A Guide to Bandwidth Handling for Video Conferencing Implementation

Understanding the bandwidth requirements of the video conferencing set up is essential for implementation success. Every video call demands substantial bandwidth and enterprises handling a large number of calls at the same time must be prepared for the show.

Read on to find out more about video conference bandwidth requirements and ways to handling it smoothly.

Determine what factors influence the bandwidth requirements for video conferencing

The two main factors that determine the bandwidth required for a video call are expected resolution of the video and the ability of the video session to handle image motion (also referred to as frame rate). Depending upon these two factors, the network bandwidth required for a video conference call can vary between 384 Kbps (desktop system) to 20 Mbps (HD telepresence). An organization that wants to invests in Polycom video conferencing solutions and also buy Polycom wireless phones for unified voice communications must first assess the required resolution and frame rate through the actual context. This involves measuring user behaviour in the actual setup along with the planned number of screens and projectors.

Find out the number of concurrent calls to be supported

In larger enterprises and during the busiest meeting times, there can be more than 2 concurrent video calls supported on the WAN link. So, therefore, the next step would be to track concurrent call demands of the organization. If the enterprise includes offices from multiple time zones, the difference in time must be accounted for. Following this, the pattern of the calls must be mapped onto the network topology. Using this as a reference, the expected number of concurrent calls and the bandwidth per call can be inferred.

Pay attention to the location of the video conferencing bridge

The video conferencing bridge which is also called the MCU (multi-point control unit) must be located in a position that supports high-bandwidth connection as all endpoints from concurrent calls are connected directly to the bridge. When formulating the video conferencing strategy, enterprises often face the fix between locating the MCU in a data center or a colocation center. The latter (the one present closest to the crux of the WAN provider’s network) is a better option as bandwidth is cheaper here and allows better scalability too. Alternatively, some companies also use the in-built MCU option and additional care must be taken in this case to ensure that the WAN access link is not overloaded.

Ensure the Call Admission Control (CAC) capability is in place

The Call Admission Control capability is a mechanism that involves denying or restricting of calls based on the pre-programmed instructions. The communication gatekeeper is fine-tuned to comprehend the network topology and hence determines the number of multiple calls permitted on each link.

When users buy Polycom wireless phones, they are easily allured to opt for the extensive range of video and voice conferencing solutions offered by the brand. However, the first step to ensure appropriate leverage of the products is fixing the network bandwidth.

If you are looking for Spectralink Phones, the author of this article recommends True Data Technology.

True Data Technology has provided sales and service to businesses nationwide of advanced communications solutions that help your business to be more efficient and increase customer retention.