May 3rd, 2006

You are currently browsing the articles from the VoIP Digest written on May 3rd, 2006.

NAB Shows Off IPTV

Internet protocol television makes an appearance at the National Association of Broadcasters convention.

Written by VoIP Magazine Featured Stories on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
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NAB Shows Off IPTV

Internet protocol television makes an appearance at the National Association of Broadcasters convention.

Written by VoIP Magazine Featured Stories on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized.

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Education IT: “bring on Mobile WiMAX;” Profs: “not in my classroom you don’t”

 On our ZDNet Education IT main page (we call them "front doors" here in our shop), you can see a list of the top 25 most-read white papers by IT professionals in the education sector.Right there at #1 is Mobile WiMAX - Part 1: A Technical Overview and Performance Evaluation.Click thru on that link and [...]

Written by Russell Shaw on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on General and trends and WiMAX.

802.11n- A case of “Finding MIMO?”

 Behold the futurists among us, for they have hope.They see a world where the IEEE 802.11n standard is ingrained in all portable communications devices, and allows "Warp Factor 5 Mr. Sulu" communications.Well, maybe not Warp Factor 5, but 540 MB a second- more than 100 times faster than 802.11b and 10 times faster than g. [...]

Written by Russell Shaw on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on General and trends and Research and WiMAX and WiFi.

Siemens, Time Warner Cable Successfully Demo IMS

According to my ABI Research Daily newsletter, Siemens and Time Warner Cable have successfully demo'ed IMS which will certainly usher in the promise of a converged blend of personalized wireless and fixed consumer services, bringing entertainment, telephones, Internet applications and wireless together. IMS is going to be huge due to it's ability to go beyond Triple Play's "simple" offering of three services to instead offer customers a customized and personalized experience that integrates all three disparate services. I say "three" but really it could be four, five, or even more applications, but "triple play" is still the catch-phrase of the day.

Anyway, here's the news:

Siemens Communications Inc. and Time Warner Cable announced the successful demonstrations of fully integrated fixed line, mobile and WiFi broadband technologies via Internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) standards to deliver fixed mobile convergence (FMC). The demonstrations highlight the operational value of adopting Siemens' IMS solutions and show how consumers can now enjoy shared multimedia applications, entertainment features and communication sessions - including converged wired and wireless solutions.

Time Warner Cable is one of the first cable operators to demonstrate the use of IMS at the company's Herndon, Va., facility. Time Warner Cable is using Siemens' technology to support a range of IP-based services. One demonstration used several online gaming scenarios to test the integration of both packet- and circuit-switched telephony networks as well as a range of different wireless and fixed technologies. The technology supported gaming between a user with a wireless device who was playing against an opponent on a fixed-line network device. The two companies have also demonstrated dual-mode handset usage, including seamless handoffs as users roamed from WiFi coverage - either at work and at home - to cellular coverage areas.

"IMS technology is an exciting new technology for consumers who want their devices to work seamlessly together - including presence-aware features that can direct calls, video and messages to devices that are currently in use and in ways that are most convenient for the end user at any given moment," said Mike LaJoie, Chief Technology Officer at Time Warner Cable.

"Rather than being limited in capabilities due to silos of network architectures, IMS promises a new world of seamless provisioning opportunities for broadband operators. This will include the ability of operators to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy highly personalized entertainment services."

Siemens is an industry leader in fixed mobile convergence, leveraging its global experience that cuts across both mobile and fixed networks. The company is a global leader in delivering voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) applications for cable service providers, enterprises, government organizations and others.

"The building blocks are here today to remove the obstacles created by fragmented network domains, protocols and devices," said Harald Braun, president, Siemens Networks Division, Siemens Communications Inc. "IMS is another significant step in the Siemens LifeWorks vision to provide end-to-end service delivery platforms for the next generation of services that will help people get more enjoyment out of life and work."

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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on VoIP and Wireless and Time Warner Cable and WiFi and Triple Play and triple play and siemens and ims and mobile convergence.

Konica Minolta Magicolor 2450: A Magical Color Laser Printer

Everybody may talk about how great their HP printers are, but there are some very good choices out there if you want to break away from the crowd. I’ve been testing the Konica Minolta Magicolor 2450 for some time now, and this one color laser printer that provides “workhouse” capabilities at 5 pages-per-minute (PPM) color and 20 PPM black & white.

A true desktop printer that fits easily into any environment, the Magicolor 2450 is designed for easy use. The pre-installed 4,500-page toner cartridges mean the machine is up and running in just a few minutes. Auto-run installation software automatically detects the printer on your network and guides you step-by-step through set-up. Comprehensive printer drivers simplify printing with options such as collation, fit-to-page scaling, separation pages, watermarks, tray selection, and secure printing, while the Desktop Status Monitor utilizes a pop-up window on your screen for notification of print job status and supply levels.

The PageScope suite of printer management utilities provides real-time consumables status, as well as remote printer management and configuration. Simple, full-front access makes it easy to reload supplies and clear paper jams (come on, every printer gets them once in a while), so there's no need to access the back of the machine. Now let’s get technical (and under the hood).

