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Category: voip

  • Level 3 Delivers SIP Trunking with Nomadic E-911 Solution for Microsoft Lync

    Level 3 Communications has announced that it is working with Microsoft to provide SIP Trunking with nomadic E-911 (enhanced 911) designed to integrate with Microsoft Lync.

    Nomadic users in the enterprise space are those who migrate workspace locations, taking advantage of VoIP services that allow phone calls to be made anywhere Internet access is available. Due to the nature of VoIP, it has traditionally been very difficult to offer E-911 solutions, which identify the physical location of the caller to the appropriate emergency response centers.

    "Enterprises expect their 911 voice services to connect them with the appropriate emergency contacts," said Warren Barkley, general manager, Microsoft Lync. "Microsoft Lync is able to offer enterprises the benefits of a unified communications deployment with an easy-to-manage, dynamic and reliable 911 routing solution through Level 3, even as workers change locations."

    SIP trunking allows enterprises to converge voice and data on a single network, creating tangible network and operation expense savings while laying a foundation for next-generation communication and collaboration tools. The solution takes advantage of Level 3's SIP Trunking and E-911 networks, enabling Microsoft Lync users to move throughout the workplace while still providing location-specific 911 information to the correct emergency responders. 

    While the inherent mobility of VoIP solutions can increase productivity and reduce costs for UC users, it also introduces 911 risk and management overhead since users can change locations frequently. Level 3's solution allows a user's location to be provided at the time of the emergency call, enabling routing to the appropriate first responders, compared to alternative nomadic 911 solutions which can only provide pre-registered locations. This allows enterprises to garner the productivity and cost advantages of VoIP and UC while efficiently managing emergency services' calling needs.

    "Leveraging Level 3's SIP and 911 networks with Microsoft Lync, which was designed for next generation SIP networks, enables enterprises to enjoy the full benefits of unified communications without unanticipated management headaches," said Sara Baack, senior vice president of Voice Services for Level 3. "Effective emergency services are the cornerstone of ensuring a safe work environment, and Level 3 is dedicated to continually improving the network capabilities that these services rely on every day."

    Using the Microsoft Lync platform, the new solution enables emergency services to receive current information on a user's location, offering workers a safe work environment, gaining compliance with strict safety codes and simplifying enterprise IT management. Level 3 offers this nomadic capability for Microsoft Lync as part of its enterprise SIP trunking offering in the United States, allowing customers to benefit from the functionality built natively into the Microsoft platform and helping avoid the need to purchase additional hardware or services.

    You may also want to read:
    Cisco Unveils AppHQ Application for Cisco Cius
    fring Brings Mobile Group Video to iPad
    Logitech Teams Up with GN Netcom on Unified Communications Solutions

  • Cisco Unveils AppHQ Application for Cisco Cius

    Cisco introduced AppHQ, an application ecosystem built specifically for Cisco Cius that provides new ways to create, manage and rapidly deploy tablet applications in the enterprise. According to Cisco, with the Cius, organizations can now deliver an optimized tablet with enterprise-grade security, as a natural extension of the enterprise network.

    AppHQ provides developers with tools and resources to create, test and market applications for Cisco Cius, and allows IT managers to control which applications can be used on the devices. Additionally, companies can create private, custom-branded application storefronts for their organizations where employees can find, publish and procure applications that complement their business environments.

    During a series of media events, Cisco highlighted that CDW, Nervecentre Software, Nottingham University Hospitals, Palomar Pomerado Health, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, and Verizon are among customers using Cisco Cius.

    Cisco AppHQ

    Cisco AppHQ is a highly secure, cloud-based user storefront that provides capabilities for end users and IT managers. Some of these capabilities include:

    – Testing and validation:Cisco AppHQ provides IT managers and users with a "trusted source" for applications, ensuring that every application within AppHQ goes through Cisco validation testing, whether developed by Cisco, third-party Android developer partners, or users within the enterprise. The validation process includes interoperability testing both for the application itself and in typical configurations within the device.

    – Store-within-a-Store: Enterprises will have a Cisco hosted, highly-secure and private application store within AppHQ. Businesses can customize the storefront, following their corporate branding guidelines, including use of logos, icons and color schemes. Beyond customization, the store-within-a-store is a platform that customers can use to deploy applications efficiently in their organizations. For example, a financial services company could deploy applications pertaining to their back office operations, such as human resources or payroll apps, and populate those applications on the devices of relevant employees.

