February 13th, 2006
You are currently browsing the articles from the VoIP Digest written on February 13th, 2006.
Nokia has revealed a mobile VoIP and cellular hybrid handset and network offering. Nokia has different types of customers and wants to help them complement their mobile systems with VoIP. Nokia has been conducting a series of trials with operators to test the viability of mobile VoIP using UMA (unlicensed mobile access) technology. It launched the second handset to use UMA technology, known as Nokia 6136.
Nokia also launched a UMA networking product that can route voice calls over WLAN access points or cellular networks. Both the products will be available in the market from the second quarter of 2006. Mobile VoIP has traditionally increased competition between internet services companies and traditional mobile operators. However, Nokia believes that mobile operators will be able to create new services by teaming up with internet players. Silicon reports:
A number of web players have already announced tie-ups with operators, such as Google and Motorola, although such deals have tended to centre on search or content. According to research company Analysys, converged handsets will be a tricky sell, with only 13 per cent of UK consumers saying they will buy a converged handset.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business VoIP.
Communications technology company Spirent Communications has acquired QuadTex Systems for $7.5 million in cash. QuadTex Systems is a supplier of test tools for Internet Protocol multimedia subsystem and VoIP testing. EE TIMES reports:
The deal also carries a provision for an additional $1.5 million, payable on completion of certain technical milestones. QuadTex (Dallas), was founded in 2002 and employs 14. Its customers include Cisco, Ericsson, NTT, and AT&T.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business VoIP.
AP says the US Federal Government wrapped up its “Cyber Storm” wargame Friday. This tests the impact of a massive scale attack on the Internet, as seen in shows like “24.” By the way, the Government is worrying about “anti-globalization activists, underground hackers and bloggers.”
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
Computer Industry Almanac says that the “worldwide number of Internet users surpassed 1 billion in 2005 up from only 45M in 1995 and 420M in 2000. The 2 billion Internet users milestone is expected in 2011.” New growth is coming from China, India, Brazil, Russia and Indonesia; and lots of smart-phone users. via Resource Shelf.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Wired.
SimplyFired’s Top 10 Rules for Interoffice Dating. #10 is the best: Your Office or Mine?
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Google and yahoo.
When it comes to browsers, there are many options for Apple users such as Safari, Opera, and Firefox. And then there is Camino, a browser that combines the visual and behavioral experience of a Mac with the speedy Gecko core. Originally called Chimera, it has been nearly four years in the making.
While it is not as visually stunning as a Safari, it is a brisk browser, that makes its peers seem almost asthmatic. While I miss the wonderful extensions that come with Mozilla Firefox, the speed and performance of Camino makes up for its shortcomings. I have been using Camino as my primary browser for sometime. After many months of hard work, the team from Camino is about to announce Camino 1.0, an apt Valentine’s Day gift for Mac users. I emailed the Camino guys a list of questions, and Mike Pinkerton, the project lead of The Camino Project emailed back in what amounts to be a short yet snappy e-interview.
Om Malik: Mike, who are the key folks behind camino project?
Mike Pinkerton: The project is comprised solely of volunteers (nobody gets paid to work on Camino). The “core” team of developers, testers, and support staff hovers around 10-15 people, with hundreds of other volunteers contributing code and testing. The names most worth mentioning are:
- Core developers - Mark Mentovai, Josh Aas, Simon Fraser
- Core QA and testing - Smokey Ardisson, Nate Weaver, Chris Lawson, Ludovic Hirlimann
- Website, Content, and Design: Jasper Hauser, Samuel Sidler
- Localization: Ludovic Hirlimann
(Of course) we would be nowhere without our loyal community.
OM: What prompted you folks to start The Camino Project?
MP: Dave Hyatt and I started Camino as an experiment, but we quickly realized that Mac users wanted something that integrated much better with Mac OS X than the current Mozilla products were able to deliver. We wanted to harness the speed, stability, and standards support of Mozilla’s Gecko HTML engine and wrap it with the ease of use, simplicity, and consistency provided by Apple’s Cocoa development platform. It would be the best of both worlds. Dave left the project about six months after we started and I took over as project lead. (More here)
OM: What are the main differences between Mozilla Firefox and Camino?
MP: The core difference is in philosophy. We want to make the best Mac-native browser, not just one that happens to run on Mac as a port. The browser internals are very similar to those of Firefox (the Gecko rendering engine) but the front-end is pure Mac OS X native. We also support many Apple technologies that Firefox does not, including Address Book, Bonjour, Keychain, Spotlight, etc.
OM: I miss all those Firefox extensions. Any plans to add extension support?
