Business News Holding

Category: voip

  • JAJAH Brings SIP Trunking Services to the Enterprise

    JAJAH, the IP communications company, is working with Microsoft to provide SIP Trunking services to Microsoft enterprise customers globally. According to the firm this will allow companies to make high quality voice calls over JAJAH’s IP Platform in the cloud, without requiring an infrastructure upgrade.

    Enterprises using Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 can now connect directly with JAJAH’s global carrier-grade IP network to make high quality voice calls.

    The company says that in addition to the ‘significant’ cost-benefits, JAJAH’s extensive range of calling solutions integrate seamlessly into the enterprise, so voice calls can be made from computers and landlines.

    JAJAH’s SIP Trunking services connect phone calls from computers, IP-phones and mobile phones to virtually any device in the world.

    SIP Trunking is the delivery mechanism that underpins unified communications, providing the function of connecting an organization’s PBX(s) to the necessary service providers. In doing so, it ensures phone calls and other IP-based communications originating from an employees’ phone or computer are connected to the destination.

    "The combination of JAJAH and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 gives enterprises a powerful and rich external telephony solution," said Warren Barkley, Microsoft Senior Director Unified Communications.

    "Enterprises across the world can implement VoIP and unified communication easily and cost effectively with Microsoft and JAJAH," added JAJAH CEO Trevor Healy.

  • Apple Explains the Removal of Google Voice from App Store

    Not long after Apple removed the official Google Voice application and any other applications that use Google Voice functionality from its iPhone App Store, the Federal Communications Commission has asked both Apple and AT&T to clarify the reasons of the removal.

    The companies just answered FCC and published their statements.

    A bit surprisingly, Apple stated that the company has not rejected the Google Voice application, and continues to study it.

    As they explain, “the application has not been approved because, as submitted for review, it appears to alter the iPhone’s distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone’s core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail.”

    Apple seems to be concerned also about the proper data protection: “When using Google Voice the iPhone user’s entire Contacts database is transferred to Google’s servers, and we have yet to obtain any assurances from Google that this data will only be used in appropriate ways.”

    The company gives the examples of other applications that have also fall into this category.

    Answering the question if Apple did act alone, or in consultation with AT&T, in deciding to reject the Google Voice application, the firm assures that it is acting alone and has not consulted with AT&T about whether or not to approve the Google Voice application.

    “No contractual conditions or non-contractual understandings with AT&T have been a factor in Apple’s decision-making process in this matter,” the statement says.

    “Let me state unequivocally, AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application for inclusion in the Apple App Store. AT&T was not asked about the matter by Apple at any time, nor did we offer any view one way or the other,” said Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president, external and legislative affairs.

    “AT&T does not block consumers from accessing any lawful website on the Internet. Consumers can download or launch a multitude of compatible applications directly from the Internet, including Google Voice, through any web-enabled wireless device. As a result, any AT&T customer may access and use Google Voice on any web-enabled device operating on AT&T’s network, including the iPhone, by launching the application through their web browser, without the need to use the Apple App Store,” says the company’s statement.

    Apple reminds that “there is a provision in Apple’s agreement with AT&T that obligates Apple not to include functionality in any Apple phone that enables a customer to use AT&T’s cellular network service to originate or terminate a VoIP session without obtaining AT&T’s permission.”

    For example, AT&T’s Terms of Service prohibit an AT&T customer from using AT&T’s cellular service to redirect a TV signal to an iPhone.

    “From time to time, AT&T has expressed concerns regarding network efficiency and potential network congestion associated with certain applications, and Apple takes such concerns into consideration,” Apple says.

    Asked to explain any differences between the Google Voice iPhone application and any VoIP applications that Apple has approved for the iPhone, the company answered that it does not know if there is a VoIP element in the way the Google Voice application routes calls and messages, and whether VoIP technology is used over the 3G network by the application.

    They also assured that they had never approved any application that works over AT&T’s 3G network.

