Audio teleconferencing

A meeting involving a number of participants in different locations through the telephone system, whereby all the participants can hear all the contributions made. Recent developments include customized rooms with special accoustic equipment.[Advantages]

Participation by many people in different parts of the world in small groups, without the expense and time wastage of travel and special accommodation.

[Disadvantages]

Without visual contact and with limited possibility of transferring visual data immediately, the audio teleconferencing cannot always command the confidence of the groups involved. Its decision-making and consensus building function is therefore constrained.