MP: We recognize this is a problem for our users, but extensions only exist because of the cross-platform UI layer upon which Firefox is built. It’s that same cross-platform UI layer that makes Firefox feel “wrong” on Mac OS X. Camino’s use of Cocoa for the user interface makes it fit in with the rest of the platform, but prohibits us from using extensions. We feel this is a trade-off worth making. That said, we are investigating ways to allow non-user-interface extensions to register and work correctly.
OM: What can the users expect in the near future?
MP: We really hope to have RSS discovery, spell checking, improvements to the download manager, and much more for 1.1. We’ve been in a holding pattern for a while getting 1.0 ready to be released and we’ve got a bunch of other features piling up that weren’t quite ready for prime time, but will start showing up in nightly builds very soon.
Download Camino 1.0 from their website.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Apple.
GW1 phone is based on Linux.
Written by VoIP Magazine Featured Stories on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
As a lifelong science-fiction enthusiast and a lifelong techie, I am always fascinated by the phenomenon of what was once sci-fi becoming reality. The "Star Trek" "Communicator" wasn't all that different than some of today's PDAs.Yes, but what about WiMAX? Yes, you read that right.Today is a day when we think about hearts. With that [...]
Written by Russell Shaw on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on General and trends and WiMAX.
Last week in my post entitled Why is Skype giving AMD the second-class treatment?, I wrote about an apparently significant advantage Skype is giving Intel chips over rival products for some advanced services.As just one example, I drew reference to an earlier post where I cited Skype's new 10-participant-capacity conference call feature. This offering is [...]
Written by Russell Shaw on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Skype and News and General and trends and Products and Softphones.
EQO Communications is a company that enables Skype users to make and receive Skype VoIP calls on mobile phones. The Vancouver, B.C.-based company's free signature product, EQO Mobile Internet Phone Service for Skype, launched at the DEMO technology conference last week.The VC-financed company has been working with Skype as part of its developer program with [...]
Written by Russell Shaw on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Skype and News and General and Software and Products.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized and Google.
Global IP Sound (GIPS), a popular VoIP codec/voice engine used by Skype, Google Talk, and others, is now available on the Sony Ericcson P990 phone using the OptiMobile softclient called WBX UniPhone. I wonder if this is the first non-Windows mobile device that supports the GIPS voice engine? Anyway, check out the news.
February 13, 2006 - Global IP Sound (GIPS), the leading provider of embedded voice-processing solutions for the Voice over IP (VoIP) market, and OptiMobile, a leader in WBX-enabled services, today announced that Sony Ericsson's P990 terminal will integrate support for OptiMobile's WBX UniPhone client in order to provide convergence between WiFi and cellular networks. OptiMobile utilizes Global IP Sound's VoiceEngine Mobile within its WBX UniPhone to achieve superior voice quality for VoIP calls via WLAN.
“Our operator customers appreciate that support for WBX is now also available for Sony Ericsson devices. We expect strong demand for P990 with WBX UniPhone,” says Lars Edman, CEO of OptiMobile. “We can ensure the highest possible VoIP sound quality through our collaboration with Global IP Sound.”
Fixed-Mobile Convergence (FMC) allows operators to combine fixed telephony, cellular telephony and Broadband into unified end-user services. With WBX, operators are able to rapidly deploy high quality FMC services that allow end-users to enjoy seamless handover of ongoing voice calls between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. This means that users are shielded from issues regarding network selection, as the WBX UniPhone completely unifies handling of cellular and Wi-Fi calls in one single interface.
“Our patented and award-winning technology is especially suited to solve the inherent problems of Wi-Fi Networks, and will provide Optimobile and Sony Ericsson unbeatable voice quality for their mobile VoIP solutions,” said Gary P. Hermansen, President and CEO of Global IP Sound. “We are excited to be a part of a collaborative relationship with such recognized market leaders, and look forward to empowering their customers with unique and clearly distinguishable products for this fast growing market.”
Through the collaboration with OptiMobile and Global IP Sound, Sony Ericsson's customers will now enjoy support for FMC services, such as WBX, in Sony Ericsson's P990 mobile terminals. These customers will also receive the benefits of unmatched call quality that GIPS VoiceEngine Mobile delivers. VoiceEngine Mobile allows developers of applications for mobile devices, such as PDAs and dual-mode phones, the ability to quickly develop products that give the end-user greater mobility, while incorporating excellent voice quality without in-house expertise. WBX will leverage this ground-breaking technology to allow operators to offer VoIP-enabled Sony Ericsson devices as part of their FMC services.
TrackBack (0)
| Comments (0) | Tag with del.icio.us
Tags:
Sony Ericcson,
mobile phone,
GIPS
Related Tags:
voiceengine mobile,
voice quality,
sound,
mobile,
voice,
global
Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Wireless.
