Europe : Leadtek Research Inc., the industry leader in video and IP technologies and France Telecom, the leading French telecommunications provider, announced today at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the world’s first large scale deployment of video telephony, “MaLigne visio.” Jointly developed by Leadtek and France Telecom, the MaLigne visio service is an IP-based videophone service that lets users see each other during phone conversations.

The service utilizes QoS to achieve real-time video chat, video messaging, video streaming, and information on demand. This telephony breakthrough ushers in an exciting new era of communications, letting people experience the pleasure of staying closer to family and friends, no matter where they are.

Easy Set-up
Easy to install, MaLigne visio uses next-generation Leadtek 8882 videophones with an integrated camera and screen. Simply connect the Leadtek videophone to its special broadband modem, and then plug it into a standard phone line. Calls begin without the video, which can then be activated or deactivated at any time by simply pressing a button on the phone. The Leadtek videophones receive calls from any type of fixed or wireless phones for regular voice calls, just like a standard phone.

MaLigne visio provides customers with a free voice and video messaging service that allows users to retrieve voice and video messages from any other location. Photos and video can also be shared and discussed by users by connecting a digital or camcorder to the videophone for a true video conferencing experience.

When customers subscribe to the MaLigne visio service, they are given a special phone number. Using ADSL technology, they now have two phone numbers on the same line (their regular phone number remains the same). Pricing for the service is affordable and lower than the price of typical wireless service. The Leadtek videophones can be purchased for around $260 U.S. (199 Euros) each when subscribed to the service, or they can be rented. At launch, MaLigne visio will be available to about 75% percent of the French population.

Leadtek and France Telecom are working with other countries to spur the development of video-telephony, ensuring that different videophone solutions are compatible and can easily communicate with one another.