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  • Smartphone.biz-news Covering Big Names and Rising Stars At Mobile World Congress 2009


    Smartphone.biz-news is providing extensive coverage from this year’s Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona between 16-19 February.

    We will be posting regular updates on product announcements and press conferences from big industry names like Samsung, Toshiba and Microsoft as they happen.

    Other companies not usually associated with smartphones – like Acer – are also promising to cause a stir in Barcelona.
    Our editorial team will keep you up to date with all that’s going on.

    But we’d also like to hear from smaller exhibitors and start-up companies attending the MWC.

    Smartphone.biz-news will be conducting exclusive interviews with innovative and cutting-edge businesses that promise to be the big names of the future.

    If you’re going to be in Barcelona and have an interesting product or service that would be of interest to our subscribers, please contact us.

  • ClearSight Networks' Steve Wong Talks About How To Ensure VoIP Call Quality


    Steve Wong, vp of marketing at ClearSight Networks, explains to VoIP.biz-news.com some simple steps for remedying poor VoIP quality once it has been uncovered in a network.

    As Voice over Internet Protocol has become a very common and inexpensive way to provide voice communication, it has expanded to include more forms of streaming audio and video. 

    However, there are many factors that can affect the quality of such a transmission, since it often has to compete for bandwidth over diverse  networks that it shares with other traffic. 

    It is important that a network administrator or network provider know what Quality of Service (QoS) can be expected for VoIP communications on a given network. 

    In particular, it is desirable to have an easy to interpret way to measure that quality. 

    The Mean Opinion Score (MOS) has been developed to provide such a measure. 

    The original idea of MOS was developed by the ITU-T using human subjects to subjectively rate the quality of spoken sentences. 

    MOS

    Quality

    Impairment

    5

    		 Excellent Imperceptible

    4

    		 Good Perceptible but not annoying

    3

    		 Fair Slightly annoying

    2

    		 Poor Annoying

    1

    		 Bad Very annoying
        TABLE 1.0

    The result of these experiments was a quality scale of 1 to 5 (see table 1.0)

    Factors Affecting Quality

    Four of the most common factors that can degrade the quality of a VoIP transmission are: 
    – The compressor/decompressor (Codec) used 
    – Network latency 
    – Jitter 
    – Dropped packets

    The choice of Codec establishes a maximum possible MOS score, irrespective of how well the network is working. 

    The situation in VoIP is different from other kinds of data compression. 

    For example, compressing fixed documents or graphics can often be done with lossless compression algorithms, meaning that they save bandwidth while still being able to reproduce the original data exactly. 

    VoIP compression is generally much more aggressive, and even the best Codecs are quite lossy (see Table 2.0). 

    Codec

    Data Rate (kbps)

    Max MOS Value
    G.711(ISDN)

    64

    4.3
    iLBC

    15.2

    4.14
    G.729

    8

    3.92
    G.729a

    8

    3.7
    GSM FR

    12.2

    3.5
        TABLE 2.0

    R-Value

    Another QoS metric in common use is R-value, which has a range of 1 (worst) to 100 (best). 

    In general terms it was designed to represent the percentage of users that might find the VoIP quality acceptable. 

    The relationship between R-value and MOS is not quite linear. 

    R-value

    MOS Value

    100

    5.0

    90

    4.3

    80

    4.0

    70

    3.6

    60

    3.1

    50

    2.6

    How Does CSA Calculates MOS and R-Value?

    The ClearSight Analyzer (CSA) and the Network Time Machine (NTM) family of products includes an ability to calculate the expected quality of VoIP transmission, based on the Codec used, and on actual observed values of latency, jitter, and packet loss.

    Basically it uses the formulas set forth by ITU-T Recommendations G.107 and G.113.

    It derives measured statistics from the RTP packets in the audio/video stream, and applies coefficients that can be set by
    the CSA or NTM user in an E-model configurati on screen. 

    The MOS values and R-values are calculated separately for each fl ow, and are displayed in stati sti cs tables and in VoIP reports. 