After many years of development, finally VoIP is displaying its potential in telecommunication industry. The VoIP format is gaining a foothold in both the residential and business markets. It also offers cost savings for many customers with extra features. Several companies are rolling out new VoIP plans in the year 2006. The VoIP technology has definitely caught up to the promise. Technology has improved to great extent in the recent years. Many telecom providers and other companies are taking advantage of the situation and are adding VoIP-related options.
A large number of companies have introduced perfect business VoIP solutions in the past few years. The year 2005 was a great year for telecommunications industry as VoIP took many giants leaps. It is expected that 2006 will be more eventful in the field of VoIP technology. There are several new service options are available in the market. These new services are available both locally and globally. According to a research study issued this year, worldwide VoIP subscriptions grew 62 percent to 16 million in 2005. It is also predicted that the VoIP subscriptions will reach 55 million by 2009.
This is still a small percentage of the total market. The big thing is that it is growing in full flow. The conversion to VoIP has been a long-promised touchstone of the telecommunications industry. By transmitting voice signals over the Internet, companies can merge voice with the networks that provide data and video information. Both consumers and businesses have been slow in adopting the technology. Many had concerns over call quality as calls are being dropped in the middle of a call.
Users also need to have high-speed Internet access. Currently, only about 17 percent of the US Internet users have high-speed service. Their number is now growing as the new technology is easing concerns about call quality. The idea getting the phone service over Internet is not new now. People have begun maturing along with this technology.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Wireless.
Well, everything can't go right for Apple. Seems like there is mucho chatter across the Internet about video problems with the new Intel-based iMac -- distortion and other glitches have raised their ugly heads.
Too bad, but not surprising considering it's the first go round with this tech combo. Maybe it's just like buying a brand new car model -- sage advice is to wait for the second year when all the kinks have been worked out from the debut deal.
TrackBack (0)
| Comments (0) | Tag with del.icio.us
Tags:
Apple,
Intel,
iMac
Related Tags:
Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Computer Hardware.
US Federal Government plans to give away nearly $400 billion in grants, but only to those scientists and researchers who use Microsoft. The Grants.gov system of electronic applications works exclusively on Windows platform, while many scientists prefer Apple. National Institutes of Health had to drop a $600 million grant program because many filers were not ready for electronic filing.
Critics note that in contrast to the domination of PCs in the business community, Macs constitute about one-third to one-half of the computers scientists and academicians use. [ The Washington Post ]
Grants.gov is under construction by Northrop Grumman under a $22 billion federal contract and gets about million hits a day. Anyway this is amusing because the same federal government spent billions on an anti-trust case against Microsoft.
Sigh… there might be some truth to that natural monopoly argument.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Apple.
Making products interoperable will speed development of cellular/Wi-Fi handsets.
Written by VoIP Magazine Featured Stories on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
At the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Nokia unveiled the Nokia 6136 UMA device, which can switch seamlessly between GSM and WLAN networks, thus enabling users to make calls via the Internet. The UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) technology will enable operators to deliver voice and data services to subscribers over WLAN access networks. In other words, find a WiFi hotspot and make Internet calls over the WiFi connection instead of over the GSM network. The news didn't specify what type of VoIP applications are supported on the Nokia 6136, so it is unclear if this phone supports Skype or any other popular VoIP application
The 6136 is a quad-band phone that will connect to GSM networks at 850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz, which means it will work in the US and Europe. Two other nifty features include a 1.3 megapixel camera and an FM radio. The Nokia 6136 UMA phone is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2006.
TrackBack (0)
| Comments (0) | Tag with del.icio.us
Tags:
Nokia,
UMA,
Nokia 6136,
dual mode,
Skype,
VoIP
Related Tags:
Nokia,
nokia,
phone,
networks
Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Mobile Phones.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Polls.
Motion Bridge that provides mobile search technology to folks like T-Mobile has just been snapped up by Microsoft. The splash screen on Motion Bridge’s page shows a Nokia/Symbian phone!
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized and Unwired.
I am an infidel, although I am a believer. I believe in human rights, and I believe men created god and not god created men.
I feel insulted by the recent activities of some muslims and request an apology.
Muslim fundamendalists are suppressing and executing women, homosexuals, aldulerers, infidels and basically everybody they consider as wrongdoers. Fanatics are blowing up religious art monuments such as the Buddhas from Bamiyan. I therefore request an apology from the governments e.g. of Saudi-Arabia, Palestina, Afganistan, Indonesia, Iran and Egypt. Otherwise I am sorry that I will be forced to beat-up, kidnap and behead their citizens and also will consider blowing up the Kaaba in Mekka.
