Convergence & VoIP Alert

Steve Taylor and Larry Hettick offer news and analysis on the latest in IP convergence from fixed-mobile convergence, presence management, IP video and unified communications.

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Blabbelon announces free VoIP-based conferencing: 11/06/09; Blabbelon has launched a free VoIP-based conferencing service that proved technically viable for more than 7,000 simultaneous same-conference users during a beta trial. Conference controls are included so session leaders can use, create and maintain their own private or public groups with text messages, e-mail notifications and privacy management.
Skype to deploy session border controllers: 11/03/09; Today we'll hit the highlights with news from Skype's decision to use session border controllers; the new DiVitas Web client with support for the Android, BlackBerry and iPhone; and an IBBS solution to help cable operators and ISPs better manage net neutrality.
In search of a 'best effort' Internet: 10/30/09; Today we propose one alternative that could both maintain net neutrality and solve a looming crisis as more Internet users send and receive bandwidth intensive content. Namely, service providers should offer consumer-centric VPNs with multiple service classes in tandem with equal access to a "best effort" public Internet. The vision we have for this tiered consumer access to select content and applications is similar to the way most enterprises use a mix of public Internet access and VPNs.
No such thing as free Internet bandwidth: 10/27/09; Today, we weigh in with our opinion on the net neutrality debate — and we begin by saying we have not changed our original opinion in favor of net neutrality even in a wireless environment. However, we'd also like to qualify what we think is fair and what isn't —and offer a suggestion on an alternative that may help solve the looming bandwidth shortages we expect as more consumers download more video and other bandwidth intensive content and applications.
FCC to regulate net neutrality: 10/23/09; The U. S. Federal Communications Commission has announced that it will move beyond principles and policy statements to formally regulate net neutrality. The process will begin with requests for public comments on six principles the FCC intends to codify; comments are due on Jan. 14, 2010, while reply comments are due on March 5, 2010. The formal notice affirms six principles the FCC proposes to codify, which would "apply to all platforms for broadband Internet access, including mobile wireless broadband."
AT&T throws support behind FCC chairman: 10/20/09; Last month, FCC Chairman Genachowski gave a speech at the Brookings Institute that reopened debate on how to manage net neutrality -- especially on mobile networks. In our last newsletter, we presented some reader reactions to the issues so today we'll hear from AT&T in response to Genachowski's remarks.
Readers weigh in on net neutrality: 10/16/09; Following up on our recent newsletter about rethinking net neutrality in a mobile broadband context, we heard from newsletter subscribers Paul and Phillip with their views on the issues. Paul wrote us saying, "If we want to protect the democratization of online content, we have to propose and support solutions for managing Internet congestion that doesn't discriminate by content."
AT&T to allow VoIP apps on iPhone: 10/13/09; AT&T announced last week that it has "taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T's wireless network." Before the company's decision, VoIP applications on iPhone were enabled only for Wi-Fi connectivity.
Vonage, T-Mobile announce offerings: 10/09/09; It's been an interesting 10 days or so for those of us who follow the mobile VoIP market with news from Vonage, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T-- along with a warning from the FCC chairman about a looming scarcity of spectrum needed for future wireless applications. Today, we'll cover news from Vonage and T-Mobile.
IntelePeer, VBrick moving forward in 2009: 10/06/09; Following up on separate stories from earlier this year, we checked in recently with IntelePeer and VBrick for updates on their progress in 2009. IntelePeer recently launched a developer program to enable cloud-based applications with voice and communications features. And VBrick has unveiled the VBrick Enterprise Media System (VEMS), an integrated hardware and software system designed to distribute live or on-demand video and presentations for global enterprises.
Cisco expands video presence with Tandberg acquistion: 10/02/09; Cisco has announced it intends to acquire Tandberg, a global leader in video communication for a cash offer estimated at about $3 billion. Cisco has been very active in promoting its high-end, high-definition telepresence solutions, and the Tandberg acquisition allows Cisco to extend its video conferencing solutions with the broad portfolio Tandberg offers.
A revised take on net neutrality: 09/29/09; In February 2006, we began a series of articles on net neutrality. In our archived introduction, we noted that there was a difference of opinion about how Internet access providers should offer users access to Internet content. On the one hand, some broadband access providers suggested that they should be allowed to charge a premium to content providers that want users to get faster or guaranteed access to the providers' information or applications