Output is brilliant, consistent color, with 9600 x 600 dpi-class Photo ART contone resolution generating more than 4,000 colors per dot to provide enhanced photographic detail and smooth color gradients. Enhanced Automatic Image Density Control (eAIDC) automatically calibrates the printer so you can count on consistent, accurate color from the first page to the last. Automatic ICC-based color matching provides single-button controls for automatic color correction of print files.

The Simitri Polymerized Toner produces sharp output, fine text and better halftones. It also reduces toner consumption by up to 30%, keeps the printer cleaner and is more environmentally friendly than other toner technologies.

PostScript 3 and PCL 6 printer emulations support popular software applications, allowing the seamless creation and processing of all your color documents. Window and Macintosh system compatibility offers support for mixed workgroups and networks.

The net net: Great color laser printer at a price that won’t break the bank.

http://printer.konicaminolta.com/products/

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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Computer Hardware and color laser printer and hp and konica minolta and magicolor 2450.

SafetyMate Is the PHIZ Winner

The SafetyMate Emergency Information Device (EID) gets a booster shot for sales as the winner of the $25,000 PHIZ BIZ Product Makeover Contest for 2006.

The contest was designed to help companies with innovative products not yet available in the retail mainstream expand their market entry position with a comprehensive program that aligns their product to the reality of a retail buyer’s requirements.

SafetyMate has developed the first patented EID to provide step-by-step, interactive verbal instructions during a medical emergency, arming regular citizens with the information needed to take crucial life-saving steps until professional help arrives.

The portable EID was developed in close cooperation with the American Red Cross and its protocols are based on the same information used by 911 operators.

PHIZ assembled a panel of experts for judging that includes participants from Wired Magazine, SHOP, Etc., Ziff Davis - Digital Life, Tower Media and Gordon and Glickson. The product entries were scored on a wide range of factors -- includng their branding, package design, pricing, competitive positioning, sales materials and how they would fit into current market trends.

www.safetymate.com

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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Uncategorized and Gadgets and digital life and gordon and glickson and phiz biz product makeover contest and safetymate emergency information device and shop and tower media and wired magazine and www.safetymate.com and ziff davis.

CableCos Vs Bells & The Line Losses

“While the phone companies are only just starting to dig up your yard, cable is already in your house,” Dick Parsons, CEO of Time Warner laying down the smack on the phone companies. He has a point…

On the data side, phone companies added 1.513 million broadband connections, while cable companies added 909,000 connections so far, with Cox and Cablevision yet to weigh in .. my guess is that the quarter will be a tie for the two companies.But cable companies are hitting phone guys where it hurts the most…the voice business.

That works out to about nearly 1.75 million lines. I suspect some portion of it is going to wireless providers (which are mostly Bells without wires…) because people just want a cell phone. Still, in comparison to phone companies, cable guys added 550,000 voice customers. Cox/Cablevision are yet to report.

Hat Tip, Keith

Written by Om Malik on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on VoIP (the New Phone) and Wired and DSL and Cable Broadband.

U.S. to VoIP, broadband: we can’t track the terrorists so now *you* gotta pay

As my colleagues Declan McCallagh and Anne Broache have just reported, the Federal Communications Commission ruled unanimously today that VoIP phone companies, broadband providers, large enterprise networks and universities will have to get the tab for building in mandatory wiretap access for police surveillance.Universities alone have estimated their cost to be about $7 [...]

Written by Russell Shaw on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on General and Regulatory and Security.

New Bill in Senate may require VOIP traffic to be identifiable

The U.S. government is finally waking up to realize the popularity of VoIP and the resultant security issues that this new consumer technology poses. On May 1, a bill co-authored by Senators Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), was introduced in the United States Senate.

The Senators are also chairman and co-chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee respectively.  Their 135-page document, called the "Communications, Choice, and Broadband Deployment Act of 2006," proposes a comprehensive overhaul of the Communications Act of 1934. Amidst a long list of 'things to do', the bill says that VOIP traffic must be identifiable.

Via PCMag

Written by gautam.chabbra on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
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Skype 2.5 launches

Today Skype released Skype 2.5 beta. This new version will also preview a new product called Skypecasts – live, moderated conversations (e.g. a town hall or live broadcast) allowing groups of up to 100 people from anywhere in the world to talk to one another for free. Skypecasts enable people to discuss shared interests such as cars, reality TV, sports, etc. Skypecasts are moderated by the host who is able to mute, eject or pass the virtual microphone to participants when they wish to speak. Six Apart, a leading blogging software company, and makers of the Movable type blogging software used on this website plans to promote Skypecasts as a way of expanding their online communities.  Bloggers can schedule Skypecasts and link to them from their sites, so visitors using Skype can click to join discussions instantly without leaving the blog site

As for new features within the main Skype application, according to their press release, "As part of the new software enhancements, registration is simplified for new Skype customers and dialling traditional phone numbers is more intuitive, making calls to landlines or cell phones anywhere in the world easy and affordable. Features such as improved conference calling offer excellent voice quality and make it a natural way to stay in touch. Simple prompts while Skyping allow users to adjust how they manage their Internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality. Other new functionality includes built-in, localized payment options, now in over 15 currencies."