    – Empowers IT management:With AppHQ Manager, IT will have the ability to allow (or deny) access to application marketplaces by user role or device and to grant (or deny) access to applications by type, source or category. This unique capability will let IT organizations balance the individual freedom of users with the enterprise-class policies on security and cost efficiency.

    The AppHQ ecosystem will include Cisco selected applications that deeply integrate Cisco collaboration capabilities, as well as validated business-to-business and business-to-consumer applications from developer partners. The company announced that it will continue to add applications to AppHQ based on customer requirements. IT managers can also select from approximately 200,000 applications in the Android Marketplace.

    Cisco Cius is scheduled for global availability on July 31, 2011. The estimated street price is below $750 USD and Cisco has made available a new promotion* called "Triple V" (for Voice, Video and Virtualization) that could enable further price reductions below $700 USD. Pricing may vary by country. Basic access to Cisco AppHQ is included with every Cisco Cius device.

    You may also want to read:
    fring Brings Mobile Group Video to iPad
    Logitech Teams Up with GN Netcom on Unified Communications Solutions
    Speedflow Offers Multifunctional Software for VoIP Providers

  • fring Brings Mobile Group Video to iPad

    fring, the mobile communication service that pioneered mobile video over internet calls across smartphone platforms, now brings the world’s first dedicated group video chat service to the iPad.

    fring’s iPad Group Video chat enables four friends to simultaneously video chat one another, & see friends across a host of devices including iPhone, Android & Nokia, over any internet connectivity (Wi-Fi, 3G or 4G).

    "With fring on the iPad, users enjoy full-size 9.7-inch LED, glossy widescreen Video chat, with Multi-Touch display and optimized picture quality using fring’s proprietary DVQ™ technology," the company said.

    The fring iPad Group Video chat experience is wrapped in an intuitive, natural gesture- navigation where users drag & drop friends into Group Video chat, move their video chat stream & seamlessly augment video chat with parallel communication like tandem text chatting.

    “fring is empowering tablet users to unleash the power of their 9.7 inch screens beyond movie watching and gaming to rich, fun personal video communication,” says Avi Shechter, CEO and Co-founder of fring. “With Group Video on the iPad, we are changing face to face video chat. Users will now be able to video socialize on big screen tablets enjoying seeing their friends wherever they are- as they commute, sunbathe at the beach or wait for coffee at a café.”

    In addition to free Group Video chat, fring enables users to make free two-way video chat, voice calls and live chat with friends on Android, iPhone/iPod touch & Nokia Smartphones.

    fring’s iPad Group Video is available from Apple’s App Store.

    Here is the demo video:

  • Logitech Teams Up with GN Netcom on Unified Communications Solutions

    Logitech is teaming up with GN Netcom to fuel the Unified Communications market. As a first step in their collaboration, the two companies have entered into a distribution agreement under which Logitech will offer select products from the award-winning line of Jabra headsets and speakerphones through distribution channel partners in North America.

    The two companies also plan to roll out the offering globally as well as collaborate on the development of future audio peripherals for UC.

    As part of the initial agreement, Logitech will begin offering select Jabra headsets and speakerphones for Unified Communications, beginning in July 2011. Logitech will offer the Jabra products, which will be co-branded “Logitech powered by Jabra” as part of a portfolio of audio and video business solutions for UC.

    The products Logitech will be offering are currently certified to work with Avaya, Microsoft Corp., Cisco and Polycom under the Jabra brand. Logitech plans to confirm certifications with these partners as well as others for the “Logitech powered by Jabra” headsets and speakerphones.

    According to Roopam Jain, principal analyst at Frost and Sullivan, with LifeSize meeting rooms, Logitech webcams and ‘Logitech powered by Jabra’ headsets, Logitech is leveraging its strong brand and simplifying deployment and support for customers. “With the convergence of VOIP and video conferencing in unified communications solutions, we see a significant opportunity for Logitech to be a full solution provider,” he said.

