VoIP Now

Amino and Espial partner to provide innovative IPTV set top box solution for Allin

Espial and Amino have come together to provide innovative IPTV set top box technology for Allin Interactive. The combined IPTV solution would include Espial Evo running on top of the underlying Amino’s IntAct IPTV software platform to deliver a seamless operating system and middleware environment that would provide a rich responsive user experience. Allin will be utilizing the set top box technology from Amino and Espial in its second generation digital ITV platform. This technology will be introduced by Allin at a March industry tradeshow. The distinctive combination of software from Espial and Amino can help Allin in developing customized ITV solutions which can be easily installed.

Via [IndianTelevision]

Technical Services about to complete VoIP transition on campus

Students would now be able to enjoy features such as caller identification on their dorm room phones when Technical Services completes the last phase of campus wide switch over to VoIP. The dorms in the Choater Cluster have already been converted to VoIP before Fall term and the remaining were converted over the winter break. The service would soon be available in all the dorms. The last phase of the project involves converting the remaining off campus buildings, safety and security communication system and blue light phones which would be done by June 30th.

via [The Dartmouth]

Skype and Warner team up for ring tones on internet phone services

Skype Technologies and Warner Music Group plan to announce a licensing agreement that would put ring tones on internet phone services. Skype would be selling the song snippets as an alternate for traditional phone rings for $ 1.50 each. The service would start in another two months. Initially Madonna would be promoted as a featured artist.

via [VoIPCentral]

Skype and Chinagate come together to provide free calls

Skype and Chinagate have entered into an agreement which would allow Chinagate’s members to make free calls using Skype’s internet calling software. The service would be offered through www.skype.chinagate.com.  It is the first Chinese version of Skype outside China and this service would allow users to make unlimited voice and video calls free of charge. The service also includes SkypeOut feature which allows users to call from Skype to cell phones and landlines and SkypeIn feature which would allow anyone to call the user at their SkypeIn number worldwide. Chinagate members need to download the Chinagate/Skype software from the website mentioned above to immediately start making calls worldwide.

via [VoIPCentral]

Free VoIP Network Security Test offered by NetClarity

NetClarity would be offering a free vulnerability testing program for VoIP equipment providers. The program named Audit My VoIP scans all type of equipments ranging from IP enabled phones to Session Initiation Protocol Gateways for common exposures and vulnerability. It plans to provide VoIP audit results with a high level of confidentiality and integrity. Large VoIP equipment providers can take benefit of this program by sending their products for testing and approval in accordance with MITRE standards. This program is the first step towards enabling end user organizations to shield their critical voice networks against the kind of exposures which could lead to service denial, poor call quality and breaches of privacy.

via [GameShout]

Communications Research Network detects security risk in VoIP applications

The Communications Research Network has detected a security loophole in VoIP applications which could lend internet criminals a better way of covering their tracks. It has been discovered that VoIP applications provide cover traffic for DoS attacks as VoIP runs continuous media over IP packets which makes it difficult to track the source of an attack. Although there hasn’t been a recorded instance of a VoIP coordinated attack but experts believe that the day is not far away when such attacks would take place. If such attack takes place it would not only compromise network security but also dent consumer confidence in VoIP.

via [TMCnet]

Avaya and Juniper Networks to secure IP telephony

Avaya and Juniper Networks have come together to provide security along with enterprise telephony. Avaya would be reselling Juniper security products along with its IP telephony gear and offer integration and support for both. This step has been taken to fight competition from Cisco Systems which provides integrated security and IP telephony capabilities. Making use of Juniper products, Avaya can provide for virtual private networks, firewalls and intrusion detection tools in order to secure the network while supporting IP calls. The joint offering would be available in North America in the month of February and later in Africa, Europe and Middle East.

via  [Computer World]

AOL to introduce coast-to-coast high-speed broadband internet

AOL will partner with Time Warner, BellSouth and Verizon and other major DSL suppliers to expand its broadband network coast to coast. AOL has chalked out an aggressive marketing plan for its AOL High Speed offering which will allow AOL members to access exclusive content and security features on high speed DSL internet or cable connection at a competitive price. From 30th January customers will be able to sign up for AOL High Speed and order a cable modem which would make it simpler and convenient to upgrade.

via [Playfuls.com]

VoIP applications may result in botnet controls

Internet phone service provider such as Vonage and Skype could provide a way for cyber criminals to send spam and launch attacks that could be used to affect websites. The attacker’s cannot be identified as VoIP applications use proprietary technology and encrypted data traffic which cannot be easily monitored. These applications could give cyber criminals a better opportunity to control their zombies and cover their tracks. It could provide cover for launching denial of service attacks. VoIP providers are being requested by Communications Research Network to publish their routing specifications or switch to open standards.

Via [Tech Spot]

Importance of VoIP for U.S. security

According to Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of US Homeland Security VoIP must be adopted by all levels of the government in order to effectively respond to another natural disaster or terrorist attack. According to Ridge, a government VoIP network would assist in getting vital information about a disaster situation to emergency workers. A national VoIP system along with geo location devices can help emergency workers to trace people with the assistance of data, video and photographs. VoIP can also be used to alert and warn the public of imminent disaster.

via [Comment Wire]

BT's VOIP Service Outage

Many consumers of BT's VOIP service (U.K.) could not access the service  especially during this weekend. British Telecom has around 22,000 subscribers and potentially a large number have complaints.

BT's spokesperson has denied that the service was bogged down by heavy usage and instead said that it was a "platform-related" problem.

Reverses like these could be a major embarrassment for any telecom operator but hopefully British Telecom will ride out this 'minor' storm.

Via [VoIP Central]

Vonage expands into Oregon

Vonage's VOIP services will now be available to telecom users in Bend, Hood River, Prineville, Redmond and the Dalles, Oregon.

Residents near the Deschutes River can now use Vonage's broadband-based phone service broadband phone service. Vonage customers who live near the Cascade Mountains can now keep their current numbers or choose telephone numbers within the popular 541 area code.

Via [PR Newswire]

VOIP Starter Platform from Netcentrex

Netcentrex has started selling its VOIP starter kit in the United States.

The Starter Kit consists of an entry-level VoIP platform for residential and corporate customers. The Starter Kit contains a feature-rich administrative and provisioning environment and makes end- user customization possible.

Its is a scalable platform and can be configured for as few as 1000 subscribers or several hundred thousand subscribers. It works on all types of broadband connections.

Via [teleclick]

Highlights from the First ETEL Event

There were two noteworthy things. Both were interesting debuts. 

1:  Sean Egan from Google talked about Gaim and Libjingle - Google's take on the Jingle initiative. Libjingle builds on the XMPP-powered, multimedia-rich Jingle platform.

2: Voipster launched XMPP-based voip extension for Firefox users. Maybe, this is yet another potential positive strike for the Open Source Community and shows real promise.

Via [Always On Network]

Vonage launches Virtual Phone Numbers for Europe

Vonage Marketing announced on Wednesday that it's Virtual Numbers with area codes from Austria, Ireland, France, Spain and Italy are available. With this, it has has been made possible for friends, relatives and business associates from these countries to make calls to US-based Vonage subscribers at local call prices.

Vonage Virtual Phone Numbers are cheap secondary numbers when called to ring on your primary Vonage line. These numbers are available to Vonage subscribers in US, Canada in North America and UK in Europe for USD9.99, CAD 11.99 and GBP 5.99.

Via [VoIP Central]

Avaya declares results for the first quarter of 2006

In the first quarter of 2006, Avaya posted a turnover of $ 1.2 billion. This represents an 8.8 % increase over the same period last year. This quarter results also included a full contribution from Tenois acquisition. During the first quarter, the company shipped its eight millionth IP line and shipments increased 16 % as compared to the previous year. Revenues for company’s Global Communications Systems and Avaya Global Services rose by 11.7 and 5.8 percent respectively. In the year 2006, the company expects to benefit from its global size, service portfolio position and its technological leadership.

via [VoIPCentral]

Alan Percy to deliver keynote address at Internet Telephony Conference and Expo East 2006

Alan Percy, Director of Business Development, AudioCodes Ltd will be delivering a keynote address at Internet Telephony Conference and Expo East 2006 which will be held from January 24th to 27th at the Fort Lauderdale–Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The session will be titled – The Tale of Two Engineers and in this address Alan Percy will investigate what the dot com application developers and legacy carriers have amassed for their future subscribers and how equipment manufacturers need to evolve in order to meet their needs. The address will take place on January 26 at 5:15 pm. Registration for the conference can be done at http://www.itexpo.com.

via  [TMCnet]

NEC’s UNIVERGE(R) receives Internet Telephony’s 2005 Product of the Year Award

NEC Unified Solutions UNIVERGE(R) SV7000 MPS has received Internet Telephony magazine’s 2005 Product of the Year Award. This product is a full featured SIP enabled telephony server made for SME marketplace and provides call control for up to 500 IP stations. It provides over 440 service feature which enhance productivity, improve communications efficiency and reduce operating costs. Since it has innovative software and hardware designs, this enables it to grow incrementally and serve efficiently and helps it in expanding from its minimum to the maximum capacity without any loss of existing hardware. The winners of the award will be highlighted in the January and February issue of the magazine.

Via  [PrNewsWire]

BT to face competition from AOL for British broadband market

AOL has declared its intentions to directly compete with in the British broadband market. It will be offering an in house broadband internet service rather than reselling BT offering. It has plans to install equipment in 300 local exchanges throughout U.K. This will enable the company to access 20 % of the country’s population with the new service. If the demand exceeds the expectations it will further invest £70 million for a thousand more exchanges. This move by AOL will further increase the level of competition for high speed internet access across U.K. and ensure competitive pricing for the consumers.

via  [TeleClick]

RiGHTv 4.5 introduced by Orca Interactive

Orca Interactive has introduced RiGHTv 4.5 which is a service creation and delivery system for speeding time to market interactive TV applications and services. It offers flexibility and service control to operators to easily and quickly introduce an unlimited number of revenue generating and targeted services from various vendors which would reduce the cost of ownership, business risk and operation cost. The integrated TV experience as a result of multiple applications will increase loyalty and customer satisfaction and enable service bundling for promotion and pricing.

via  [Business Wire]

Vonage introduces broadband phone service in Ohio

Vonage Marketing has introduced its broadband phone service at Toledo and Sylvania in Ohio. High speed internet subscribers of Vonage will now be able to take advantage of its broadband phone service  which is offering unlimited local and long distance calling option and other features like call forwarding, call waiting and voice mail for a flat monthly rate. Customers residing in and around west end of Lake Erin will be able to keep their existing numbers or choose numbers within the 567 and 419 area code.

via  [PrNewsWire]

Agilent Technologies introduces VoIP test kit

Agilent Technologies has introduced its VoIP test kit for the N2620A FrameScope Pro. The test kit will help service providers and network installers to quickly and efficiently deploy voice services to Ethernet based networks. Network qualifications that go beyond bandwidth measurement ensure a smoother transition to VoIP. In its class the handheld analyzer is the most compact gigabit Ethernet troubleshooting and RFC 2544 network performance benchmarking tool. It can generate traffic up to full gigabit line rate with optical and electrical ports.

via  [EmsNow]

Freshtel introduces VoIP wholesale service for Tesco

Freshtel has introduced its VoIP wholesale service for UK based retailer Tesco. This deal has brought Freshtel into international limelight with Tesco taking on BT with a VoIP offering. The starter pack is for £19.97 which includes a handset and calls worth £5. Calls to other Tesco VoIP customers across UK are free, to mobiles it is 10p a minute and a few of the international destinations are for 2p a minute. The agreement to provide Tesco with white label internet protocol telephony service was announced by Freshtel in December 2005.

via [VoIPNews]

Quality management tool Piqua to address VoIP issues

Quality management tool, Piqua from Texas Instruments will make VoIP reliable and better sounding. It will help service providers scrutinize devices, services and networks. In many cases it will permit the infrastructure to heal itself. This will help providers to reduce costs, scale up voice and other multimedia services in order to meet the demand. It will be available later this year in products from console developers and carrier equipment vendors. It will also replace the diagnostic tools built into the traditional circuit switched phone system.

