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Category: voip

  • IPsmarx Partners with snom to Deliver VoIP Services for SMBs and Global Enterprises

    snom announced that IPsmarx, maker of the IPsmarx’s Multi-Tenant IP-PBX Platform, has joined snom’s partner program as an Advanced Technology Partner.

    According to snom, after rigorous testing and evaluation in both companies’ respective labs, IPsmarx’s platform achieved full certification as tested and is interoperable with snom’s full line of SIP-based desktop IP phones.

    The company claims thet the combination of snom’s advanced desktop phones with IPsmarx’s IP-PBX provides service providers who cater to small and medium sized businesses, as well as larger global enterprise businesses, “a complete and affordable advanced IP telephony system.”

    Becoming an advanced interoperability technology partner gives IPsmarx customers the ability to use snom’s portfolio of advanced SIP-based desktop phones with the international company’s multi-tenant IP-PBX, which includes integrated billing, call routing, and e-commerce functionality in one unified solution.

     

    “A core philosophy of snom is to achieve broad interoperability with best of breed technology partners and this new relationship with IPsmarx continues the tradition,” said Dr. Michael Knieling, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Sales for snom.

    IPsmarx uniquely packages service applications, softswitch, billing, account management, and marketing capabilities for VoIP-based telephony services in a single integrated solution that supports both direct and indirect sales channels. This integrated applications server, softswitch and billing offers “reliable and scalable” delivery of VoIP business lines, SIP trunks and hosted IP-PBX services with low cost of ownership.

    In conjunction with snom endpoints, such as the snom 370, the integrated platform also includes VoIP telephony features such as line sharing, barge-in, listen-in, whisper mode, paging and automatic configuration, to name a few.

    Arash Vahidnia, CEO of IPsmarx, said: “As an affordable and interoperable end-to-end telephony system, the combination of snom and IPsmarx provides a very attractive unified communications solution to both SMBs and enterprise customers looking for an advanced telephony system.”

  • Acrobits Launches New Free Service for SIP Providers

    Acrobits has launched a new free service which allows SIP providers to appear on the list of pre-configured providers in Acrobits Softphone.

    Customers of pre-configured providers won’t have to go through the complexities of SIP account configuration, they only need to enter their username & password and they are ready to make calls.

    The company also informed that it has released the new 3.2.3 version of its Softphone.

    The latest update to Acrobits Softphone features some minor bug fixes and configurable packet size for codecs.

    Acrobits Softphone 3.2.3 is already available on the App Store.

    Acrobits Softphone, the SIP VoIP phone for the iPhone and iPod Touch, is the flagship product of our company, which is also planning to support Symbian and Windows Mobile phones in the near future.

    Acrobits is already working on Softphone clients for other VoIP operators, including Gizmo5.

    “VoIP service is a highly competitive industry and VoIP usage on mobile devices, especially the iPhone, will play a large part in deciding who tomorrow’s leading VoIP providers are,” says Acrobits.

    Related articles
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  • IPsmarx Adds German IVR to Its Calling Card Solution

    IPsmarx announced that it has added German IVR (Interactive Voice Response) language as an option to its Calling Card Platform, making 13 total IVR language options to choose from.

    Because the IPsmarx solutions are SIP Based, Calling Card Operators and Pinless Service Providers can offer their services worldwide, without having to install costly hardware and landlines in each country of operation.

    With the addition of the German IVR language license, IPsmarx’ client base, which consists of hundreds of VoIP service providers, can now offer their services in Germany and to German speaking callers worldwide.

    The IVR languages IPsmarx offers include:

    • German
    • English
    • British English
    • American English
    • Spanish
    • Korean
    • Mandarin
    • Cantonese
    • Greek
    • Albanian
    • French
    • Farsi
    • Hindi

    “Multiple IVR languages can be added to the IPsmarx platform, giving end users the flexibility to choose the language they prefer to hear when using a calling service and enabling service providers to expand internationally,” according to the company.

    IPsmarx SIP Based Calling Card Platform was named our “Product of the Year Award” in 2008 and 2009.

    Related articles
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  • Elektrobit Delivers Its VoIP Solutions to Finnish Army

    Elektrobit has announced that its EB Tough VoIP system has been delivered to the Finnish Army, who will commence a series of field trials on the system during 2010 to evaluate its performance in varying military scenarios.

    EB Tough VoIP will operate under demanding environmental conditions for the Army branch of the Finnish Defence Forces. It will work with the Finnish Army on various testing phases throughout this year “in order to ensure proper usage and meet system requirements.”

    “With new components such as broadband data communications, enhanced voice over IP services, and advanced functions designed specifically for ground forces, the system provides significant levels of increased performance and operational capabilities,” as the company claims.

    EB Tough VoIP can be used as a stand-alone system or the solution units EB Tough VoIP Terminal and the EB Tough VoIP Network Extender can be integrated to a customers’ existing communications infrastructure. According to the company, the products can be leveraged in many ways, including:

    • Rugged and secure VoIP clients for military communications
    • Radio over IP clients
    • Tactical data radio environment
    • Demanding environments where limitations in communications can greatly affect operational capabilities

    The EB Tough VoIP Terminal can be used with application specific headsets and handsets that are commonly used with tactical radio or digital field telephony equipment.

