Business News Holding

Category: voip

  • Successful IFA Business Model Drives Markets in 2009


    ADVERTORIAL: Product debuts and important industry topics such as ecology, lifestyle, HDTV & wireless communications the main features at IFA 2009.

    For the second time, and with an even more comprehensive show, the leading brands of the consumer electronics and electrical home appliances industries will be jointly represented on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds at IFA 2009.

    Traditionally a large number of new technologies and products make their debut at IFA.

    IFA Director Jens Heithecker: "In 2008 the industry took the IFA to pole position with a previously unmatched number of product debuts. IFA 2009 will be building on this."

    Dr. Rainer Hecker added: "High-quality, wide-ranging brand presentations will once again feature significantly at IFA 2009 in Berlin.

    "The consumer electronics range of products covers the entire market.

    "It includes innovative, flat-screen TVs, home cinema systems, high-resolution media and intelligent networking solutions, as well as all types of mobile devices.

    "As regards electrical home appliances, the focus is on ease of use and health and wellness where fridges, washing machines, tumble driers, dishwashers, kitchen appliances, hairdriers and personal hygiene appliances are concerned.

    "In both product sections an eco-friendly approach and using water and electricity in a responsible manner are at a premium."

    IFA is the meeting place of leading international companies from both industries.

    As the leading venue for doing business it moves markets, as it comprehensively serves and targets the structures of the wider trade. With its unique flair IFA provides the perfect setting for the ultimate experience of consumer electronics and home appliances brands.

    Thus IFA combines fascinating innovations and exciting entertainment with a show. What is more, Berlin is where media political decisions are made.

    "IFA brings the markets together in a unique way. It provides an ideal platform for international retailers, buyers, consumers, the industry and the media," Dr. Rainer Hecker continued.

    "This autumn at IFA 2009 we will be sending out clear and positive signals to the economy."

    TecWatch – the name says everything

    The TWF has taken off in a new direction. In future, as the IFA TecWatch, it will be offering European research projects, developers from industry, international trade associations, as well as German research institutions and universities an exclusive platform for presenting product firsts.

    In 2009 the main topics will be devoted to assisted living, the personal home, innovative audio and smart interfaces. Thus TecWatch will without a doubt be the international attraction for technologically interested exhibitors, visitors, experts and the media.

    Trade visitors and the media can register as of now.

    Starting in June, trade visitors can purchase their ticket to the IFA in comfort from the online ticket shop, at a reduced advance sales price.

    Alternatively, they can redeem a ticket voucher. The IFA ticket shop is open at www.ifa-berlin.com.

    Be it special travel packages, the Fast Lane, an exclusive reception area or leading specialist forums, starting now the IFA Website has information on special services for trade visitors coming to IFA.

    As of now members of the media who can submit proof of their identity as journalists can register online under "Press" on the IFA website.

    Advance registrations will be accepted until 20 August 2009.

    Information available under "Press" on the IFA website includes press releases, press appointments with exhibitors at IFA and the organisers of IFA, innovations at IFA and press photos of IFA.

    Amy MacDonald to open IFA 2009 live in the Summer Garden

    With her album having gone double platinum and reaching top spot in the UK charts the mega star will take to the stage with an exclusive performance presented by IFA in the Summer Garden on Thursday, 3 September 2009.

    Tickets for the IFA Summer Garden concert with Amy Macdonald are available as of now from all the usual outlets as well as under: +49/ 1805-570 060.

    Online tickets are available at: www.eventim.de or www.ticketmaster.de.

    Costing 35 euros (plus advance booking fee), these tickets let holders not only enjoy the concert but also grant admission to IFA on any of the subsequent days. More details on the programme of events at IFA 2009 can be found at www.ifa-berlin.com/ Events.

  • JAJAH Embraces Online Dating Industry


    JAJAH has been chosen as the IP platform for online dating sites Match.com and eHarmony.

    The expansion of JAJAH’s platform to service the rapidly growing online dating industry gives users the ability to talk, SMS and leave voice messages for prospective partners, while keeping their personal details private.

    Online daters can call each other using JaJah’s VoIP on their normal phone.

    This feature could be a key one – and could see JAJAH do well out of the market for Internet dating communications.

    Trevor Healy, JAJAH CEO, said its IP platform meant privacy is no longer an issue for those looking for love online.

