VoIP Now

Turinco is exploring VoIP opportunities in Latin America

In a significant development, Turinco Inc. has announced that it is exploring VoIP opportunities in Latin America. Turinco has acquired Arvana Network Inc., a voice service provider. Arvana will focus it business operations on the vast market opportunities that exist in Latin America. It intends to make a mark in the growing international market for digital telephony solutions using VoIP. As the VoIP service providers can provide telephone and other related service at much cheaper rates, Turinco eyes to reach a large number of consumers through Arvana.

The company hopes to generate revenues by providing a number of services to the subscribers. These include cheaper outbound and inbound calls, monthly subscriptions with free minutes for domestic and international calling. It also plans to launch long distance/international calling cards for corporate and consumer markets. tmcnet.com reports:

Arvana's strategy is to partner with in-country companies that already have the components required to provide VoIP services. Partners will typically be broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) that can deploy voice services over existing data networks without requiring any specific telephony expertise or infrastructure.

Read More: Turinco to Develop VoIP Opportunities in Latin America

BroadSoft joined Vietnamese VoIP market

BroadSoft Inc., a provider of VoIP application software has announced that it will enter Vietnam's VoIP market. It revealed that Quang Trung Software City (QTSC) is deploying BroadSoft's VoIP applications platform in Vietnam. In this process, BroadSoft will align with Datacraft, a subsidiary of Dimension Data. Using BroadSoft's platform, QTSC will provide cheaper calls to the subscribers in Vietnam. It will offer latest features such as unified messaging and conferencing.

Broadsoft's BroadWorks platform is being implemented as part of Datacraft's metropolitan area network infrastructure for QTSC. It provides a range of applications integrated into a single VoIP application platform. These include hosted PBX, IP Centrex, mobile PBX and residential broadband services. tmcnet.com reports:

Tariffs on international calls via VoIP post-paid service will be reduced to $0.5 minimum and $0.6 maximum per minute. Prepaid VoIP and Next Generation Network international call services will have the minimum and maximum tariffs of $0.42 and $0.50 per minute.

Read More: BroadSoft Cracks Vietnamese VoIP Market

SIPphone launched new Gizmo Project VoIP Software

SIPphone Inc. has released Gizmo Project 1.0, new VoIP software application. It helps Mac, Windows and Linux users communicate over the Internet using optical features vial telephone lines. The most significant of this project is that it's free to download. Gizmo Project consists of a software application that requires Mac OS X v10.3.9 or later and a microphone-equipped Mac. It works with both the dialup and broadband Internet connections.

The software lets users communicate with other users pf gizmo Project or SIP-based software. This service is offered for free through Instant Messaging or voice Calling. SIPphone also announced that it would connect to Google Inc.'s Google Talk IM network. macworld.com reports:

What’s more, Gizmo Project’s “Call In” service lets users in the United States and the U.K. receive calls from any mobile or landline connection, billed at $5 per month in three or six month increments. The “Call Out” service, which Project Gizmo users buy in blocks of credits, let users make outbound calls to landlines and mobile phones.

Read More: SIPphone releases Gizmo Project VoIP software

Australian ISP iiNet launched VoIP service

The VoIP market is on the rise. West Australian Internet Service Provider iiNet launched a new VoIP service throughout the country. The new service is names as iiNetphone. This product will be available to the users having a fixed-line service which is bundled with iiNet's broadband internet plan. A subscriber who has a DSL connection with iiNet will have to take a fixed-line service from the provider. It is necessary for them to use the VoIP service.

According to the Michael Malone, company's Managing Director, iiNetphone will have no monthly line rental fee. Local calls and calls to the capital cities countrywide will be charged at 10 cents, while National calls outside capital cities will cost five cents per minute over fixed lines. smh.com reports:

Bader said users would be provided a free second phone line and number using VoIP technology. While the VoIP product is available from today, hardware sourced from Belkin, which is ADSL2-compatible, would be available only from mid-September, Bader said.