Via [Computerworld]

Cisco’s CallManager exposes VoIP vulnerability

Cisco Systems’ disclosure regarding security alerts and patches for CallManager has exposed VoIP vulnerability as a software application. Although the threats posed are miniscule as compared to blocking of websites and stealing customer data still it cannot be ignored. Since Cisco is the market leader it is likely going to be the prime target of VoIP hackers. Another threat lies in the inexperience of IT staff which might not be having much knowledge about security aspects of the network. With the use of VoIP expected to increase over the years the need to reduce the threats posed to it is very important.

via  [InformationWeek]

SMT introduces new Efinity VoIP server

The new Efinity Server from SMT Network Solutions Limited can save up to 100% of telephone charges. It provides all the gateway and connectivity features needed to interface with a number of VoIP service providers. It will provide SME’s with corporate level functionality and take advantage of corporate level savings on call charges at a price that will permit a quick return on investment. For small and large corporations VoIP solution bring huge savings over traditional telephone carriers. Calls are routed through the network to a VoIP gateway where a standard PSTN call is made.

Via [PrNewsWire]

Home Base Service Company adds free VoIP plan comparison tool to voip-research.com

Home Base Service Company has added a free to use VoIP plan comparison tool to VoIP Research site – www.voip-research.com. This will enable the users to compare over 80 residential VoIP plans and 23 VoIP business plans over 25 different VoIP service providers.  This will provide end users with an extensive database to find out the best VoIP plan which meets the telephony needs. The search result will produce the price of each VoIP plan, the features available and access user reviews of each service provider. The database is updated regularly.

via    [USPRwire]

IDC conducts study on ‘Australian Wireless VoIP – On Trial in 2006’

According to a study conducted by IDC, ‘Australia Wireless VoIP – On Trial in 2006’ this year will be the year of trial and proof of concepts of wireless VoIP installation and will be driven by mass market availability of dual mode handsets and IP telephony integration of FMC features into IP PBX. For Australian companies the most distinctive wireless VoIP installation would involve the co-existence of thick access points and Wi-Fi handsets autonomously or thin access points with analogous wireless switch.

via    [Linuxworld]

MatrixStream Technologies to introduce world’s first HD IPTV

MatrixStream Technologies will be introducing world’s first H 264 AVC Video on demand IPTV Set Top Box and PC Player competent of the high definition signal formats. This will permit users to watch videos on DVD or HD over any broadband speed and play instant VOD and streaming DVD quality video in real time. One needs to plug one end of the set top box into a TV set and the other into any broadband connection and watch Video on Demand and IP broadcast TV in HD or DVD quality.

via  [PressZoom]

Motorola acquires Swedish company Kreatel Communications

Motorola has acquired Swedish company Kreatel Communications which provides Linux based IPTV set top boxes. It supplies set top boxes to service providers throughout Europe and will be incorporated into Motorola’s connected Home Solutions business. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed and the transaction is expected to be closed in Q1, 2006.Acquisition of Kreatel will balance Motorola’s digital video solution. This would be beneficial to green field video networks around the world. With this deal taking place the existing customers of Kreatel will get the benefits of working with a global leader in digital video.

via  [VoipCentral]

Combination of VoIP and Wi-Fi adopted at Rhode Island Hospital

Doctors and nurses at Rhode Island Hospital are making use of Wi-Fi and VoIP system that allows them to access patient data, test results, consult expert sources and order procedures at bedside. Wi-Fi connects the Vocera units around the necks of nurses enabling them to communicate to each other hands free even while giving an injection to somebody. Patients and families can access the internet while they are in the premises of hospital and track critical pieces of equipment by locating their electronic tags. A combination of VoIP and Wi-Fi is being adopted because of the simplification it offers.

Via [PBN.com]

Haves and Haves Not of VoIP marketing

The international growth potential of AT & T is one of the reasons which made the company stick with AT & T brand rather than SBC. It could have utilized the money spent on making headlines by providing videoconferencing in China to go head on with Vonage which has been intelligently marketing itself. There are a number of companies which want to be leaders in the VoIP industry but still they are not taking any noticeable steps to show that they want to lead in the future. If AT & T wants to be leader in VoIP service provider it should start now rather than regret later.

Via [TMCnet]

New website portal released by VoIP-Internet-Products.com for complete VoIP solutions

VoIP-Internet-Products.com has released a new website portal for complete VoIP solutions for multiple choices of major brand providers for IP Broadband and Telecommunications service solutions. This portal is customer focused and it presents the best value in communication products and services. It offers the convenience to compare different carriers and providers based on their location to get access to the inexpensive and high quality services. It also offers additional services ranging from Conference Calling solutions to e-Fax along with traditional local and long distance land line services.

Via [PRWeb]

Beijing Netcom commences full fledged IPTV testing

After testing IPTV in Harbin, Beijing Netcom has started issuing bidding documents to IPTV manufacturers such as Siemens, Huawei, Starcom, ZTE inviting them for participation in its IPTV test in Beijing.Beijing Netcom has till now not faced any technical difficulties in implementing IPTV but there are bound to be delays in its implementation as a full fledged government policy has not been framed for this sector.  It is also planning to build an IPTV trial network which can support fifty thousand users and support ten thousand online users of IPTV application.

via  [EFY Times]

Spirit Telecom deploys SpiritPhone to remain competitive

In order to ensure its competitiveness within the industry Spirit Telecom has gone ahead and installed a VoIP system called SpiritPhone. It was assisted by RCG in the engineering and implementation of SpiritPhone. SpiritPhone is currently being used by small and medium sized businesses. SpiritPhone digitizes traditional voice traffic and transmits it across the network to the Public Switched Telephone Network. It combines the voice and data needs into dynamically shared internet bundle. A number of advanced features are provided by SpiritPhone such as unified messaging, IP Centrex, Web Portal dialing, presentation viewing, conferencing and voice mail for cell and PDA devices.

via [24-7 PressRelease]

Bharti to enter Internet Protocol TV segment

Sunil Bharti Mittal is planning to enter the IPTV market which would enable video content to be delivered through telephone lines. It has partnered with UTStarcom for technology for the Triple Play venture. This move is in synergy with Bharti’s telecom operations where it has a considerable fixed telephone retail customers and rising number of broadband users. It plans to offer 100 channels and is working to create a network transmission capacity for IPTV. IPTV is generally provided in combination with Video on Demand and includes internet services such as Web access and VoIP where it is referred to as Triple Play.

via [The Economic Times]

IDT extends the date for buying Net2Phone’s shares

IDT has furthered the expiry date of its tender offer for buying Net2Phone. It first came up with a proposal for buying Net2Phone last year in June and has extended the offer till January 27th, 2006. IDT had offered $ 2.05 cash per share for the shareholders of Net2Phone. The company currently owns 79 percent of Net2Phone outstanding shares. The extended date comes after the announcement on 29 December when IDT gave two weeks to shareholders of Net2Phone to sell their shares. The original price offered for Net2Phone’s share was $ 1.70 /share which was revised to $ 2.05 /share in mid -December 2005.

via  [Msn Money]

VOCAL Technologies offers iPBX and PBXtender solutions

VOCAL Technologies has introduced its new PBXtender and iPBX solutions for home and office VoIP telephony services. These will help VoIP users to improve telephones in their offices or homes. These instruments will prevent the need for extra wiring or Wi-Fi networks. These solutions will be beneficial to those users who didn’t want a single phone, were cynical about shifting from traditional phone service or didn’t want to spend huge amounts for availing VoIP service. These solutions will provide to the customers hassle free VoIP service. iPBX and PBXtenders will provide VoIP service to other phone lines in office or homes without infringing FCC power regulations or disturbing telephone services or DSL.

via [TmcNet]

AlwaysOnWireless introduces WiFlyer+v router with built in VoIP

AlwaysOnWireless has introduced the WiFlyer+v router which provides the functionality of the original WiFlyer router and has been specially designed for wireless VoIP communication. The new product works with the WiFlyer branded VoIP phone service which provides unlimited domestic calling and a functional phone number for incoming calls as well as premium features such as call waiting, voice mail, call display and three way conferencing. The cost of the product is $ 12.95 per month.

via [TeleClick]

Systegration introduces mouse VoIP phone

Convergence presented in a new package. Now VoIP phones can also function as mouse for computers as well. These new VoIP phones can be used for both talking and clicking. This new VoIP phone has been developed by Systegration looks like a mouse and when it is unfolded it shows a monochrome display and keypad. The keypad allows direct entry of phone numbers. It is very well suited for busy executives who can utilize this new VoIP phone as both desktop mouse and phone. Not much information about specifications and details are available but it would be a product to watch for when it is launched.

via [MobileMag]

XO and Yahoo release VoIP findings

VoIP findings have been released by both XO and Yahoo this week. According to XO, it had over 2.2 billion minutes of VoIP traffic in the fourth quarter of 2005 which represents 22 percent increase over the previous quarter. The increase is being attributed to the larger installation of XO’s VoIP solutions by business and service providers. Yahoo findings indicate that internet search has been found to be the most trusted and important information resource for consumers shopping for VoIP calling services. According to the report 90 percent of the people surveyed were making use of internet to obtain additional information about VoIP services.

via [Von Magazine]

Network Programs to launch IP telephony and call centre solutions

Network Programs and Interactive Intelligence have entered into a value added reseller partnership for a wide range of cutting edge technologies in call center and IP telephony space which adds to Network Programs existing portfolio and third party relationship. Including Interactive Intelligence product line will widen Network Programs offering of contact centre solutions. Customer Interaction Center product by Interactive Intelligence offers an open, software based platform for IP switching, automatic call distribution, interactive voice response, call recording, screen dialing administered from a single interface. It also provides real time quality monitoring and performance management tools via its open standards architecture.

via  [India Infoline]

Aculab’s Prosody X available for shipment

Aculab’s Prosody X, the state of the art IP based card has been made available for shipment. The company has started fulfilling advanced orders for dozens of customers. Prosody X has already been awarded the Internet Telephony product of Year Award 2005. Prosody X provides full convergence of IP and traditional TDM voice communications which facilitates seamless integration of telephony and networking communications. It enables integrators to develop highly scalable, cost effective and feature rich media processing solutions. Prosody X will set a new yardstick in the industry in terms of channel density and cost per channel along with scalability.

via [ElectronicStalk]

Cisco releases patches for its Call Manager VoIP Software

Cisco Systems has released two patches for flaws in its Call Manager VoIP software. The first flaw was detected by a customer and it could have resulted in an attack on the user system by hackers. The second flaw would have allowed users with read only access to get full administrator privilege and the consequences could have been serious as a hacker would have been able to gain total access. The patches have been posted on the website of Cisco Systems and the company is urging all the customers to fix the problem as soon as possible.

via [What PC]

TESCO launches Internet phone

TESCO has launched a new internet phone service. It has introduced a new handset which when connected with a computer having broadband connection permits users to make cheap calls via the web. Customers signing for the service will have to make a fixed payment for the phone and pay for the calls over and above the broadband charges. The handset and the start up pack is for £19.97 and it also includes free airtime worth £5. User would then be required to register online and choose a non geographic number which can be taken along if they move out of the house. The phone is currently available in selected stores but will be available nation wide in the coming months.

via [The Sun]

Increasing market share for cable companies in North America’s VoIP industry

The market share held by cable companies in North America’s VoIP market is growing. Time Warner’s has witnessed a rise of 25 % in its market share in the first quarter of 2005. This growth has prompted cable providers in U.S. and Canada to launch their own VoIP services. These pre established cable companies have been able to capture a larger share in the market in spite of the fact that companies like Vonage have been providing better deals. Cable companies are getting the advantage of being pre established brands. It is expected that by 2009 the total value of North America’s VoIP industry will reach $ 23.4 billion.

via [TeleClick]

Iocell integrates VoIP into a compact USB Flash drive

South Korean company Iocell has integrated internet telephony into a compact USB Flash drive for the purpose of convenience. The drive is compact enough and it can be carried in one’s pocket. It provides between 128MB and 4GB of removal storage capacity which can be squeezed into a 7.4 x 2.1 x 0.7cm USB drive. It also has a sound card and retractable earphone and holds its VoIP application in a write protected 5MB partition on drive. The phone drive can be plugged into the computer and it automatically loads up the softphone app. The company is currently looking for distribution partners for its product.

