According to latest news, Telstra is offering a videophone to business customers of its hosted IP telephony product, TIPT, asserting that it is the first such offering from an Australian Telco.

Telstra's acting Executive Director Data, IP & Enterprise Services, Carol White, said that more than 300 organizations using TIPT can use the business video telephony service by merely upgrading their desktop phones.

"We have partnered with Polycom to introduce our first videophone which will enable our TIPT customers to access affordable video calling from today", he said.

The new device, called the Telstra VVX 1500 Business Media Phone, is HD voice ready. It sports an 18cm touch screen display, a gigabit Ethernet switch and an in-built camera. Telstra says the phone is capable to offer a better-quality video and voice experience.

Telstra is also planning to introduce high-definition voice calling between businesses using TIPT.

White affirmed that HD voice calling delivers twice the clarity of ordinary phone calls and is like switching from AM to FM radio.

He also said that improving voice clarity can increase understanding that can help businesses communicate and work together efficiently with customers and suppliers.

White concluded, "We expect new customers will move quickly to equip their meeting rooms with this technology, while others will upgrade their entire fleet of desktop phones to allow all staff to realize the benefits".