News Archive - March 2006
March 31, 2006
VoIP Market Expansion Has Implications on Accountants
March 31, 2006
IETF Takes On VoIP's 911 Problem
March 30, 2006
The Internet engineering community is making progress on the thorny issue of how best to route emergency communications such as 911 calls over the Internet.
V is for Vonage...T is for Takeover
March 30, 2006
Will Vonage go public, get bought, linger for a bit, or just go away? These are the questions that are raised and discussed in this article, with interesting details about the company's founder.
March 30, 2006
EU roaming-charge initiative irks operators
March 29, 2006
The European Union's decision to bring out legislation forcing mobile companies to slash roaming charges has drawn fire from the industry, which is vowing to fight the proposals tooth and nail.
Skype coughs up to UK phone snag
March 28, 2006
Skype faced service outage issues in the UK this past week and those continue to persist, apparently. Users also complained at the lack of communication from the internet telephony outfit.
Australia: Consumers group call for tighter control of VoIP providers
March 28, 2006
The Consumers' Telecommunications Network (CTN) is calling for enforcement action "to ensure VoIP service providers comply with all applicable regulations and legislation, specifically legislation to halt misleading and deceptive conduct and advertising." — ... and ensure that they retain those higher than reasonable per-minute phone charges through the incumbent carrier?
Worldwide Carrier Grade VoIP Equipment Reaches US$2.4 Billion
March 28, 2006
VoIP port shipments exceeded that of digital switching in 2005. While the digital switching market experienced a drop of almost 30 percent in terms of ports shipped in 2005, the VoIP market saw a strong growth of over 151 percent. — Port? What is a port in the VoIP world? Odd marketing term, I guess.
House lawmakers offer bill to aid telecom video
March 28, 2006
Secure SIP for the Enterprise?
March 28, 2006
March 28, 2006
Internet telephony subscriber numbers will rocket this year as more Australians sign up for VoIP, but the proportion of subscribers paying for the service will drop from the end of 2006 as users become more canny with their calling.
StreamCast names Skype, Kazaa in lawsuit
March 27, 2006
StreamCast Networks, creator of the Morpheus file-swapping software, has filed a lawsuit naming Kazaa and Skype Technologies, among others, as defendants.
Nortel Targets Services for Growth
March 27, 2006
Nortel reinforced its commitment to growing its services business by unveiling a sweeping simplification of its integrated services and a series of new commercial services offerings.
New Internet telephony players emerge
March 27, 2006
The Internet telephony market is getting more crowded as two more companies launched new services in the U.S. market.
River City Internet Group to be Agent for Voice Peering Fabric
March 24, 2006
Alcatel set to buy Lucent in $34 billion merger
March 24, 2006
Alcatel is in talks to buy smaller U.S. rival Lucent and create the world's biggest network equipment maker, the latest in a wave of consolidation in the telecoms industry.
Wanadoo UK chalks up 150K VoIP users
March 23, 2006
Wanadoo UK has signed up 150,000 VoIP users over the last year, the company reported.
FCC Helps Verizon's Enterprise Game
March 22, 2006
The FCC has excused Verizon from a host of regulations in such areas as pricing, privacy, and the unbundling of enterprise broadband facilities.
Yahoo launches instant-message phone in U.S.
March 22, 2006
Yahoo said it is launching a service in the United States that lets people make phone calls through the company's instant messaging software.
March 21, 2006
Siemens, Nokia build faster T-Mobile network
March 21, 2006
Siemens and Nokia are equipping T-Mobile's mobile phone network to speed up third-generation services such as Internet surfing and downloading movies in Germany and Austria.
AT&T next to seek business broadband deregulation
March 21, 2006
AT&T said it will swiftly follow the lead of rival Verizon and ask the FCC to lift regulations on its broadband data services for business clients.
Lucent, Nokia in Play for Siemens
March 20, 2006
Lucent and Nokia are among a number of companies to have shown an interest in merging with or buying all or parts of Siemens Communications Group, according to industry sources.
Mobile VoIP - not so disruptive
March 20, 2006
Wireless VoIP Phones Can Learn A Lot from Plain Old Cell Phones
March 20, 2006
Wireless VoIP is the latest in next-gen telecom, but it has a ways to go to provide the same capabilities and reliability as plain old cell phones.
March 20, 2006
Speculation is growing that China could be about to relax restrictions on its VoIP market.
Patton ships tiny VoIP adapter
March 20, 2006
Data Tech Labs Opens New London Facility
March 20, 2006
SIP provides unifying force for messaging
March 20, 2006
After a decade of promises, the unified message application is finally coming of age. — It will still be coming of age for the next 10 years, given the number of problems that still exist with SIP.
Vodafone to offer fixed-line services
March 19, 2006
Vodafone's chief executive Arun Sarin plans to offer fixed-line services such as broadband internet and VoIP over phone lines alongside the company's traditional mobile service.
Nice Debuts Active VoIP Recorders
March 17, 2006
Verizon Merger Rumors Send Qwest Up
March 17, 2006
Rumors of a Verizon acquisition of Qwest swept through Wall Street this week, causing Qwest stock to spike up dramatically Thursday.