via [The Register]

Chwang Yi introduces USBPhone with application software for Mac OS X systems

Chwang Yi has introduced a USB Phone which is the first USB phone handset for Skype users and includes full featured control application software for Mac OS X systems. This phone works perfectly with both Win XP systems and Mac OS X. It is beneficial to the users of Mac OS because of the control applications included in it. This phone works well with any PC running OS X 10.3 or Win XP. It has a CD with Win XP software. The phone is priced at $ 24.

via [MacDailyNews]

Interlink Global adds more clients and carries out up gradation

Interlink Global announced that it has added a number of clients to its wholesale telecommunications division and has upgraded its equipments at its communication hub in North Miami. The upgrades have resulted in adding of retail VoIP service with video capabilities. The upgrades have increased traffic capacity to 500 million minutes per month from the existing 300 million minutes per month. The company will also be handling international infrastructure projects and running a significant amount of wholesale traffic simultaneously. These steps will result in increasing revenues for the company in 2006.

via [TmcNet]

Covad Communications introduces Covad VoIP PBXi Plus

Covad Communications Group has introduced Covad VoIP PBXi Plus which is a business class offering for small businesses and distributed enterprises with existing on premise phone equipment. It provides short sales cycle and easy customer implementation. It is very well suited for high volume channels. This product will enable Covad to reach nationwide customers interested in premises based VoIP solutions. It has been tailored for small enterprises with existing PBX or key telephone systems. It runs over Covad’s Voice Optimized access T1 lines which offer quality voice and data services and provides cost savings up to 55 percent.

via [VoIP Magazine]

Yak Communications introduces unlimited VoIP calling plan

Yak Communication has launched an unlimited VoIP calling plan which would allow Canadian customers to have a U.S. phone number. This plan would provide subscribers a U.S. or Canadian local phone number to make unlimited outbound and inbound calls in Canada and continental U.S. in order to utilize this service one must have a broadband internet service. This plan also provides features such as unified messaging, call waiting, caller ID, voice mail and conference calling. The plan is available for $ 24.99 per month plus VoIP gateway cost if required. Computer would be required for making calls but if one wants to make calls using a traditional phone VoIP gateway would be required.

via [DigitalHome Canada]

Bright future for VoIP in Malaysia

It is expected that the VoIP business in Malaysia will generate $ 398.9 million in revenue by the end of 2010. VoIP has been identified as one of the eight services in Malaysian master scheme that will drive the delivery of communications, multimedia services and advanced information in the next five years. In 2006 it is expected that VoIP will generate $ 212.7 million in revenue. VoIP  has resulted in around 80 percent savings in overseas calls. It is believed that VoIP will act as a driving force for industry development in Malaysia.

via [Xinhuanet]

Atreus selected by Level 3 for VoIP alliance

Atreus systems has been selected by Level 3 communications to participate in its (3)VoIP(SM) Technology Alliance program. This program unites Level 3 with a select group of technology vendors to help service providers quickly install services interconnected with Level 3 network. The participation of authenticates that Atreus’ software is interoperable with Level 3’s current application programming interface for its (3) VoIP services. This relationship will permit service providers to quickly become operational with a fully featured VoIP service, hence allowing providers to successfully turn up, bill and manage subscribers.

Via [XtvWorld]

VoIP survey conducted by Empirix

According to a survey conducted by Empirix on Service Provider VoIP Deployment and Service Delivery Challenges, only one fifth of the respondents used VoIP application monitoring systems to ensure service quality. The majority of problems indicated in the VoIP network were subscriber complaints. The conclusion which was arrived at was that more efforts need to be put by VoIP service providers to ensure quality of service. The survey also reported that VoIP service providers were of the opinion that media quality problems posed the biggest threat to service quality and this threat would increase in the next two years.

via [Light Reading]

Yahoo survey reports internet search as an indispensable research tool for VoIP

According to the findings announced by Yahoo regarding a survey conducted by National American Testing Organization , internet search was found to be the most trusted and important information resource for consumers researching VoIP calling services. The major findings of the research were that internet played a pivotal role in the consumer research process for VoIP services, internet search was found to be the most trusted resource for conducting research and it was highly valuable throughout the entire buying cycle. The survey also stated that multi channel approach is the best for driving maximum awareness.

via [TmcNet]

Aastra Intecom introduces Pointspan (R) 4.5

Aastra Intecom has introduced Pointspan 4.5 which is a complete VoIP option for its award winning communications platform. The primary market for Pointspan 4.5 are the large enterprises that want to consolidate multiple technology platforms on the way to an industry standards based pure VoIP solution. It supports industry standard SIP devices with an unparalleled  large enterprise scale and global scope  and significantly enhanced reliability and disaster reliability and disaster tolerance which results in the highest performance converged VoIP system available in the market.

via [TmcNet]

Free paper on VoIP security available

A free paper on VoIP security titled ‘Sound Choices for VoIP Security’ written by Jonathan Casteel is available from the Rowan county Public Library in Salisbury, N.C.  It is a ten page PDF tome which contains authoritative and plainly written info on subjects such as implementation flaws like malformed request DoS, remote access etc. and IP PBX vulnerabilities such as support software attack, application manipulation etc. This report offers informative explanations and is much better as compared to expensive consultant reports which can be priced up to $2,995.

via [ZDNet]

Bluesocket selected for Avaya Developer Connection Program

Bluesocket has been selected by Avaya for membership to the Avaya Developer Connection program. This program encourages the development, compliance testing and co marketing of innovative third party products that are compatible with Avaya solutions. The members of this program are experts in broad range of technologies such as IP telephony, mobility applications and contact center. This program has more than 1,300 software and hardware developer companies, service providers, integrators and customers. The members of this group have been instrumental in creating hundreds of innovative solutions tested for Avaya compliance.

via [ business wire]

Fujitsu and Vertical to develop and market POS IP telephony solution

Fujitsu Transaction solutions and Vertical Communications have come together to develop and market a point of sale IP telephony solution on Fujitsu's Team POS family of terminals. It is being termed as retail industry's first integrated soft telephony solution on a POS.  This system is an extension of Fujitsu's GlobalSTORE POS cash management and back office application. This solution will eliminate the space required for a separate telephone on the service and avoid any additional cost of purchasing and supporting separate telephone devices. The system was demonstrated during NRF from 16 to 17 January.

via [ voip magazine ]

Sonus Networks registers 70 percent growth in VoIP traffic

Sonus Network's amount of voice traffic being carried over Sonus' solutions exceeded 17 billion minutes per month by the end of 2005 which is a 70 % increase over the traffic carried in December 2004. Globally network providers around the world are supporting increased amount of traffic over Sonus IMS based architecture to provide innovative features and applications to users, achieving better operating efficiencies and preparing their telecommunications networks for a seamless migration to IMS compliance. Sonus has expanded its business with network operators over the previous year and traditional telecom providers, wireless operators and internet service providers have accepted Sonus technology and are migrating towards all IP based network architecture.

via [ prnewswire ]

Subdued growth of VoIP in SA

VoIP technology has generated only 0.1 % of the total fixed line voice revenues since being liberalized in SA.  The growth of VoIP has been slow as it has not been able to provide serious alternative to the PST network as an all round service for calling routes and modes. The biggest problem which is being encountered is with respect to the costs.  However it is expected that the cost of adopting VoIP will come down and it will serve as an important component for unified messaging and offer integration capabilities customer relationship management applications.

via [ my broadband ]

BellSouth and Qwest avoiding limelight on IPTV

BellSouth and Qwest Communications have been avoiding undue attention in spite of the fact that each of them is making advances with respect to their IPTV preparations while AT & T and Verizon have been under intense scrutiny for the past 18 months. Although BellSouth and Qwest are being subjected to competitive pressures from the triple play offerings of cable companies in their territories still it is expected that these companies will go ahead with their own terrestrial video strategy in 2006. BellSouth will be getting hundreds of high definition channels via satellites to its video head ends and it will soon begin the trials of its IPTV service with the real customers while Qwest is working to spruce up its broadband offering in order to support the demands of video.

via [ lightreading ]

Will ENUM provide VoIP directory assistance?

With so many telecom, VoIP and mobile services providers it is increasingly becoming difficult to find the phone numbers as there is no directory assistance available. This problem can be solved by ENUM or Telephone Number Mapping which is an internet engineering taskforce standard for directing internet traffic using traditional phone numbers. This standard integrates E 164 phone numbers with IP addressing using the Domain Name System. E164.org enables to access directory of phone numbers over the internet. A DNS zone e164.org is published by the system and is used by various internet applications. This concept will help in mapping phone numbers to an email address, VoIP address or website. It is to be seen whether the telecom companies will implement ENUM or whether the government would have to step in to provide universal directory assistance.

via [ zdnet ]

Ubiquity to provide SIP Application Server to AT & T

Ubiquity software and AT & T Services have entered into a three year agreement under which Ubiquity will provide its SIP application Servers for testing and possible use in giving enhanced broadband services over an integrated VoIP network planned for AT & T customers. AT & T's VoIP based residential service CallVantage is being offered at $ 29.99 per month and it includes unlimited local and long distance calls to U.S. and Canada. The plan includes features such as three way calling, call waiting, call logging etc.

via [ tmcnet ]

BT enters into content agreement for its IPTV service

BT is launching its new television service this autumn. It would be partnering with HIT Entertainment, Nelvana and National Geographic Channel for content. It has already entered into contracts with Warner Music, Paramount   and BBC Worldwide for content. This service will enable viewers to watch digital channels and archived programs on demand through an adapted Freeview box connected to BT broadband. The trial of this service will begin in summer and BT is experimenting with this option in order to generate new sources of revenue. Users would either have to pay per program or a subscription fee to access the on demand service

via  [ ecommercetimes ]

Texas Instruments announces embedded technology named Piqua

Texas Instruments would be introducing an embedded technology that would distribute, real time monitor and correct quality of service issues on IP based services such as VoIP calls. The technology termed as Piqua would be embedded into its silicon for client side devices and network infrastructure equipment. It will enable service providers to monitor and rectify problems such as dropped packets, echo and line delay. Texas Instruments has been recruiting manufacturers and providers of network provisioning tools in order to make Piqua part of their products. The first implementation of Piqua would be available later this year.

via [edn ]

Dittberner Associates releases report on IPTV

According to a report by Dittberner Associates the incremental IPTV market would be reaching $ 336 million by 2013. The number of IPTV subscribers would shoot up to 53 million worldwide by 2013. The report also carried out an in depth study of the impact of IPTV service on Aggregation, Access and Backbone networks. Even though the subscription growth is expected to be slow but the low incremental investment will make it an attractive offering for traditional phone companies. The report also states that IPTV would have a major impact on the design of public networks and manner in which service providers would conduct business.

via [ streaming media]

Skype certifies Sennheiser multimedia handsets

Skype has certified a wide range of Sennheiser multimedia handsets which it believes offer high speech clarity and flexibility required for making Skype internet calls. Sennheiser communications is offering a wide range of headsets created for use with computer and are perfect for making web calls with crystal clear sound quality and acoustics. For example the PC 20 monaural style headset has two 3.5 mm mini plug jacks for easy access to the computer, a noise canceling microphone for speech clarity and a boom for optimal microphone positioning. The other headsets which have been certified by Skype are PC30, PC110, PC120, PC130, PC135, PC140, PC145, PC150, PC 155, PC160, PC165 and M145.

via [ smarthouse ]

Accton and Boingo to jointly develop VoIP products

Accton Technology Corporation and Boingo Wireless Inc would jointly develop VoIP Wi-Fi handsets, personal gateway products and dual mode handsets. The first product will be available in March 2006. Later on dual mode handsets and portable personal gateways will also be introduced. Accton has become the first OEM/ODM company which will embed Boingo’s authentication services in its VoIP product lines. The partnership of Accton with Boingo will ensure that all its future products will be able to identify and access Boingo’s 25,000 global hot spots. These new products will enable VoIP service providers to give more flexibility and opportunities to its users to utilize their low cost VoIP telephony through any of Boingo’s global Wi-Fi network sites in airports, hotels, retail stores etc.

via [ bbwexchange ]

Is Skype 2.0 a virus?