I also request an apology from the Hamas, the spokesmen of the French muslims and the leaders of the Al-Azhar-University. Otherwise I will call-up to boycott palestinian fruits and set fire to the embassies of Tunesia, Katar and Bangladesh. Because - and I expect understanding here - my feelings are absolute and therefore I have to express them globally.
I see videos showing the beheading of journalists and members of aid and relief organisations,
jews are displayed as cannibals and swines, western woman as decadent prostitutes. Unpolitical technical workers are threatend to death. All in the name of god.
I therefore request that the chief editors of newspapers and TV-stations in the islamic world apologize for not preventing these obscenities.
Of course I do not expect this to happen.
But I expect from the muslims not only to protest, but also to show a way forward, e.g. what they expect us to do to fullfil their requirements. I see three possibilities:
1. The western world is creating separate laws concerning islamic affairs: if somebody e.g. has to kill someone, say his sister, because she has messed up the honour of the familiy, he is not proscuted. This cannot be, otherwise I also request at least to have a decent beer in an islamic country.
2. We take up your behaviour against infidels, but not your religion. This would imply that we would behave against muslims the same way they behave against other religions, e.g. against jews. This would also not be a good idea.
3. We all convert to be muslims. You do not want to take over our way of life, why should we take over yours? Here many of us would have problems, because IMHO your style of life is not an ideal role model, not politically and not econimically. We would loose at least our economic advantage. Is this what you want? Who would enable you to travel all over the world and deliver you videocams, mobile phones and weapons? OTOH, the advantage would be that you would stay in your part of the world and we in ours, albeit we BOTH would be poorer.
All of the above does not work, so please elaborate.
And please save me from explanations such as that the Koran is completely different and misinterpreded, e.g. there is nothing in the Koran stating that you should not make a picture of the prophet.
I do not care what the Koran says, explain this to your fellow muslims.
I only care how you are behaving, personally, as an individual. Nobody is responsible for the behaviour of somebody else, only for his own. And this is tough enough.
The evil is the faith to know what the good is.
Written by VoIP and ENUM on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
First there was IBM's OS/2 and then came Microsoft Windows 95/98 and OS/2 was no more. In the battle for the most used wordprocessor, Wordperfect put up a valiant fight but alas, Microsoft Office took over - same with Lotus 123 which was soon replaced with Microsoft Excel as the most popular spreadsheet program. Then came Netscape and Microsoft countered with Internet Explorer and then Netscape was no more (or at least not the same as it once was). Then came Real, a really cool streaming application with a "free" lite version and a "paid" Realplayer Plus version and Microsoft responded with Windows Media Player, a completely "free" version. While Real is still around, and still a popular media player, it isn't nearly as dominant as it once used to be. Microsoft has steadily eroded Real's market share.
It appeared as though just about any popular software application would soon be dominated by Microsoft through Microsoft strong-arming their partners, giving stuff away for free, and other Microsoft tactics that landed Microsoft in trouble with the DOJ and the EU. Many of the aforementioned companies have lost tremendous market share or worse - have become irrelevant.
Then came RIM (Research In Motion) and their popular Blackberry hardware and software that gives users wireless access to their email using push technology. RIM's hardware and software are a propietary solution, but their wireless email just plain damn works! It's why Blackberries became so prevalent. Relatedly, it's also why Skype became so popular - it just plain worked - even through just about any NAT firewall. But now, with attacks from NTP over patent issues, and competition from Microsoft, RIM appears to be headed down a similar path to becoming irrelevant.
This time NTP and not Microsoft earns the distinction of being the "villain" in knocking off a market leader through questionable tactics, however Microsoft wasn't exactly standing idly by while NTP sued RIM over patent infringement. Indeed, Microsoft has been not-so-quietly developing a RIM-killer of their own, a push-email solution that runs on Windows Mobile 5.0 devices giving users the same Blackberry-like experience. If this were a wrestling match, NTP would be the company that slammed RIM over the head with a steel folding chair, but it could be Microsoft that "snuck" into the ring to pin RIM down for the count.
I have to admit, as much as I love Blackberries and the loyal following they have built, I'm afraid that even if NTP weren't suing RIM and even if the Blackberry service isn't shut down in the near future, that Microsoft will soon win the war of push-email devices. The only thing preventing Microsoft from dominating push-email devices today is that Windows Mobile 5.0 phones are so damn expensive. But they have come down in price and Blackberry phone devices aren't exactly cheap either, nor is the enterprise Blackberry server.
In fact, the BlackBerry Enterprise Server Software costs $3999 just for 20 licenses (even 1 user license is a whopping $2999). On the other hand, Microsoft's Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) for Windows Mobile 5.0 features direct integration between Exchange Server 2003 and more importantly this integration also eliminates the need for business customers to add another server or pay additional client access license (CAL) fees and an ongoing data service fee to third parties. In other words, if you already own a Microsoft Exchange Server, you already have the capability for push email capabilities for FREE. To quote Ronald Reagan, "Well, there you go again", i.e. Microsoft giving stuff away for free!
