Business News Holding

Category: voip

  • Nokia's New Handsets To Feature Skype


    It seems that eBay-owned Skype has the knack of always living up to its promises – at least if its new deal with mobile giant Nokia is anything to go by.

    Skype is linking up with Nokia to embed its calling software in the Finnish company’s new handsets, writes Aftab Bashir for VoIP.biz-news.

    The pair announced the deal at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on Tuesday.

    It will see Nokia integrating Skype on its N97 handset by Q3 2009, and also in other N-series devices.

    Skype is to be integrated in handset address books and will give users access to online Skype contacts.

    Callers will also be able to use Skype’s instant-messaging client.

    N97 owners will be able to make low-cost and free calls over the internet, using either Wi-Fi or 3G.

    Skype-to-Skype calls are free while calls to mobile phones and landlines from Skype will be charged at low rates, according to the company.

    Nokia isn’t alone in announcing this type of arrangement at MWC – Sony Ericsson has also revealed that it is to add new Skype panels in its Xperia X1 Windows Mobile device.

    The panel will open Skype on the Xperia and offer presence, IM and calling functionality.

    The addition of Skype in handsets is being seen as a boon for international travelers as well as domestic users.

    As with many other VoIP providers, Skype is intent on driving down rates for international mobile calling.

  • Truphone Unveils First Multi-country Mobile Service


    Truphone has unveiled its plans for a single-SIM, multi-country mobile service that will enable users to make calls in supported countries at local rates.

    The mobile communications company says a key aim of the Local Anywhere service is to eliminate the hassle of switching SIM cards or the expense of often-exorbitant roaming charges when callers use their handsets on foreign trips.

    Truphone claims that the new service, which will launch in September, will offer up to 80 per cent savings on roaming charges when visiting other countries.

    Users can chose from 5 up to a mind-boggling 49 different telephone numbers, with a sliding scale subscription based on how many numbers are chosen.

    Making the announcement at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Geraldine Wilson, Truphone’s CEO, said the service was intended to get rid of the need for people to juggle multiple devices and phone numbers to avoid paying roaming charges.

    "Our customers are telling us they want one phone, one SIM and one plan," she said.

    Additional Truphone Local Anywhere features and cost savings include:

    • number portability of existing mobile and landline numbers to Truphone
    • full service multi-language customer support
    • ability to manage their Caller ID (CLI)
    • competitive rates on domestic calls, SMS, and data in home country
    • low-cost international calling to the world from any Truphone Local Anywhere-supported country
    • no roaming surcharges to receive calls in most major destinations
    • TruFriends – providing even lower calling rates to call to other Truphone Local Anywhere customers
    • additional "virtual" country mobile numbers to seem ‘local’ in another country so friends/colleagues can call at local rates.

  • Vopium Launches Mobile VoIP Service In The UK


    Vopium has launched its mobile VoIP service in the UK with the promise of low-cost and free international mobile phone calls.

    The service is a free software program that uses mobile VoIP and Wi-Fi technology to reduce the cost of international phone calls on mobile.

    Vopium integrates directly with the address book on the phone, automatically re-routing all international calls via the least expensive method available.

    The service also offers users the ability to send text messages (SMS) abroad at what it says are low rates – for UK users, 9p.

    Callers are also able to make free and discounted calls using Vopium Wi-Fi.

    Tanveer Sharif, CEO of Vopium

    Tanveer Sharif, CEO of Vopium, said: "We are delighted to be able to offer low-cost and free calling options to UK mobile users who want an affordable and convenient way to make international calls."

    Users have to instal Vopium for free onto their mobile handset.

    To get started, mobile subscribers then have to either visit the Vopium website or send a text message with “Get” to 07781480717.

    The company said that once registered, all new users receive 30 free minutes of talk time and 100 free SMS.

  • 31 Million Business IP Phones Will Ship in 2012


    The IP phone market is actually a tale of two drastically different markets- business and consumer.

    The former is thriving and the latter is diverging in a drastically different direction, according to In-Stat.

    By 2012, the researchers estimate that 31 million voice-centric business IP phones will ship.

    However, In-Stat believes the consumer side of the market is radically different.

    Among voice-centric IP phones, businesses will outpace consumers more than 10 to 1.

