News Archive - June 2008
June 28, 2008
It would appear that, though AT&T is losing landline customers left and right, in its infinite wisdom it has decided that increasing rates for basic services. Caller ID was one such service targeted for an increase, with AT&T expecting to charge $8.99 for that service—something that actually costs AT&T $0 to provide. One really has to question whether keeping a landline phone even makes sense these days, given that there are so many alternatives ranging from mobile phones, to Vonage, to Skype. A rate increase with no value added should certainly make people reconsider the decision to keep those aging phone lines in the home.
VIPER unleashed by VideoCentric for Video-over-IP Everywhere
June 24, 2008
Video Over IP Everywhere VIPE(R) service is launched in the UK by VideoCentric enabling multiPoint desktop video conferencing on demand over the internet without users needing to pre-load any software on to their PCs. VIPER will interoperate with professional H.323 VC systems from Tandberg, Polycom, Lifesize, Sony, Aethra and Emblaze-VCON, as well as with voice over IP systems and ordinary telephones.
Compressed web phone calls are easy to bug
June 20, 2008
A Johns Hopkins team can identify words and phrases in VoIP audio based on packet sizes of variable bitrate encodings.
Skype 4.0 Beta Focuses On Watching Who You Call
June 20, 2008
Skype is planning a major update to it's VoIP client, with video becoming a more prominent feature than before. But, what really caught our eye was the statement that Skype will be using a voice codec that uses as little as 2Kbps and a video codec that uses as little as 6Kbps. While we find this very hard to believe, we are prepared to be impressed.
Tandberg Hopes VoIP Desk Phone Will Spur Unified Communications
June 17, 2008
Tandberg unveiled an advanced VoIP desktop phone with DVD-quality video that it's aiming at enterprise markets. The E20 VoIP phone also features CD-quality audio, a 5-megapixel camera, and a 10.6-inch LCD screen. — It is interesting that the term VoIP is being applied to what we would normally classify as video conferencing. This is definitely a sign of converging business.
Senate passes VoIP emergency-dialing bill
June 17, 2008
The U.S. Senate has passed legislation that requires the operators of 911 networks to allow VoIP providers to connect.
Nortel ditches WiMax to focus on 4G
June 12, 2008
Nortel said that it is scrapping plans to work on WiMAX in favor of increasing development in a competitive technology called LTE. The two largest US-based operators (AT&T and Verizon) have announced their support for LTE.
Cisco sees $10 billion market in video
June 11, 2008
Cisco says its opportunity in video is $10 billion over the next 3-5 years, not including network upgrades required to support video applications. Physical security alone is an $8 billion market, but TelePresence virtual conferencing accounts for Cisco's biggest product ramp.
Procter & Gamble Signs $650 Million Outsourcing Deal With BT
June 11, 2008
The keyword at Procter & Gamble is collaboration. The company runs a Web portal where inventors can submit product ideas to the company and has a broad collaboration plan in place that includes blogs, wikis, presence-enabled unified communications and telepresence.
Mirial launches out-of-the-box Video Contact Center solution for Service Providers
June 9, 2008
New, cutting-edge product coming out of Mirial's headquarters: the Italian provider of VVoIP solutions for the development of IP and IMS multimedia applications today launches its PSE Video Contact Center, targeted to VAS providers willing to deploy and deliver enhanced voice and video contact center services.
WiMax patent alliance announced
June 9, 2008
Six technology heavyweights came together to form an alliance to jointly license patents for the broadband wireless technology WiMax. The group, which calls itself the Open Patent Alliance, includes Intel, Cisco Systems, Samsung Electronics, Sprint Nextel, Clearwire, and Alcatel-Lucent. The intent of the group is to gather rights to WiMax patents and license them to makers of consumer electronics devices, networking equipment, and computers.
Apple announces faster, cheaper iPhone
June 9, 2008
Apple announced a much faster iPhone that's half the price of the current model: the new 8-gigabyte iPhone will cost $199 and a 16-gigabyte version will cost $299. Steve Jobs said the new iPhone, which is based on 3G technology, is 36% faster than top rival Nokia's N95 smartphone.
Look Out, Vonage. Here Comes magicJack
June 6, 2008
Another upstart has crashed into the world of telephones, selling calls so cheaply it would seem no incumbent can compete. MagicJack is a $40 device that provides unlimited VoIP calls to the United States, plugs into any standard Windows PC and a standard alaog phone, and works anywhere in the world. Subsequent years of service are just $20 per year.
Creeping "Socialism": How VOIP is Regulated Today
June 6, 2008
As regulated entities, telecommunications carriers must comply with 911, privacy protections, universal service fund contributions (see your phone bill), and disability access, all so-called "social regulations." VoIP providers, it turns out, must comply with these as well.
Glowpoint Launches Telepresence Exchange Network
June 4, 2008
Glowpoint announced the launch of the Telepresence Exchange Network (TEN), a service designed to solve the challenges of placing telepresence video calls between companies on different networks.
Nokia Siemens CEO Slams 'Silly Pricing'
June 4, 2008
The "silly pricing" that has forced Nokia Siemens Networks to walk away from at least one major mobile infrastructure deal in India has now shifted into the managed services market, according to their CEO.
sipgate Opens Up iPhone to Third-Party VoIP Services
June 4, 2008