Using Skype 2.0 on Windows XP SP2 produces a Data Execution Prevention (DEP) warning. DEP is a new kind of security mechanism in Windows XP SP2 that prevents common security exploits from launching. In order to solve this problem, one needs to click on the change settings button in the warning dialog box and modify the DEP exception list. One can see Skype in the exception list with an empty checkmark next to it so the next step would be to check the box and hit the OK button. After completing these steps Skype would no longer trigger DEP warning. One thing needs to be kept in mind that turning off DEP protection for Skype can create security concerns. It has been seen that Skype had its own share of vulnerability issues in the past and it is imperative that Skype solves this problem as soon as possible.

via [ zdnet ]

New version of Skype 2.0 is better

The new version of Skype’s Net phone calling software Skype 2.0 has overcome the problems found with the earlier versions of the software. The improvements which have been made in Skype 2.0 are free video calling and the ability to arrange contacts into groups like friends, family and colleagues. The improvements have been made in response to the criticism of the earlier test version of the software. There have been around 222 million downloads of the software and this has enabled Skype to become one of the best known companies offering free software that enables internet connection to double up as local, national and international phone line.

via [ mybroadband]

NTC receives fewer applications for VoIP service providers

National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has officially received only two applications for becoming VoIP service providers. Rules require that VoIP provider must have a capitalization of ten million pesos while resellers need a five million peso performance bond. One of the reasons behind receiving such less number of applications is the high capitalization required. It was done by NTC to discourage fly by night VoIP operators in Philippines. The main reason behind receiving abysmally low applications is the clause in the NTC regulation which requires VoIP providers to interconnect with the telecom companies. VoIP providers feel that telecom providers would drag their feet on the issue of negotiating terms with them.

via [ inq7.net ]

USB VoIP Handset for free

Bargain electronics store Computer Geeks is offering a great deal on a USB VoIP Handset.  Although the handset is priced at $ 39.99 but the store is offering a mail in rebate for $ 39.99 till 31st January. The AU -100 VoIP USB Phone connects via USB 2.0 and features noise reduction, full duplex communication and echo cancellation. Although it is not one of the best VoIP PC handsets but the best thing about is that it is free. To avail this offer one should not forget to mail in the rebate form. This phone is fully compatible with Vonage, Skype, Net2Phone, MSN Messenger etc.

via [ i4u ]

Kodak and Skype introduce Kodak Photo Voice

Eastman Kodak and Skype have released the latest innovation in digital storytelling, Kodak Photo Voice. This new service will enable the users to hold internet phone conversations around the globe and also share their photographs online. The beta version of Kodak Photo Voice can be downloaded freely from www.kodakgallery.com/photovoice. It will enable two people to simultaneously view a customized slideshow and discuss verbally about it. A person can select photographs from a PC or Kodak Easy Share Gallery album and can then compile the photographs into a Kodak Photo Voice Presentation and call the other person via Skype in order to watch the slideshow live.

via [ itwire ]

Infonetics Research predicts VoIP service growth in North America

According to Infonetics Research, VoIP service revenue in North America will multiply eighteen times between 2004 and 2009 to $ 23.4 billion. During the five year period $ 62 billion will be spent on VoIP services. Infonetics Research is expecting a triple digit growth from 2005 to 2006. It is also expected that six million new subscribers will be added every year from 2006 to 2008. Currently Vonage is the leader in the residential and VoIP subscriber market while Time Warner Cable and Cablevision each have a double digit share and together control over 40 % of all North American residential VoIP subscribers.

via [ zdnet ]

Only 4 % of Western European households have IPTV

According to an estimate by Canalys 50 % of digital TV households in Western Europe receive service via satellite, 24 % use terrestrial broadcast, 22% make use of cable and only 4 % make use of IPTV.  A large number of European digital TV viewers are paying for the privilege but free service is gaining momentum and accounts for more than 20 % of the market. It is expected that 40 % of European digital TV households will be utilizing free services by 2008. Digital TV market crossed 50 million households in the first half of 2005. Although satellite is the leading technology but cable, terrestrial and IPTV are gaining steam.

via [ zdnet ]

Can Skype function as hearing aid?

This is certainly good news for those people who are hard of hearing. The equipments required are Pocket PC with Skype connected to WiFi or wireless router and another computer having Skype connection. Ensure that the microphone plugged into the other computer is sensitive. The amazing audio quality of Skype sound on the Pocket PC and the other PC ensure that even a pin drop is heard in the room with ease. This will help in avoiding hearing aid in the house and provide audio quality which will solve the problem at least for a few things.

via [ mathaba]

Tech Data and Mitel enter into a distribution agreement

According to an agreement Tech Data will be distributing Mitel’s hardware, software and peripherals. It is a noteworthy development that Tech Data will be providing end to end products from Mitel. This agreement will run through Tech Data’s Telephony Specialized Business Unit and will provide Tech Data’s resellers with Mitel communication solutions for enterprises ranging from 10 to 65,000 employees. The distribution agreement with Mitel makes Tech Data the only U.S. broadline distributor to provide Mitel’s software, hardware and other accessories.

via [ crn ]

Interlink to provide point to point video and multi participant video conferencing product

Interlink Global Corp will be providing a point to point video product and a multi participant video conferencing product through its existing VoIP network. These new products can be downloaded on to a computer and will allow on net users to make point to point calls at no charge. Point to point video product will allow up to 11 simultaneous users on the same video conference call. A built in recording feature in multi participant video conferencing phone will enable the call moderator to record the calls for quality and archiving purposes. The point to point product will be a free product for existing customers but the multi participant video conference phone will invite charges. In order to provide these products Interlink has signed a memorandum of agreement with I Stream

via  [ financialnewsusa ]

Pac-West to become a one stop service bureau

Pac–West has signed a strategic alliance with VeriSign under which VeriSign will supply back office and database services including local number portability, calling party name and provisioning services. Pac –West will be combining these services with their network in order to give service providers a one stop service bureau for E911, customer ordering, directly services and physical infrastructure. This will enable Pac-West to establish a one stop shop for service providers that plan to become phone companies. The company believes the move was necessary as the phone calls will be migrating from the current switch network over the IP networks in the next five years.

via [  von magazine ]

Ipoque launches add on filters for blocking Skype

Ipoque has launched a new add on filter for its PRX Traffic Manager which would enable to block communication from Skype program. This step was taken as Skype was posing a number of security problems for networks which ranged from published vulnerabilities to consumption of bandwidth and the current client using strong encryption which posed regulatory and information risk in certain environments. The company is confident about its module in blocking Skype traffic. According to unconfirmed sources even the U.S. government is trying to find out ways to block Skype traffic in times of national security.

via [ techworld ]

Long distance wedding through VoIP

Two Indonesians in their 50’s tied nuptial knot through VoIP. They exchanged their wedding vows in a ceremony by making use of VoIP technology. Interestingly the groom Wiriadi Sutrisno lives in America while the bride Rita Sri Mutiara Dewi lives in Indonesia. When Sutrisno proposed to Dewi last year, they wondered how they would exchange their vows. In came PT Telekomunikasi to their rescue by arranging speaker phones, video screens and a Webcam. Not only did the VoIP technology help in bringing two hearts closer but also resulted in cost cuttings. The 25 minute ceremony cost just $ 21.30.

via [zdnet ]

Airplanes will soon provide Broadband and Cheaper Phone calls on board

US regulators plan to auction off airwaves for wireless broadband and other data services from May 10th onwards. This will enable air travelers to surf web using broadband or make calls from their seats itself. Verizon and other service providers are planning to bid for this auction. FCC wants to raise a minimum of $ 5 million from this auction. This step could generate a new line of revenue for cash strapped airline industry which could partner with companies wanting to provide broadband and cheaper on board telephone services. The customers will also gain as they will be able to surf the internet and make cheap calls from the airplane itself.

via  [ gizmodo ]

Jaanus Kase points fingers at Bill Gates web cast

Jaanus Kase of Skype watched the Bill Gates web cast from the International CES 2006 in which he talked about his vision of digital lifestyle. It stated that the day would start with watching news and tracking family members’ locations on single big screen. While going to office one would be able to watch the news on a cell phone and sit down with big screens to do his work. At an airport one would be able to place his cell phone on a smart desk and work in the same manner as working on a normal PC. Jaanus Kase stated that although it was a nice vision but Microsoft did not have a reputation of delivering such big visions.

via  [ zdnet ]

VoIP User shows sign of Scalability

VoIP User announced that since its inception two years back it has routed 500,000 calls to and fro BT’s PSTN network without any charge for its users. VoIP User is a community website which allows its members to self fund their own telephone calls by VoIP technology. It is a scalable concept and has done away with the concept of paying per minute charges. Currently VoIP User has a base of 20,000 members in 50 countries and it continues to grow at the rate of 40 subscribers daily.

via [ prweb ]

VoIP security needs to be addressed

Whenever a technology is implemented with data or any kind of voice or banking information questions are raised about how secure it is. VoIP is one such technology regarding which security issues are being put up. Since VoIP uses IP addresses for locating other entities in the voice communication network therefore IP security becomes a major issue which needs to be addressed in order to secure the VoIP network. A number of VoIP security issues can be catered to by implementing general IP security. Threats to VoIP security must be studied so that a system can be put in place that will follow the basic security recommendations

via [IT Observer]

IPTV and VoIP result in increased investment in MPLS based metro Ethernet equipment

According to a study conducted by Infonetics Research, carriers and service providers are investing heavily in metro Ethernet and IP multiprotocol label switching technologies in order to bring new converged services to the market. A survey conducted on companies stated that the investment in MPLS based metro Ethernet equipment doubled last year from 42 to 84 percent. The increase in investment is as a result of rising traffic accompanied by the introduction of converged services like voice and internet television. It is expected that there will be a big increase in revenues from VoIP, IP VPN and metro Ethernet.

via [ cmpnetasia ]

Vistula strikes a deal with IUSA to provide VoIP services in States and Latin America

Vistula Communications has struck a deal with IUSACom Networks to provide feature rich telephone services to its subscribers and cost effective turnkey voice services to its residential and enterprise customers in United States and Latin America. According to the agreement Vistula will be installing their V Cube VoIP platform and delivering a turnkey feature rich VoIP application to IUSACom to cater to both its consumer and enterprise markets. The VoIP platform provided by Vistula will allow IUSACom to offer cost effective telephony services ranging from IP telephone calls to video conferencing to its customers.

via  [ Hispanic business ]

Vonage provides E911 service in over 1900 PSAPs across United States

Vonage Marketing has started providing emergency 911 services in over 1900 Public Safety Answering Points across U.S. Within one week Vonage deployed an additional forty one calling centers in over twenty five counties with 911 calling capabilities. FCC gave 120 days to Vonage and other Internet based phone service companies to create and provide an E911 system to all its customers across America. Within the period specified Vonage worked closely with local 911 centers to provide E911 to as may customers as possible. Vonage is still working to provide all its customers with access to E911 customers.

via   [ yahoo ]

Aptela bags $ 5 million venture capital from JMI Equity

Aptela, an Internet telephony company has bagged $ 5 million venture capital from JMI Equity. This money will be utilized by Aptela for product development and broadening sales and marketing. JMI and other investors may further also provide finance for $ 3 million to Aptela. Aptela offers Web hosted platform for telephone calls over internet. It was founded in 1998 and serves more than a thousand business customers with many of them having less than two hundred employees.

via  [ washingtonbusinessjournal ]

Blue Wireless and Data to offer VoIP telephony service

Blue Wireless and Data has started offering business and residential VoIP telephony service. Currently the service is being marketed to its existing customers but it might also be offered to its 82 national markets outside its own broadband network. The service is being offered to its residential customers as an alternative to home phone and to its business customers as a replacement for PBX. The company is bundling its VoIP telephony and wireless broadband as a packaged deal to its business and residential customers at a price comparable to that of large telephony providers

via  [ dbusinessnews ]