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is keynoting at 3GSM still to come tomorrow, and from what I learned from Microsoft' PR firm, he will discuss "how enthused Microsoft is about the improvements Microsoft is bringing to the way people enjoy wireless email and entertainment on mobile phones".
Today at 3GSM, Microsoft and partners announced some interesting news that relates to Microsoft's aim to be a "Blackberry killer".
First, and most importantly - Microsoft announced the availability of Direct Push Email Technology. An upgrade for the Messaging and Security Feature Pack (MSFP) is available for Smartphones powered by Windows Mobile 5.0 from some of worldÂ’s major operators including Cingular Wireless, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone.
They also announced several new Windows Mobile devices with MSFP. MicrosoftÂ’s device partners introduced several new devices to ship out-of-the-box with MSFP. New devices include HP iPAQ hw6900 Mobile Messenger (blogged this morning), Fujitsu Siemens FS Pocket Loox, Gigabyte g-Smart and g-Smart I handsets and ASUS P305 3G-enabled Smartphone.
Microsoft announced that it is enhancing music download capabilities on mobile phones. Microsoft and Motorola strengthened their existing relationship by announcing the integration of Windows Media technologies, including Windows Media Digital Rights Management, on a number of Motorola handsets, providing the ability to play back content purchased from the breadth of pay-per-download and subscription music services. Motorola, the world's second biggest mobile phone maker behind Nokia, will launch between one and three Windows Media phones in the second half of 2006.
Microsoft is also looking to improve Local Search on mobile phones. MSN acquired MotionBridge and its relationships with North American and European mobile operators. They claim that the acquisition will allow MSN to provide tools to maximize the value of mobile operator content and data networks, and also provide mobile users a powerful search engine for accessing the Internet through their mobile devices
To aid small businesses, Microsoft pointed out that there is now immediate availability of Direct Push email technology and but also remote device management features for Small Business Servers from Vodafone and T-Mobile Netherlands, delivering better messaging and email solutions to small to mid-sized business.
Finally, in attempting to lower manufacturing cost for smartphones, Microsoft has joined forces with Texas Instruments to introduce the industryÂ’s first single-core smartphone chipset which will enable smartphones to run on less-expensive feature-phone hardware.
I should mention that if you want to watch a live web cast of BallmerÂ’s 3GSM keynote tomorrow, and see if Ballmer can top his infamous Ballmer dance, go here.
So with Microsoft's latest MSFP out with it's essentially "free" licensing model, and RIM under attack from NTP, does this mean Microsoft will kill yet another industry star? If history is any portend of the future, then RIM's future doesn't look bright, even with Blackberry's announcement of a workaround that gets around the NTP patents, because Microsoft will do what Microsoft does best - copy what others do, do it better and for less money.
TrackBack (0)
| Comments (0) | Tag with del.icio.us
Tags:
Microsoft,
RIM,
Blackberry,
wireless,
email,
Ballmer
Related Tags:
windows mobile,
windows media,
mobile phones,
mobile devices,
microsoft,
Microsoft
Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Microsoft.
The global Wi-Fi phone market jumped 76% between 2004 and 2005 to USD 102.5 million. It has been projected that the Wi-Fi market will be doubled in 200 as more and more enterprises are deploying VoLANs in their networks.
Healthy VoWLAN growth is projected through 2009, when WiFi phone revenue will hit almost USD 1.9 billion. Initially an enterprise application, VoWLAN will eventually become popular with consumers too, and has potential for enormous growth as part of a VoIP service bundled with broadband connections.
Read More: WiFi Phone Market Jumps 76% to USD 102.5M in 2005, To Double in 2006
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business VoIP.
Power is a major consideration with VoIP technology. Businesses choose to deploy VoIP at sites that already have fiber-optic cable in place. Sites having fiber-optic cable broadband connection with a limited number of data network connections are always given highest priority. The network equipment changes began in 2001, when legacy voice services were either replaced or left. Voice session quality was the yardstick during the VoIP deployment.
Phone users' calling habits play a key role in assuring clear, uninterrupted conversations over IP. Voice is another IP packet, if the users flood the network with MP3 or peer-to-peer connections. Typical VoIP rollouts percentage rise dramatically at large call centers where employees may be on phone most of the time.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Wireless.
