News Archive - April 2005
EarthLink's 2 percent solution
April 29, 2005
Internet service provider EarthLink later this year will test Wi-Fi cell phones and a high-speed Internet package that includes unlimited local VoIP telephone service.
VOIP over Wimax takes to the airwaves in France
April 29, 2005
The construction site of a new highway in northern France became, for just one day, one of the hottest wireless networking hot spots in the country. Minister of Industry Patrick Devedjian held a news conference there Monday to outline his plans for the attribution of four licenses to operate WiMAX wireless services across France, and network operator Altitude Telecom SA demonstrated how it will use Wimax technology to deliver telephone calls beginning June 1.
April 29, 2005
The Digital Magics Group is creating a videophone call-in program for Rai Uno to allow viewers to show up on TV.
France Telecom Sees Rise in VoIP Subscribers
April 28, 2005
France Telecom added 95,000 VoIP subscribers this past quarter in France, bringing the total number of subscribers to 245,000.
Comcast dials in more phone markets
April 28, 2005
Raising the stakes in the highly competitive VoIP market, cable operator Comcast announced that it will significantly expand its telephone service in the next few weeks.
TV for cell phones set to reach masses
April 28, 2005
Five years from now, about 125 million consumers will be watching television on their mobile phones, says survey.
iBasis Expands DirectVoIP Broadband Capacity in Europe
April 28, 2005
iBasis announced that the company is expanding its regionalized global architecture, adding to its facility in London to meet growing demand for VoIP services among consumers, small-and-medium sized enterprises, and corporates in Europe.
FCC May Force VoIP Emergency Calls
April 27, 2005
At Congressional hearings this week, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin indicated the Commission will review a plan for requiring 911 emergency services in VoIP phones.
April 27, 2005
Slow cell phone subscriber growth, particularly in emerging markets in the Americas and Asia, has diminished worldwide demand for wireless handsets.
Nokia makes more room for Yahoo
April 26, 2005
Nokia has begun selling advanced cell phones with Yahoo messaging, search and Web browsing embedded inside, in a move to spur wireless data usage and sales of smart phones.
Biggest Bell to hand 911 access to VoIP operators
April 26, 2005
In another sign of detente between traditional phone companies and upstart VoIP businesses, Verizon Communications, the largest of the Baby Bells, said it plans to open its 911 emergency calling infrastructure to providers of Net-based phoning.
Cisco Systems to Acquire Sipura Technology
April 26, 2005
Cisco announced a definitive agreement to acquire privately-held Sipura Technology, Inc, a leader in consumer voice over internet protocol (VoIP) technology and is a key technology provider for Linksys' current line of VoIP networking devices.
Mexico telephone operator under VoIP fire
April 25, 2005
Britestream Networks and AVCON Partner to Deliver Secure IP Video Conferencing Solution
April 25, 2005
Britestream Networks announced a cooperative agreement with AVCON, a leading provider of video conferencing systems and service in China. AVCON will integrate Britestream's SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) Internet security solution into its AVCON IP Video Conferencing system and service.
Fujitsu Is Preparing Single-Chip WiMAX Solution
April 22, 2005
Fujitsu Microelectronics America said it is preparing a single chip WiMAX solution that will help propel a WiMAX technology so powerful that it will enable high bandwidth metro networks and backhaul networks for cellular base stations.
Qwest raises MCI offer to $9.9 billion
April 21, 2005
Qwest raised its bid for MCI to $9.9 billion, saying it was making its "best and final offer" for the long-distance telephone company. — And I hope it's the final one... geez.
WiMAX Market To Be $29.3 Billion By 2008
April 21, 2005
Wi-Fi and WiMAX infrastructure revenue is expected to reach $5.2 billion and $115 million respectively in 2005, according to the Telecommunications Industry Association's 2005 Telecommunications Market Review and Forecast.
AT&T posts higher quarterly earnings
April 21, 2005
AT&T said first-quarter profit rose as the cost of depreciating assets fell, offsetting pricing pressure on business services and its withdrawal from selling telephone services to consumers.
Indian government gloms on to SMS
April 21, 2005
April 20, 2005
Vonage says it has negotiated access to Qwest Communications International's 911 infrastructure, another sign that Vonage and other VoIP operators are closer than ever to tackling a major hurdle to offering better emergency service.
Skype reaches out to mobile users
April 19, 2005
Skype discusses plans to put Skype support into Wi-Fi phones to provide users with cheap phone calls on mobile devices.