UTStarcom renames its end to end IPTV solution as Rolling Stream

UTStarcom has given a new brand name to its commercially used end to end IPTV solution which was earlier known as m Vision. The solution has been rebranded as Rolling Stream. Rebranding will articulate the function of UTStarcom’s IPTV product to allow service providers to offer to their subscribers a number of streaming applications over a single platform. It is a distributed end to end solution which allows broadband service providers and telecommunication operators to provide broadcast quality TV and on demand entertainment programming over IP networks.

via  [ prnewswire ]

Extreme Networks emerges out winner in benchmark performance test conducted by Tolly Group

A recent benchmark performance test conducted by Tolly Group proved that Extreme Networks’ BlackDiamond and Summit switches performed better as compared to other switches when the network was required to protect prioritized voice traffic running on an Avaya IP Telephony application. The core/edge LAN infrastructure’s ability of Extreme Networks to deliver triple play voice, video and data applications in networks with varying levels of congestion was evaluated by the Tolly Group. It was found out during the test that Extreme Networks’ BlackDiamond and Summit switches delivered hundred percent of VoIP calls and toll quality voice when low priority background traffic load increased.

via [ prnewswire ]

Creative introduces PC less Skype Internet PhonePLUS

Creative introduced the Skype Internet PhonePLUS, a phone device which allows users to directly connect to a router in order to make free Skype calls. This phone functions in a manner similar to that of a traditional phone and provides a novel way of experiencing Skype without requiring a computer. This phone connects to any broadband router via an Ethernet cable. It has a 2.5 inch color screen which displays the Skype interface and five way navigation buttons which allow easy menu browsing and setup.

via [ TMCnet ]

Zarlink Semiconductor introduces devices for IPTV

Zarlink Semiconductor introduced the first two devices in its Class Switch platform. Layer 2 Ethernet switches are meant for network access equipment supporting packet based applications such as IPTV. Class Switch platform supports the cost effective design of line cards installed in Cable Head Ends and Central Offices and inspects and modifies multiple real time applications delivered over Fast and Gigabit Ethernet. This device allows IP multicast packet forwarding service distribution which is an important element in the delivery of IP video.

via  [ light reading ]

Bell Canada to provide Internet Telephony services to RBC Financial

RBC Financial Group will be utilizing the services of Bell Canada for Internet telephony. Bell Canada will partner with Cisco Systems and IBM for this project. Around 8.400 bank’s phone line would be converted to VoIP. It will help in increasing productivity and efficiency at RBC and reduce costs. Bell Canada along with IBM will be providing IP telephony support in addition to pro active network monitoring and management of all IP telephony infrastructures.  Bell Canada will be handling systems integration, planning, design and implementation of new infrastructure along with testing, training, auditing, follow up and support.

via [TMCnet]

RTX America creates RTX PORTAL phone

RTX America will be launching a new cordless phone named RTX PORTAL phone. It will be a web enabled cordless phone enabling users to view web content. The phone would provide flexibility in terms of simultaneously connecting to VoIP and standard telephone services. Three simultaneous VoIP calls could be supported by this phone. A user would be able to view news and instant messages anywhere in his house. The phone would be available in the second quarter of 2006 and is expected to be costly.

via [ MobileMag ]

Avaya plans to capture 30 % share in IP office solutions for SMEs

Avaya Global Connect Ltd. recently launched its all-in-one IP office for small and medium enterprises and plans to capture thirty percent share in IP office solutions in the next three years. This product offers conferencing, messaging and contact centre suite of solutions for SMEs. Targeting seven to eight hundred small and medium companies every year, Avaya plans to achieve thirty percent of the market share for their IP office by 2007 -08. The revenue from India’s IP PBX market is expected to double by 2007-08 and the contribution of SME is pegged at forty percent of this revenue.

via [ The Economic Times ]

UTStarcom launches new GF 200 cell phone combining cellular and VoIP connections

UT Starcom has launched the GF200 mobile phone at the Consumer Electronics Show, Las Vegas. This phone combines GSM and VoIP over WiFi. It will be available in spring of 2006. It is like any other mobile phone and is meant to be a replacement by providing both in one handset. Connecting to WiFi and GSM networks at the same time and sending a call over either network is not easy but it holds tremendous possibilities. There are certain restrictions on the use of the phone over WiFi. The phone can only be used with a VoIP company which gives SIP credentials needed to connect to their network.

via  [ techworld ]

Qovia Inc selected by Pennsylvania State University for VoIP management

Qovia’s IP Telephony Manager has been implemented by Pennsylvania State University. The University spent five years in researching VoIP and the process was started in 1998. In order to ensure security, the university chose to lock down handsets to specific ports instead of permitting portability. Only predefined IP telephones are being used in the network. The university will not only realize the benefits of using VoIP but also achieve major cost benefits. With more than 6000 VoIP phones, the University Park campus is continuing to increase VoIP integration.

via  [ TMCnet ]

WhichVoIP.com introduces Free VoIP Plan Search Bar and Affiliate Program

WhichVoIP.com has introduced a new plan search bar and affiliate program. It’s a free service and quite easy to use. It can enable webmasters to allow their website visitors to access WhichVoIP.com database and earn revenue as a result of VoIP service sign-ups. From the website of whichvoip few lines of HTML code can be copied and pasted on a web page. The search bar allows users to search and access a VoIP service provider which matches their telephony needs. Currently three layout styles for the residential plan search bar are available. This is being done to provide flexibility to webmasters for search bar placement and ensure blending with the style of their websites.

via [WhichVoIP]

Verso Technologies to provide VoIP Softswitch to Telkom South Africa

Telkom South Africa will be using Verso’s Clarent Edge Access softswitch system as a part of its plan to expand its VoIP services and softphone applications in Africa. The agreement renews Verso’s longstanding relationship with Telkom South Africa. The new Clarent Edge Access Class 5 softswitch will enable Telkom South Africa to offer to its customers PC to PC calling. This equipment provides the Class 5 carrier grade control which is required to manage different H. 323 wholesale networks and support VoBB installations for enterprise managed services, wholesale, residential SoHo apps and other next generation voice.

via  [TMCnet]

Accton to release Wi-Fi VoIP phones

Accton Technology, Taiwan will be releasing two Wi-Fi VoIP phones in the next few weeks. The first model VM1185T WiFy SkyFone will be having VoIP software program Skype pre-installed. The motive behind the technology is to further dissociate internet protocols from a computer. These phones will be combining traditional Wi-Fi standards and the existing VoIP technology. The second phone to be launched is the VM1188T VoWI-Fi model which will be having VoIP but won’t have Skype pre-installed. The handsets will be available in the range of $ 100 - $150. In the starting handsets will be available in Europe and U.S.

via  [ MobileMag ]

Telecom New Zealand International selects Veraz Networks for VoIP softswitches

Telecom New Zealand International (TNZI) has selected Veraz Networks for the supply of VoIP softswitches. TNZI will be using Veraz’s ControlSwitch softswitch service delivery platform in major cities of US and UK. It would be completed in early 2006 and the installations would take place in London, Los Angeles, Miami and New York. Before Veraz was selected, TNZI undertook an assessment of proposals of six vendors, their products and their ability to deliver the business requirements. Veraz was selected for its open and flexible architecture and particularly for the flexibility of their system’s voice traffic routing.

via :[VoIP Central]

Hammer XMS earns the VoIP Product of the Year Award 2006 from Frost and Sullivan

Empirix has earned the prestigious VoIP Product of the Year Award 2006 from Frost and Sullivan. This award is in recognition for the next generation monitoring system for VoIP service providers, Hammer XMS. It is a carrier class monitoring and analysis solution used by VoIP service providers to ensure quality service.  This is for the third time that Empirix has earned the Frost and Sullivan award. This award is given to those companies which have shown excellence and innovation in their industry by introducing a new product or technology.

IPC sets up its 30,000th VoIP trading position

IPC Information Systems set up its 30,000th IP based IQMX trading position with the installation for Wachovia, New York. This number proves that IP is now a vital part of the global financial services marketplace. IPC has now become the only trading floor solution provider to have live clients trading with VoIP. In 2005 more than 75% of the turrets shipped from IPC’s plant were IP. Nearly 30 percent of IPC’s 100,000 global desktop installation leverage the power of IP.

MatrixStream introduces world’s first Video on Demand and IPTV Set Top Box and PC Player

Matrixstream Technologies introduced the world’s first Video on Demand and IPTV STB and PC Player at the CES. It has one of the highest high definition signal formats with 1080 vertical pixels by 1920 horizontal pixels. This product would exceed the broadcast and satellite quality video over any broadband network. It would allow users to see videos in HD or DVD over any broadband. It is an improvement over existing IPTV’s which get bogged down by bandwidth congestion and integration issues resulting in poor quality Internet videos and slower download rates.

Airspan’s products to be used by COLDECON Consortium in Colombian project

Airspan Networks Inc. products have been chosen by COLDECON Consortium for the operation of a large scale broadband rural access project in Colombia. Airspan’s Wip LL platform would be used in a number of frequency bands in combination with VSAT technologies for accessing and backhauling portions of the project. This agreement will generate more than $ 2.5 million of revenues over the next two years for Airspan. Around half of the sites in the project would be served by WipLL base stations and customer premise equipment. The first installation is expected to take place in March 2006 and would be completed in the next 20 months. The equipments would be operating in 900MHz and 5.8 GHz frequencies

Internet Telephony magazine bestows 2005 Product of the Year Award on Interwise

Interwise Inc. ECP Connect has been chosen by Internet Telephony magazine for the 2005 Product of the Year Award. The winners of this award would be highlighted in the January and February 2006 issues of the magazine. ECP Connect integrates voice and web conferencing to provide complete voice, web and video conferencing. This solution halves the cost of voice and web conferencing, ensures conferencing security, improves business productivity and extends the ROI of VoIP infrastructure. Since 1998, Internet Telephony has been the VoIP Authority. This award is given to those companies which have shown excellence in technological advancement and application refinements.

Asian VoIP market expected to multiply

The Asian VoIP market is set to reach $ 10 billion in the next four years. It is expected to grow at the rate of $ 1 billion from 2004 to 2009. The bulk of the revenue would be generated from long distance calls which would be initiated from PSTN terminals or IP local loops and would be carried over IP backbones to the recipients’ local network. In 2005 this type of call formed 85.4 % of the revenue in Asia. Although the future looks bright but there are certain regulatory barriers in many countries in the Asian region and is dominated by existing players which has slowed down the rate of adoption of local VoIP services.

Netspace to offer VoIP

Netspace would be offering  VoIP service in the first half of 2006. The company is currently testing the technology internally. This service would be accessed via a PC based softphone software similar to what is being offered by Skype and other companies. This service is being launched in addition to the existing long distance phone card service. According to an e-mail sent in December by the company, customers would be able to avail cost benefits on their phone bills and the service would not be unattractive and restrictive as that of the competitors

NETGEAR and Skype to launch WiFi phone

NETGEAR and Skype are coming together to introduce world’s first Skype wireless phone and a router to optimize Skype. This would make Internet telephony a reality for Skype users. It would work wherever there is a wireless Internet access point. This phone would provide the best of features Internet calling and wireless. This phone would enable to connect both Skype and non Skype users. Further information on this phone regarding its price and availability would be available in the first quarter of 2006.

Voxelle’s TLink™ VoIP Solution to be used by USRobotics

Voxelle’s TLink™ Personal VoIP Gateway chipset will be used by USRobotics in it’s USR9620 USB Telephone adapter. This would enable USRobotics to make use of a full featured VoIP adapter and enable the users to make VoIP calls with both cordless and mobile phones. USRobototics is the first North American company to ship products with Voxelle’s chipset. T Link is revolutionary ATA and Gateway solution which supports Skype and other applications. It provides value added services such as toll bypass, follow me and multiple line conferencing and support.