    According to its report, the nascent consumer market for voice-centric IP phones is being subjugated by the introduction of IP media phones.

    These include the Verizon Hub and AT&T HomeManager that support both IP communications, as well as delivery of Internet information and multimedia content.

    Norm Bogen, In-Stat analyst, said IP-based communication is replacing TDM networks at a steady pace in the workplace – but adoption is slow among consumers.

    He said that even where VoIP is being used in the home, many consumers don’t realize it because IP-based cable voice services are marketed as traditional PSTN voice offerings, supported by traditional analog telephones.

    "Within the business market, corded IP phones remain the standard, and will continue to dominate the enterprise IP phone market through 2012," he said.

    "However, WLAN and IP DECT phones continue to grow, especially within some specific vertical and geographical markets."

    Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

    • Cisco, Avaya, and Nortel are leading the market for enterprise IP phones.
    • Wi-Fi integration in cellular phones is growing rapidly; however, the majority of Wi-Fi/cellular phones are not designed for VoIP.
    • Uniden holds top market share for consumer IP corded phones

  • iriver's WAVE-HOME Launches in Korea


    iriver’s WAVE-HOME is now available to KT Telecom subscribers in Korea.

    The kits is being sold for 297,000 Korean Won (approx USD $210) and features a WiFi VoIP handset in addition to a 7-inch color display with 1.3 megapixel camera.

    Unveiled at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the WAVE-HOME is being billed as the ultimate all-in-one solution – providing advanced multimedia, web and phone capabilities.

    It also has an "intelligent Widget" that provides instant weather, stock and traffic updates, as well as web and multimedia services that users can enjoy without a computer since the device is connected to broadband internet.

  • US Operators Planning Real-Time Mobile Video Services


    Global IP Solutions (GIPS) has released a survey showing that US mobile operators and equipment vendors are supportive in the drive toward real-time video.

    The provider of IP multimedia processing solutions found that over 50 per cent of US wireless operators interviewed plan to launch, or increase access to, real-time video services over the next 2 years.

    GIPS believes mobile video will make the shift to the mainstream in the US market over the next few years.

    The study, carried out for GIPS by Ovum, questioned most of the top US mobile operators, smaller/regional wireless carriers and mobile application developers.

    It also found that in order to compete with larger players, smaller operators are offering more Internet access and are pursuing flexible IP communication applications from 3rd parties.

    Almost half of operators surveyed expressed enthusiasm for delivering "open platforms" for 3rd party software developers.

    Mark Radoff, of Ovum, said the study’s findings showed that real-time video is coming to the forefront for mobile operators.

    "Both the small and large operators are keen to launch these services and determine ways to productize real-time video, to differentiate their services and potentially increase ARPU," he said.

    While only AT&T Wireless has so far launched a video conferencing service, most carriers indicate the service is coming.

    The study found that operators launching video conferencing applications would likely provide opportunity for software vendors.

    While operators have growing confidence in their networks, respondents indicated that optimization is still an issue, as well as usable applications and integration with social networks.

    GIPS pointed out that more than half of the respondents showed enthusiasm for open platforms, whereby software vendors can launch real-time video applications on an operator-approved handset.

    Emerick Woods, CEO of GIPS, said most US mobile operators are running what is classified as a 3G network or 3.5G or equivalent network, which allows them to ensure high quality VOIP and video-based services.

    "Now, with 4G and sophisticated WiMax networks beginning to emerge, there are fewer barriers to offering quality, real-time video and VoIP on mobile phones and networks," he said.

    Woods said the study confirms GIPS’ belief in the accelerating movement toward mobile video adoption and validates the activities from mobile operators and device manufacturers in making it a reality in the next few years.

    We’d be interested in hearing your view on this. Will real-time video go mainstream in the next couple of years?

  • Motorola Unveils First WiMAX Outdoor CPE With Integrated VoIP


    Motorola has introduced the wi4 WiMAX CPEo 450 – the first WiMAX outdoor CPE with integrated VoIP.

    Built from the ground up, the CPEo 450 has been designed to minimize the time, effort and cost of bringing broadband and voice services to new subscriber locations.

    By integrating VoIP functionality directly into the unit, Motorola said the need for multiple boxes is eliminated.