BroadSoft enhances consumer solutions: 09/25/09; BroadSoft has announced enhancements to its consumer solutions for telecommunications service providers designed to broaden wireless, wireline and cable carriers' broadband communications offerings for the consumer market. The approach builds on the company's existing BroadWorks VoIP application platform that is already in use by carriers to serve the enterprise market. BroadSoft is, according to the company, using its platform to extend services via "multimedia communication sessions between devices for voice, video, messaging and content, beyond the boundaries of the subscriber home.
Broadview taking VoIP service nationwide: 09/22/09; Broadview Networks has announced that it is taking its hosted VoIP service, OfficeSuite, nationwide. The company has historically focused on customers in the Northeast, New England and Mid-Atlantic states. Broadview will offer service-level agreements, basing its engineering and voice quality service guarantees on a fully meshed voice and data Multiprotocol Label Switching network.
Skype, SIPfoundry announce interoperability: 09/18/09; Following on the heels of a similar interoperability announcement we reported on last week, Skype and SIPfoundry have announced that sipXecs has been certified as interoperable with Skype for Session Initiation Protocol. As was the case with ShoreTel, SIPfoundry is using a beta version of the Skype software. SIPfoundry is a nonprofit open source community, and the sipXecs IP PBX is free and can be downloaded by anyone.
Future bright for VoIP application server market: 09/11/09; Our colleague Joe McGarvey, principal analyst for IP services infrastructure at Current Analysis, recently wrote an advisory report about the VoIP application server market we'd like to recommend to our readers. Today we'll cover some of the report's highlights.
InVox launches cloud-based voice service: 09/08/09; Wrapping up our coverage from last week's IT Expo in Los Angeles, InVox launched a cloud-based voice service that includes a robust interactive voice response feature. We had a chance to see a demo of the beta version via Web conference in advance of the show, and watched as the voice system was easily and quickly configured by the user through a drag-and-drop user interface.
Dash to provide e911 services for Gizmo5: 09/06/09; Continuing our coverage of announcements coming out from IT Expo West held last week, Dash Carrier Services (DASH a provider of wholesale carrier voice solutions, announced that it would provide E911 emergency service solutions for Gizmo5. Gizmo5 offers VoIP services to both consumers and businesses from any computer with either browser access or with IP phones. Gizmo is also interoperable with Google Voice.
IT Expo West spotlights services and growing market: 09/01/09; We have a slew of announcements coming out of this week's IT Expo West 2009 being held in Los Angeles with news from Dash Carrier Services, InVox, ShoreTel, VoIP Logic, XCast Labs Zeacom and others.
Verizon enhances IVR platform: 08/28/09; Verizon Business has added IP-enabled speech services to its portfolio to help enterprises offer improved self service to their customers with a minimal investment. The new capability, provided by Nuance Communications, offers Verizon Business customers a hosted IP Interactive Voice Response (IVR) platform either as an alternative or in addition to a traditional IVR platform.
Vonage announces two services: 08/25/09; Vonage has introduced two new services that improve the value of its core VoIP offering. Vonage World provides unlimited calling around the world to more than 60 countries, including India, Mexico and China, for the flat monthly rate of $24.99. Vonage Visual Voicemail service provides unlimited "readable voicevmail" delivered via e-mail or SMS text message. Both services have become basic features of the core Vonage offering.
XO expands VoIP services: 08/21/09; XO Communications has enhanced its VoIP service with expanded nationwide coverage, upgraded business continuity features, and interoperability support for a wider range IP-PBX Platforms using Session Initiation Protocol. XO effectively doubles its footprint across the United States, now providing VoIP services to 80% major metropolitan markets. The increase in VoIP service areas better positions the company to support multi-location businesses.
DiVitas, Samsung team up on mobile UC: 08/18/09; DiVitas Networks and Samsung announced earlier this week that are collaborating to improve mobile unified communications. Along with support from Microsoft, the companies are working to enable Enterprise-class fixed mobile convergence (FMC) and unified communication (UC) on Samsung phones using the Microsoft Windows Mobile platform.
Microsoft, Nokia team up: 08/14/09; * Will bring business communications, collaboraation to Nokia's Symbian devices
Paltalk profits from winning combination: 08/11/09; Last month, Paltalk announced it completed a buyback of its shares from investor Softbank Capital Partners after having achieved years of profitability. The Paltalk platform was launched in 1998 and has more than 4 million unique users a month with nearly 100,000 people simultaneously chatting in rooms at any given time.

Steve Taylor is president of Distributed Networking Associates and publisher/editor-in-chief of Webtorials. Larry Hettick is a principal analyst at Current Analysis.