Read More: iiNet launches VoIP service

Americable decided to offer VoIP service to the US personnel in Japanese bases

In a significant development, computer users with a broadband connection at Japanese bases, soon will be able to make and receive international calls by paying a nominal monthly rental. They will be able to make and receive calls to the USA and Canada. Americable Japan has decided to offer VoIP service to its customers in Japan bases. VoIP service provider Domatic will activate this service. It will arrange automatic monthly billing. Americable will offer the service to the Americans staying at Naval Air Facility Astugi, Sasebo Naval Base, Yokota Air Base and Yokosuka Naval Base. This service is scheduled to be started in the first week of September.

At the time of registration, an activation fee of $99 is required, which also includes a VoIP device. A monthly fee of $29.99 covers unlimited calls to the United States and Canada. estripes.com reports:

The VoIP devices send a digitized voice signal via the Internet to a data center in the United States, said John McCorts, Americable’s Sasebo site manager. Domatic then routes calls to any phone number in the United States or Canada, he said.

Read More: VoIP long distance to be offered at Japan bases

Y-Tel announced to offer VoIP rate International calls from Cell Phones

Y-Tel International Inc. has announced that it will offer international calls at VoIP rates for its cell phone subscribers. This move is seen as a welcome step to bolster the VoIP market. Cell phone users always pay a premium while calling to international numbers. No using Y-Tel's CellNet product, they will be able to make the international calls by paying much less. It will be a cost-saving factor for them and also they will get better infrastructure such as VoIp, which will improve the quality of the calls.

CellNet will offer its customer a unique customer authentication number. This will provide them access to Y-Tel's VoIP network. After installing the CellNet product, the customers will be able to dial a Y-Tel 800 number, which will allow them access through Y-Tel's VoIP network. americasnetwork.com reports:

Once connected, the customer will be able to make international phone calls from their cell phone for 20 cents above VoIP rates. It's like having a mobile Wi-Fi phone that works worldwide, even while traveling in a car.

Read More: Y-Tel Offers VoIP Rates From Cell Phones

New Wiretap rules may create a split in the VoIP community

The wiretapping rules recently announced by the Federal Communications Commission may become a major concern for the VoIP providers in the near future. The US government is contemplating whether companies like Skype and Google should be subjected to such rules. The FCC has already asked the VoIP providers to accommodate law enforcement wiretaps, covered by the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA). The commission limited the services offered by the broadband Internet access service providers and VoIP providers.

The wiretap rules exempt some features including Skype's main product and Google's Google Talk. However, law enforcement agencies like FBI and Drug Enforcement Agency are reportedly against such exemptions. CALEA guidelines may force Skype to redesign its architecture and force its subscribers to download new software. Many of the major VoIP vendors like Vonage have been forced to adhere to the government rulings such as E911. redherring.com reports:

The FCC could make the assertion today that Skype and GoogleTalk are both subject to CALEA, and the courts would not be able to overturn it, said Tom Nolle, president of CIMI, a Voorhees, New Jersey, technology assessment firm. It defeats the purpose of homeland security to exempt a form of public network communication from CALEA requirements.

Read More: Wiretap Rules Split VoIP

VoIP week review, Google, Skype and Vonage taking major steps to strengthen VoIP Market

VoIP has taken a giant leap forward in the past week. With Google announcing Google Talk and Skype opening up its platform for the online VoIP users, VoIP market is on the rise. Another VoIP carrier, Vonage has reportedly filed for an Initial Public Offering (IPO). According to TheDeal.com report, Vonage's move will help the company to generate a revenue of $600 million.

Google launched an Instant Messenger (IM) service called Google Talk. Google Talk will require the VoIP feature as mode of communication between the users. Google's announcement encouraged Skype to enter the VoIP market by integrating its Application Programming Interface (API) with the IM platform. The unique feature of this move is that Skype is offering this service in 27 languages. tmcnet.com reports:

This is what TMCnet's own Rich Tehrani had to say about Vonage's reported IPO filing: Vonage IPO would be a huge deal in the VoIP market. It is huge because Vonage will be a barometer for the entire VoIP industry and more importantly its success or failure will be amplified a thousands times due to its influence on the companies in this space and the capital markets reaction (or over-reaction) to whatever develops.