The Dell ‘Oro Group IP Telephony Enterprise Report states that Avaya has maintained its leadership region in Lebanon with new installations in enterprise telephony, contact center and mobility solutions. The report for the third quarter of 2005 states that Avaya has maintained its global market leadership in enterprise telephony. This includes both IP telephony and traditional telephony revenues. Avaya has emerged as the leader in enterprise telephony with market share of 19% in the third quarter. This has been due to the business benefits which have been delivered by Avaya’s solutions. Avaya has been able to achieve growth in key MENA markets like Lebanon.
via [CpiLive]
Written by gautam.chabbra on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business.
Iowa Public Television would be launching digital service in Mason City by mid March and in the neighboring areas by the end of this year. This would enable users of HDTV sets to watch IPTV programming on digital channel 18 in HDTV with superior picture and sound. HDTV would be offered in the evening while IPTV would be broadcasted during the daytime. The digital services would be available free to all viewers and it would not require subscription to satellite or cable service. People who don’t have HDTV would still be able to receive the digital service with a set top box that converts digital signals into analog.
via [GlobeGazette]
Written by gautam.chabbra on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business.
SIPquest has joined the Symbian Platinum Program in order to support the growing market for smart phones based Symbian OST. As a member of the Symbian Platinum program SIPquest would be able to bring functionally rich VoIP solutions to Symbian OS phones and satisfy the needs of the users that depend on dual mode Wi-Fi and GSM or Wi-Fi and CDMA features. As a partner in this program, SIPquest would be extending personalized control of communications services through FMC and IMS solutions over GSM, Wi-Fi and CDMA interfaces to Symbian OS ecosystem.
via [SymbianOne]
Written by gautam.chabbra on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business.
Nokia, Avaya and Advanced Info Services have partnered to introduce the first phase of an FMC solution that would enhance office productivity and competitiveness. The FMC solution is available on mobile devices operating on the S60 platform and Symbian operating system which enables mobile workers to access the features and functions of office desk phones through an easy to use on screen interface. The companies have announced that they would be jointly providing the services to their enterprise customers. It includes PTT Exploration and Production Plc which is a petroleum exploration and production company based in Thailand.
via [IT News Online]
Written by gautam.chabbra on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business.
Sex in Video Games is so huge, that it now merits a conference of its own. Keynote by Slashdong creator and Regina Lynn.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
Verizon has unveiled an addition to its business VoIP services that has been designed to lower the barrier to entry for new adopters. The carrier's IP Flexible T-1 service is intended in making IP telephony more cost-effective for remote offices. The service lets sites with fewer than 24 phone lines maintain their existing analog key systems and calling features. It will also upgrade to a converged environment that carries voice and data over a single connection.
Verizon's new service will help companies gain increased data throughout utilizing voice compression. It also enhanced network performance by dynamic bandwidth allocation. IP Flexible T-1 will go up against Qwest's OneFlex VoIP service. IP Flexible T-1 costs $625 per month for dedicated Internet access, while a simultaneous call feature can be added for an additional $35 per month. NETWORK WORLD reports:
In addition to the T-1 VoIP service, Verizon has added more choices in customer equipment, dedicated toll-free-over-IP features and managed fraud protection to its VoIP offerings. The company also has added a suite of Polycom IP phones for its Hosted IP Centrex customers.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business VoIP.
Last week I participated in the ETSI TISPAN Plenary #10, taking place in Sophia Antipolis near Antibes in France. After
celebrating the (in)completion of TISPAN NGN Release 1 end of last year, TISPAN is heading now under the new chairman
Rainer Muench full steam for Release 2.
So what can be expected from TISPAN NGN Release 2? The operators made this quite clear: Tele Danmark, British Telecom, TeleSonera, Telecom Italia, Swisscom, Telenor, France Telecom and Deutsche Telekom presented a joint paper (10TD218) proposing an
initial list of high priority items for TISPAN NGN Release 2:
- items postponed from Release 1
- capabilities to enhance Release 1
- new network capabilities in support of new services and applications
Additions to this list should be limited to those absolutely necessary that the work to be carried in 2006 can be properly planned to enable deadlines for delivering Release 2.
The major points are: user equipment, PSTN/ISDN simulation, support of IN services (INAP, CAMEL), 3G Profile A, SIP-I Profiles B and C, simulation services (CW, ACR, AoC, CCBS, MCID, ...), localized and global mobility management, IPTV and VoD, PtT, SMS, MMS, support for corporate networks, IP PBX, Centrex, Overload and Congestion Control, Admission Control in RACS to handle QoS over core, expand IP-CAN for other access networks than xDSL (3G RAN, WLAN, Cable networks), define procedures for roaming and handover, NGN roaming for WLAN scenarios, IPv6, NAT traversal, Presence, IM, UPSF/HSS data, PSTN/ISDN Emulation, QoS, Policing and Congestion Control, etc. etc. etc
I counted approx. 60 (
sixty) such
high priority items. Don't ask me about the low priority items.