    “This collaboration with GN Netcom will enable Logitech to be a full solution provider for Unified Communications,” said Gerald P. Quindlen, Logitech president and chief executive officer. “Businesses will now have a single company for a full range of UC solutions – from the meeting room with LifeSize video conferencing end points and infrastructure products to PCs, Macs and tablets with Logitech webcams, headsets and speakerphones.”

    “Jabra is already a leader in the UC space and we will continue to market the full range of Jabra branded solutions for Unified Communications. The agreement with Logitech enables GN Netcom to further expand the presence of Jabra products in North American sales channels,” said Mogens Elsberg, chief executive officer of GN Netcom. “We believe this agreement will lead to more people using Jabra headsets and speakerphones for their UC solutions.”

  • Carrier router and switch market Back on Track, Up 10% Year-Over-Year

    Infonetics Research has released excerpts from its first quarter 2011 Service Provider Routers and Switches preliminary vendor market share report.

    According to the report, the global service provider router and switch market, including IP edge routers, core routers, and carrier Ethernet switches, totaled $3.2 billion in 1Q11, down 14.7% from the previous quarter, up 10.4% from the year-ago quarter.

    In the IP edge router and carrier Ethernet switch market, which represents about 3/4 of the total market:
    – Cisco gained 1.3 revenue share percentage points sequentially in 1Q11 to 34.6%, and is down 8.5 percentage points year-over-year;
    – Alcatel-Lucent dropped a few percentage points in 1Q11, maintaining 2nd position; they are up 3.1 percentage points year-over-year;
    – Juniper’s revenue is up both quarter-over-quarter (+2.5 points) and year-over-year (+3 points), and holds the #3 spot;
    – Huawei is down a couple points sequentially and up a tad year-over-year.

    “Although carrier router and switch revenue was down sequentially in Q1 (as it usually is in the first quarter), the market is up year-over-year, and the last three quarters represent the three all-time highest-revenue quarters ever, a good sign that the market is back on track,” said Michael Howard, co-founder and principal analyst for carrier networks at Infonetics Research.

    In 1Q11, Infonetics made adjustments to how it tracks the carrier router and switch market, which moved some edge router revenue to the carrier Ethernet switch segment (principally for Alcatel-Lucent, Tellabs, and Juniper), both in current and historic data for accurate comparisons over time; these adjustments affected some vendor share standings.

  • Speedflow Offers Multifunctional Software for VoIP Providers

    Softswitch is a central device in a telecommunications network which provides management of voice, fax, data and video traffic and connects telephone calls from one phone line to another.

    Softswitches used for transit VoIP traffic between carriers are usually called Class 4 softswitches, whereas softswitches intended for work with end-users are called Class 5 softswitches.

    Speedflow Communications now offers a wide range of carrier-grade software products, including class 4 and class 5 softswitches. The company’s highly innovative and full-featured VoIP software solutions are designed for VoIP carriers and other IP telephony-related companies.

    Speedflow’s flagship solutions are MediaCore, proprietary Linux-based multifunctional carrier-grade class 4 Softswitch intended for transit VoIP traffic, and CallMax, multifunctional class 5 softswitch designed for VoIP companies providing services for end users.

    Among the main features of the MediaCore softswitch are:
    – Dynamic routing mechanism with high system capability;
    – Integrated billing module with advanced tools;
    – Guardian – revenue assurance system for traffic quality estimation;
    – Transcoding which supports all popular codecs used in the field of VoIP.

    According to Speedflow, user friendly and functional web-interface of the system is understandable even for the beginners.

    MediaCore Softswitch supports full signaling proxy and handles more than 30.000 concurrent calls/lines.

    Among the wide range of services available for CallMax customers are:
    – Residential/ Hosted IP PBX platform;
    – SIP-trunking;
    – Calling Card platform;
    – Authorization by PIN, ANI, SIP, etc.

    Both MediaCore and CallMax softswitches are available for rent and purchase. Speedflow Communications offers free trial period before buying the product.

    The company also guarantees 24/7 support for all the products.

    Get more information about MediaCore Softswitch and CallMax Softswitch.