Read More: VoIP Week in Review From TMCnet: IPO's and Open Standards Galore

FCC extended the deadline for VoIP Providers

In a significant move, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended the deadline for the VoIP providers. Now they will get another 30 days' time to receive the acknowledgements from their customers about the limitation of E911 service. According to FCC reports, about 1.5 million customers of VoIP have received the notifications and made the acknowledgements. But according to industry estimates, more than 100,000 residential VoIP subscribers are yet to respond to the notifications and they need more time. The FCC deadline has now extended till September 28, 2005.

the FCC deadline has created a furore in the VoIP industry, as a sizable number of the customers were not aware of the latest developments. Several companies have earlier requested the FCC to extend the deadline for 90 days. The Florida Public Service Commission also urged the FCC to extend or abandon the disconnection threat. news.zdnet.com reports:

This is great news, said Jeff Kagan, a telecommunications industry analyst. But better would be to find another solution and within the 30 days. While we do need to address the E911 issues, and while users need to understand the problems, cutting off their phone service is no longer an option.

Read More: FCC extends E911 deadline for VoIP users

Concern about the VoIP 911 Emergency Dialling Service

The Federal Communications Commision (FCC) has set a deadline for providers of internet-based telephone calls to get confirmation from their VoIP customers that they understand the problems they may encounter while dialling 911 emergency service. The customers who do not give the comfirmation are likely to be disconnected. The service providers now urged the Commission to extend the deadline so that they can get response from all the customers. The deadline has been given for Monday, 29 August 2005.

the coalition of providers have requested the commission for an additional deadline of 90 days to get the confirmation from the customers. The decision of the FCC to give a deadline is based on the reports that VoIP users are having problems in connecting the 911 Emergency service. Vonage, the biggest VoIP carrier has informed that it has received response from 96% of its customers. Another carrier, AT&T Corp. said that it is receiving customer acknowledgments at a faster pace. technewsworld.com reports:

Unlike traditional telephones, where phone numbers are associated with a specific location, VoIP users can place a call from virtually anywhere they have access to a high-speed Internet connection. But that can make it difficult to connect VoIP accounts to the computer systems that automatically route 911 calls to the nearest emergency dispatcher and transmit the caller's location and phone number to the operator who answers the call.

Read More: VoIP Providers Again Ask FCC to Extend Deadline

VoIP gaining momentum in the Business Market

More service providers are now entering the VoIP business market. To reduce capital expenditures and increase communication features, companies have started embracing the VoIP to bolster the communication services. VoIP has enhanced the productivity and proved as a cost-saving service. Going by the current trend, inustry research firm IDC has predicted that VoIP market will reach $7.6 billion by 2008. It has been acknowledged that VoIP is feasible for all type of businesses.

In the initial phase, the biggest challenge for VoIP were voice quality and reliability. Over the years, business establishments have successfully implemented VoIP operation and eliminated quality as a hurdle in the operations. Now VoIP has achieved both the quality and reliability. ecommercetimes.com reports:

This has been partly achieved by the arrival of "managed" VoIP services via proprietary networks that are rigorously engineered to ensure quality. Certain applications that relate to perceived reliability, such as emergency 911 functionality, are also being integrated as a standard network service.

Read More: Business VoIP Gains Momentum

VoIP Consumers are increasing with millions of users joining it

VoIP has started a revolution in the wireless services. Consumers have now started skipping the traditional phone network for opting the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol). An analysis by the TeleGeography research group found that the number of VoIP subscribers has touched 2.7 million. It is important to be noted that it was just 440,000 a year ago.

VoIP is a unique technology, which requires a broadband internet line. Also, it offers cheaper calling plans and interesting features such as managing the voice mail on a web page. Though the revenue generated from consumer VoIP service is not so high, it is expected to rise in the near future. TeleGeography has projected the annual VoIP revenue to reach $3 billion in two years. networkingpipeline.com reports:

The number of consumers bypassing the traditional phone network and opting for Internet voice service is soaring beyond expectations. The biggest factor in the numbers are cable TV companies, which are using VoIP to bundle phone service with their TV offerings in hopes of staving off competition from incumbent phone companies that are just beginning to get into the TV business.

Read More: VoIP Consumers To Soar, Report Says

Cisco and Intel joined hands to bolster VoIP over Wireless use

Intel and Cisco announced that they would improve their Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) with a new wireless suite. The two companies have decided to produce a new set of features that will combine wireless infrastructure and mobile chip technology to improve VoIP over the wireless use. The new features will be available in the first quarter of 2006.

