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  • Report: The Future of Consumer VoIP

    According to the recent report "The Future of Consumer VoIP" by Research and Markets, it is important to distinguish between a profitable business that successfully sells VoIP services and a profitable VoIP business.

    “Successful VoIP businesses are driven by other services the company offers, and by services that align with customers’ perceived needs not by the VoIP business alone," as the research firm claims.

    In the early 2000s, telecom industry experts widely expected VoIP to change the dynamics of the voice communications business. But a decade later, the largest providers of consumer Internet voice services are, with one exception, conventional telecommunications companies. Some are pioneers and innovators, some are not. “What they do share, however, is a market strategy that doesn’t rely solely on price,” the analysts say.

    According to the report, the most profitable over-the-top VoIP providers are those that quickly leveraged their success into building their own networks. Successful VoIP providers offer multiple communications services, as well as services aligned with the key needs of targeted markets.

    The research shows that telecoms have more natural advantages in the VoIP business than incumbency. They understand consumer expectations, and the migration to all-IP networks allows them to leverage network consolidation.

    Analysts note that the pressure is on VoIP service providers to make VoIP mobile. Driven by growing mobile handset capabilities and broadband subscriptions, and continued high prices for international calls, the market for mobile VoIP is developing quickly. “The mobile handset is coming into its own as a platform for converged communications,” the research firm states.

    According to the report, the rapidly growing number of mobile smartphones creates opportunities to integrate voice interaction into a wide range of applications, as well as creating opportunities for other types of intelligent, converged appliances reinventing the home phone, for example. Amazon’s Kindle e-book shows the opportunity for mobile communications-equipped "appliances" at mass-market prices.

    Analysts also finds that consumers increasingly want services customized to their needs, preferences and priorities giving VARs, software companies, and internet companies, as well as voice service providers, opportunities increase their value to specific markets and customers.

    The report concludes that consumer VoIP is most successful in the most regulated (non-Communist) markets. “Emerging markets present big risks, but offer big VoIP opportunities because many people in these countries are bypassing conventional telephone service for mobile and VoIP,” according to Research and Markets.

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  • Acrobits Releases Groundwire, the First Business Caliber SIP Client

    Acrobits has released their new business caliber SIP Client, Groundwire for the iPhone. According to the company, it’s the mobile SIP client capable of replacing your desktop phone.

    Groundwire has all the features of Acrobits’ current softphone client, Acrobits Softphone, and adds some important business caliber features: it supports transfer and attended transfer, call waiting and conference calling. It also adds a voicemail waiting indicator and a programmable voicemail dialer.

    It also supports iOS4 multitasking and the original Acrobits Softphone’s Push Notification Service.

    SIP users finally have a mobile client capable of meeting all their needs, as Acrobits claims.

    Among the other features are:
    • Multi line
    • Customizable ringtones
    • HD Wideband audio through G.722
    • G.711, GSM and iLBC audio codecs.
    • TLS support for encrypted SIP
    • Bluetooth support for iPhones with OS 3.1 and higher
    • audio codec manipulation, enabling you to prioritize the codecs used and disable ones you don’t want to use
    • call recorder and player, seamlessly integrated into the call history
    • full localization (currently English, Chinese, Danish, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portueguese, Swedish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Spanish, Czech and Slovak)
    • simultaneous registration of multiple SIP accounts
    • iPhone contacts integration
    • ability to generate DTMF tones while in call, to control various PBX features or automated systems (use audio, rfc 2833 or SIP INFO)
    • speakerphone support
    • configurable RTP port range
    • SIP Proxy support, VPN support
    • STUN server support, automatic service discovery using DNS SRV queries
    • quick import of accounts from major VoIP Providers, like Gizmo5, Voipcheap, TerraSIP and others

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  • Nokia and Intel Build Joint Research Center

    Intel, Nokia and the University of Oulu officially opened the Intel and Nokia Joint Innovation Center. It will employ about two dozen R&D professionals and become the latest member of Intel’s European Research Network.

    According to the companies, initially the lab will conduct research for “new and compelling mobile user experiences that could leverage the rapidly increasing capabilities of mobile devices.” They claim that creating interfaces that are more similar to interactions in the real world can enable experiences that are more natural and intuitive, in the same way that modern games and movies are more immersive through the use of realistic 3-D graphics.

    The new lab is aligned with the MeeGo open source platform recently launched by Intel and Nokia.

    "The University of Oulu’s focus on future telecommunications solutions as well as electronics and photonics made it the perfect location for the Intel and Nokia Joint Innovation Center," says Justin Rattner, Intel chief technology officer and director of Intel Labs.

