So, what is a Bridging/Gateway Service? In many cases bridging services are used to enhance the capabilities of using interactive teleconferencing. The bridging service provided through the RTC will be used to connect multiple sites using interactive teleconferencing and to serve as a "gateway" between interactive teleconferencing users employing different telecommunication carriers. In the first instance, the bridge is used to enhance the power of interactive teleconferencing to enable individuals from many locations to participate in an interactive teleconferencing session within a community, region or world wide. For instance, as a result of the bridging service it would be possible for several school districts to share the same Foreign Language instructor to teach a common German class while the students remained in their particular school building. Another example would be the creation of a community interactive teleconferencing link between the residents of a nursing home and a elementary school class learning American history.
Along with creating multiple site interactive teleconferencing sessions, the bridging service can be used to enhance access to other interactive teleconferencing sites using different telecommunication vendors. For instance, even though the RTC will be using MCI as it's long distance telecommunication provider, the bridging service can be used to connect local hospitals to major consulting facilities that may use Sprint or AT&T. In either case the bridging service will serve to increase the economic opportunities for all users of the RTC.