I cannot imagine half of this to be done within two years, and then the question still exists if all this stuff will work and interwork.
Since
I was reading at the same time Geoff Hustons article about
Convergence?, I was asking if TISPAN is considering what the customer wants. No customers are present in standard bodies. The operators say that they are of course taking the customer needs also into account. How well they are doing this shows history: e.g. ISDN, IN, ATM (and IMS?). So the basic question is: is a standards body capable at all to define services? Or should this be left to the application providers?
The problem here is that one should not implement what the customer wants, but what he values = what he wants to pay for. Best example: a customer wants QoS, but he is not willing to pay for QoS, at least not if he gets reasonable QoS 99% of the time with best effort. And one cannot live on the 1% overflow traffic.
It is not quite true that there where no customers present at TISPAN: there was ECMA, explaining their need for the NGCN (Next Generation Corporate Networks). Their presentation (10TD190) was quite telling: of course it was basically a letter to Santa Claus, but in essence what they wanted was to be connected to the NGN of the operators, but only as a last resort. They want of course to interconnect within their corporations and also between corporations directly, via leased lines or via the Internet. Rich Shockey showed in his presentations already that this is about 80% of the traffic. If the NGN now can make a living out of this 20% overflow?
There is also another problem lurking nobody is yet really looking at: the NGNs are also marketing their network as more secure (e.g. no spam, no viruses - Note: yesterday I saw a message that 50% of MMS messages contain viruses - so much for security). This implies that the NGN service is connected to the CPE or corporate LAN via a VPN. But this also implies that there is NO connection to the applications running at the LAN (e.g. Outlook or corporate databases) and also NO connection to the Internet. Since a normal end-user and also most companies are connected to the Internet, you either bridge this at the customers LAN (and then you have access from the Internet into the NGN) or you prevent this, then there is no interworking possible.
This is NOT what customers want.
Written by VoIP and ENUM on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.
Techedge, Inc. announced that it has signed a Letter of Intent to acquire China BioPharma Limited, a Cayman Island company. It has the rights to have majority ownership in one of the largest non-government owned vaccine manufactures in China. GEN reports:
Techedge Inc. is a leading international mobile VoIP and wireless broadband solution provider. The Company provides disruptive and low cost communications solutions combining matured radio with VoIP technologies for emerging service providers.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business VoIP.
Some Skype news from the first day of 3GSM in Barcelona that a Skype PR representative shared with me. First, HP is announcing that the new HP iPAQ hw6900 supports Skype Mobile for Pocket PC. The hw6900 looks just like the hw6515 that I drooled over, with a 240x240 TFT screen and integrated keyboard. The hw6900 is a bit heavier(6.33 oz vs. 5.8 oz) but it also sports a more powerful 416Mhz processor (the hw6515 has 312Mhz) which will certainly assist the Skype application, which can use all the processing horsepower it can get. The hw6900 also runs the latest Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system.
Secondly, Skype announced a new retail program, with Dangaard Telecom in Europe, giving Skype Certified products the potential to reach shoppers across more than 34,000 European retailers, who will initially include Mediamarkt, Media-Saturn, Merlin, Dansk Supermarked and Surcouf. Lastly, SkypeIn is now available in Korea. Now I'm drooling over the hw6900.
TrackBack (1)
| Comments (0) | Tag with del.icio.us
Tags:
Skype,
3GSM,
HP,
hw6900,
Windows Mobile 5.0
Related Tags:
skype,
Skype,
mobile,
Mobile
Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Skype.
There are two schools of thought on television over mobile devices including cell phones - yay or nay! Nokia, Qualcomm, and others are in the “yay” camp. Add Newport Media’s backers to that list of optimists.
The Lake Forest, Calif.-based company recently raised $25 million in Series B funding from a group of investors led by Oak Investment Partners. Previous investors, Benchmark Capital, Venrock Associates, Global Catalyst Partners and Pinnacle Ventures, also invested in the company. Newport Media has so far raised a total of over $36 million.
Newport Media is making a system on a chip, that supports most major mobile TV standards - Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H), Digital Multimedia Broadcast (DMB), Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) and MediaFLO.
I feel that if right content such as short news clips, special mobisodes and sports clips - are piped over the air to your cell phone to break the monotony of the day, Mobile TV will work. I wrote about this trend back in July 2005 for Business 2.0 and how it is a big opportunity for entrepreneurs.
I agree with the naysayers that one has to watch and see how this trend plays out. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest that skeptics might be wrong. The sizzling growth of MobiTV is proof that many are willing to pay for those kind of services. (It has about 500,000 subscribers who pay about $10 a month. If only 25% of that comes to MobiTV after paying off the carriers and the content providers, the company is bringing in about $1.25 million a month or $15 million a year. )
Previously:
Crown Castle’s DVB is Modeo
The 3G Economy
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Unwired.
