Multimedia communications: Reaching a critical threshold

Maturation of communication and computer technology in four related, converging areas has recently created an environment in which the basic necessary and sufficient functionality is in place to provide universal multimedia communication services, including video teleconferencing. This paper reviews a number of very recent and current activities in an attempt to indicate that a threshold capability has been reached. The paper advances the hypothesis that the technology that has converged to create the current information environment is necessary and sufficient unto the task. The areas of progress are communications connectivity through the Internet; broadband, multimedia networks; personal computer hardware and software; and Web-centric information systems. Video-conferencing systems are reviewed as an example of the maturation of integrated multimedia communications.