Studio enables participants to see each other 
      in life-sized images projected on studio-quality displays. The studios 
      are connected via the HVEN, a dedicated fiber optic network created by 
      HP in partnership with many of the world’s 
      largest telecommunications providers for the express purpose of 
      transporting video.
    
    
      The HP and VSNL alliance filled the last remaining gap in the network by 
      connecting India to Europe via the Middle East. This link marks the HVEN’s 
      complete circumnavigation of the globe and is similar to a “golden 
      spike” – the 
      ceremonial spike driven to mark the completion of the first U.S. 
      transcontinental railroad.
    
    
      This network extension provided by VSNL improves upon the HVEN’s 
      leadership position as the lowest latency network on the planet. Such a 
      wide-reaching network makes the world flat for any company looking to 
      use video collaboration.
    
    
      “Customers have told us that they want 
      seamless and simple global coverage for their immersive studios and that’s 
      what we have provided,” said Ken Crangle, 
      general manager, Halo Collaboration Studio Unit, HP. “No 
      other telepresence system can match HP Halo’s 
      worldwide reach.”
    
    
      New editions offer global network at lower prices
    
    
      Customers can enjoy the extended global coverage via new editions of the 
      HP Halo studios that offer lower base pricing and individual options 
      that customers can tailor to fit their needs.
    
    
      The new HP Halo Collaboration Studio Professional Edition starts at a 
      base price of $329,000,(1) while delivering the 
      uncanny “just like being there” 
      experience that Halo offers. Multipoint capabilities and a dedicated 
      video collaboration screen are included in this edition, while available 
      options include a high-definition document camera for sharing critical 
      hard copy documents or handheld objects.
    
    
      The HP Halo Collaboration Studio Executive Edition, with a base price of 
      $399,000,(1) includes the document camera along 
      with all of the studio component options that can be purchased 
      separately.
    
    
      Later this year, through work with videoconferencing giant Tandberg, HP 
      expects to begin offering the capability to connect Tandberg systems 
      into Halo meetings. This capability will be available with all Halo 
      studio configurations.
    
    
      High-quality conferencing and business continuity with a global 
      network
    
    
      Connecting the HVEN around the globe brings additional customer 
      benefits. The HVEN “hub-and-spoke” 
      operating system automatically routes Halo transmissions along the 
      shortest distances – east or west – 
      to ensure no perceived latency between any points on Earth. 
      Additionally, improved circuit redundancy greatly reduces the HVEN’s 
      susceptibility to natural disasters such as earthquakes or tsunamis and, 
      in turn, greatly improves business continuity of global operations.
    
    
      In addition, unlike competing telepresence solutions, HP Halo is the 
      only offering that includes network operations and management support, 
      diagnostics and calibration with a 24x7 concierge, an equipment warranty 
      and ongoing service and repair. Also included is a non-obsolescence 
      guarantee, which reduces technology risk by covering costs associated 
      with future upgrades, such as the multipoint feature.
    
    
      The growing number of companies that has deployed HP Halo studios 
      include ABN AMRO Inc., Advanced Micro Devices, AIG Financial Products 
      Corp., BHP Billiton, DreamWorks, General Electric Commercial Finance, 
      Novartis and PepsiCo. HP Halo serves a wide array of industries 
      including pharmaceuticals, financial services and manufacturing. 
      Worldwide, HP Halo maintains a presence in 17 countries including 
      Australia, Canada, Chile, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, 
      Ireland, Israel, Japan, The Netherlands, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, 
      the United Kingdom and the United States.
    
    
      More information about HP Collaboration Studios is available at www.hp.com/halo 
      and www.hp.com/halo/seehalo.html.
    
    
      About VSNL
    
    
      Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL), a part of the Tata Group, is the 
      leading provider of public international telecommunications services in 
      India. VSNL has a global presence including operations in India, the 
      United States of America, Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, 
      Singapore and Sri Lanka. Its range of service offerings include 
      wholesale voice, private leased circuits, IP VPN, Internet access, 
      hosting, mobile signaling and other IP services. VSNL offers a full 
      range of retail products in India to individual customers such as 
      high-speed broadband, dial-up Internet, Wi-Fi, and net telephony under 
      the Tata Indicom brand name. VSNL is listed on the major stock exchanges 
      in India and its American Depository Receipts are listed on the New York 
      Stock Exchange.
    
    
      About HP
    
    
      HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its 
      customers – from individual consumers to the 
      largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal 
      computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the 
      world’s largest IT companies, with revenue 
      totaling $94.1 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Jan. 31, 2007. 
      More information about HP is available at www.hp.com.
    
    
      Note to editors: More news from HP, including links to RSS feeds, is 
      available at www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/.
    
    
      (1) Estimated U.S. street price. Actual price 
      may vary.
    
    
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      HP’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the 
      fiscal quarter ended Jan. 31, 2007. HP assumes no obligation and does 
      not intend to update these forward-looking statements.
    
    
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      L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without 
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