April 19, 2005
Lucent Technologies' quarterly earnings rose fourfold on strong sales of wireless network products and services.
Vonage cracks into market dominated by landlines
April 19, 2005
Net phone operator Vonage has teamed up with Alarm.com to tackle a common problem that has kept some consumers with home alarm systems from subscribing to Internet phone services.
April 18, 2005
Intel began shipping its first-ever processor that taps into the wireless standard 802.16, or WiMAX. — This opens the door to a new generation of mobile phones and other devices... this will be interesting!
XO Communications Launches Business VoIP Services Bundle Nationwide
April 18, 2005
Square7 Partners with BT Openzone and looks forward to the Bluephone
April 18, 2005
Square7 has partnered with BT to offer the BT Openzone roaming network and to resell BT Openzone pre-pay vouchers and subscription packages to its SME and Enterprise User Base.
April 16, 2005
Finally! Something useful for the video capability built into new 3G mobile phones!
California Gives Up Fight Over VOIP
April 15, 2005
California State regulators have reversed themselves on broadband telephone calling and ceded oversight to the federal government - a move that critics fear will leave California customers with little recourse for poor or faulty service.
Skype rolls out premium services
April 15, 2005
Skype has enhanced its popular Net phone application with two new premium features: SkypeIn and Skype Voicemail.
Colt Carries VOIP to the Enterprise
April 15, 2005
Jabber and AOL Team to Provide Server-to-Server Instant Messaging Federation
April 14, 2005
Jabber announced that it has formed an agreement with America Online to offer federated instant messaging services between enterprise users of Jabber Extensible Communication Platform and users of the AOL Messaging Network.
April 14, 2005
After years of having to put up with crappy microphones and speakers, we finally came across a much better alternative: the USB Phone. Check this out.
8x8 Slashes Price of Packet8 Broadband VideoPhone to $99
April 14, 2005
8x8 announced it has reduced the price of the Packet8 Broadband Consumer VideoPhone from $250 (after rebate) to $99 and decreased the monthly service fee from $29.95 to $19.95, effective immediately. — Wow... video telephony is really becoming affordable now.
Brix Networks Appoints Vice President, Strategy And Corporate Development
April 11, 2005
MCI to hold out for best takeover offer
April 11, 2005
MCI said that it had no plan to amend a poison pill that helps thwart unwanted takeovers and reaffirmed its aim to get the best takeover deal for all shareholders despite a lucrative private pact forged by its largest shareholder.
April 11, 2005
In a sign of another battle between regulators and Net phone service providers, a high-profile Texas lawsuit against Vonage is generating interest from other states' top cops. — If they were "top", they would understand it's not a traditional phone and cannot be required to work the same way. Vonage is doing the best it can... they should let them try to build a viable service before beating them up for such petty things.
AOL will bring Net phone service to 40 cities
April 7, 2005
America Online will launch its new Internet phone service in more than 40 cities, offering prices as low as $13.99 per month as part of an aggressive rollout.
April 6, 2005
MCI, owner of the world's largest IP network infrastructure and top-notch PSTN infrastructure, has turned down the $8.9 billion takeover offer from Qwest, preferring to move toward a merger with Verizon.
Verizon offers lower-cost Net phone service
April 6, 2005
Verizon's move is seen as an attempt to stay afloat in the intensely competitive market for services based on VoIP.
Canada's CRTC will require Internet telephony firms to offer 911 emergency service
April 5, 2005
Companies that offer Internet phone service to the public must provide at least basic emergency 911 service to their customers within 90 days.
VoIP solutions pitched to cable TV operators at industry confab
April 5, 2005
VoIP took center-stage at the annual National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA) convention.
New FCC chairman bullish on deregulation
April 5, 2005
Speaking for the first time in public, the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Kevin Martin, said he will continue favoring deregulation to foster change in the telecommunications industry.
Verizon to MCI: Choose Us or Lose Us
April 5, 2005
The management team at Verizon is losing patience with the way MCI is continuing to talk with rival Qwest. — Yeah, right... Verizon has everything to lose.
Square7 launches the Dualphone2 Cordless VOIP 2in1 Handset for Ethernet and PSTN
April 5, 2005
It is now possible to buy the first cordless Internet telephone with Ethernet and PSTN Connectivity from Square7.
Bells see their future on a TV screen
April 4, 2005
In the coming months, the Bell telephone companies, including SBC Communications and Verizon Communications, will start selling television programming in their most recent effort to crack a market in which they have had almost no presence.