Microsoft plans to enter Internet telephony market

Microsoft announced it plans to enter the highly competitive Internet telephony market in association with MCI. Initially the access to this service would be limited. As per company details users would be allowed to make one hour of calls free of charge on registration. Subsequently users would be charged 2.23 cents per minute for making calls between United States, Canada and other European countries. Links are being set up among more than 220 countries and the prices would be announced during the course of the year.

Wireless VoIP Hardware Module launched by SyChip

The Wireless VoIP Hardware Module launched by SyChip will make it simpler for mobile phones and PDA manufacturers to integrate VoIP in their offerings. This module is quite energy efficient and provides up to eight hours of talk time or hundred hours of standby time when a standard battery is used. It would be available at a price of $ 19 to mobile device manufacturers when ordered in bulk. The advantage of this wireless VoIP technology would be in terms of reduced communication costs.

Voxelle introduces world’s first USB VoIP handset solution

Voxelle introduced world’s first USB handset solution which would enable the users to make and receive both VoIP and PSTN calls from the same USB handset. It will be displayed at the CES show in Las Vegas. It would enable to utilize PSTN services along with PC based VoIP applications such as  Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, Skype etc. It provides the advantage of PSTN and VoIP on the same device and also gives the low cost and convenience associated with USB handsets. It is best for those users who want to combine the advantage of free and high quality VoIP calls and emergency use of PSTN connection

Photo Sharing via VoIP

VoIP is not just voice over web, it was just an initial phase. The VoIP Communities idea is fast growing with new and innovative means to use the technology are coming up.

Latest offering is from Kodak and Skype – Photo Sharing. This service will allow users to chat with Skype and display their favorite pictures simultaneously to their friends. You need to download Kodak’s EasyShare Gallery application from the Kodak’s official website and be a Skype User. Users can easily create a photo presentation by selecting photos from their PC,a dn the presentation is shared among both parties. Photos are only viewed and not actually transferred which is seen as a drawback by some. The service is in beta right now and free to use by Skype Customers.

via [ABC News]

VoIP Coming to your Mouse

Sony has announced its first ever VoIP mouse VNCX1, which looks a pretty mouse but double as a working VoIP phone in functionality. The mouse is USB 2.0 with two-button and optical in nature with a  regular scroll wheel, but can be flipped open to be used as VoIP Phone and the scroll wheel can be used to control the call volume. The mouse is priced at $65. 

The dimensions of VoIP Mouse, VN-CX1 are 45.5 × 23.9 × 89.2 mm and it weighs 67gms.

via [VoIP Central]

Skype 2.0 out of Beta

With so many products specifically for the Skype in the current going CES 2006, it was not unlikely to hear some announcement from the Skype camp too. Skype 2.0 is out of beta now and will be available for download from Skype's site at 1300 hrs Eastern Time (18:00 GMT), according to an overnight email from Skype's PR agency SparkPR.

Though right now only Windows 2000 and XP versions of the software are currently available to download. Skype 2.0 biggest improvement over its version 1.0 was its video calling feature and better call quality. Mood Messages and contact filing system have also been added. 

via [The Inquirer]

UIP 165P: The home wireless station

Uniden America in partnership with 8x8 announced a mobile station, Uniden UIP 165P, which can link up to 10 or regular phones to a mobile station. This can easily mesh the whole house or a small office for the Net Telephony.  The company is confident; this could help VoIP Technology to move closer to the regular PSTN customers. The wireless station is available for $130 and right now has capability to handle 10 phones with distinctive rings.

The system is compatible with 8x8’s with 8x8's Packet8 Internet Phone Service, which offers unlimited calling in North America for $20 per month.

via [UPI]

VoSKY : World’s First Skype Call Cente

ActionTEC has announced VoSKY Call Center in CES 2006 which would enable users to call his/her Skype buddies and also receive Skype calls to his normal phones or mobiles without the need of a broadband connection. This could be the world’s first mobile Skype Solution which will help VoIP/Skype to reach the mass market more effectively.

This product and service can be used by anyone who doesn’t have a broadband connection by installing the VoSKY call center, and users can call the numbers to make Skype, SkypeOut Calls. VoSKY call center can also be very effective in the countries where broadband hasn’t reached the core and can get good business for Internet Café Owners to provide their customers long distance callings at negligible costs. 

via [Mobility Today]

USRobotics announced Internet Speakerphones USR9610

USRobotics has announced Internet Speakerphones USR9610, which can be connected to the PCs via USB and will be compatible with Skype. The Skype certified phones will be available in the market by the end of the month. Unveiling the speakerphones in ongoing CES 2006, company is trying to target the business users who are on lookout for cheap conference calls via Internet. 

The model is priced at $49.99 with standard features like echo cancellation, volume buttons, mute option, full duplex operation etc.

Though it has to be seen that with many similar products in the market, will USR9610 be able to make any impact.

via [Light Reading]

Visual networks chosen 2005 Product of the Year Award

Internet telephony magazine has selected Visual Networks Select VoIP software solution for 2005 product of the Year Award.

Select VoIP makes use of actual real time customer application traffic to assess VoIP readiness and when VoIP is implemented monitors the site to site traffic to discover the chronic cause of VoIP performance troubles.

"We are honored that we have received INTERNET TELEPHONY's Product of the Year Award for the fifth year in a row," said Larry Barker, president and CEO of Visual Networks.

via [TMCNet]

Accton to collaborate with Boingo

Accton and Boingo are coming together to develop a number of VoIP products. The first product would be available from March 2006. Accton has emerged as the first OEM/ODM Company which plans to include Boingo's authentication services in all its emerging VoIP product range.

Teaming up with Boingo will ensure that all future VoIP products of Accton can identify and access its hot spots. This association will provide the users with increased flexibility and opportunities to use VoIP.

Foundry Networks among top 20 companies to watch for in 2006

VoIP magazine has chosen Foundry Networks as one of the top 20 companies to watch out for in 2006.

This list includes those companies which enjoy a command able position in the coming year to fasten the pace of adoption of IP communication and innovation besides catering to the immediate needs of the marketplace.

"Foundry's ability to help enterprises manage the costs and investments associated with a VoIP deployment stood out when we evaluated vendors," said Bryan Richard, editor-in-chief of VoIP Magazine. "We expect continued growth in 2006 for Foundry's switches and routers that allow enterprises to move into new technologies without replacing their network infrastructure."

via [PR News Wire]

Videotron's VoIP service connects with customers

Videotron's digital telephone service which was launched year back has earned about 163,000 customers for it and has earned the company top position in terms of provider of this new technology.

There has been also been a significant growth in the subscription base of its digital cable television and cable Internet access services in the preceding year. its customer base has also shot up from 1.45 m to 1.51 m in 2005.

Videotron was one of the first Canadian cable companies to launch VoIP in 2005 and according to company sources it has been an instant hit. The message is crystal clear – customers are loving it!!

"Brahm Eiley, president of Convergence Consulting Group Ltd., said Vidéotron's VoIP numbers for 2005 exceeded his forecast "by an order of about 20 per cent "

Industria and Opera come up together for Advanced IPTV

Opera Software and Industria are partnering together which would enable Industria to use Opera 8.5 for its IPTV software solution named Zignal. This would enable to introduce a wide array of revenue generating services on set top boxes. The support from Opera would improve Zignal solution by bringing a rapid development of Web based solutions for IPTV.

This move will give a boost to the rapid development of open Web technology in television.

via [IRIS Dev]

Philips and Microsoft team up to launch Windows Live Messenger compatible VoIP cordless phone

Philips and Microsoft have come together to introduce  a VOIP433 Dual Phone which is both Internet and PSTN phone enabled and will provide users with an easy and unified communication solution.

It will work both as a traditional and VoIP phone and enable users to communicate with their online contacts through Microsoft Windows Live Messenger service.

It will be introduced in Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America and would be readily available in the spring of 2006.

via [unwired]

Globetel Wireless to deploy wireless network in Russia

Globetel Wireless will be deploying wireless communication networks in 30 Russian cities. The company will offer broadband, VoIP, and DECt technologies. Globetel Wireless will be paid $ 600 million by the Russian company Internafta. The deployment will begin with the cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Globetel will be using its Hot Zone 4010 equipment for the network. It had demonstrated this equipment to the Russian government and telecom department in October 2005. The maintenance of the networks will be managed by Globetel, which will also hold 50% of the shares in the company. The network is to be implemented in three stages in the next twenty seven months.

US LEC Corporation's VoIP service in Miami

US LEC Corp. has increased the reach of its VoIP service in Miami. Its product Dynamic T executes bandwidth allocation according to traffic type and offers functions such as call management and voice mail. Since the traffic using Dynamic T travels only on the US LEC network, the service provider is able to offer carrier-grade call-quality and also offers 911 service. charlotte.bizjournals.com reports:

US LEC recently expanded into markets in Louisiana, Indiana, New Jersey, New York and Virginia.

Read More: US LEC expands VoIP service into Miami

TotalRoam® Mobile VPN software v4.1

Padcom Inc, has released TotalRoam® Mobile VPN software v4.1. It will offer enhanced support for VoIP applications and will enable streamlined TotalRoam installation and configuration. The software will also allow over-the-air administration for remotely upgrading TotalRoam clients and QoS values will be assigned to data transport packets.

The mobile VPN implemented by TotalRoam provides a secure and continuous connection. It allows users to roam between different network infrastructures while using only one connection. The software, thus, provides maximum network connectivity and allows mobile workers to access critical business applications.

BTHP-620 from Celllink

Celllink has announced a wireless phone for Skype. The BTHP-620 Bluetooth phone is as small as a credit card, is easy to carry, and allows users to communicate via Skype without being bound to a PC. Lexy Pacific Corp will market and distribute the phone in the US where it will be available in March 2006. The BTHP-620 will cost $ 129.00. prweb.com reports:

The company will exhibit its full line of BlueTooth products at the Consumer Electronics Showcase (CES) January 5 - 8, in the Las Vegas Hilton Ballroom, booth 54007.

Read More: Cellink Introduces Wireless Handheld Bluetooth Phone for Skype Users

Research points out means to promote VoIP

According to a research commissioned by Level 3 Communications VoIP awareness among consumers is growing. The research found that a greater number of users would shift to VoIP from traditional telephony if VoIP service providers were to market their services, highlight the values they offer in a more aggressive manner. Offering quality guarantees and taking concrete steps to build customer loyalty are cited as other activities that VoIP service providers could concentrate on. tmcnet.com reports:

However, as Cynthia Carpenter, vice president of marketing for Level 3, explained in a news release, “it did uncover that less than half of the respondents consider themselves familiar with VoIP.”

Read More: VoIP awareness on the rise

Wi-Fi videophone chipsets from Broadcom

At the ongoing CES at Las Vegas, Broadcom has displayed Wi-Fi videophone chipsets for desktop video IP phones. The chipset offers features that are essential for voice and video communication of high quality.

It supports standards H.264 and H.263, video rates of up to 30 fps as well as QCIF to CIF full-duplex video resolutions. zdnet.com reports:

The solution is currently in production, and the platform is being displayed here at CES.

Read More: Broadcom readies chipset for video IP phones

One IP Voice opens National Operations Center

One IP Voice, which is a subsidiary of the Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., has opened a National Operations Center “NOC” in Denver, Colorado. Operating from this facility, One IP Voice will provide the latest SIP-based applications and products to SMBs. prnewswire.com reports:

The offering of One IP Voices products and services was launched nationwide January 3rd.

Read More: One IP Voice Opens National Operations Center in Denver, Colorado

Microsoft hopes to upstage Skype

Microsoft has stated that its Windows Live Messenger is at present undergoing limited beta tests in the U.S and U.K markets. When the application is available for all, it will offer users of MSN Messenger the choice of cordless dual-line VoIP phones. MSN Messenger is used by more than 200 million users. Microsoft hopes that its tie-up with Uniden and Philips will help in its efforts to take on Skype. informationweek.com reports:

The Philips VoIP433 phone will also debut this spring in European, Asian Pacific, and Latin American markets.

Read More: Handset Offer May Propel Microsoft's VoIP Efforts

VoIP service by Vidéotron Ltée'

Quebec-based cable company Vidéotron Ltée', which launched its digital telephone service in early 2005, has acquired around 163,000 customers. globeandmail.com reports:

VoIP, while still in its infancy, represents a major challenge to telcos, such as Bell Canada and Telus Corp.