    The EB Network Extender is an integrated unit that provides the functionalities of a VoIP terminal, Ethernet switch and multi-channel SHDSL (Single-Pair High-speed Digital Subscriber Line) modem and it can be used to provide broadband wired connectivity, and VoIP services to the field, in LAN or WAN configuration.

    "EB Tough VoIP was designed to fulfill the communications needs of military units, and we continue to strive towards achieving that goal," said Mikko Viitaniemi, senior manager, Defense Products, Wireless Solutions at EB

  • Voice Monitoring Solution Now Available In Middle East

    VOIPFUTURE, a vendor of voice monitoring solutions for the connection quality in IP networks, has partnered with GMS VOIPMONSTER, a Dubai-based provider of telecom and IP consultancy, VoIP system integration and IP provisioning — the partnership includes the sales and services of the monitoring solution in the region.

    VOIPFUTURE specializes in VoIP monitoring and test equipment. Their solution enables communication service providers to monitor the quality of voice traffic crossing their IP networks, and use the data to troubleshoot problems, optimize the performance of their networks, and document the quality of individual call minutes exchanged between peering partners.

    The technology of VOIPFUTURE is based on its own unique speech recognition algorithm which delivers precise information on the voice quality within a telephone conversation and on the service quality status for an entire network.

    The company’s Smart RTP Monitoring Probes are passive, non-intrusive measurement devices located at demarcation points in the network, such as SBCs, gateways or peering points. According to VOIPFUTURE, the integrated solution for network optimization, SLA verification and troubleshooting shows superior performance for full line rate analysis at 1 Gbit/s.

    “The integration of this unique monitoring solution in our portfolio, allows us to offer our customers an effective tool for monitoring their voice services and network infrastructure. It will strengthen the existing VoIP networks and optimize the new ones” stated Reza Mamati, CEO of GMS VOIPMONSTER.

    George Lunguran, Sales Director at VOIPFUTURE said the company were very delighted to expand their work in the fast growing Middle East VoIP market. “This partnership offers strong support for our business,” he added.

    Related articles
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  • Skype 2.0 Brings 3G Calling to the iPhone

    A long after its competitors had brought 3G VoIP calling to the iPhone, Skype has finally announced the launch of the new version of its iPhone app that allows to make and receive Skype-to-Skype calls, and to call mobiles and landlines over 3G data connection.

    The company informed that Skype-to-Skype calls on 3G will be free for a trial period which will run until the end of 2010. Details of pricing will be announced in the coming months. Skype-to-Skype calls over WiFi will still remain free.

    Russ Shaw, General Manager for Mobile at Skype said that using Skype on 3G “has been the number one request among our iPhone customers”.

    According to the company, additional new features of the Skype for iPhone application include:

    • Near CD-quality sound for Skype-to-Skype calls using wideband audio on iPhone 3GS or 2nd generation iPod touch and onwards.
    • Enhanced call quality indicator, which will help customers choose the best moment to call.
    • Improved start-up time
    • Rapid access to the dial pad from the home screen

    Unfortunately, the app doesn’t support Bluetooth audio and call waiting.

    The new version is compatible with the iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPod touch and iPad. Skype requires iPhone OS version 3.0 and above.

    Calling functionality is available on iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and 2nd generation iPod touch onwards. iPod touch requires a compatible headset with a microphone.

    Related articles
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  • fring Gives Android Users the 1st Mobile 2-Way Video Calls

    fring just announced the release of the world’s first mobile video calls over internet on Android devices.

    “Now we know iPhone will push video calling with its new 2-camera phone. But before they do, fring is launching today 2-way video calling over IP, across a whole host of Android devices – old and new,” said Gil Regev, Director of Marketing Communications at fring.

    According to recent NPD’s wireless market research, the Android OS continued to shake up the U.S. mobile phone market in the Q1 of 2010, moving past Apple to take the number-two position among smartphone operating systems.

    Android device owners now join Nokia (Symbian S60) and iPhone/iPod touch users who are already making free mobile video over internet calls with fring.

    Regev said fring believes that mobile video calling will change the way people call and communicate with each other. “It will impact the way they shop or kiss their kids goodnight from the road,” he added.

    According to Avi Shechter, fring’s Co-Founder and CEO, the demand for this feature has been “overwhelming”.


    Related articles
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  • Verizon VoIP Services Show Strong Growth at 10-Year Mark

    Verizon Global Wholesale‘s VoIP minutes of use grew more than 200 percent in 2009, compared with the previous year. This trend continues a growth trajectory that began with the launch of Verizon’s VoIP portfolio in 2000, as the company informed.

    "Since we launched our VoIP portfolio 10 years ago, we’ve seen steady growth reflecting customer desire for reliable, cost-effective IP voice services," said Mike Millegan, president of Verizon Global Wholesale.

    "And, as this market grows, we continue to add new VoIP services while enhancing our existing portfolio."

