For the first time in the Indian market, the alliance will offer comprehensive video conferencing solutions to every customer segment from home to large enterprises, in addition to specially designed vertical-specific solutions for medical, defence and broadcasting segments.

The partnership of Siemens Ltd''s Information & Communication Networks — ''enterprise networks'' (ICN EN) Division with Aethra will complete its audio and video conferencing solutions portfolio thereby augmenting Siemens'' current leadership in the fast growing video conferencing market. Siemens will use its extensive nationwide sales and service network to reach the entire spectrum of the enterprise market — from the entry to advanced levels - at affordable prices.

"With this alliance, we break through the old high-price barrier to bring video conferencing to the entire Indian market. Now, even small businesses or residential users can avail of high quality video conferencing solutions that previously were not available or beyond their reach", says Peter Gartenberg, executive vice president, ICN-EN, Siemens Ltd. He further adds, "Now, Siemens is India''s only one-stop-shop for an enterprise''s entire communications requirements."

"Aethra is delighted to enter the fastest growing market in Asia-Pacific together with Siemens, the market leader in enterprise communication. Siemens with its vast sales and service network will ensure availability and professional services across the length and breadth of the country," says Aethra Telecomunicazioni''s Harshad Contractor, regional sales director, SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations.

The Aethra solutions range from video telephones, portable systems to high-end conferencing room systems and codecs for custom-built conferencing rooms. These premium quality conferencing solutions are suitable to work on both IP and ISDN Networks.

Aethra is one of the top four leading global players in the videoconferencing market, offering a wide range of state-of-the-art telecommunications products in over 60 countries worldwide through more than 40 carriers and a network of distributors and resellers. The company develops, manufactures and markets video communication and audio conferencing systems, plus management solutions for audio, video and data services, as well as ISDN and xDSL products and test equipment.

The Information and Communication Networks — ''enterprise networks'' (ICN-EN) Division of Siemens Ltd., is India''s leading Real Time Communications solution provider. It is a division of Siemens Ltd, the flagship of the Siemens Group in India, a leading provider of industry and infrastructure solutions in India with total sales aggregating approximately Rs4,000 crore. It operates in the core business segments of Energy, Industry, Information Technology, Communication, Transportation, Healthcare and Lighting.