    Another potential area of research could look into technologies that allow displaying a 3-D hologram of the person you are talking to on the phone, a capability only found in science fiction movies today. Consumers will feel more involved and engaged with their mobile experience than with current methods, as the companies claim.

    "3-D technology could change the way we use our mobile devices and make our experiences with them much more immersive," said Rich Green, Senior vice president and chief technical officer, Nokia. "Our new joint laboratory with Intel draws on the Oulu research community’s 3-D interface expertise, and over time will lay down some important foundations for future mobile experiences."

    The lab will be located at the Center for Internet Excellence at the University of Oulu, and will work closely with the Oulu Urban Living Labs, which provide a unique environment for sensor research, testing and piloting technological and social innovations.

    The Intel and Nokia Joint Innovation Center follows a successful industry and academia collaboration model similar to the ones of Intel Labs Barcelona and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in Spain, the Intel Visual Computing Institute and the Saarland University in Germany or Intel Labs Berkeley at the University of California at Berkeley in the United States.

  • U.S. LCD-TV Market: Samsung Maintains Lead, but Vizio Closes Gap in Q2

    The battle for the top spot in the U.S. LCD-TV market heated up in the second quarter as the gap in market share between No. 1 Samsung and No. 2 Vizio dwindled to less than 1 percentage point, according to the electronic display research firm iSuppli.

    The research show that Samsung in the second quarter held a 0.7 percentage point lead over Vizio in terms of U.S. LCD-TV shipments, compared to 1.3 points in the first quarter. Both companies in the second quarter dramatically outperformed the overall market by offering sets with advanced features desired by U.S. consumers.

    “Leadership in the world’s largest television market—the United States—represents the marquee position for global LCD-TV brands,” said Riddhi Patel.

    “Because of this, companies are competing intensely to secure every point of market share—with the most closely fought battle occurring between South Korea’s Samsung and U.S.-based Vizio. The two companies have swapped quarterly leadership multiple times during the past few years, and now are virtually tied in the race for market leadership,” she added.

    According to the report, U.S. LCD-TV shipments rose by 12.8 percent in the second quarter to 7.36 million units, up from 6.53 million in the first quarter.

    Samsung’s shipments grew at more than twice the pace of the overall market, rising by 26 percent to 1.45 million units, up from 1.15 million in the first quarter. Vizio grew even faster, with its shipments rising by an industry-leading 30.8 percent to 1.39 million units, up from 1.07 million in the first quarter.


    Pattel noted that in the past, the two companies pursued very different strategies to attain LCD-TV market leadership, with Samsung focusing on premium products and Vizio stressing low-cost value-oriented LCD-TVs. However, as U.S. consumer preferences have shifted to higher-end LCD TVs, Vizio has realigned its product line to offer more advanced features.

    “Most LCD-TVs purchased in the United States in 2010 are replacements of first-generation flat panels,” Patel said. “Because of this, U.S. consumers are more informed and demand larger LCD-TVs with better picture quality and more premium features, including 3-D, LED backlighting and built-in Internet connectivity. While Samsung continues to lead these technological trends, including the nascent 3-D TV segment, Vizio has significantly closed the feature gap.”

    Television research from iSuppli’s U.S. TV Consumer Preference Analysis service, which surveys Americans on their attitudes regarding television purchases, illustrates the rising importance of advanced features when buying a television.

    Of consumers surveyed in the second quarter, 17.2 percent said the LCD-TV sets they had purchased used LED backlighting, an increase of 5 percentage points from the first quarter. Furthermore, 60.8 percent of the consumers purchased a 40-inch or larger set in the second quarter of 2010, up from 51 percent during the same period in 2009. Finally, about 32 percent consumers say they connected their new televisions to the Internet.

  • LG-Ericsson and Accton to Deliver Unified Voice and Data Solutions for Businesses

    LG-Ericsson USA officially launched its brand into the North American market offering a broad portfolio of end-to-end data and voice networking solutions for businesses ranging in size from small- and medium-sized businesses to large enterprises.

    Headquartered in Irvine, California, USA, LG-Ericsson USA, formerly Edgecore Networks, Inc., is a joint venture between LG-Ericsson and Taiwan-based Accton Technology Corporation, a global provider of voice and data networking solutions.

    The company said it will develop and deliver a line of “world-class high-performance” data and voice communications solutions to North American SMBs and enterprise businesses. LG-Ericsson owns 60 percent share in the joint venture while Accton owns 40 percent.

