Business News Holding

Category: voip

  • Carrier VoIP Continues to Transform Mobile/Fixed Networks

    Synergy Research Group released their newest report „Carrier VoIP Q4 2009 and YE 2009 market shares” that shows that the worldwide market for Carrier VoIP totaled just over $10 billion for the full year 2009.

    Year over year, the market fell 18 percent; significantly less than drops measured in other Telecom and IT equipment markets.

    The biggest drivers for Carrier VoIP traditionally have been migrating aging TDM PSTN switches to VoIP platforms. In the last 24 months further growth has been added with Mobile Operators pursuing the Capex and OpEx advantages of IP as did the Wireline networks before it.

    According to Synergy, mobile deployments for Carrier VoIP have made a serious impact on market sizes and market players for the VoIP Media

    “Gateway market. Over the last 2 years the changes have been dramatic and change continues with GENBAND’s impending acquisition of Nortel’s CVAS group. The move by GENBAND will garner a market share position twice that of their nearest competitor,” say analysts.

    Synergy believes that IMS will have a strong impact on the Carrier VoIP market over the coming years. In 2009, it was clear that IMS made its mark as a highly viable and transformational service delivery platform for both fixed line and mobile carriers. One such marquee IMS example is AT&T’s U-Verse network where they have added over 1 Million IMS VoIP subscribers in the last 12 months.

    "Although IMS has been around for a number of years, it clearly showed its potential in 2009," said Jeremy Duke, Principal Analyst and Founder, Synergy Research Group.

    "Synergy believes 2010 will show more IMS market development with increased deployments and continued industry cooperation such as that seen with the One Voice Initiative."

    Another growing area being tracked by Synergy includes the GGSN/SGSN and PDN equipment markets. Synergy says that with Smart Phone usage increasing, a tidal wave of data and video traffic is building that will force mobile operators to make large investments to contend with the change in traffic.

    “We anticipate seeing more vendor activity here as vendors jockey to position themselves to take advantage of this network investment — as seen with Cisco acquiring Starent in late 2009,” says Synergy.

  • MWC 2010: Interview with Rodrigue Ullens, CEO of Voxbone

    In a cozy booth at Mobile World Congress we found Rod Ullens, Co-founder and CEO of Voxbone, a VoIP carrier providing a centralized access to local phone numbers and toll-free numbers around the world.

    Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, they run a VoIP backbone distributed around multiple POP’s with three aggregation superPOP’s in Belgium, New York and Hong Kong.

    The company provides local and toll-free numbers from 48 countries and more than 4,000 cities to carriers, ITSPs and call-centers worldwide. Calls are collected locally and forwarded over IP to the customer’s equipment. Ordering, provisioning and configuration are done in realtime using a web-portal or a free API. Local number portability is supported in 15 countries.

    Watch the interview with Rod to find out what are the competitive advantages of Voxbone’s innovative VoIP solutions.

  • Volantis Enables Mobile Internet Access on More than 7,000 Devices

    Volantis announced that it has passed the milestone of 7,000 handsets for its mobile device information library, making it the most comprehensive device library available on the market.

    The HTC Legend, Samsung Wave and Sony Ericsson X10 mini pro are some of the most recently announced devices that have already been added to the Volantis device repository.

    The number of supported attributes and characteristics variables has also increased, from 650 up to 750 per device.

    Recent figures from the Volantis Mobile Internet Attitudes Report 2010 reveal that more than one in ten adults in the UK and the US are now accessing the mobile internet more than once a day, with another one in five accessing it at least monthly.

    With this level of adoption set only to increase, the appetite for mobile internet services that can react and adapt to the changing device landscape will result in significant opportunities for mobile operators in both the established and emerging markets.

    The Volantis mobile device information library is used by operators, systems integrators and developers to offer mobile internet and application experiences to consumers around the world, regardless of their handset or mobile device.

    According to the company, with the Volantis platform, developers can target a “next-generation user experience for high-end mobile devices,” whilst maintaining “best-fit experiences for lower tier and legacy devices without compromise.”

    For operators, this reduces exposure to commoditizing voice and SMS revenues by increasing data plan adoption from consumers across any device in their portfolio.

    "The mobile handset market has been greatly impacted by the recent surge in popularity of smartphones," commented Mark Watson, CEO of Volantis.

    "As a result, operators and content providers have to adapt and future-proof their service offerings for subscribers and keep pace with the speed with which these high-end, increasingly complex devices are launched," he added.

  • GIPS Enables Video Conferencing with HD Voice to iPhone Developers

    Global IP Solutions announced the availability of video chat technology for iPhone developers to incorporate video conferencing/video chat into their mobile applications.

    According to the company, with GIPS VideoEngine Mobile, iPhone developers can rapidly integrate high quality real-time video chat or multi-point video conferencing into iPhone applications that resolves the issues related to IP networks such as delay, jitter and echo.

    “iPhone developers are at the forefront of cutting-edge mobile applications, and with such fierce competition, it’s incredibly important to offer consumers a robust application that delivers a great quality experience,” said Joyce Kim, GIPS’ Chief Marketing Officer.

