The Government of the Canary Islands takes the initiative in Spain with the installation of Cisco telepresence rooms

The Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands has launched a telepresence service, pioneer within the framework of the Spanish autonomous communities, based on the Cisco TelePresence platform integrated by Telefónica, which is part of its policy of cost savings and promotion of innovation.

Pioneer in regional administration with the telepresence project, The Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands connects and holds virtual 'face to face' meetings, without having to travel between the islands, through the TelePresence platform Cisco, which has been integrated by Telefónica, Gold partner of this supplier.

This project is part of the policy of cost savings and promotion of innovation of the Government of the Canary Islands, especially contemplating the geographical particularities of this autonomous community, with this telepresence service that significantly reduces travel and trips and encourages speed in decision-making.

This is what the advisor to the Presidency points out, Justice and Equality of the Government of the Canary Islands, Francisco Hernández Spínola: “The Canary Islands is the first Spanish autonomous community to implement this cutting-edge telecommunications technology., which greatly expands the possibilities of traditional video conferencing, improves meeting efficiency and facilitates faster decision making. We are delighted with the results in the first months of use, “both for its enormous technical quality and ease of use and for the anticipated savings”.

Since last June, The general secretaries of the Ministries of the Government of the Canary Islands hold their weekly meetings through two telepresence rooms located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, that can also be used by other organizations in the region, such as the Canarian Federation of Councils or that of Municipalities.

These rooms, based on the Cisco TelePresence platform, They use the WAN network infrastructure deployed between the aforementioned islands to unite the participants in an immersive way and as real as if they were present in the same location, providing important benefits, since organizing meetings is as simple as making a phone call, and the room controls are totally transparent and intuitive.

As Roberto Moreno-Díaz emphasizes, general director of telecommunications and new technologies of the Government of the Canary Islands, “this is, definitely, one of the star technological projects of our Community. With the Cisco TelePresence system we increase efficiency in our daily work in the Government of the Canary Islands, while we get greater performance from the Administration's own communications network, including the submarine cable that connects the islands of Gran Canaria and Tenerife”.

Besides, Thanks to this provider's telepresence technology, it is possible to record high-quality video sessions and share multimedia presentations or the content of any PC through said platform., as well as integrating advanced 'plug and play' collaboration tools, like Cisco WebEx.

Meeting communications are encrypted using a robust security system designed to prevent access to audio, data or video by unauthorized third parties.

The integration, management and support of this project carried out by Telefónica, includes Cisco TelePresence TX-9000 system, composed of three plasma screens 65 inches with integrated cameras and associated network equipment in each room, which have space for six seats and offer high definition video resolution (1.080p) and high quality audio, allowing you to view the interlocutors in real size.

Thanks to advanced standard connectors and through this provider's TelePresence Exchange System service, Meetings can be held with other administrations or organizations from anywhere in the world that have this technology, through public telepresence rooms or through other video conferencing systems, regardless of who the telecommunications provider is. The system also offers the possibility of accessing meetings through mobile devices.

Virtual meetings have allowed public representatives located in Gran Canaria and Tenerife to improve their collaboration and decision making by being able to meet when necessary, with the consequent cost savings and better efficiency in decision making.

For Jesus Galindo, public sector director at Cisco Spain, “Video communications over IP networks play a fundamental role in improving collaboration between administrations, increase efficiency and optimize citizen services. Despite its special geographical condition, “The Community of the Canary Islands is relying on the latest technologies to reduce distances and become a benchmark in innovation”.