  • Fixed-Line VoIP Service as a Mainstay of IMS Deployments

    Communications market research firm Infonetics Research released results from its IMS Plans: Global Service Provider Survey, published last week as part of its Service Provider VoIP and IMS Continuous Research Service.

    The survey provides a strategic overview of service provider IMS network plans, service offerings, core product features and capabilities, drivers and barriers to deploying IMS, and ratings of 10 IMS vendors: Acme Packet, Alcatel-Lucent, BroadSoft, Cisco, Ericsson, HP, Huawei, Nokia Siemens Networks, Sonus, and ZTE.

    The research shows that the IMS market is advancing from early-stage services to the next phase. According to Diane Mayers, Infonetics’ Directing Analyst for Service Provider VoIP and IMS, the two most important indicators are:
    • the higher number of service providers planning to offer services beyond fixed-line voice—such as video and mobile services—by 2011;
    • the shift in IMS deployment drivers, which include the opportunity to offer converged services, deploy new applications and services, and consolidate networks.

    80% of Infonetics’ service provider respondents run fixed voice over IMS today or will by 2011, making fixed-line VoIP service the current mainstay of IMS deployments.

    More than half of the service provider respondents plan to deploy video telephony and converged mobile/fixed-line services over the next 12–18 months.

    The report also unveils that the top three IMS applications operators expect to offer over the next two years are mobile-related: FMC, mobile presence, and mobile messaging.

    "On the vendor front, Ericsson continues to be the leading IMS vendor, but Huawei has made the most progress in terms of deployments and vendor perceptions. Huawei poses a credible and serious threat to Ericsson, Alcatel-Lucent, and Nokia Siemens based on the number of providers with Huawei IMS products under evaluation, and overall perception of Huawei across a broad set of criteria," said Myers.

  • O2 Germany Clears the Way for VoIP on the Mobile Phone

    Telefónica O2 Germany opens mobile telecommunications network for Voice-over-IP services. From today, all O2 customers in Germany can use mobile internet telephony services like Skype or Fring with the current internet packs from O2. Using VoIP services will not be extra charged.

    By opening its HSPA network for VoIP use, O2 Germany becomes one of the first traditional telecom operators worldwide which allows its customers using voip-based services and the first that doesn’t charge any further fees for doing this.

    "We operate one of the most modern and most rapid mobile data networks in Europe and our customers are to experience it without limitations, no matter whether they surf, email, use instant messaging or make phone calls", says Lutz Schüler, Managing Director Marketing & Sales of Telefónica O2 Germany.

    Earlier this summer T-Mobile announced that it is to end its ban on mobile VoIP applications within its German network – but will charge customers upwards of € 9.95 per month for the service. Vodafone Germany is also to introduce VoIP tariffs later this year.

    O2 offers the customers two mobile internet flat rates: Internet Pack M that allows surfing the internet at a volume of up to 200 MB and up to HSDPA speed for € 10/month and Internet Pack L with the full speed to 5GB for € 25/month.

    "By opening our mobile high-speed network for VoIP services, we set new standards in the area of the mobile internet," added Schüler.

    In Germany, the mobile data network of O2 reaches almost 100 percent of the population. Large parts of Germany are supplied with HSDPA at speeds of up to 7.2 MBit/s and the rapid upload technology HSUPA.

  • InterAct First to Validate Next Generation 9-1-1 Architecture

    InterAct, a provider of software for enterprises and government agencies, announced the successful integration with proposed Next Generation 9-1-1 architecture.

    The company is one of the first two nationwide U.S. vendors to achieve this integration. It is also the only provider to completely process end-to-end NG9-1-1 calls from the caller to the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) and Geographic Information mapping systems (GIS) using nothing but IP connections.

    At NENA’s 2009 conference, InterAct showcased its ability to route wireless 9-1-1 calls into the DOT public safety test system and instantly deliver all data associated with the call to a full dispatch position without the use of legacy tone-based caller identification or serial subscriber lookup.

