Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for information distribution and communications across geographical locations. The system includes a plurality of kiosks and at least one central server station which are interconnected via a wide area network, such as an ISDN. Each central server station and each kiosk has a central processing unit, memory and a wide area network interface coupled to the central processing unit. The central server stations are configured to either periodically or aperiodically establish a communication link, e.g., a virtual circuit, with each kiosk and to download application data to each kiosk. In addition each kiosk includes video teleconferencing components and circuitry to permit a user to conduct a video teleconference from a kiosk to remote application, i.e., information and service, providers.