Read More: Vidéotron customers connect with VoIP

Uniden to display products at the CES

Uniden America Corporation is displaying its innovations in VoIP and Bluetooth technology at the CES, which is being held from January 5-8 in Las Vegas. Uniden has also teamed up with Microsoft and the partnership will introduce a digital cordless phone that will function as a traditional phone and also enable users to receive and make Internet calls by means of the Windows Live Messenger phone. businesswire.com reports:

With the WIN 1200, customers will have three calling choices with the solution.

Read More: Launching Peer-to-Peer, Cutting-Edge VoIP and Bluetooth Offerings, Uniden Marks 2006 Trends at CES

Foundry Networks Inc. chosen for honor by VoIP magazine

Foundry Networks Inc. has been selected as one of the 20 companies earmarked to do well by VoIP Magazine. The VoIP Magazine 20: Companies to Watch in 2006 is a list of companies that are most likely to contribute in a big way toward the development of IP communications. prnewswire.com reports:

The company's comprehensive portfolio of products enable network convergence and deployment of feature-rich and secure network infrastructures to support next- generation data, voice, and video applications.

Read More: VoIP Magazine Selects Foundry Networks as One of the Top 20 Companies to Watch in 2006

8x8, Inc and Wireless Fulfillment Services, LLC in partnership

8x8, Inc, which provides Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communications services, has entered into an agreement with Wireless Fulfillment Services, LLC, as per which Wireless Fulfillment Services, LLC will distribute Packet8 Internet phone services and equipment via its VAR and SI channel. yahoo.com reports:

"With Packet8's Virtual Office service, Brightpoint's network of VARs and System Integrators will be able to provide a turnkey VoIP solution to their business and enterprise customers."

Read More: 8x8 Signs Agreement With Brightpoint

VoIP Phone reference platform from PMC-Sierra

PMC-Sierra has released a VoIP Phone reference platform which facilitates toll-quality voice services and PSTN-like quality. The MSP2020 secure VoIP processor and certified voice processing software have a simple design; thereby bringing down the total BOM. tmcnet.com reports:

"Communication is key to every-day business and understanding," said Jim Jacot, VP of sales and marketing at Acoustic Technologies.

Read More: PMC-Sierra Announces Secure Wired and Wireless VoIP Phone Reference Platform

VoIP deployment by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries

Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries is deploying a VoIP system in its contact centers and plans to use it for data services as well. The brewery’s brands include Marston’s Pedigree and the Pathfinder and Union Pubs. The company is trying to go live with the VoIP network by February; it will be using hardware from Cisco and software from Affiniti.

GlobalTouch Telecom and Auvi Technologies in partnership

GlobalTouch Telecom Inc has entered into a partnership with Auvi Technologies as per which Auvi will provide turnkey VoIP solutions and GlobalTouch Telecom will offer its SIPTalk(TM) service on VoIP-enabled hardware developed by Auvi. businesswire.com reports:

The partnership furthermore signals the increasing recognition of VoIP in the mainstream consumer voice market.

Read More: GlobalTouch Telecom Extends SIPTalk to Hardware Designer Auvi

WebDialogs Unyte for Skype

WebDialogs Inc. has released the beta of WebDialogs Unyte for Skype. WebDialogs Unyte has been certified by Skype as a secure sharing plug-in, which can be used for improving the quality of voice conferences. It is easy-to-use and facilitates the sharing of documents, applications, etc between the users. businesswire.com reports:

The Beta Program offers Skype users the ability to "Unyte" with up to four participants.

Read More: WebDialogs Launches Skype Certified Application Sharing

VoIP system helps brewery cut costs

Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, makers of Marston’s Pedigree and owner of Pathfinder and Union Pubs are planning to utilize VoIP for telephony in their contact centers and later on extend it for covering data services. It is planning to include VoIP in it’s network as the earlier system had become obsolete By the month of February VoIP would become a part of the company with Affiniti and Cisco providing software and hardware services respectively

The company would also get an advantage in terms of connecting with their remote centers. It also hopes to directly link with the company managed pubs. It would also extend to the merchant services and finally push through audio, video and jukebox –on-demand services.

The brewery company believes VoIP would make it’s customer service more efficient by enabling it to answer customer queries at the first call and it is believed that the company would be saving a whopping £ 240,000 in call costs over a period of next five years.

Read More

Second year in a row Pannaway Technologies bags Internet Telephony magazine’s product of the year award

Pannaway’s Broadband Access Manager has been included in the list of Product of the Year Award 2005 by Internet Telephony magazine. These awards are given to those companies which have carried out technological advancements and application refinements in the field of internet telephony.

Broadband Access Manager is a major part of the Service Convergence Network which allows municipalities and Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers to offer competition to cable and satellite companies for delivery of tiered triple Play services.

VONAGE announces formal relationship with Sonus

Vonage and Sonus Network Inc, a VoIP equipment vendor formally announced their relationship a year after being linked together. Neither of the company disclosed their financial terms. Vonage has already been using equipments supplied by Sonus in Los Angeles and New York and plans to use them in other parts of America when it expands.

This news will certainly give a boost to Sonus in the New Year which had missed out on a major deal and faced unpredictable financial situations in 2005. The stocks prices of the company have already shot up.

D-LINK & Skype launches USB phone adapter to make calls over traditional phones

D-Link and Skype launched the D-Link Skype USB phone adapter which would enable the users to make use of their existing phones and take advantage of Skype’s free calling features. It would be globally available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $69.99.

It would provide added flexibility in terms of receiving regular and Skype calls using the existing phones. It would also enable to take benefit of the features of the existing phones. This would certainly improve the experience of Skype services.

Skype to launch a new series of products at the consumer electronics show in Las Vegas

Internet phone services would become more user friendly as Skype has announced that it has developed a series of new products by partnering with several consumer electronics manufacturers.

This would enable Skype to gain a competitive edge over VoIP services provider Vonage and other traditional phone services providers.

A new cordless phone would be launched which would make it easier for the users to switch between ordinary telephone calls and those which travel over the Internet. Similarly a new standalone handset has been developed which would enable to make free Skype calls over the Internet without requiring a PC connection.

It has also developed in partnership with D-Link a new phone adapter named DPH- 50U which would enable the Skype services to be used over a traditional phone. Also, a new cordless handset and speaker phone has been developed by Ipevo which is an existing manufacturer of Skype enabled handsets.

[EFYTimes]

Bell South strikes deal with SES AMERICOM to offer Internet TV services

America’s No. 3 local telephone company BellSouth has struck a deal with SES Americo, SES Global’s U.S. arm to receive satellite video services as a part of it’s strategy to launch Internet television services.

This deal comes on the heal of the pact signed by BellSouth and Microsoft Corp (Research) last year to launch Internet based television by mid 2006.

SES Americom would be providing additional content to BellSouth in the form of video aggregation, monitoring, encoding and transport.

BellSouth has been adopting a cautious approach in adopting IPTV as compared to it’s rivals as cable operators are giving a tough competition by offering low cost phone calls over the Internet. 

Read More

WAP54GP and WAP54GPE from Linksys

Linksys, which provides WLAN equipment, will release two new access points that are capable of supporting power-over-Ethernet (POE). The access points are targeted at SMBs. POE facilitates the use of WLANs in places that are otherwise difficult to connect. The access points WAP54GP, meant for indoor use, and WAP54GPE, meant for outdoor use, cost $ 249 and $ 449, respectively.

VoIP in schools

VoIP is making its presence felt everywhere and has even managed to impress educational authorities. The Clark County School District (NV), David Douglas School District (OR), and Saugus Union School District (CA) have deployed VoIP and are reaping benefits in the form of flexibility in communication, low costs, and better connectivity. thejournal.com reports:

In 2001, frustrations with this system led to a call for widespread improvements, and Information Systems Manager Keith Seher responded immediately.

Read More: VoIP to the Rescue

Residential Seamless Mobility Gateway by Motorola

Motorola will be releasing its new Residential Seamless Mobility Gateway (RSG). An 802.11b/g access point, four-port router, and a built-in VoIP adapter will be a part of the RSG products. These will act as a hotspot for mobile phones, provide power to phones, and enable users to control their home networks. RSG can be combined with the dual-mode handset (DMH) for the seamless transfer of voice calls between the home wireless network and the cellular network. engadget.com reports:

As such, they will eliminate the hassle of multiple providers for home and mobile allowing callers to dial a number while the gateway determines the best available network or service option.

Read More: Motorola's RSG bridges VoiP and cellular phone services

Panasonic phone for Vonage IP telephony service

Panasonic Consumer Electronics Co. is developing a cordless-phone system which will be configurable with the Internet telephony service provided by Vonage. The system will not require a stand-alone adaptor that is necessary for other VoIP systems.

E911 from Vonage

Vonage has stated that it now has E911 service across 1700 PSAPs in the US. The company has provided 911 capabilities to 112 calling centers in more than 50 counties in one week’s time. tmcnet.com reports:

"Vonage has been continuing to quickly roll-out Enhanced 911 service every day to new counties across the U.S.," said Jeffrey A. Citron, Vonage's chairman and CEO.

Read More: Vonage Now Provides E911 in Over 1700 Calling Centers

Netgear and Skype in partnership

Netgear and Skype are expected to make an announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show, which could be regarding collaboration between the two companies. Netgear could start headsets and adapters for Skype users. businessweek.com reports:

One thing is clear already, however: The news won't please Cisco, Netgear's direct competitor.

Read More: Netgear + Skype = Major Trouble for Cisco?

Vonage and D-Link in partnership

The recent partnership between VoIP service provider Vonage Holdings Corp. and D-Link is for the development of a co-branded broadband telephone adaptor that will be configured to provide phone service by Vonage. The stand alone adaptor will be fully portable and will support two broadband telephone lines. The adaptor will be based on the TNETV1015 VoIP gateway chipset by Texas Instruments. tmcnet.com reports:

"D-Link's products are well-known for their high performance and reliability," said Daniel Smires, senior vice president of Engineering for Vonage Network.

Read More: Vonage, D-Link Develop Two-Line VoIP Adapter

IP 710 Telephone by AltiGen Communication

The IP 710 Telephone by AltiGen Communication offers 4 lines and a backlit LCD. The phone is capable of displaying real-time call center workgroup statistics, time, caller ID, etc. The instrument offers a high degree of personalization and can be configured to provide features such as speed dialing, extension busy, call appearances, etc. The phone has been selected to receive a 2005 Product of the Year Award by INTERNET TELEPHONY. prnewswire.com reports:

The Product of the Year Award winners for 2005 will be highlighted in the January and February 2006 issues of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.

Read More: AltiGen Communications, Inc. Receives INTERNET TELEPHONY

TeleVoce-Connected™ devices at CES

TeleVoce™ Inc has stated that it will exhibit its TeleVoce-Connected™ personalizable consumer VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) devices for the first time at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) to be held in Las Vegas, NV, from 5-8 January 2006.The devices will be exhibited in five stalls. TeleVoce develops desktop command and control technology that facilitates the use of Internet Telephony by consumers and SOHO users. prweb.com reports:

Ed Prentice, president and CEO of TeleVoce said, “TeleVoce’s technology is a catalyst for the inevitable shift of telephony control from the telco central office to consumers.

Read More: First TeleVoce-Connected Personalizable Consumer VoIP Devices Launching at 2006 CES

VoIP growth in Malta

According to the Malta Communications Authority, VoIP traffic in Malta touched 10 million minutes in the third quarter as a result of the introduction of 1021 and Hello services. VoIP mobile minutes showed an increase of 43%. timeofmalta.com reports:

On the other hand, fixed-line volumes decreased by 19 per cent.

Read More: Use of mobile phones, broadband still rising

"Guardian" from Bitek attracts attention

Bitek, the British firm that has developed VoIP blocking systems, is receiving communications from several telecom providers and regulators that are showing an interest in the company’s product, “Guardian”. The Guardian system monitors the activity of an IP network and blocks an activity declared illegal by the system owner. itp.net reports:

“Guardian has 20 or 30 separate signatures or settings, which gives a telco for instance the flexibility to determine exactly what type of usage is allowed,” Butler explained.

