'Beam me up Scotty' comes to life in Australia

In an Australian first, Hugh Bradlow was filmed in Melbourne by a high-definition video camera.

The footage was sent across the network through a high-speed connection that enables real-time transmission.

A video system then delivered the optical projection on to the stage in Adelaide.

Dr Bradlow could see who he was talking to in Adelaide through a big, flat-panel screen, allowing interaction.

"It has the look and feel of being in the same room together," he said.

"You can envisage this in education, entertainment, news media, as a holographic system, but the whole class of telepresence systems is going to be across all businesses."

Group managing director for Telstra Enterprise and Government, David Thodey, said the live hologram symbolised what had become possible as networks became faster and more versatile.

"We've all seen this sort of thing in futuristic sci-fi movies, but the reality is it can be done here and now, because of the scope and capability of Telstra's world-leading networks," Mr Thodey said.