Networx Unit Pricer

Video Teleconferencing Service (VTS) Technical Summary

VTS supports diverse Agency video teleconferencing needs, such as conferencing, distance learning, remote testimony, and other applications. This service enables participants at different locations worldwide to simulate face to face meetings and conduct interactive dialogue with instant sharing of various applications and documents. VTS supports desktop-PC, portable roll about, and fixed conference room for point-to-point and multi-point conferencing with audio conference add-on capabilities.

VTS is an application-layer service that uses underlying network service(s) to carry video traffic. VTS can operate over circuit-switched networks and Internet Protocol (IP) networks, including the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and other Networx contractor's networks. Networx Circuit Switched Data Service (CSDS), Network-Based IP VPN Service (NBIP-VPNS), and Private Line Service (PLS) can provide connectivity to the contractor's multipoint video conferencing bridge. VTS provides appropriate adapters and gateways for coding conversion, video format conversion, rate adaptation, protocol conversion, and dissimilar networks.

The diagram below shows the various capabilities of VTS, such as point-to-point and multi-point video conference, reservation, and gateway capabilities.

VTS is similar to Video Teleconferencing Service on the FTS2001 contracts. It supports the full range of technical capabilities that are available in commercial offerings. These capabilities include:

• On-demand and reservation-based video teleconferencing.
• Two way video, one way video with interactive voice, and/or the instant sharing of various types of documents/data files among VTS participants as an adjunct to the video teleconferencing session.
• Document sharing (data conferencing) which enables conference participants to interactively view, edit, and share or transfer data files and documents.
• Audio conference add-on capability to support non-video conference participants in a VTS call.
• Different modes of VTS operations:
  • Dial Out mode: Centralized arrangements where the conference bridge operator initiates a call and dials each participant at least 15 minutes prior to the conference start time.
  • Meet Me (Dial In) mode: Each participant is responsible for individually initiating a call and dialing into the conference bridge.
  • Mixed Dial mode: A combination or mix of both dial out and meet me (dial in) callers.
• During a multi-point conference, the addition of a party to, or the deletion of a party from, the conference will be indicated by a tone or by a verbal or visual announcement.
• Multipoint video conference capabilities:
  • Voice Activation. The video signal transmitted to all VTS conference call locations is automatically switched by voice activation when the speaker's audio signal exceeds a preset level for a specified amount of time.
  • Continuous Presence. Multiple VTS locations may be viewed simultaneously on the same video screen. If the number of locations participating in the video conference exceeds the number being viewed via continuous presence, the selection of the video from a participating location that is displayed can be coordinated between the VTS operator and the participants.
  • Chairperson Control. The chairperson, in control of the VTS, sends his or her own video or selects a return video from one of the participating locations to be sent to all participating locations. The chairperson has the capability of transferring control of the video teleconference to another presenter at his or her location.
  • Lecture Control (Broadcast Video with Audio Return Only). The video from the lecturer's location is transmitted to all VTS participants. Audio, but no video, is returned to the lecturer's location from all other participating locations. The lecturer can select one or all of the audio signals for transmission to all participants.
• Reservation system capabilities:
  • Schedule a multi-point or point-to-point VTS conference within 30 minutes after the advance reservation request, and to schedule a VTS conference up to one year in advance by voice, fax, or electronic means.
  • VTS users can cancel a video teleconference prior to the scheduled start time of the video teleconference.
  • Based on availability of bridging capacity and required network functions, request a delay in the scheduled termination time of a VTS conference, which is already in progress, is granted if the request is made at least 20 minutes before the scheduled terminating time of the VTS.
  • Ability for VTS authorized users to schedule one or more video teleconferences by time and day of week either as a single event or recurring event on a daily, weekly, monthly or other periodic basis.
  • Allows users with operating at different (disparate) data rates/speeds to connect and conference at their preferred speed.
  • Ability to add participants or join a conference.
• Ability for VTS users to request operator assistance to resolve technical issues during a video conference.

These and other service capabilities are detailed in Section C.2.8.1.1.4 Technical Capabilities of the Networx contracts.

VTS also offers features that complement the basic service. These features are described in Section C.2.8.1.2 Features of the Networx contracts and are listed below:

• Attended Service.
• Certification.
• Coding Conversion (Transcoding).
• Rate Adaptation.
• Security - Sensitive but Unclassified (SBU).
• Security - Classified [Optional].

Each Networx contractor may provide variations or alternatives to the offering and pricing for VTS. The specific details can be found within each Contractor's Networx contract and pricing notes for VTS.

For more information on the general VTS specifications and requirements, please refer to Section C.2.8.1 of the Networx contract for technical specifications and Section B.2.8.1 for pricing.

VTS Price Basics

VTS enables participants at different locations to simulate face-to-face meetings and conduct interactive dialogue with instant sharing of documents and applications. VTS conferences are available among two or more locations. VTS' audio conference add-on capability supports non-video conference users via a VTS call. Data connectivity is required for VTS. VTS provides the following components:

• Dedicated VTS - The prices for dedicated VTS are in addition to any applicable charges for the underlying access and transport service used for video teleconferencing.
• Dial-in VTS - Participants individually dial into the conference bridge. The prices for dial-in VTS are in addition to any applicable charges for the underlying access and transport service used for video teleconferencing.
• Dial-out VTS - Conference bridge operator initiates call to each participant. The prices for dial-out VTS include the transport and terminating access charges to the user.

Conferences canceled prior to scheduled start time are not billable. After the scheduled start time, all reserved ports and features are billed for the entire reserved duration whether actually used or not. An ongoing conference that is interrupted through no fault of any of the active participating locations is billed at the next lower completed billing increment, and if such an ongoing conference is interrupted in the first billable time increment, there is no billing for any time of that conference session. VTS is similar to Video Teleconferencing Service on the FTS2001 contracts.

• Price components required for full end-to-end basic service for VTS:
• Underlying transport services, such as IPS, CSDS, PLS, or NBIP-VPNS, to provide video/data connectivity
• Basic service consisting of one of the following:
• Dedicated VTS (MRC per port)
• Dial-in VTS (usage charges per minute per port)
• Dial-out VTS (usage charges per minute per port)
• Features ordered as needed by the Agency:
  • Attended service
  • Certification
  • Coding Conversion (Transcoding)
  • Rate Adaptation
  • Security - Sensitive but Unclassified
• Service Enabling Devices (SEDs) may be required to implement VTS. [Please note that SEDs under Networx replace the FTS2001 User-to-Network Interfaces and Access Adaptation Functions (UNIs/AAFs). SEDs may differ between Networx providers. The pricing structure for SEDs provides for either a one-time payment or monthly term payments for purchase, plus a NRC for installation, and a MRC for maintenance.]

Each Networx contractor may provide variations or alternatives to the offering and pricing for VTS. The specific details can be found within each Contractor's Networx contract files and pricing notes for VTS.

For more information on the general VTS specifications and requirements, please refer to Section C.2.8.1 of the Networx contract for technical specifications and Section B.2.8.1 for pricing.