    According to LG-Ericsson, their solutions will include a comprehensive suite of IP PBX systems and a full complement of business-class digital, IP, WiFi, SIP, soft phones, and multimedia terminals, as well as a host of smart, fully-managed and unmanaged switches with a robust Network Management Services (NMS) and Unified Device Manager (UDM) platform to provide easy management.

    "The launch of LG-Ericsson USA will, for the first time, provide SMBs and large enterprises with a portfolio of scalable, performance-oriented, unified end-to-end data and voice network solutions from a single manufacturer," stated S.B. Mun, CEO of LG-Ericsson USA.

    "We are confident that by deploying our solutions, our customers will benefit from improved cost effectiveness and operational efficiency, as well as unparalleled interoperability," he added.

  • CounterPath Brings Multitasking and Multi-Account VoIP Softphone to the iPhone

    CounterPath announced the worldwide availability of Bria iPhone Edition Version 1.1 for Apple’s iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Compatible with Apple’s new iOS 4 operating system, Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 is a standards-based VoIP softphone that works over both 3G and Wi-Fi networks.

    Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 leverages iOS 4 to deliver to Bria users’ their most requested feature: multitasking on the iPhone. This freedom is particularly valuable for iPhone users that need to reference other applications while on a call, enhancing the device’s value as a business tool.

    The company said that when Apple releases iOS 4 for the iPad, Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 will immediately and automatically extend its multitasking features to that device.

    Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 also features support for up to eight accounts and lets users create a separate dialing plan for each account.

    According to CounterPath, the application also fully supports older devices running iPhone 3.0 “and is ideal for the growing number of SMEs, large enterprises and governments that are deploying iPhones, the iPod touch and iPads for mobile workers, many of whom require full access to their communications services while away from their desk or office. Bria iPhone Edition leverages the iPhone’s native address book and its embedded Bluetooth technology to provide a seamless calling experience while on the move.”

    “Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 takes Mobile VoIP to the next level by enabling iPhone users to take one or more of their VoIP accounts mobile.” said Todd Carothers, VP Product Management CounterPath. “Now with full multitasking and multi-account support, Bria liberates iOS 4 users by truly un-tethering them from the desktop. Bria iPhone Edition 1.1 is the latest example of CounterPath’s commitment to the burgeoning Mobile VoIP market.”

    The company also said that Bria integrates seamlessly with other CounterPath desktop and convergence solutions, as well as with enterprise and carrier infrastructure equipment from major vendors such as Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, BroadSoft, Metaswitch, Avaya, Cisco and NEC. Bria iPhone Edition also supports Asterisk-based telephony systems.

    Bria iPhone Edition 1.1’s other key features include:

    • Full SIP compliance, enabling use with any SIP-compliant server and hundreds of ITSPs that currently offer CounterPath-based services.
    o Bria iPhone Edition appears as another endpoint to service providers or PBX equipment, enabling fast, cost-effective deployments.
    • Call quality that’s superior to circuit-switched wireline and wireless voice, and based on the G.711, G.729 and GSM codecs.
    • An intuitive user interface that provides one-touch access to voicemail, call history, speakerphone and other frequently used telephony features such as 4-digit dialing.
    • Support for DTMF, which lets users enter numbers to access an auto attendant.
    • Bluetooth support, enabling hands-free calling for convenience, as well as safety while driving. (iPhone and iPod touch only).
    • Multi-call management options, including the ability to switch between, merge and split calls, all in ways that are already familiar to iPhone users so they can start using these features immediately.
    • Signaling and call encryption via TLS and SRTP, enabling enterprise-class security.
    • Optional customized branding available for enterprises and telephony providers.

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  • Skype Now Available on Verizon Multimedia Phones on the BREW Platform

    Skype is taking another step forward with Verizon and expanding the Skype mobile application onto a variety of Multimedia 3G phones with an app based on the BREW platform, including the LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch and Samsung Reality.

    According to Skype, their mobile app for Verizon Wireless 3G Multimedia phones works the same way it does on the carrier’s smartphones, “letting you make free calls to friends and family on Skype, great value calls to landlines and mobile phones overseas, and send IMs to people on Skype anywhere in the world.”

    On Skype blog, Peter Parkes explains how charging works:

    Skype-to-Skype calls, to or from your mobile, computer or TV
    These calls are completely free (you’ll need a data plan in order to use Skype mobile on your Verizon phone.). They don’t count towards your Verizon minutes allowance.

    Calls to another mobile number or landline number in the US
    These calls count towards your Verizon minutes.

    Calls to an international mobile number or landline number
    These calls are great value – pay for these using Skype Credit or one of our subscriptions.

    “Additionally, as the app runs in the background, you’ll never miss a call,” says Parkes.

