Telstra, Cisco overcome "tyranny of distance"

Telstra and Cisco have partnered to deliver telepresence technology to remote schools in the Bathurst region represented by the Catholic Education Office.

It is the second notable technology investment made by the Catholic Education Office following an upgrade to the wireless technologies of 39 Sydney schools in October.

The TelePresence technology will help students overcome the "tyranny of distance", said Cisco senior manager of ANZ Linda Horiuchi.

"People in outpost communities are disadvantaged due to their isolation from major centres," Hooriuchi said.

[Related: Anittel spends big on Cisco after $3m funding]

"The telepresence rollout aims to alleviate this problem especially for those students that are in the true rural areas of the Bathurst Diocese."

Telstra has been expanding its footprint in the communications market. In August the company purchased unified communications provider NSC Group.

The new telepresence system will make it possible for students to communicate face-to-face with tutors and other experts located throughout Australia.  

Horiuchi said the "facilities will be readying students for life outside school by fostering a culture of teamwork and collaboration".

The Catholic Education Office hopes teachers will be able to further their development, easily share resources and broaden the scope of courses offered by using the telepresence system.

Telstra and Cisco rolled the technology out to eight schools.