    CSA and NTM calculate and report Minimum, Mean, and Maximum values for MOS and R-value. 

    That way the user not only sees the overall average quality, but also gets an idea as to whether that quality varies much over time.

    How to Remedy Poor VoIP Quality?

    When CSA or NTM reports consistently low scores for MOS and R-value, there are oft en simple steps that can be taken to
    improve things, even without deploying extra bandwidth. 

    When you have made these changes to your network, simply use CSA or NTM again to see what diff erence it makes to your
    MOS and R-values.

    So, for example:
    – Load balancing: If some parts of the network are performing well and others are not, then it may be possible to re-route some of the traffic to better balance the load on selected network segments. 

    – Traffic Shaping: Often network providers contractually guarantee a certain level of performance in terms of committed bit rate, maximum burst length, average sustained bit rate, and other quantities characterizing available network resources. 

    This is known as provisioning a network segment. When traffic exceeds these guaranteed values, it may still be forwarded, but performance may deteriorate. 

    The process of traffic shaping controls the flow of traffic so that it does not exceed those contractually guaranteed performance
    values.
     
    If you suspect that you are overrunning some of these limits, you can check the flow of traffic over such provisioned segments, and change the traffic shaping algorithms to better match your traffic to the network’s capabilities. 

    – Traffic Prioritization: Situations may arise where VoIP quality deteriorates because of other traffic competing for bandwidth – for example, a large file transfer or the sudden occurrence of Windows updates. 

    A simple way to fix this is to program your switches and routers so that they use a higher priority for forwarding VoIP packets
    than other data packets. 

    It doesn’t hurt a data packet that is part of a fi le transfer to be delayed for a few extra milliseconds, but delaying VoIP packets can seriously degrade the VoIP QoS. 

    We’d be interested to hear your feedback on Steve Wong’s advice. Please send us your comments or any questions.

  • TringMe Offers VoIP Calls From Silverlight Apps


    TringMe has launched a widget that allows users to make VoIP calls from Microsoft Silverlight applications. 

    Silverlight doesn’t allow access to a mic – a problem for VoIP calls – so TringMe used a backdoor Flash widget to access it. 

    The Indian start-up’s founder and CEO, Yusuf Motiwala, said they had used a workaround to get past the lack of microphone support in Silverlight. 

    Controversially, this makes use of a competing platform to strengthen an existing platform. 

    Motiwala said it opened the VoIP door to "millions" of Silverlight developers. 

    "There are Silverlight developers who like to create telephony applications but due to the Silverlight limitation, it wasn’t possible so far," he said. 

    "However, with this, they can now easily integrate telephony functionality in their Silverlight applications". 

    Essentially the hack allows users to get the benefits of Silverlight while using Flash for things that Microsoft hasn’t yet programmed into Silverlight.

  • SIP Print Enters UK With FSA-Compliant VoIP Call Recording Solutions


    SIP Print has announced the availability of its voice recording appliances for the UK financial services market. 

    The move marks the preliminary entry into the UK market for SIP Print. 

    creator of the first SIP-based VoIP call recording platform, its systems are fully compliant with the new call recording mandate set forth by the Financial Services Authority (FSA), including a future requirement to record calls originating from mobile phones. 

    According to the FSA policy statement, effective 6 March, 2009, all UK financial institutions must record and archive all telephone conversations and electronic communications relating to client transactions for a period of no less than six months. 

    The new regulations apply to any UK firms participating in the equity, bond and derivatives markets. 

    The FSA has applied an 18-month exemption for the recording of voice conversations from mobile phones and other handheld devices. 

    Don Palmer, CEO of SIP Print, said the need to record calls continues to increase, driven both by internal quality assurance programs and by regulatory compliance requirements. 

    SIP Print specialises in on-premise systems to record and store calls on VoIP systems. 

    "In the United States, the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act (CALEA) and Sarbanes-Oxley legislation have dictated the recording of certain phone calls by some businesses, and many other firms choose to record calls for internal compliance purposes or for training and customer services needs," he said. 

