Cisco System's CEO John Chambers announced in an interview with USA Today on Monday that Cisco will be introducing their Telepresence offering in the Fall. The company had previously announced that it would announce the telepresence offering later this year but that it would not start shipping until 2007. No word in the interview if that date has changed. Chambers also said that Cisco "would not give any inappropriate assistance to any government including our own" to modify Cisco's source code or hardware for eavesdropping or monitoring purposes. He also spoke on Net Neutrality and on his belief that the US is behind in broadband build out vs. other countries.

The complete USA Today article can be found Here.

Here are excerpts (emphasis mine):

Cisco CEO says USA behind in broadband build-out

By David J. Lynch, USA TODAY Cisco Systems (CSCO) CEO John Chambers is often outspoken about technology trends, the economy and other issues. On a recent trip to Washington, D.C., he visited USA TODAY for a wide-ranging session led by reporters Kevin Maney and Michelle Kessler. These are edited transcripts.

Q: Since you're in Washington, why don't we start with the issue of net neutrality. Some Internet service providers want to stop treating all websites the same, and start charging extra fees for those who want to send content to users quickly. Much of the tech industry is backing legislation to prevent this. What's Cisco's stand?

A: Our country is running behind in broadband build-out. I'm interested in our country building out its infrastructure. For that to occur, I differ from some of my tech peers. My view is regulation is not the answer. If you don't allow companies to build out with a high probability of a reasonable return, shareholders will punish them for building out.

Q: What about the argument that we'd wind up with a two-tiered Internet and start-ups won't have the same ability to reach consumers as wealthy companies such as Google?

A: I wouldn't expect companies to pay for high-speed access -- consumers will. If I want to watch a ballgame from multiple angles and perhaps telepresence across the country with my brother ... to expect that free of charge is not realistic.

Q: Microsoft last month announced plans for an office telephone system that runs over a computer network, sending phone calls much like e-mails. Cisco dominates that fast-growing market today. Are you worried?

A: It's a tremendous compliment to us ... (and) it does not surprise us.

Microsoft will be a partner at times and a competitor at times. This (area) is where the majority of communications growth is going to occur, and you'll see a lot of companies moving into it.

Q: We asked readers of Kevin Maney's blog if they had any questions for you. One brought up Internet filtering in China. Cisco equipment is used by countries such as China and Saudi Arabia, where the Internet is censored. What do you say about that?

A: We do not help any government modify our equipment or our code, not even our own. Whatever anyone does, they do off standard capabilities. It's like anything you have -- like the telephone. It can be used for good or bad.

Make no mistake: The Chinese leadership understood that when they introduced the Internet, it would bring communications, capitalism and -- my term -- democracy over time. The benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.

Q: Another reader question: Will Cisco stock ever go above $20?

A: I sure hope so! If we grow, the stock will do well, and if we don't, it won't. We're gaining market share in almost all categories.

Q: What else are you looking at in technology?

A: We'll introduce telepresence in the fall. We could sit in our seats, and I can tell eye contact. There are implications for social interactions.

I'll be able to have this meeting a year from now using telepresence, with 95% of the effectiveness of being here right now.