The meeting rooms, part of a network of suites being set up around the world by Indian carrier Tata Communications, were not damaged in the attack, according to Tata. More than 170 people were killed in a series of attacks by gunmen in Mumbai beginning Nov. 27. At the hotel, 50 people were killed and terrorists holed up for days under siege by the Indian army. The hotel announced a reopening last month.

The attacks highlighted one reason enterprises are beginning to use high-definition conferencing systems like Telepresence, according to Yankee Group technology analyst Zeus Kerravala. Some executives are concerned about traveling to certain parts of the world for in-person meetings because of possible terrorist attacks or other dangers, he said. The gunmen in Mumbai targeted the city's international business district and killed about 30 foreigners.

In a partnership with Taj Hotels, Tata set up Telepresence rooms for rent in five cities across India last year and plans to expand the rollout to 100 locations by the end of this year. Tata's own global backbone provides the high-speed links required for a meeting. The facilities allow companies or individuals to carry on high-definition conferences without buying or setting aside room for the Cisco technology themselves. Rentals start at about US$299 per hour, whereas the smallest Telepresence system carries a list price of almost $35,000. Telepresence uses large plasma screens and location-specific sound for a relatively lifelike experience, along with the ability to share documents.

Some companies are turning to systems like Telepresence because of both security concerns and the cost of international travel in time and money, though the economic factor is bigger in most cases, Yankee's Kerravala said.

But one security expert dismissed the idea.