The growing impact of VoIP has generated interest among the major wireless providers to opt for it. There are so many companies like Skype and Vonage who already opted for VoIP. The move of Intel and Cisco is seen as a scope for cooperation between all the companies in the VoIP field. The collaboration is very much interesting in view of the strong presence of both the companies in their respective areas. Both the companies hinted that they would work to improve the quality and security of VoIP for both the corporate and consumer wireless users. technewsworld.com reports:

Cisco and Intel stressed their focus on security in the wireless LAN collaboration: Intel will join the Cisco-led Network Admission Control (NAC) program, and Cisco is joining Intel's Active Management Technology (AMT) program. The companies, which announced the latest collaboration at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco this week, said their security and management technologies would be compatible by the fourth quarter of this year.

Read More: Cisco, Intel Ratchet Up WLANs, VoIP

BorderWare Develops SIP Firewall for VoIP Security

Of all the security concerns that affect an enterprise, the most disturbing ones are the ones committed internally by its own employees. Unprotected VoIP networks can be a nightmare for those using it as new hacking techniques like VoIP eavesdropping make them vulnerable to various kinds of cyber crime.

Encryption of voice packets has been adopted by several companies in order to protect their VoIP networks, but such encryption needs to be centralized so as to prevent the violation of certain legal requirements and also to provide for an easy functioning of the network within the company. SIP firewalls are being developed to address the specific security requirements of VoIP and other SIP related communications.

BorderWare, an Internet security provider, has introduced a new SIP firewall that does deep packet inspections to prevent fraud and unauthorized access to VoIP networks. Though there are security products available to filter IM traffic and VoIP traffic, BorderWare's product is the only one providing filtering of SIP traffics at the application layer. BoderWare's appliances are included in the general purpose firewall, where at the time of its deployment certain ports are opened up enabling the VoIP firewall to handle the VoIP traffic.

As most companies are adopting the SIP protocol for all real-time communications, a SIP specific firewall will eventually come in demand.tmcnet.com reports:

Rich Mendoza the Managing Director of SIP Solutions at BorderWare tells me that the firewall, not encryption, is going to deal with VoIP security issues and you know what? He thinks we will need specific firewalls for various applications such as e-mail.

Read more:VoIP Security: Is a Firewall the Answer?

Google Introduces IM and VoIP services with Google Talk

Google, Internet's most popular search engine, entered into competition with networks like AOL, Microsoft and Yahoo with the introduction of its new product 'Google Talk' on 24th August, 2005 offering instant messaging with VoIP capabilities.

The new product is proprietary and is available only to users with a Gmail account. It's lack of interoperability with other networks makes it less attractive though the company is looking for a federation with other willing service providers. Another drawback of the service is it is still in beta, signing up individuals by invitation alone (other than the US, where one can sign up after authenticating via a SMS text) whereas other large players have adopted the more versatile Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

Google Talk uses an open protocol called XMPP that allows its users to chat up with users of Apple's iChat, Trillian and other third party messaging clients. The VoIP service is good in quality and simple to use but it supports very few third party clients being compatible only with US Internet provider Earthlink and SIPphone. The software runs only on Windows at present, though the company does plan to include both OS X and Linux users in the near future.

According to industry experts, Google may give tough competition to its rivals not only because of an effective integration of its services but also because of it's ability to make its products very user friendly.vnunet.com reports:

"The lack of interoperability is a result of other providers sticking to closed networks. We plan to partner with other willing service providers to enable federation of our services," Google stated.

Read more:Google rings changes with chat and VoIP clients

Skype joined the fray by opening VoIP and IM platforms

The tussle to gain supremacy on VoIP has begun. After Google's announcement of introducing VoIP and Instant Messaging services, another VoIP leader, Skype Technologies announced that it would open its VoIP and IM platform to the online communities and developers. It became crystal clear that these two companies are going to be at loggerheads in the near future. Other companies like Microsoft are also like to join the business battle.

So far, Skype has dominated VoIP service with 51 million users. The users have adopted its sharp IM feature. CEO of Skype made it clear that the company will make the popular features available to the online users and communities. It has a plan to create the largest open instant messaging platform in the world. informationweek.com reports:

Skype said it is opening up SkypeNet and SkypeWeb Application Programming Interface (API) as part of its Skype Developer Program. The company noted that "a thriving community" of developers already has been working on Skype add-ons.