Notebaert: Qwest Won't Block VoIP Traffic
March 16, 2006
Qwest Communications CEO Richard Notebaert on March 15 voiced his company's commitment to "net neutrality," saying his company would never block traffic or degrade network performance as a way to maintain competitive advantage. — But... read the next paragraph...
Microsoft details VoIP and video plans
March 16, 2006
Microsoft unveiled details of plans for VoIP and video products offered through Windows Live services that will include new VoIP phones and a click-to-call feature for address book names.
March 16, 2006
CompUSA, Sylantro Garnish VoIP for SMBs
March 15, 2006
March 14, 2006
This whitepaper discusses the security challenges posed by VoIP communications in wired and wireless devices such as VoIP servers, gateways, telephones, and mobile handhelds.
March 14, 2006
Firms offering voice and video over the Internet are meeting to tout themselves as telco replacements. — Many will try, few will win. As I've said many times before, the same carriers here today will largely be the same carriers here tomorrow.
Vonage, Skype Seen Leading VoIP Adoption
March 14, 2006
VoIP in U.S. homes is gaining traction—and Vonage, Skype, AT&T, and Google are among the market-share leaders. — We love Google as much as everybody else, but Google leading? Google is behind others in VoIP in our opinion.
VoIP Gurus Seek New FCC Emergency Rules
March 14, 2006
Two VoIP entrepreneurs have asked the FCC to consider new rules for handling communications in disaster situations.
D-Link Launches First Flip-Style Mobile Wi-Fi Phone
March 14, 2006
D-Link introduced the industry's first flip-style mobile Wi-Fi phone that will ship with a full-featured softphone, allowing users to make free calls anywhere in the world where there is open Wi-Fi access.
March 14, 2006
Sprint Nextel says its next-generation, mobile multimedia network is still on track, on time, and it will happen — even as the carrier is plowing through a sea of radio access technologies in the meantime.
New IntraISP 7.0 to be Showcased at Spring 2006 VON Conference and Expo
March 14, 2006
March 14, 2006
Most Australian organisations do not have adequate security measures in place when they install VoIP telephony.
March 13, 2006
Microsoft and RADVISION announced a licensing agreement that will enable third-party developers to integrate the communications capabilities of Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 with additional SIP communications platforms.
Open Source Collaboration Meets VoIP
March 13, 2006
A new partnership between Zimbra and Asterisk is helping to bridge the gap between text- and voice-based collaboration.
Cisco's Linksys unveils SIP-based VoIP gear for small businesses
March 13, 2006
Cisco division Linksys launched a package of SIP-based VoIP gear this week, aimed at small businesses and home-office power users.
Is Your VoIP Hosted PBX Provider Blind to Your Troubles?
March 12, 2006
VoIP 1, telecoms giants 0: an upset in the group of death
March 12, 2006
T-Mobile Offers Seamless Mobile Broadband Connections with Nortel Wireless Solutions
March 10, 2006
Nortel has been selected to expand T-Mobile's wireless core network with new capabilities designed to bridge the operator's commercial UMTS wireless network with WiFi networks to provide seamless communications for subscribers.
March 10, 2006
Carriers plan to challenge VoIP "poachers" with services to win back defecting small businesses and test the market's economics.
Netcentrex and France Telecom reach a total of 1 million residential VoIP lines
March 10, 2006
Netcentrex and France Telecom have exceeded 1 million lines in commercial service across 5 countries at the end of 2005.
What's Next for Bill Gates? Videoconferencing?
March 10, 2006
Bill Gates talks about how advances in video coding and software technology will help pave the way for videoconferencing that looks better than what you see today.
Nortel delays filing yet again, plans to restate results
March 10, 2006
Nortel Networks said that it would delay filing its 2005 annual report until April 2006 and restate results from certain prior periods to fix accounting mistakes.
Quality still an issue for VoIP hopefuls
March 9, 2006
Lucent Managed Services Lands Sprint
March 9, 2006
Lucent has landed Sprint as the first known Tier One carrier in the world to begin offering hosted business VoIP via managed services.
March 9, 2006
Philips launches the SOPHO IPC 500, a complete IP-PBX communication solution which provides the latest VoIP technology for small and medium-sized businesses.
Verizon to use new tech to slash costs
March 9, 2006
Verizon hopes to reduce the cost of installing its Fios fiber-to-the-home network by using existing cable wiring in homes to access high-speed Internet, IP telephony and IP-based TV services.
March 9, 2006
VoIP provider 8x8 could be in danger of losing its most high-profile customer after AT&T merges with BellSouth.
Skype targets small businesses
March 9, 2006
Skype announced Skype for Business, which consists of new hardware, improvements to programs and a Web site dedicated to small businesses.
Mirial UMTS from DyLogic enables direct PC to 3G handset calls
March 8, 2006
Shaw Communications fires back at Vonage claims of unfair 'VoIP tax'
March 8, 2006
Shaw Communications fired back at Vonage Canada, which claims Shaw is charging its Internet subscribers a "thinly veiled VoIP tax" that makes it tougher for others to compete with the cable company.