Read More: Regional authorities weigh up anti-VoIP solution

Skype and Coldplay together

Skype has roped in the band Coldplay for a marketing campaign under which users can leave a voicemail behind and one lucky caller will get a call back from the band.

Residential VoIP service by SunRocket

SunRocket is offering its residential VoIP service at the rate of $ 9.95 per month. The service includes E911, free call waiting, free caller ID, and free three-way conferencing. Unlimited inbound and SunRocket to SunRocket Internet phone calling are other attractive features. The service comes with 200 minutes of global calling.

The offer is aimed at prospective consumers who are aware of VoIP but have still to give it a try. The company has positioned its service as an ideal second phone line that can be used for international calling and as a residential phone service to go with a user’s cell phone. The pricing is inclusive of all taxes, additional phone numbers and enhanced voice mail can be acquired at the rate of $ 3 per month for each. Users can also purchase the equipment for the offer, which is priced at $ 39.95.

e-Sky offers Internet telephony services

Los Angeles-based e-Sky is an Internet telephony company that offers its services in seven countries. Solutions offered by the company cover dial-up, broadband, Internet cafes, customized packages for businesses, etc. btimes.com.my

“The starter pack comes with a value of US$10 (about RM380) and could be topped up like prepaid cards,” he added.

Read More: e-Sky taps Internet telephony mart

DPH-50U - USB phone adapter

D-Link and Skype have come together to introduce the D-Link Skype USB phone adapter (DPH-50U). The instrument enables users to use their wired or cordless telephones to make free calls using the Skype software. Users can switch over to a Skype call in the midst of a conventional call by using a feature similar to call-waiting. It enables conference calls between conventional phones and Skype; the adapter features a lighted display that informs whether the incoming call is a Skype call or a PSTN call. yahoo.com reports:

"Our mission is to make Skype easy and fun to use for consumers everywhere," said James Bilefield, vice president of business development for Skype.

Read More: USB Adapter From D-Link Makes Free Skype Calls Even More Convenient

TDLC requests information from Subtel

Telecom regulator Subtel has been asked by TDLC, antimonopoly tribunal in Chile, to provide information on the current state of affairs regarding network unbundling and IP telephony regulations. tmcnet.com reports:

In January 2005, Voissnet asked the TDLC to investigate alleged anticompetitive practices on the part of CTC.

Read More: TDLC requests information on unbundling, VoIP

Ascalade and Skype in an agreement

Skype has signed a development agreement with Ascalade Communications Inc. under which Ascalade will develop telecom products that will be certified by Skype. The first product is already available in Europe and North America; it is from the Companion(TM) series of PC-based VoIP cordless phones developed by Ascalade. The phone includes features like color screen and polyphonic ring tones. The phones offer good voice quality and use Digital Enhanced Cordless telecommunications (DECT) technology. Users can access their voicemail via this phone even when they are away from their computer.

PhoneGnome by TelEvolution

PhoneGnome is a device developed by TelEvolution and it connects a user’s PSTN service with VoIP. Phone is easy to install between a PSTN line and a broadband connection. It allows users to make calls via IP telephony and PSTN. PhoneGnome users can communicate free with one another. The retail price of PhoneGnome is $ 119. It helps users to cut costs by providing free voice mail, free three-way calling, free call forwarding, etc.

TMONE to run contact center

Iowa-based direct marketing firm, TMONE, will be occupying a 300-seat facility that was earlier used by MCI. TMONE is a marketing firm and it provides customers to companies that are into IP-based and digital telephony services. TMONE uses direct mail, contact center services; internet marketing etc, in order to provide its direct-response focused marketing solutions. emediawire.com reports:

The 27,000 square foot state of art facility is designed to acquire up to 50,000 telecom and information service subscribers a month at full capacity and support millions of customers.

Read More: TMONE Occupies 27,000 Sq. Ft. Contact Center to Support VoIP

Regulating the growth of broadband

In August 2005, the FCC issued a non-binding policy that sought to "preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of (the) public Internet." In October 2005, when it approved the acquisition of AT&T by SBC Communications Inc. and the takeover of MCI Inc. by Verizon Communications Inc, the FCC asked for guarantees of "Network Neutrality". insidebayarea.com reports:

Congress also has found a need to address the question in drafting new legislation to govern the telecom industry, prompting heavy lobbying over the exact wording.

Read More: Phone wars make way for broadband battles

Windows Live Messenger service

Microsoft and Uniden have come together for the development of hardware that will allow users to make live calls using the Windows Live Messenger service. The product, WIN 1200 is a cordless handset that can be used with PC’s and landlines as well. It works at 5.8 GHZ and sports a color screen; it is priced at $ 99.99 and is available in the US.

The instrument uses the Web calling service provided by MCI for calling landlines using VoIP. Messenger contact lists can be downloaded on to the phone and individual names can be assigned different ring tones. The Windows Live Messenger service is currently in its beta stage.

ECG upbeat about VoIP growth

ECG is a VoIP company that is into the designing and operation of next-generation telephony platforms. According to ECG, in the next five years 95% of companies will embrace VoIP. i-newswire.com reports:

With growth in the Southeast, ECG was selected to assist Fonix in their VoIP system to enhance the existing program and create more opportunities for the company.

Read More: ECG assists Fonix with VoIP

Brasil Informtica looking for partners

Brasil Informtica, an IT systems consultancy based in Brazil is on the lookout for partners who can supply VoIP hardware. The company is involved in projects with more than 1,000 SMBs and large companies. The growth of VoIP in 2005 has resulted in the company looking for new manufacturers. Brasil Informtica offers VoIP technology systems priced at less than $ 4, 282.

ECG to provide telecom solution for TelCove

TelCove is a company providing business critical telecom solutions. The company had selected ECG for a turnkey project that will cover installation and integration of a VoIP platform for TelCove. The platform included Broadsoft Broadworks and Lucent LCS Gateways and was deployed and rendered serviceable in its Beta phase inside seven weeks. The call routing plan was developed by ECG, which also created the project plan and laid down the engineering prerequisites.

News from the last week of 2005

Vonage Holdings Corp. is offering a $ 100 mail-in-rebate to its customers who purchase certified devices being sold in more than 9,000 retail locations inside the U.S. The promotion will continue till February 4th, 2006.

Southern New Hampshire Medical Center has selected Verizon for the installation of a new SONET telecom voice and data network. The network will allow the medical center to achieve integration of the telecom systems of the new facilities with the remaining locations. tmcnet.com reports:

Avaya Inc. announced that it was recently tapped by Xinjiang Unicom, a Chinese mobile phone carrier.

Read More: VoIP Week in Review from TMCnet: Ending the Year with VoIP

VoIP has a future in India

2005 saw good growth in the telecom sector in India. Major milestones included the easing of regulations and integration of the technology. 2006 could well be the year in which the government and the telecom players agree upon a telecom policy.

Factors such as a single call rate across the country and the growth of VoIP in India could be important in achieving concurrence on a telecom policy. VoIP could prove the most effective and cheapest means of connecting rural India to the rest of the country. hindustantimes.com reports:

Although the ministry’s move towards unified licensing and use of VoIP are positive steps, there are still limitations to its use within the country.

Read More: VoIP it into place

Beckham's boots purchased by VoIP millionaire

Idar Vollvik, who sold Chess/Sense to TeliaSonera, purchased a pair of soccer boots donated by English footballer David Beckham for US $ 147,000. tmcnet.com reports:

Norske Kvinners Sanitetsforening, which ran the charity auction, will use the money to buy tents that will provide shelter for thousands of Pakistani earthquake victims.

Read More: VoIP Guru Buys Beckham Boots for $147K

Enventis Telecom acquired by HickoryTech Corp.

ALLETE has sold Enventis Telecom to HickoryTech Corp for $ 35.5 million, which HickoryTech Corp. paid in cash. Enventis Telecom has a staff of 75 employees and its revenues for the year 2004 were $ 43 million. tmcnet.com reports:

Today's news follows HickoryTech's announcement made yesterday about its acquisition of Mouseworks Computer and Network Services, a North Mankato, Minn. firm.

Read More: HickoryTech Completes VoIP Co. Acquisition

AT&T to launch major ad campaign

Post its merger, AT&T is planning a major ad campaign to celebrate the fact. The first commercial of a yearlong campaign will be launched during “Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve 2006”. tmcnet.com reports:

Subsequent ads will be deployed across a wide variety of media, including magazines, newspapers, billboards, cable TV and online venues.

Read More: Big ad campaign to usher in new AT&T

VoIP favored for long distance calls

VoIP is fast becoming the favorite mode of communication for long distance communication. Travelers, students studying abroad benefit specially from this service which allows users to make calls using a softphone installed on PCs or using special instruments such as the like Wi-Fi Utstarcom F1000 phone. financialexpress.com reports:

VoIP works by digitizing your voice and sending it via the internet to the other caller, who hears it on his PC's speakers, or by routing it through regular telephone lines to anyone's standard phone line.

Read More: Phoning home, inexpensively in 2006

Difficult times for PSTNs

As VoIP goes from strength to strength, traditional telecom providers are no longer thinking in terms of achieving profits from long-distance telephony. AT&T lost more than 30% of its consumer long-distance consumer customers by the end of 2004. vonmag.com reports:

Consumers stopped worrying about the phone numbers they called and instead moved to manage their minutes on their calling plans.

Read More: 2006: The Death of Long-Distance Profits

GNU Telephony stack

The GNU Telephony stack is an alternative for those who do not wish to use proprietary VoIP stacks. Tycho Softworks is backing the GNU Telephony stack. GNU Bayonne, which is one of the major components of the stack, is maintained by the owner of Tycho Softworks. The Free Software Foundation sponsors GNU and the GNU Telephony stack consists of an elaborate list of applications sponsored by GNU. internetnews.com reports:

The Telephony stack includes the GNU Bayonne telecommunications application server, the Troll ip/pstn gateway packages, the GNU RTP (define) stack, the Open H.323 stack and the GNU Gatekeeper H.323 call server.

Read More: GNU Telephony Stack Opens Up VoIP

OneStream Networks offers converged services

OneStream Networks is 10-person strong and is owned by Ronco Communications & Electronics Inc, which has an annual revenue of $ 150 million and is located in Tonawanda, Erie County. democratandchronicle.com reports:

OneStream looks to combine voice, data and Internet into one system and one bill. Launched in November 2004, OneStream installed about 1,000 lines in its first year, Smith said.

Read More: OneStream offers Internet, data, VOIP in one system and one bill to businesses

IP-enabled contact centers in Asia-Pacific

A survey by research firm Frost and Sullivan, carried out at the behest of Avaya, has found that 40% of the contact centers in the Asia-Pacific region are contemplating IP-based telephony and 80% of those surveyed have mentioned an increase in the demand for multi-channel support including voice, e-mail, SMS, and the Web. The research covered more than 1,000 contact centers in Australia, Singapore, China, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, and India.

The report states that stability of IP-technology is not considered to be a barrier in VoIP implementation anymore. Reduced costs and easy to manage networks were cited as prime reasons for deploying IP-based communications in contact centers. zdnetindia.com reports:

Identifying the technologies that contact centers are looking at will give "an idea" of what customers are now demanding, Roy Wakim, Avaya's director of converged solutions and analyst solutions, said in an interview with ZDNet Asia.

Read More: Contact centers in Asia ponder move to IP

New service from Omega-Orion Enterprises

Omega-Orion Enterprises, Ltd. Co is a satellite service provider for SMBs. Its new service offering provides bandwidth speeds that are higher than those of other satellite Internet services. The DOCSIS protocol used by the company supports VoIP and VPN connections. The service has not imposed any download limits on its subscribers. prleap.com reports:

"This is a great service that we are happy to provide to our customers," says Elizabeth Herbst, COO of Omega-Orion Enterprises.

Read More: OMEGA-ORION OFFERS NEW BUSINESS SATELLITE INTERNET SERVICE