Largest Audio Conferencing Network Launched
Forum Networks Limited, a value-add services company that operates in the communications sector, has launched its first product - an audio and web-conferencing service that can accommodate over 1,000 participants at once.
Kwesi Amoafo Yeboah, chairman of Forum Networks Limited, in a pre-launch address on Monday in Accra, said the audio and web-conferencing service, which among other things, applies technology to facilitate collaboration and community involvement, was made possible through the collaboration of Forum Networks Limited and MTN Ghana.
Audio conferencing is a technological system that allows many people to be joined together on phone to talk, listen and exchange ideas to achieve a set goal.
The latest figures available from the Wainhouse Research, a leading research entity, indicate that the global market for audio conferencing is 60 billion minutes a year.
'Of this, 44.7 billion minutes take place in the United States, 9.5 billion in Western Europe, 4.1 billion in Asia Pacific and only 96 million in Middle East and Africa. Increased audio conferencing equates increased economic development. Where there is conferencing, there is prosperity.'
Mr Amoafo Yeboah revealed that audio conferencing, among other things, allow people in remote locations to interactively collaborate and work more effectively and efficiently without the need to meet face-to-face.
'This saves time, reduces the stress association with travel and saves fuel. All of these add up to increased productivity and increased economic development.'
The tele-density of Ghana is now 680 per 1000 and this means for every 1000 people, there are 680 phone lines - a tremendous growth from the early 90's when there were 2.6 lines for every 1,000 Ghanaians.
'With audio conferencing, our phones have become our personal living rooms where we sit and converse with our family and friends, congregate to tell stories, get together for a family reunion or discuss preparations for a funeral or other family-related activities.'
Furthermore, company durbars can be held remotely where management can address all staff members in all locations and interact with them at the same time to encourage and motivate them to deliver on set goal.
'Political leaders, MCEs, DCES and even the Presidency can now engage citizens on decongestion exercise, sanitation, health and a myriad of other social issues that affect society. Political parties can also hold meetings on it. Also, churches can have their morning devotion or evening services with this medium. Anyone can register and get their own numbers and account.'
He said people can log onto www.forum.com.gh ; text forumgh, provide their full names, email addresses to 1945; email their full names to info@forum.com.gh http://www.forum.com.gh/ mailto:info@forum.com.gh or call 0544343714.
Kow A. Sam, CEO of Forum Network stated: 'Forum, two years ago, was just a concept. However, through the effort of MTN Ghana and Forum Networks, it has come to fruition.'
'As the premier audio conferencing service provider, we offer you an integrated audio and web conferencing solution, a platform that gives you time and money and also increase productivity. Our services have been tailored to meet all your business requirements with inbuilt features that allows for easy operation. It is also used for screen sharing web control and there are no hidden charges.'
'Some solutions it supports include Prep-eez Рa technology based mobile schooling system, which is an innovative way of studying, participating in a classroom environment from the comfort of your office, home or internet caf̩; sales meetings, training sessions, operations management, project management, investor relations, corporate meetings, company announcements, press conferences etc.'
By Samuel Boadi