Read More: Skype Opens VoIP, IM Platforms

Nuvio Files Lawsuit Against FCC Emergency Services Requirement

VoIP provides great convenience to people on the move. However, the same mobile aspect of the technology makes it very difficult for the service providers to provide an emergency calling service to their users. In contrast to traditional wired phones, where the fixed status of the instrument helps in tracing the caller of the emergency number, net telephony users could be located anywhere at the time of their calling 911 from their VoIP phones.

The Federal Communications Commission ( FCC) has directed Internet phone service providers to provide emergency call facility to its users by 28th November, 2005. In view of this technology-based limitation, Nuvio, a company that provides Internet phone services for businesses, has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, challenging the FCC directive. Cellular companies providing wireless services also face the same problem and FCC has given them a waiver till the time they find a solution to their problem. FCC has not shown any opposition to Nuvio's request for a review of the situation. Nuvio, is hoping for an expeditious settlement of its case by the judiciary so that it can decide on how it can fulfill FCC's directive. technewsworld.com reports:

In a filing with the Appeals Court, the FCC said it is trying to balance the needs of public safety with the limitations of VoIP technology. The agency said it doesn't approve Nuvio's request for an expedited judicial review so that the court can rule on the merits of the case before the Nov.28 deadline.

Read More: VoIP Provider Files Suit, Seeks Clarity from FCC

Google Talk

Google is making big news this morning with rumors of the search giant getting ready to release their instant messaging client as early as tomorrow, according to an article in today's business section of the Los Angeles Times.

Tom Keating has reported that the new Google IM client will also feature a VoIP service and will implement Jabber messaging technology. He also speculates that this could be a Skype killer if Google can use "P2P SIP to traverse through NAT firewalls."

Even the boys over at the Unofficial Google Fan Club are chiming in with some news on Google Talk.

VoIP and Skype: Talk..Talk.. To Your Heart's Content

At last the freedom to talk as long as you like has surfaced on the horizons of the communications world. No more forwarding of your calls and reroutings. No more in betweens. Only you and your listner. And the icing on the cake is that it is free. VoIP has revolutionized the communications world by offering users the ability to make what were once considered long-distance phone calls for a fraction of the cost.

With programs like Skype, talking is literally free for users making calls to anyone within the US, EU, and increasing other locations. Other programs offer users the ability to make calls using the very telephone hardware that they are used to using. The price for making such calls is so far below the traditional rates that users are incredulous. It seems this has been the greatest barrier to the growth of VoIP, individuals simply do not believe that such a good deal can honestly exist.

-Rambabu Arle

SIP That Cheers: Skype and other VoIP Possibilities

Nothing comforts you than the lilting voice of your child over the phone, when you're busy in checking the last miute details for your Board Meeting scheduled for tomorrow. We have the ability to connect with individuals throughout the world thanks to Alexander Graham Bell's boon to the mankind through that little tool known to the world as Telephone. With the ever increasing importance of communications, telephones and fat bills have become an integral part of human lives. That every phone bill month after month brings along with it its share of groans and moans is a truth no phone user can deny.

Thankfully, the situation for telephone users has changed for good. A technological revolution has made its appearance with a promise of that Utopia where subjects are free from dreaded phone bills. VoIP has given callers the ability to make completely free calls throughout the world. With free online programs like Skype, users simply have to download the necessary software and they can communicate for free. The best part is, the voice on the other end need not use VoIP but can simply have a standard landline.

-Rambabu Arle

What's that Graham Bell has forgotten

When the faint twang transmitted by Watson reached the ears of Alexander Graham Bell sitting in the next room,the world hailed it as an epoch making invention and a galore of celebrations followed. But amidst these celebrations, a vital aspect has been forgotten by the great Inventor, who threw open the flood gates of human communication with an extra dimension. The costs associated with telephony, especially the enormous burden of footing fat telephone bills in the later years. Rich Nations too started feeling the pinch. This has led increasing numbers of users to make the switch to Voice Over Internet Telephony. With the ability to make free calls throughout most of the world, it is little surprise that the traditional phone invented by Graham Bell now seems out of date compared to the excellence of VoIP. --This post was written by guest author Rambabu Arle.