    In what is certainly a bold claim, he added: "By removing the privacy concerns around making that phone call, the JAJAH platform is giving more people the chance to find true love sooner."

  • Toshiba Integrates VoIP System With Microsoft OCS RCC


    Toshiba’s telecommunication division has announced integration of Microsoft Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007 Remote Call Control (RCC) capabilities with its Toshiba Strata CIX family of VoIP business communication systems.

    Brian Metherell, vice president and general manager of Toshiba America Information Systems, Telecommunication Systems Division, said that with the integration, enterprise users of Toshiba’s Strata CIX family of VoIP business communication systems can Click-to-Dial from Microsoft OCS 2007 using a Toshiba Strata telephone device.

    He said it is compatible with Toshiba’s most popular IP and digital telephones as well as Toshiba’s SoftIPT softphone.

    Users also gain telephony status information for other callers on the Strata CIX system, viewable from their Microsoft OCS Enhanced Presence screen.

    "In providing an integrated solution with Microsoft OCS 2007, Toshiba is delivering on its promise to expand its Unified Communications offerings by giving customers a choice in how they communicate with their Toshiba Strata CIX VoIP system," he said.

    The Toshiba Strata CIX VoIP system is available through authorized Toshiba dealers.

  • VoxOx Improves VoIP Freeware


    VoxOx is offering new freeware that comes with a Personal Assistant feature that includes call recording, call forwarding, call routing, and call screening.

    The multi-protocol messaging and VoIP communication client also has expanded social-networking features and stronger back-end support.

    The Personal Assistant feature introduced in the new version can also be set to answer all calls, route calls based on caller, as well as more standard uniform call routing.

    It also offers the ability to listen in on voicemails as they’re being recorded and users can set personalized ringback tones.

    With the new version VoxOx is setting out its stall as a one-stop communication hub.

    Instant messaging support has been expanded in the improvements to Facebook IM, MySpace IM, Gadu Gadu, and Skype.

    E-mail address book contacts can now be imported from Google, Hotmail, AOL, Mac, and Outlook address books.

    Both inbound and outbound faxes are included as part of VoxOx’s free feature set.

    The program automatically converts text documents to fax-appropriate signals when you’re sending out. Incoming faxes are received as PDFs.

    The freeware is available for Windows and Mac.

  • WCell Joins Mobile VoIP App Market


    WCell International has announched that its VoIP calling platform is now available for download on a variety of mobile operating systems, including BlackBerry, Java, Windows Mobile and Symbian.

    The Hong Kong-based application for mobile devices is awaiting approval by Apple for listing in the iPhone App Store.

    WCell claims it offers comparable or better voice call quality than its many competitors in the mobile VoIP applications world.

    The company says it does this while also delivering cost savings against market leaders such as Skype.

    It is planning to differentiate itself from the big names such as Skype, fring, Nimbuzz and Truphone by targeting retail handset sales.

    WCell wants to have 10 million paying customers of the service by November this year.

    Ish Paneet Singh, vice president at Wcell International, said that Wcell’s pay-as-you-go rates are at least 60 per cent cheaper than Skype’s.

  • Demand for VoIP Solutions Likely to Rise with Spread of Satellite Broadband Technology


    VoIP solutions are likely to benefit from more people around the world seeking to access the internet using satellite technology, according to research from Global Industry Analysts.

    The technology has been tipped as a possible way to provide broadband services in more remote, rural communities where it will be much more difficult to deploy conventional broadband infrastructure.

    The analysts said this could mean that web users have better use of VoIP solutions and are able to access high-speed downloads many miles from the nearest telephone exchange.

    The study said: "The satellite broadband’s capability to extend unique services such as rural telephony, e-distance learning and telemedicine services is enticing the prospective market participants in a major way."

    It added that the value of the satellite broadband market could reach nearly GBP £4 billion within six years if the interest and subsequent take-up continues to grow.

  • Acme Packet SBCs for IMS Chosen by Two Euro Carriers


    Acme Packet has been selected by two European operators to provide them with IMS-based services.

    Telefonica O2 Germany and Telnor Sweden are to use Acme Packet Net-Net 4000 series session border controllers (SBCs) at access and interconnect borders for IMS services.

    Telefónica O2 Germany will use Acme Packet’s SBCs to provide key IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functionality at its access and interconnect borders.

    The Net-Net Session Director (SD) enables the company to deploy a secure and interoperable IMS network supporting residential retail and wholesale VoIP services and IP interconnects with other service providers.

