Video-conferencing is already commonplace within many businesses - valued as a means of communication which allows people to see one another as well as talk even though they may be thousands of miles apart. It is also widely used in some parts of the NHS - for example linking the main buildings of the NHS Executive headquarters which are spread across England. Personal videophones are also science fact - though the current number of home users is very small.
By the end of the 21st century, videophones will be the norm for domestic use as well as business.