    "The new FSA regulations for the UK financial services community are yet another example of the trend towards increased regulatory oversight and improved corporate security and protection."

  • HD Communications Launches All-in-one Data Port


    HD Communications has unveiled a new In-Wall Wi-Fi, Data, VoIP, and PoE device. 

    The HD27000 is an all-in-one device designed specifically for hotels, motels and the enterprise market. 

    Don Davis, president and CEO, said these types of enterprises needed good Wi-Fi, a wired ethernet connection, and the ability to plug in a VoIP phone as well as power it. 

    He said the HD27000 is a small, PoE-powered 802.11b/g access point that is IEEE 802.3af PoE-compliant and is designed for locations wired or planning to wire for Category5/Cat5e/Cat6 cable. 

    The HD27000 offers up to four SSID, so customers can set up both public and private networks. The device also has an RJ45 jack on the front that is PoE (IEEE 802.3af-compliant) that can power a VoIP phone or just provide a data port to the location. 

    It also has the latest in security available. 

    "The HD27000 is a result of over two years of working with customers with our earlier in-wall product, the HD24613," said Davis. 

    HD Communications has enjoyed healthy growth in the broadband wireless arena over the past few years, more than doubling its sales in 2008.

  • DTV Transition Delayed Until June


    The US House of Representatives has approved a delay in the cutoff date for analog television broadcasts. 

    The delay is to give more time to the estimated 6.5 million people unprepared for the switchover to digital broadcasts. 

    The date was pushed back four months to June 12, 2009. 

    Only last month, the House of Representatives voted against a delay. 

    With full support from President Barack Obama, the bill is likely to be signed into law fairly quickly when it reaches the White House. 

    The decision is likely to cost taxpayers, broadcasters, and the companies that paid USD $19 billion for the right to use the radio spectrum frequencies that will be freed up from the change, many millions. 

    What could prove frustrating – to say the least – to those hit with costs as a result of the delay is that commentators suggest at least 5 million people may still be unprepared even with the extension to June.

    Another area of possible problem area surrounds Congress’ decision to give stations the option of sticking to the original date 17 February date.

    So while the mandatory switchover has been moved back, some stations could individually cut off their analog signals.

    A situation could arise where half a city’s local OTA stations go all-digital mid-February, while others delay things until June.

    This will not happen with most of the major US television networks – including CBS, ABC, FOX and NBC – as they have decided to fall back to the new June date to prevent chaos.

  • Digium Adds New US Features To Latest Version of Switchvox IP PBX


    Digium has introduced a new version of Switchvox SMB, its IP PBX designed for small- to mid-sized businesses (SMBs). 

    Switchvox’s web-aware capabilities allow its integration with web and back-office applications, effectively turning the phone system into a unified communications (UC) platform. 

    Switchvox SMB 4.0 adds various UC capabilities, including support for fax, chat and video calling, which the company says improve users’ productivity and efficiency. 

    Josh Stephens, general manager of Digium’s San Diego operations and a co-creator of Switchvox, said the IP PBX has always leveraged web technologies more than other competing products. 

    He said they had integrated Switchvox with Google maps and web-based CRM software such as Salesforce and SugarCRM. 

    "We’ve also provided easy-to-use APIs that enable businesses to quickly tie together their back-office software that they rely on day to day with their Switchvox IP PBX," he said. 

    "Now, support for instant messaging, fax and video calling, plus additional IVR functionality and a range of new benefits for administrators and users alike make Switchvox SMB 4.0 a truly web-aware UC solution." 

    To add to the appeal of the latest version of Switchvox SMB 4.0, it is available free of charge to customers with a current Switchvox SMB software subscription. 

    For new customers, Switchvox SMB USD $3,390 for a 10 user system, including hardware, software, a one-year subscription and warranty. 

    The entire line of Switchvox SMB appliances, the largest of which scales to serve 400 users, will be available from Digium and partners world-wide beginning on 3 March, 2009. 

    Danny Windham, CEO of Digium, said Switchvox is the first time that advanced unified communications features have been made available to SMBs that might not have big-company budgets. 