    A wireless 9-1-1 call placed from the NENA 2009 Conference in Ft. Worth, Texas was immediately routed through InterAct’s Next Generation IP-enabled 9-1-1 controller in Ottawa, Canada back to a call-taker position in Ft. Worth. Simultaneously, the automatic location information (ALI) was sent from the controller to an InterActCADtng server in Winston-Salem, NC and transmitted over a low bandwidth wireless network using an air card to a dispatch position in Ft. Worth where the caller location was plotted on the InterActGIS map display, and a call created in the InterActCADtng workstation. With this accomplishment, InterAct demonstrated that it is possible to dispatch incident response personnel from anywhere in the world.

    “9-1-1 centers have a dire need for Next Generation capabilities,” said Brian Fontes, CEO of NENA. “Regardless of whether a caller dials 9-1-1 from a wired, voice-over-IP or wireless phone, the location information should be instantly transmitted to the correct public safety answering point. Next Generation 9-1-1 makes this possible and enables the PSAP to receive and react to multimedia messages that cannot be handled by the current system”.

    Using NG 9-1-1 technology not only will agencies be able to communicate with citizens via text and video messages, but they can also choose to centralize all public safety equipment to drive down costs and collaborate with other agencies, while keeping dispatchers in the local communities they know best.

  • xMax Offers Alternative Path for VoIP Across Mobile Networks

    Resistance by wireless carriers to allowing customers access to VoIP services across their mobile networks has attracted the attention of the regulators, with the US Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission and the European Union all looking into the practice.

    xG Technology claims they had developed an alternative path that allows consumers to benefit from much lower cost mobile calls via the internet, avoiding the incumbent carriers’ networks all together.

    The company developed xMax, which is similar to Vonage or Skype, but in the form of a fully mobile handset that doesn’t require the use and extra cost of a computer or broadband internet connection.

    xG Technology claims they can offer consumers the prospect of lower phone bills because xMax transmits over unlicensed spectrum – the same as baby monitors and cordless phones and because xMax was built as a totally internet-based digital system from top to bottom in a extremely cost efficient way.

    The firm recently reported that they had completed more than 20,000 successful wireless pilot network calls using a new approach to mobile telecommunications.

    “There was understandable skepticism when we first announced that we were taking an entirely new approach to launching a mobile, broadband VoIP network,” said Joe Bobier, CTO and president of operations. “Our successful call completion experience proves that we are on the right track and that, with xMax, the future holds the prospect of lower costs for wireless voice and broadband”.

    According to the company, xMax networks can enable communication providers to aggressively compete with national carriers by offering customers unlimited voice and data plans both locally and long distance, extremely low-cost international calling, no contracts, as well as home phone and high-speed internet service.

    xG Technology is a US based company, but development of xMax is an international effort that involves companies in Europe and Asia. They currently have 50 US and 101 international patents.

  • Paradial to Deliver Firewall NAT Traversal Solution to Major Asian Telecom Operator

    Paradial, an IP-communications software developer, has signed an agreement with a major Asian telecom operator, a comprehensive provider of communications services in the region.

    The licensing agreement covers Paradial’s RealTunnel standards-based firewall and NAT traversal product, which includes STUN, TURN and ICE support.

    The RealTunnel is designed for solving the connectivity problem from the end user to the operator or ISP, often referred to as far-end NAT traversal.

    It is an open and SIP and H.323-compliant solution which makes SIP and H.323 clients work virtually with any firewall and network. It may be configured and setup as a VoIP SSL VPN. RealTunnel supports STUN, TURN, ICE, H.460 and other traversal technologies for SIP and H.323.

    It uses TCP to deliver the real-time characteristics usually supplied by RTP/UDP to audio and video communications applications.


     

    RealTunnel Firewall/NAT enables real-time audio and video communication applications across organizational and network boundaries, including the Internet and corporate intranets.

     

  • Proximity Communications Implements IP-ready Telephony for Nottinghamshire Healthcare

    Proximity Communications, provider of ICT services and solutions, announced it has completed the implementation of an IP-ready telephony solution for Nottinghamshire Healthcare, an NHS mental health and learning disability service provider.