    ***
    Speedflow Communications has focused on delivering quality services and products to the VoIP market since its inception in 2004. Their success in this field has resulted in an opportunity to service over 600 reliable customers varying from Tier-1 national and global carriers to ISPs, Corporate carriers and residential VoIP providers. Speedflow presents exceptional range of Carrier-grade products and solutions. Single Point of Control solutions from Speedflow include: Mediacore (Class 4), Callmax (Class 5), Guardian (Revenue Assurance), Routing and Billing. Each of these products will make your management extremely efficient and your business become more profitable with less effort from your side.

  • Video Conferencing Becomes More Common Among U.S. Physicians

    Seven percent of U.S. physicians use online video conferencing to communicate with any of their patients, according the new Taking the Pulse study of physician digital adoption trends from pharmaceutical and healthcare market research company Manhattan Research.

    This year’s study of 2,041 U.S. practicing physicians includes a focus on how physicians are using technology in the practice, such as for electronic health records, electronic prescribing and interaction with patients.

    As video chatting becomes more common, this type of communication is emerging as a way for physicians to consult with patients about non-urgent issues, such as follow up questions from an office visit, or to connect with geographically dispersed patient populations that may not have nearby access to specialists. The study also found that certain specialties, such as psychiatrists and oncologists, are more likely to be using video conferencing with patients.

    “Telemedicine has the potential to open up consultations with top specialists, regardless of your location,” said Meredith Ressi, Manhattan Research President. “Combined with the impending shortage of primary care physicians, the implications of these technologies for how healthcare is delivered in our country are remarkable.”

    However, the study found that physician concerns regarding reimbursement, liability and HIPAA are still major barriers to communicating online with patients. Some of these issues are starting to be addressed as telemedicine solution providers such as American Well partner with insurance companies to facilitate payment and increase their security measures. “Despite these hurdles, we still expect to see more physicians use this model to improve practice efficiency and expand their patient base, without the overhead associated with only in-office visits,” Ressi said.

  • Microsoft to Acquire Skype for $8.5 Billion

    Microsoft and Skype have just announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake.

    With 170 million connected users and over 207 billion minutes of voice and video conversations in 2010, Skype has been a pioneer in creating connections among friends, families and business colleagues globally. Microsoft has a long-standing focus and investment in real-time communications across its various platforms, including Lync (which saw 30 percent revenue growth in Q3), Outlook, Messenger, Hotmail and Xbox LIVE.

    The companies informed that Skype will support Microsoft devices like Xbox and Kinect, Windows Phone and a wide array of Windows devices, and Microsoft will connect Skype users with Lync, Outlook, Xbox Live and other communities. Microsoft will continue to invest in and support Skype clients on non-Microsoft platforms.

    "Skype is a phenomenal service that is loved by millions of people around the world," said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "Together we will create the future of real-time communications so people can easily stay connected to family, friends, clients and colleagues anywhere in the world."

    Skype will become a new business division within Microsoft, and Skype CEO Tony Bates will assume the title of president of the Microsoft Skype Division, reporting directly to Ballmer.

    "Microsoft and Skype share the vision of bringing software innovation and products to our customers," said Tony Bates. "Together, we will be able to accelerate Skype’s plans to extend our global community and introduce new ways for everyone to communicate and collaborate," Bates said.

    According to the companies, the acquisition will increase the accessibility of real-time video and voice communications, bringing benefits to both consumers and enterprise users and "generating significant new business and revenue opportunities." The combination will extend Skype’s world-class brand and the reach of its networked platform, while enhancing Microsoft’s existing portfolio of real-time communications products and services.

    "Tony Bates has a great track record as a leader and will strengthen the Microsoft management team. I’m looking forward to Skype’s talented global workforce bringing its insights, ideas and experience to Microsoft," Ballmer said.

    Founded in 2003, Skype was acquired by eBay in September 2005, and then acquired by an investment group led by Silver Lake in November 2009. Skype has made impressive progress over the past 18 months under Silver Lake’s leadership, increasing monthly calling minutes by 150 percent, developing new revenue streams and strategic partnerships, acquiring the intellectual property powering its peer-to-peer network, and recruiting an outstanding senior management team.

    Other members of the selling investor group led by Silver Lake include eBay International AG, CPP Investment Board, Joltid Limited in partnership with Europlay Capital Advisors; and Andreessen Horowitz.