    As VoIP services become widely accepted, new applications such as high-velocity, short-duration calling systems used by call centers and mass notification systems find VoIP to be the platform of choice.

    Verizon informed that new VoIP enhancements planned for 2010 include the deployment of more robust VoIP network interfaces in Europe.

    Other VoIP features planned in 2010 are support of Caller-Provided CLI (Caller Line Identity) and greater integration into customer portals. In high demand by wholesale customers that support call centers, Caller-Provided CLI is a caller ID feature that allows a main phone number to appear as the called ID even when a call is made from an extension, branch office, or home-based agent. This feature allows businesses that have staff at more than one office to present a more uniform presence when communicating with their customers.

    Verizon also says that by the end of the year, wholesale customers outside the U.S. should have the ability to "go green" by electronically accessing their call detail records and directly downloading their monthly invoices – as opposed to receiving paper invoices.

    Verizon has a base of more than 700 wholesale VoIP customers. Recent company’s enhancements to the wholesale VoIP service portfolio include adding IP capabilities to Advanced Toll Free Service and enhancing security options with IP Security Tunnel.

    Related articles
    Verizon Boosts Functionality and Security for Selected VoIP Services
    Skype Mobile for Verizon Wireless Now Available
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  • Ooma Bluetooth Adapter Integrates Mobile and Home Phones

    Ooma has released the Ooma Bluetooth Adapter that allows Ooma Telo Premier subscribers further integration of their mobile phones with their home phone systems.

    This handy little device allows customers to pair their Telo systems with compatible, Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and headsets, letting users answer inbound mobile phone calls on any home phone connected to an Ooma Telo. Also, the customers that are using the Telo handset can transfer their call to their Bluetooth headset and be hands-free.

    “Now, customers at home can plug their cell phone in for charging and experience the convenience and quality of answering their mobile calls throughout their home on their home phone system,” according to the company.

    The device enables to use Bluetooth earpiece to talk on the home phone – with up to 30 feet of transmission range. It also enables to pair up to 7 mobile phones or Bluetooth headsets.

    "Ooma is bringing together the functionality of smart phones and the home phone for a simplified user experience," said Tami Bhaumik, Vice President of Corporate Marketing at Ooma.

    "Today’s announcement further demonstrates the power of the Ooma Telo, by integrating the mobile phone into the home phone via Bluetooth technology, offering our customers both money and time savings," he added.

  • Mobile VoIP Becomes a Threat to Tradicional Voice Revenues

    Mobile VoIP is no longer just hype, but has become a credible threat to traditional voice revenues, says Frost & Sullivan.

    According to the research group, considering, that this is only a matter of time when IP becomes the principal transport for various access technologies, an ambitious group of mobile VoIP start-up companies are creating a paradigm shift in the way users communicate with each other, with voice services moving to a true internet era of Telco 2.0.

    New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Impact of Mobile VoIP on Next Generation Cellular Networks, finds that at the end of 2008, approximately $605.8 million of mobile VoIP revenues were generated in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America. This is expected to grow to $29.57 billion by 2015.

    The technologies covered in this research service are high-speed packet access (HSPA), third-generation long-term evolution (3G LTE), global system of mobile communications (GSM), IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), HSPA+, general packet radio service (GPRS), voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and session initiation protocol (SIP).

    "The emergence of flat rate mobile data pricing, positive growth of smartphone shipments, and high-speed mobile broadband availability has spurred the adoption rate of mobile VoIP," saiid Frost & Sullivan Senior Industry Analyst Saverio Romeo.

    He added that mobile operators realise they can no longer ignore the fact that mobile will be a key component of integrated IP-based communications and next generation wireless technologies such as HSPA+ and LTE.

    According to the report, significant traction in the application space, primarily driven by the success of the iPhone, has resulted in several smartphone vendors making provisions in their applications stores for users to download and use third-party VoIP clients over both wireless fidelity (WiFi) and cellular broadband networks.

    “However –the report continues– many cellular operators have prohibited the use of mobile VoIP over their cellular networks, with some imposing a surcharge to avoid cannibalisation of their circuit-switched voice revenue streams. Moreover, cellular operators face intense competition from the more popular Web-based VoIP alternatives that are permeating the mass market.”

    Romeo claims that despite user demand for cost-effective services, some mobile operators will continue to discourage mobile subscribers from using VoIP over cellular networks and suggest that it will not provide the same quality, efficiency and reliability of services offered by the GSM network.

    "Recent surveys indicate that nearly 60 to 70 per cent of the major European mobile operators prohibit or restrict the usage of VoIP over their popular mobile broadband data plans," he said.

    Analysts say that mobile operators should eventually do away with imposing bans or surcharges to their mobile broadband packages to support mobile VoIP, as the client devices supporting HSPA+ and LTE will be based on open platforms and support SIP for third-party applications.

    "When the operators migrate to an all-IP IMS network, they should drive innovative services such as multimedia telephony, high definition voice, integrating voice with context-based information about the user, and the device from a converged presence-enabled address book," concludes Romeo. "This will enable them to differentiate their services from mobile VoIP start-ups."

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