    Six months ago, Skype announced a strategic relationship between them and Verizon Wireless to create the Skype mobile application and make it available on a variety of Verizon Wireless’ Android and BlackBerry smartphones.

    Skype mobile is also available for DROID and selected BlackBerry smartphones on Verizon Wireless.

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  • Sonus Enables Cable Customers to Make and Receive Calls on Their Smartphone Using Their Home Phone Number

    Sonus Networks has introduced a new solution for cable operators to add value to their existing home line services.

    Dubbed "Fixed – Smartphone Convergence," cable operators can use new capabilities in the company’s ASX Telephony Application Server to allow cable subscribers with home phone service to combine their existing phone line with up to five additional SIP-enabled devices including 3G/Wi-Fi enabled smartphones.

    According to the company, the Sonus Fixed – Smartphone Convergence solution makes it possible for subscribers to receive or place calls using both their home telephone line (using NCS or SIP call control) and nearly any SIP-enabled device connected to the Internet.

    The solution will ring all of the devices simultaneously and allows users to make and receive multiple calls concurrently as well as allow calls to be transferred to other users.

    "Cable operators are looking for ways to add more value for fixed line customers, and also get more involved in offering mobile services," said Greg Zweig, director of access product management at Sonus Networks.

    "With Fixed – Smartphone Convergence powered by the ASX Telephony Application Server, we are giving cable operators a way to make a subscriber’s home number more valuable and more convenient to access, anywhere in the world. The solution gives MSOs a compelling new offering that leverages the explosion in smart mobile phones and tablet computers," he added.

    Sonus is demonstrating this new solution at the CableLabs Summer Conference 2010 taking place August 15-18 at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center, Keystone, Colo. Live calls coming into the booth’s landline phone will ring simultaneously on different devices including a PC softphone and a SIP-enabled smartphone.

  • ”Big Seven” Smartphone Applications to Drive Future Hardware Designs

    Smartphone manufacturers need to accommodate seven core smartphone applications, the “Big Seven”, in their next generation handset designs, according to In-Stat.

    These big seven applications include email, games, social networking, instant messaging, mapping & directions, music & radio, and weather.

    Combined, the big seven will account for 7 billion downloads worldwide in 2014, says the research group.

    “In-Stat tracks 26 different categories of smartphone applications,” said Frank Dickson, VP of Research. “A designer can optimize a handset for any one of those application categories. However, it’s the big seven applications that phone designers need to accommodate in each and every device.”

    Recent research by In-Stat found that the three applications that have the highest compound annual growth rates through 2014 are micro blogging, mobile banking and VoIP.

    The report also says that the number of Android apps downloaded is growing at the fastest rate; however, Apple applications still dominate both free and paid downloads.

    “The tsunami of mobile applications has created a hyper-competitive market putting significant pressure on prices and margins,” said Dickson.

    According to In-Stat, productivity applications such as mapping, business and enterprise applications and phone tools & utilities generate 59% of all smartphone application revenue.

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  • BT, T-Systems, Vodafone Among Top Hosted Business VoIP Services Leaders in EMEA

    There are over 100 service providers offering business VoIP services in EMEA and new ones being added every quarter, according to “EMEA Business VoIP Services Leadership Matri,” a new report recently released by Infonetics Research.

    “In all parts of EMEA, including Africa and the Middle East, we are seeing strong deployments of IP Centrex services. In evaluating the top 10 IP Centrex providers across the region, we found the list dominated by incumbent operators,” said Diane Myers, directing analyst for service provider VoIP and IMS at Infonetics Research

    According to him, this is reflective of the services landscape in EMEA, which consists of providers competing nationally rather than regionally, resulting in few of the top 10 providers competing against each other.

    The most interesting result is the growing success of providers focused on FMC (fixed-mobile convergence) capabilities, capitalizing on the trend of businesses moving more employees to only mobile devices, says the report.

    The analysts also found that providers with IP Centrex service offerings in multiple countries have an edge in terms of total subscribers or seats due to the size of their network footprints.

    According to the report, the top EMEA IP Centrex service providers overall are, in no particular order: T-Systems, BT, and Vodafone. There is a growing list of providers close behind this top 10 across Western and Eastern Europe and also Africa, signalling continuing strength in IP Centrex across the region

    Unlike in North America, where IP Centrex providers are predominantly competitive operators with financial constraints, financial stability is a non-factor in analyzing the top 10 providers in EMEA.

    The report also says that, while in North America only a few providers have broken the 100,000-seat mark, the top providers in EMEA are all close to or exceed 100,000 IP Centrex seats

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