  • Voxbone, Jajah Create Service That Localizes International Calling

    Voxbone has collaborated with Jajah to develop a value-added telecommunications service, which is said to make international calling "simple and affordable." The International Favorites service, which Jajah provides for mobile customers of O2 in the United Kingdom, offers a subscriber a virtual overseas number so the users can call at local rates.

    As part of the new service, Voxbone supplies an international “Call Me” number that directly reaches a customer’s mobile phone.

    The customer adds this second phone number from a country of choice to an existing mobile subscription. Calls to the number are dialed, delivered and billed like local PSTN calls. These calls are transmitted through Voxbone’s IP network to the O2 user’s mobile phone. The subscriber doesn’t need a special phone or application.

    The virtual number complements the subscriber’s U.K. mobile number, enabling two phone numbers to be mapped to the same device. The service works with most O2 phones.

    In addition, Voxbone is supplying numbers for another feature of International Favorites: provision of three local outbound numbers per subscriber that the customer may use to reach selected international landline and mobile numbers. A flat fee of £10 per month covers 3,000 minutes (50 hours) of calls to these numbers.

    “We are enthused about this opportunity to help a global telecom leader use our phone numbers and global VoIP backbone to create value for its customers and its business,” said Voxbone CEO Rod Ullens. “International Favorites enables customers to keep in closer touch with friends and loved ones in other countries, while it benefits operators by promoting customer loyalty and international calling.”

    “A new kind of geography is being formed that is about local presence and global relationships superseding distance or national borders,” said Trevor Healy, Chief Innovation Officer for Telefónica Europe. “International Favorites gives us a tremendous opportunity to innovate, reflect our users’ needs and open new revenue streams.”

  • Black Diamond Video Launches the Sapphire-QHD1 Conferencing Solution

    Black Diamond Video launched its comprehensive high definition conferencing solution, Sapphire-QHD1, a four-faceted package that offers bi-directional HD video and audio conferencing, unidirectional HD video and audio streaming, HD video recording, and HD image capture.

    Black Diamond Video’s HIPAA compliant Sapphire-QHD1 can be incorporated into BDV’s popular Integrated Digital Surgical Suite (IDSS) for medical applications or stand alone as a commercial, business, or military conferencing system.

    Sapphire-QHD1’s conferencing element provides bi-directional HD video and audio conferencing functionality. VoIP support allows phone calls into and out of the conference room, command center, or OR with no external, third party conferencing codec required. BDV’s Sapphire-QHD1 is compatible with all major conferencing systems that can support SIP and H.323 protocols, including Polycom, Tandberg, Codian, and Sony.

    Sapphire-QHD1 is also equipped with HD video streaming capability. A close relative to Sapphire-QHD1’s bidirectional HD conferencing feature, HD streaming facilitates unidirectional communication via H.264. According to the company, any HD video source can be combined with a superior quality audio feed and streamed to up to 80 remote clients. By utilizing BDV’s proprietary streaming algorithms, such a massive number of clients can be served without degradation of video or audio quality. When streaming, the remote user’s credentials and access rights are controlled by the local user’s Active Directory/LDAP servers and can be fine tuned to accommodate the customer’s requirements.

    While conferencing or streaming, the local user can route a video source to any destination or permit far-end camera control (FECC) or far-end video source selection (FEVSS). Once a conference or stream is initiated or accepted via the Sapphire-QHD1’s intuitive touch panel controls, the incoming video stream can be routed to any destination, including surgical and wall displays. By utilizing the embedded dual-tri-quad view windowing functionality, users can simultaneously see their own video sources side by side with far end video feeds.

    Describing the versatility of the system, Ed Priest, Founder and CEO of Black Diamond Video, commented, “Our Sapphire-QHD1 is an extensive solution that reaches beyond medical market applications. HD audio and video conferences can be initiated and accepted with the push of a few buttons from a business conference room. Military personnel can easily and securely conference with remote forces to discuss plans of action while panning and zooming surveillance cameras to view activity from thousands of miles away, all with the greatest detail possible thanks to our high definition video feed.”

    First deployment of the Sapphire-QHD1 conferencing solution will occur at Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center in Connecticut, with updates of existing IDSS systems at other leading medical institutions to follow shortly thereafter.