    Ira Weinstein, analyst and partner at Wainhouse Research, said “GIPS VideoEngine allows application developers to support two-way video chat on a variety of IP devices.”

    The addition of iPhone support to the GIPS stable of products allows solution providers and mobile carriers to provide videoconferencing, including one-way video and two-way synchronized audio, to an even larger audience.

    As iPhone market share continues to grow rapidly with more than three billion application downloads in nearly 80 countries, application developers can rapidly build and deploy video chat applications that overcome typical mobile constraints such as packet loss, bandwidth constraints, background noise and lip synchronization.

  • 8×8 Announces Voice over 3G Update to its iPhone App

    8×8 announced that an update to its Virtual Office Mobile application which supports business voice services over 3G is now available in the Apple iTunes app store for iPhone and iPod Touch models.

    The update to the 8×8 software application follows Apple’s recent removal of restrictions preventing VoIP applications from running on 3G networks.

    Originally released as a service which required access to a Wi Fi network connection, the new 8×8’s release enables the subscribers to utilize their business phone number or extension and service remotely from within any 3G coverage area or Wi Fi zone.

    8×8 Virtual Office Mobile extends the functionality of any Virtual Office extension to the iPhone or iPod Touch platforms to enable mobile access to the features, functionality of the 8×8 Virtual Office hosted PBX phone service, including unlimited inbound and outbound domestic calling as well as overseas calling.

    "We are pleased to be one of the first VoIP service providers to offer iPhone users an opportunity to experience the capabilities and cost savings of our hosted PBX platform from any 3G footprint, which is transforming the way businesses of all sizes are managing their day to day communications," said 8×8 Chairman & CEO Bryan Martin.

    8×8 Virtual Office Mobile is available as a free download in the App Store and can be added to existing 8×8 Virtual Office service plans for $4.99 per extension per month.

    The application is also available as a bundled service in 8×8’s recently announced 8×8 Virtual Office Pro Unified Communications solution which is available to existing Virtual Office unlimited, metered or global extension subscribers for an additional $20 per extension per month.

    Related articles
    More and More iPhone Apps Support VoIP over 3G

  • VoIP Penetration Forecast to Reach 79% of US Businesses by 2013

    VoIP penetration among US businesses will increase rapidly over the next few years, reaching 79% by 2013, compared to 42% at the end of 2009, reports In-Stat. This penetration reflects companies having a VoIP solution deployed in at least one location.

    “VoIP adopters have a good understanding of the cost savings associated with VoIP, and have oriented their limited budgets to optimizing efficiency and savings by replacing legacy TDM voice solutions,” says David Lemelin, In-Stat analyst.

    “With businesses opening up fewer new locations than we have seen in recent years, much of this current investment is occurring at headquarters locations where efficiencies and savings can be maximized.”

    The research shows that hosted IP Centrex has now surpassed Broadband IP Telephony as the leading revenue-generating, carrier-based business VoIP solution.

    33% of businesses that have already deployed VoIP solutions report that recent economic conditions have caused them to slow additional deployment plans, compared to 30% reporting no change in plans.

    According to the report, broadband IP Telephony revenues continue to grow and will more than double by 2013, compared to 2008. This growth will be fueled by single-user applications among increasingly distributed and mobile workforces.

    In-Stat states that growth in the business IP market has tremendous potential to disrupt the traditional telephone industry on multiple levels.

    “Service providers, equipment manufacturers and systems integrators are increasingly offering different types of business VoIP solutions. IT managers and C-level executives recognize the cost savings and flexibility that VoIP solutions can bring to their businesses, but issues remain before comprehensive adoption takes place, such as security, integration and end-user transparency,” says the research group.

    Analysts also say business adoption of IP communications will also be influenced by how companies integrate other communications functionalities, such as wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi and WiMAX, IM, and video applications.

    Related articles
    VoIP Investment Remains Strong, IP Line Penetration Rose to 40% in Q3
    Report: Worldwide VoIP Market Grew to $20.7 Billion; Strong Demand Continues

  • More and More iPhone Apps Support VoIP over 3G

    It came out of nothing. Releasing a new version of iPhone SDK last week (along with the reveal of the iPad) Apple lifted 3G VoIP restrictions on the iPhone. Since then VoIP calls are not only available over Wi-Fi but also over cellular networks. 

    VoIP on the iPhone has been the source of many debates with companies such as Google being denied access to the platform and the FCC inquiring as to the restrictions in the Apple App Store. Apple didn’t want to allow the applications offering VoIP over 3G networks to operate on the iPhone platform.

    Everything changed last Wednesday. iCall was the first to announce that its iPhone and iPod touch app now supports VoIP over 3G and the app was available to download immediately. Confirmations of the great functionality of the iCall application came from various sources.

    "I applaud Apple’s decision! This heralds a new era for VoIP applications on mobile platforms,” said iCall CEO Arlo Gilbert.

    The next day both Fring and Acrobits added the ability to make calls over 3G to their iPhone applications. Fring quickly announced first free video calls over 3G, while Acrobits proudly announced that since its Push Notification service allows to receive calls when the softphone is closed, users can receive calls anywhere they have a 3G connection.