Fixed wireless company, GigaBeam’s executive team got a big raise recently. I have briefly mentioned these guys in the past.
Just to recap, GigaBeam’s WiFiber is a point-to-point wireless system that uses very high frequency radio waves at 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz to transmit at a gigabit per second. Since they trade on the OTC’s Bulletin Board, and there are no financials to speak off, I am a tad skeptical, especially since this old SEC filing paints a rather bleak picture. (They seem to have raised more cash since then, though most of the brand names are missing from the list of backers.)
Yet, they seem to be winning customers. Recently, the company received an order for 20 of its WiFiber wireless fiber links from Empire Telecom Solutions, which intends to market the links to municipal and commercial institutions in the New York City area. While we are in New York, GigaBeam’s WiFiber links the Trump International Hotel with Trump residential buildings on the West Side.
Here is a list of deals they have announced recently.
- The city of Manteca in Central California.
- Grant Union High School district in Sacramento.
- San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, which is using GigaBeam’s wireless fiber to monitor pumping stations with live video, as well as VoIP and data.
- Memphis Networx.
- CompuCredit in Atlanta.
- Indiana Fiber Works.
- Dartmouth, BU, the University of Maryland and Oklahoma State University.
I have not clue if these networks are working, and how the networks are performing.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Unwired.
Say hello to yet another MVNO. Andy takes the covers off XeroMobile, a Los Angeles based MVNO, which he says has raised $300 million in European money. No details on who the investors are, and what is the game plan, but like two other Southern California companies - Helio and Amp’D - it has attracted major dollars. Earlier this month, sports junkies focused ESPN Mobile launched at the Superbowl.
Many of the newer entrants seem to be skating on thin ice. Despite some over optimistic surveys and general enthusiasm (more than three dozen different MVNO operators already) the biggest (and only notable and notable success thus far) have been two: Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile. A few of the low-price resellers aka MVNOs are doing well but purely on price.
I like to think of MVNO as the new CLECs (competitive local exchange carriers) that were going to eat Bells’ lunch. What they did instead, ate up lot of investor dollars. Why? because CLECs depended a lot on the Bell pipes. MVNO’s are no different - they depend on the generosity of wireless carriers. Of course, carriers would be happy to help, if you give them a piece of the action as both Boost and Virgin did.
Anyway as 3GSM gets underway in Barcelona, expect more MVNO buzz.
Previously:
MVNO Train Wreck is Coming
Damp’D and Troubles Awaiting MVNOs
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Unwired.
The year 2005 witnessed the growth of VoIP technology across the globe. It was the hottest and most hyped technology of 2005. Experts believe that voice and data convergence will take off in 2006 with adding a new dimension to communications system. Despite all the hype, only one-third of IT departments have rolled out full-fledged VoIP deployments as suggested by a research study. It can be attributed to the burden that VoIP can place on most efficient networks.
There are also concerns about voice quality, scalability and QoS. However, it has been proved beyond doubt that present-day technologies have smoothed over most of the potholes. There is extensive provisioning involved in implementing and maintaining a VoIP system. The right deployment strategy can dispel any apprehension about the VoIP technology.
VoIP is going to be the greatest thing in future. However, people need to do the necessary network planning. Ninety per cent of all VoIP network implementations that fail to do so because IT departments didn't do a proper homework. Proper management of VoIP systems is very crucial for its success. It depends on numerous factors. Ripping and replacing have become things of past. Now installing hybrids put VoIP to yield the greatest benefit. It leaves the legacy systems in place.
Good planning begins with a comprehensive review of the existing infrastructure. Telecom equipment vendors will help users to decide which systems can take on voice traffic and perform adequately. A careful pre-assessment also aids in identifying potential network bottlenecks. There are several VoIP providers who provide IP telephony hardware and software to the customers and businesses. The research reveals that the IT staffs do not understand about impending network requirements.
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Networks.
It is simple logic. You buy AT&T, and become the biggest telecom in the US. And that makes you CEO of the Year. Market research firm Frost & Sullivan thinks Ed Whitacre is the man.
Written by Om Malik on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized and Wired.
Taiwan's Accton plans to launch two wireless handsets that allow users to place calls over the Internet at little or no cost. The new Wi-Fi handsets will cost around $100 to $150 each and will work with the 802.11b/g Wi-Fi standards.
Existing phones designed for Skype and other VoIP services must be connected to a computer. Accton's other phone, the VM1188T VoWi-Fi, isn't designed for Skype but will also allow users to place internet phone calls using Wi-Fi.
Read More: Accton to launch two Wi-Fi phones for VoIP
Written by Sagar on February 13th, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Hardware.