VoiceCon: Avaya CEO says VoIP may not lower costs
March 8, 2006
Avaya CEO Don Peterson surprised some IT managers at VoiceCon Spring 2006 today by declaring that they should not deploy IP telephony expecting to lower communications costs. — He should have added, "Unless you purchase third-party SIP phones."
March 8, 2006
VoIP will take off this year, according to a new survey, with 54% of respondents believing there are more advantages than barriers to its adoption.
Verizon Adds VoIP to Call Center Service
March 8, 2006
Verizon Business has added VoIP to its Contact Center service, enabling more flexible and scaleable services that will save money for its enterprise services.
March 8, 2006
With cable franchises, content buying power, and a wireless powerhouse, AT&T will significantly add to its video services potential with its $67 billion bid to buy BellSouth.
Yahoo, Siemens enter VoIP partnership
March 8, 2006
Yahoo and Siemens announced an agreement designed to allow people using Siemens' Gigaset cordless telephones to make free PC-to-PC calls and inexpensive calls to traditional and mobile phones.
March 7, 2006
Canada: Vonage protests special fees on VoIP telephones
March 7, 2006
Vonage Canada wants federal regulators to investigate what it calls a "thinly veiled VoIP tax" by one of its competitors.
Net phone providers describe E911 obstacles
March 7, 2006
Federal regulators have spent much of the past year prodding Internet phone providers to link their customers to the enhanced 911 system, but accomplishing that goal is no small feat, industry representatives said.
March 7, 2006
Next time you're sitting in an airport departure lounge, take a look at the business travellers around you, then ask yourself: how many really need to be there?
RADVISION's Click to Meet for Microsoft Live Meeting Enhances Hosted Web Conferencing
March 6, 2006
RADVISION announced that its enterprise collaboration software—Click to Meet for Microsoft Office Live Meeting— will be deployed by Allstream, the Enterprise Solutions division of Manitoba Telecom Services and a leading Canadian communication solutions provider.
March 6, 2006
Jeffrey Citron, the ex-CEO of the Internet phone company, hopes to make it big when IPO time comes.
Irish VoIP numbers could be exploited overseas
March 6, 2006
Cisco Teams With Microsoft, Citrix On VoIP, Realtime Communications
March 6, 2006
Cisco Systems has formed partnerships with Microsoft and Citrix Systems to better integrate VoIP and realtime communications with enterprise applications.
AT&T Deal Could Spur Cable Buys
March 6, 2006
AT&T's bid to buy BellSouth will definitely spark lots of fear and loathing among competitive carriers. But analysts believe the move might also kickstart a new wave of consolidation amongst the cable MSOs, and it could mean some rocky times for satellite TV providers, too.
March 6, 2006
AT&T: 10,000 jobs cuts post merger
March 6, 2006
AT&T, which has agreed to buy BellSouth Corp. for $67 billion in stock, said it expects to cut some 10,000 jobs between 2007 and 2009, once the acquisition has closed.
Cisco adopts IP telephony standard
March 6, 2006
March 6, 2006
Commercial possibilities of VoIP
March 6, 2006
As things heat up in the VoIP market, with new players and, to some extent, new technologies making their presence, there is concerted effort to improve security and performance while opening up new commercial opportunities.
March 5, 2006
AT&T and BellSouth announced an agreement to merge the two companies, a combination that will create a more effective and efficient provider in the wireless, broadband, video, voice and data markets.
VoIP business is booming in the U.S.
March 5, 2006
VoIP phone using Bluetooth to be in markets soon
March 5, 2006
Video Pushes IMS Decisions, Report
March 3, 2006
Operators don't yet know what the IMS-enabled killer application will be, but most believe it will involve video.
PacPhone Secure NAT Friendly H.323 Softphone
March 2, 2006
PacPhone is a FREE H.323 soft phone that supports AES 256 voice encryption (interoperable with standard H.323) and is also the only softphone that supports digital certificate authentication.
VoIP Quality Issues — Are they Really a Thing of the Past?
March 2, 2006
The VoIP market is undergoing rapid expansion, with the improvement in voice quality making the platform more attractive to telecom carriers and enterprises aiming to cut costs and utilize greater bandwidth.
March 2, 2006
The use of VoIP technology to cut fixed-line phone costs is set to double in France this year to reach 30-40 percent of traffic and is flourishing across Europe.
Philippines: Globe Telecom steps up drive vs illegal voice calls resale
March 2, 2006
Technology Facilitates Caller ID Spoofing
March 1, 2006
In the last few years, Caller ID spoofing has become much easier. Millions of people have Internet telephone equipment that can be set to make any number appear on a Caller ID system.
TelTel raises $8M — promises better VoIP service
March 1, 2006
The Santa Clara company has raised $8M from venture backers, is finally blowing the covers off its plans, and thinks it can take on Skype and others by partnering with other telephone companies.