    He said these organisations are as reliant as anyone on their phones, e-mail, fax, chat and video and on the web to improve employee communications and efficiency. 

    "With Switchvox SMB 4.0, Digium brings all of these elements together and significantly integrates the business phone system with web applications in a way that we believe is unique today."

  • Toshiba Offers New Smartphone With 1GHz Snapdragon Chipset


    Toshiba could well steal the spotlight away from some bigger smartphone names with the launch of its latest high-end handset at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

    Called the TG01, it’s the first announced device with Qualcomm’s 1GHz Snapdragon QSD2850 chipset with dynamic speed control to ensure good battery life.

    The super-slim 9.9mm device has an impressive 4.1 inch WVGA resistive screen and features a virtual trackpad.

    As the successor to the G910, it also features Toshiba’s own 3D user interface, which boasts vertical blinds and swiping gestures.

    Phone calls can be answered by shaking the phone, and the accelerometer can also be used to rotate the screen.

    Armed as it is with the 1GHz chipset, it will runs Windows Mobile 6.1 at pace, as well as full Flash.

    The device has the standard Windows Mobile feature set: HSDPA, WIFI, GPS and microSD memory expansion.

    The smartphone is expected to be available in Europe in Q3 2009, but may be exclusive to some carriers.

    Pricing should be similar to the HTC Touch HD.

  • Samsung Primes App Store and 12-megapixel Camera Phone


    Samsung is to launch a mobile applications online store later this month at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

    It also has a host of handsets lined up for their debut in Spain, including what is being touted as the world’s first 12-megapixel camera phone.

    The app store is expected to launch with 1,100 applications for Samsung S60 and Windows Mobile devices.

    It will initially only be for UK customers.

    In a refreshing move, the online store will have no initial or ongoing costs for developers associated with marketing or hosting software.

    Samsung will allow freeware to be distributed at no cost to the developer.

    If or when the app store is to be enlarged to other markets is not clear, nor are Samsung’s plans to support other platforms.

    As well as the launch of the 12-megapixel camera phone in Barcelona, Samsung is expected to announce an upgrade to its 8-megapixel Innov8 camera phone, possibly with a nifty 3.5" zoom lens.

  • Handset Names Key To US Smartphone Market Share?


    Forget a stylish smartphone packed with cutting edge features – if you want it to sell give it a cool name.

    At least that’s what research by Strategic Name Development (SND) claims in a report that links higher market share with cell phones having names that consumers prefer.

    The study suggests that Nokia’s "clinical-sounding alphanumeric names" are why the Finnish phone giant fails to connect with US consumers.

    Equally, Motorola’s succesful use of 4LTR names – RAZR, ROKR, SLVR, PEBL – eventually became jaded with KRZR and consumers stopped buying.

    The study by SND argues that its claims on the importance of a phone’s name are borne out by both companies’ experiencing a falling market share.

    Between 2004 and 2006, Motorola’s market share peaked at 35 per cent but after it introduced the KRZR in late 2006, this fell to 21 per cent by the second quarter of 2008.

    William Lozito, president of SND, a brand naming consultancy, said names created a distinct sense of identity and personality.

    He said thay also offered a way for people to connect with the product on an emotional level.

    "Names matter," he said.

    Lozito said it was no coincidence that LG and Samsung had identical US market shares of 16 per cent in Q3 2005, and 20 per cent in 2008.

    He said this was because they introduced very similar product naming strategies.

    The researchers praised LG and Samsung’s choices – LG’s Chocolate, Shine and Vu "appeal to the senses", while Samsung’s BlackJack, Juke and Glyde brought "fresh naming innovation" to the category.

    “Conversely, during the same period, Nokia continued a less popular naming convention and its US market share dropped from 16 per cent to 9 per cent," said Lozito.

    For some unexplained reason, the survey only looked at Motorola, LG, Samsung and Nokia – and was limited to the US market.

    And while a great name undoubtedly sets the tone for a phone, can it really condemn a handset to failure?

    We would be really interested to hear how important you think a name is to a smartphone’s success.