    Deployed across 14 sites, the solution provides a single, resilient telephony platform, and incorporates a number of applications designed to reduce operational costs across the organisation, as well as improve productivity and collaboration within the workforce.

    The contract, which also includes 24/7 maintenance services to support the provision of round-the-clock emergency care, is designed to support Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s long-term transition to a fully converged IP network.

    Martin Harrison, telecoms project manager for Nottinghamshire Healthcare, explained that the company’s number one communications tool, telephony is essential for emergency scenarios and accessing medical expertise. “With many of our staff working in the field, we wanted our new system to help engender a greater sense of teamwork and collaboration,” he said.

    “Staff can quickly identify who’s working where; maintenance is handled at a central location; and, with applications such as auto-attendant, call handling is automated, helping to reduce costs and improve service delivery,” he added.

    Previously operating different telephony systems at each site, the newly networked platform is helping to reduce the complexity and cost of maintenance, and enhance patient care. As well as enabling staff to better share expertise, the central system is also helping the telecoms team to analyse and drive down the cost of lines and minutes across the organisation.

  • Tadiran Telecom Launches Next Generation Call Center Solution

    Tadiran Telecom, IP business telephony and communications supplier, announced the EMEA and APAC launch of the Composit Contact Pro (CCP), its next generation call center management solution for the Coral ACD call center.

    IP based CCP is the newest member of Tadiran’s call and contact center solutions. Once deployed, system supervisors are able use the CCP to monitor call quality and service in real-time with call center status information like:
     
    • number of calls and average wait time in queue,
    • available agents in relation to the TSF (Target Service Factor),
    • talk/handling time,
    • agents on private calls,
    • deviations from the TSF,
    • average time before abandonment


    "Improved efficiency and service has long been the cornerstone of the call center management market, and the CCP system addresses the changing needs of organizations in today’s competitive markets,” said Shmuel Golan, Acting Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

    CCP system managers can oversee performance and adherence to cost objectives by monitoring features such as the performance and activity of agents and groups, call distribution and traffic statistics as well as call results.

    Managers can also utilize web based historical reports (Business Object world-leading reporting tool) to analyze trends and patterns over a defined period of time, and use the information for strategic planning and follow up to ensure a positive customer experience.

    The CCP system will replace the legacy MIS system.
     

     

  • IPsmarx Technology with Encore Networks to Deliver Global SS7 Connectivity


     

    Encore Networks announced that IPsmarx Technology, VoIP solution provider, has selected Encore’s SP-201-Z Signaling Gateway to deliver C7 to ISDN protocol conversion and other VoIP based solutions to Long Distance carriers and global operators.

    The SP-201-Z is an advanced signaling gateway that facilitates out-of-band interoperability between incompatible voice networks, as well as providing interworking capabilities between legacy TDM voice networks and VoIP networks.

    IPsmarx is dedicated to delivering customer management and billing solutions for carriers, VoIP Calling Card Operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs). With locations throughout North America, IPsmarx provides Internet Telephony Service Providers (ITSPs) in 63 countries with fully integrated turnkey solutions to deploy and run applications like wholesale, residential VoIP, calling card, and termination. Encore joins other industry leading IPsmarx partners including Cisco and Quintum Technologies.

    “Many types of out-of-band signaling protocols exist globally while many countries have different protocols simultaneously in use within its networks,” said William Pourmajidi, Technical Support Manager of IPsmarx Technology. “With its extensive list of seamless protocol support, the SP-201-Z breaks down the barriers presented by these different protocols and enable the flow of information across any network.”

    “By adding the flexible signaling conversion capabilities of the SP-201-Z to their product portfolio, IPsmarx offers customers the opportunity to customize signaling solutions for their specific needs minimizing the risks of entering new international markets,” added Bill Ferguson, Encore Networks Vice President of International Signaling Sales.