    On Monday, Agito, the company delivering solutions in enterprise mobility, announced enterprise VoIP over 3G. Its Global Enterprise solution enables enterprise business calls and UC applications – such as IM and presence – to use a smartphone’s low-cost 3G internet data connection and WiFi, in addition to the cellular network, to reduce international cellular charges

    Agito’s product is compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and some Blackberry and Nokia devices as well.

    Finally, yestarday, Media5 announced that its Media5-fone application for the iPhone/iPod touch is VoIP over 3G ready. The company has applied to Apple to activate the VoIP over 3G feature for the Media5-fone Lite Edition. The application is expected to be approved within 1-2 weeks.

    Other main VoIP developers still haven’t upgraded their iPhone apps.

  • Verizon Business Offers New VoIP Contact Solution

    Verizon claims many consumers prefer to call a local business near them, even if their queries can sometimes be more effectively handled through a business’ central contact center.

    “With a new voice-over-Internet protocol offering from Verizon, however, businesses can maintain a consistent local face while directing overflow calls, as needed, to off-site customer service representatives or other retail locations,” says Verizon.

    The new offering, Verizon VoIP Inbound with Local Originations, provides a local phone number with call manager functionality traditionally used for toll-free phone numbers.

    According to the company, this capability enables local representatives in, for example, a neighborhood retail store or bank branch, to better focus on the customers in front of them by removing the need to juggle multiple incoming calls.

    "This innovative solution lets a business keep its local presence while more quickly serving call-in and walk-in customers alike," said Tony Recine, vice president of network and communications solutions for Verizon.

    "What’s more, this capability enables multiple agents to simultaneously address multiple customers, potentially driving additional revenue."

    A cost-efficient alternative to remote call forwarding, the new service integrates with Verizon IP Interactive Voice Response (IVR) offerings and can deliver customer calls to either traditional or IP-based contact centers.

    Verizon’s IP Contact Center is a portfolio of interaction services that includes VoIP Inbound and IP IVR. This network-based portfolio provides VoIP conversion in the network for reliable termination to SIP devices.

    These products help customers attain efficiency gains associated with IP such as compression and dynamic bandwidth allocation, as the company claims.

    Verizon says a smooth migration extends the capabilities of the legacy Toll Free network. The customers continue to dial an 8XX number (TDM) but the Network Gateway converts the Toll Free call into VoIP and allows for termination over standard access methods such as Internet Dedicated Access and Private IP.

  • snom Makes Broadcasts Possible From VoIP Phone

    snom, a developer and manufacturer of IP phones, has developed a new audio device that will allow SIP-based VoIP telephones to be used as an extension of any public address system.

    The PA1 is an audio control system that augments the SIP-based PBX. It has a built-in four-watt amplifier that can provide enough volume to fill large rooms and open spaces with sound using easily connected external speakers. Headset connection is also possible through two 3.5mm jacks.

    According to the company, the device is ideal for broadcasting announcements or playing music, can be used anywhere from reception areas to airports reducing the costs associated with this type of system

    The PA1 can link with all SIP-based VoIP telephones and business IP PBX platforms.

    It can be power-fed either via conventional power supply unit connection or through Power-over- Ethernet (PoE). The specific addressing of individual snom PA1 control systems can be centrally configured via the device’s web interface.

    Aside of the leading SIP protocol, the snom PA1 can also be addressed via Multicast, thus enabling one transmitter to simultaneously address many receivers.

    The device can also be linked to any existing installed public address loudspeakers.

    “Even across a network of 100 metres of cabling, there is no reduction in sound quality,” said Nelly Monkhouse, Sales Manager at snom.

    The PA1 will be unveiled at CeBIT in March in Hanover, Germany.

  • Truphone Brings Wi-Fi Calling to Nexus One

    After releasing VoIP enabled Truphone for Android earlier this month, Truphone today announced that it has updated the application to operate on Nexus One, which makes the company the first to provide Wi-Fi calling on Google’s device.

    In addition to compatibility with the Nexus One, the update (version 3.0.2), ensures compatibility with the T-Mobile Pulse, meaning that Truphone is now Wi-Fi compatible with a total of five Android devices (Nexus One, Puls, HTC G1, HTC Magic and HTC Hero). Compatibility with Motorola Droid is supposed to come soon.

    The Truphone for Android integrates a full VoIP engine allowing users to make free calls to Truphone, Google Talk and Skype users when both parties are in Wi-Fi, in addition to low cost calls to landlines and mobiles around the world whether they are in or out of Wi-Fi.

    It also includes fully integrated multi-headed Instant Messaging support for Skype, Google Talk, AIM, Yahoo! and MSN customers.

    The application builds on the company’s previous release which allowed customers to make low cost calls on their mobiles when out of Wi-Fi. When out of Wi-Fi, the application works by making a local GSM call to the Truphone gateway (if a customer has a bundled package of minutes this call is often free, otherwise is charged as a ‘local call’), from where the call is then routed over the Truphone network.

    Calls can be made outside of Wi-Fi using Truphone Anywhere in 33 countries around the world.

    The application is available now as a free download in the Android Market.