    Telenor Sweden, the second-largest service provider in Sweden, will also use SBCs to control the access and IP interconnect borders to its IMS data centers.

    Currently Telenor Sweden offers hosted business unified communications using its IMS service infrastructure.

    Seamus Hourihan, VP marketing and product management, Acme Packet

    Seamus Hourihan, vice president of marketing and product management for Acme Packet, said IMS had passed the hype stage but actual deployments had now arrived.

    He said the majority of current deployments of IMS are in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region but in Latin America and North America is growing.

    "Acme Packet Net-Net SBCs provide critical access and interconnect border functions—securing service elements, maximizing service reach and assuring SLAs—that enable service providers to deliver IMS-based services to business and residential customers," he said.

  • TELES Unveils ISDN VoIP Gateway with 8 BRI Interfaces


    TELES has launched a new 8 BRI port VoIP Gateway.

    The Berlin-based next generation networks and access gateway vendor said the product has been designed to meet demand for a high density, high performance solution for connecting enterprises to public telephony.

    Avi Ben Shlush, product marketing director at TELES, said the new product will allow VoIP service providers and system integrators to can offer a broader range of customers a straightforward migration path to VoIP – without having to sacrifice existing investment in PBX infrastructure.

    He said that as well as contributing to a substantial reduction in operating costs, the TELES VoIPBOX BRI also provides enhanced functionality.

    This includes:

    • an integrated, feature-rich IP PBX-in-a-box
    • advanced LCR functionality with AOC generation
    • SRTP protocol support
    • multiple media handling features

    Shlush said the VoIPBOX BRI is designed for a smooth and fast installation and is provided with an intuitive installation wizard for increased productivity.

    He said a comprehensive set of management tools allow customers to provision and operate small to large installations from a single location using either a web-based management tool or TELES NMS.

    "The implementation of TELES VoIPBOX BRI together with our C5 Business Trunking and IP Centrex products also enables our customers to offer a fully integrated solution from a single vendor," he said.

  • snom: Drive to Unified Communications Remains Strong


    Mike Storella, director of business development at VoIP phone maker snom, believes unified communications is the strongest segment in the communications industry.

    As customers look to become leaner and meaner, he stresses the advantages offered by wireless technology, such as WiFi, saying he feels it should be "everywhere".

    "Our latest snom VoIP Desk phone 8xx series all do WiFi, I don’t know the percentages but it is drastically less expensive to deploy an all WiFi office eliminating cat5 cable runs and increased Ethernet switch deployments," he said.

    Headquartered in Germany, snom has a range of eight VoIP business phones and is a worldwide provider. It works with any platform that uses the SIP protocols for VoIP.

    In an interview with TMCnet, Storella said the company has learnt that ROI "rules the day" for customers to make a positive choice to buy a replacement solution for their voice communications.

    He said the economic situation hasn’t affected the company’s decisions to invest in markets and products.

    "Times might be tough, but it is no time to lose faith that your products solve problems and needs for customers as they try to compete better in their business," he said.

    "If our products do what we say they do, customers need them to increase their productivity."

  • MetaSwitch Expands Carrier IP Solutions to Argentina


    VoIP solutions provider MetaSwitch has announced a strategic alliance with one of Argentina’s leading systems integrators as part of its on-going expansion into the South American market.

    The link-up with Technology Bureau will enable it to offer advanced IP voice services to residential and business subscribers.

    Technology Bureau has extensive experience managing telecommunication projects throughout Latin America.

    René Méndez, MetaSwitch’s vice president of sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, said it had been looking for a strong local partner to work with in Argentina.

    "Technology Bureau fits the bill and will handle provisioning, installation, maintenance and support, as well as a range of professional services from network engineering and training to turn-key solution deployment," said Méndez.

    "We are confident that Technology Bureau’s track record, expertise and penetration in the region will help us to quickly build our presence."

    The companies announced their joint sales strategies during their seminar program entitled "VoIP – Carrier Class, Next Generation Converged Solutions," which took place redently in Buenos Aires.

    Adrián Zamel, president of Technology Bureau, said it had close relationships with many regional network operators.

    He said there is strong demand for proven, high quality carrier VoIP solutions from stable, reliable vendors.

    "As we studied this market, it became clear that MetaSwitch is uniquely positioned for success and an ideal partner for us."