Skype 2.5 Beta Features
· Easy Dialing – instead of having to remember specific country codes, easily call landlines or cell phones worldwide by selecting the country of choice from a dropdown menu.

· Payments in Skype – payment is now built into the Skype software, making it simpler to buy Skype credit, SkypeOut minutes, ringtones from artists like Madonna and more.

· Send Short Message Service (SMS) Messages – send a one-way SMS message to any mobile phone number in the world by selecting a SkypeOut contact, entering a mobile phone number or selecting a Skype contact’s mobile phone number in their profile.

· View Outlook Contacts – quickly view Outlook contacts in Skype and call directly using SkypeOut, a call from Skype to traditional landlines or cell phones.

· Improved Conference Calling – instantly see who is talking on a conference call as the participant’s picture flashes when they begin to speak.

· Shared Contact Groups – easily share contacts with friends and family and help them connect with other people; bring groups together with just one click of a button to start a group chat or conference call.

· Simplified Registration – create Skype accounts in one simple step.

· Automatic Updates – receive an automatic prompt to download the latest Skype software any time the product is upgraded.

· Call Quality Management – lets users adjust and manage their computer environment and internet connection to ensure they have the best possible call quality.

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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Skype and skype 2.5.

“Skypecasts”: 100-person Internet conferencing

Skype continues to innovate with its service. I think it is doing so to penetrate the business segment. Sounding much like "Podcast", Skype has now launched "Skypecasts", which provide free audio conferences for up to 100 participants.

The current conferencing feature in Skype only supports up to 10 people, all of whom can speak at the same time. However, in the new "Skypecast", a host moderates and controls when someone can speak.

The "Skypecast" service begins on May 3 in an "early preview" form.  Users can find Skypecasts on the Skype Web site. In addition, all the conferences will be listed on the website publicly.

Although, Skype says that using Skypecasts, people can discuss shared interests and hobbies, I am positive that business users will take up "Skypecast" enthusiastically.

Via VoIP-Weblog

Written by gautam.chabbra on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
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Remote Access and ‘Rogue VoIP Protocols’ listed in the Insider Threat Index

On May 1, Reconnex yesterday released its latest "Insider Threat Index" for the first quarter of 2006. Reconnex compiled the "Insider Threat Index" by going through more than 1.1 terabytes of raw data gathered from 48-Hour eRisk Rapid Assessments that Reconnex conducted from January to March 2006 covering in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, technology and manufacturing.

The latest issue of "Insider Threat Index"  tells us that the growing use of remote access protocols and moreover, the growing use of 'rogue VoIP protocols' such as pose security threats to the organization.  Although, there are a number of federal and state privacy laws and there is increasing focus upon the risks of identity theft, the threat exposure persists.

Via Government technology

Written by gautam.chabbra on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Business.

CommuniGate Systems and Voxbone will together Offer VoIP Portability

CommuniGate Systems, which provides scalable carrier-class Internet Communications solutions has teamed up with Voxbone, which provides international VoIP origination services.  The new partners will work at increasing the portability of IP Communications.

This new partnership will give corporate and consumer subscribers the ability to take their phone number on the road, and enjoy local "dial-in" and "dial-out" capabilities across 40 countries.

CommuniGate Pro users get a single address for all their IP Communications. They get a standard email address such as user@communigate.com and can interoperate with many SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)-based clients, and a range of softphones. Since, this sis email-based system, one can log in anywhere, even behind a firewall with CommuniGate's built-in NAT traversal functions. The phone number will provide "Follow-me" and "Presence" services anyplace in the world.

Via BusinessWire

Written by gautam.chabbra on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
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ImagePhone from iPhone2, Inc.

iPhone2, Inc. is a player in the crowded VoIP provider industry in the United States. iPhone2, Inc. is pushing its 'enhanced service' called the iPhone2 service.  The iPhone2 service a video-enabled softphone.

Also called ImagePhone, iPhone2 claims that this is the next generation of softphone. ImagePhone allows customers to place unlimited point-to-point voice and video calls. Users of ImagePhone can of course, make or receive voice calls from anywhere in the world. ImagePhone has a host of advanced features - user-friendly interface, competitive PSTN termination rates and customer-friendly service plans. 

Via Financial News USA

Written by gautam.chabbra on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
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Skypecasts? Love ‘em, but what about Skypecast Video eBay auctions?

 You know what ought to happen next? Video Skypecasts, tied in with eBay auctions.But wait.  We are getting a bit ahead of ourselves this morning. Need to give you the deets first.Skypecasts is something else you can do and participate in if you have the new Skype 2.5 beta just out today.You can find communities [...]

Written by Russell Shaw on May 3rd, 2006 with no comments.
Read more articles on Skype and General.

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