    Other features include integrated pole mounting brackets for convenience in installation, visual signal quality indicators for reliable device orientation, and a new high-performance antenna and radio design for interference mitigation and increased service coverage.

    Charles Riggle, senior director of strategy and business development, WiMAX devices, Motorola Home & Networks Mobility, said the CPEo 450 offered best-in-class performance with both voice and data capabilities in a compact outdoor form factor that is easy to install and reduces support costs.

    "Motorola’s CPEo 450 demonstrates once again that a superior performing CPE provides greater wireless coverage, increased throughput and network capacity, and higher service availability," he said.

    "These attributes translate into lower capex and operating cost for carriers, a faster ROI, lower churn and greater customer satisfaction."

    The CPEo 450 consists of an outdoor subscriber unit with integrated antennas and an indoor power adaptor incorporating an RJ45 Ethernet port and two RJ11 voice ports.

    All network configuration parameters come pre-loaded. When turned on, the network will automatically detect the CPEo 450 and perform all necessary authentication processes, allowing subscribers to immediately begin using voice and data services.

    The wi4 WiMAX CPEo 450 will be commercially available for shipments beginning in Q2 2009 for the 3.5 GHz band with support for 5, 7, and 10 MHz channel bandwidths.

  • VoIP.biz-news Covering Big Names and Rising Stars At Mobile World Congress 2009


    VoIP.biz-news is providing extensive coverage from this year’s Mobile World Congress being held in Barcelona between 16-19 February.

    We will be posting regular updates on product announcements and press conferences from big industry names like Samsung, Toshiba and Microsoft as they happen.

    Other companies not usually associated with mobile – like Acer – are also promising to cause a stir in Barcelona.

    Our editorial team will keep you up to date with all that’s going on.

    But we’d also like to hear from smaller exhibitors and start-up companies attending the MWC.

    VoIP.biz-news will be conducting interviews with innovative and cutting-edge businesses that promise to be the big names of the future.

    If you’re going to be in Barcelona and have an interesting VoIP-related product or service that would be of interest to our subscribers, please contact us.

  • ClearSight Networks' Steve Wong Talks About How To Ensure VoIP Call Quality


    Steve Wong, vp of marketing at ClearSight Networks, explains to VoIP.biz-news.com some simple steps for remedying poor VoIP quality once it has been uncovered in a network.

    As Voice over Internet Protocol has become a very common and inexpensive way to provide voice communication, it has expanded to include more forms of streaming audio and video. 

    However, there are many factors that can affect the quality of such a transmission, since it often has to compete for bandwidth over diverse  networks that it shares with other traffic. 

    It is important that a network administrator or network provider know what Quality of Service (QoS) can be expected for VoIP communications on a given network. 

    In particular, it is desirable to have an easy to interpret way to measure that quality. 

    The Mean Opinion Score (MOS) has been developed to provide such a measure. 

    The original idea of MOS was developed by the ITU-T using human subjects to subjectively rate the quality of spoken sentences. 

    MOS

    Quality

    Impairment

    5

    		 Excellent Imperceptible

    4

    		 Good Perceptible but not annoying

    3

    		 Fair Slightly annoying

    2

    		 Poor Annoying

    1

    		 Bad Very annoying
        TABLE 1.0

    The result of these experiments was a quality scale of 1 to 5 (see table 1.0)

    Factors Affecting Quality

    Four of the most common factors that can degrade the quality of a VoIP transmission are: 
    – The compressor/decompressor (Codec) used 
    – Network latency 
    – Jitter 
    – Dropped packets

    The choice of Codec establishes a maximum possible MOS score, irrespective of how well the network is working. 

    The situation in VoIP is different from other kinds of data compression. 

    For example, compressing fixed documents or graphics can often be done with lossless compression algorithms, meaning that they save bandwidth while still being able to reproduce the original data exactly. 

    VoIP compression is generally much more aggressive, and even the best Codecs are quite lossy (see Table 2.0). 

    Codec

    Data Rate (kbps)

    Max MOS Value
    G.711(ISDN)

    64

    4.3
    iLBC

    15.2

    4.14
    G.729

    8

    3.92
    G.729a

    8

    3.7
    GSM FR

    12.2

    3.5
        TABLE 2.0

    R-Value

    Another QoS metric in common use is R-value, which has a range of 1 (worst) to 100 (best). 

    In general terms it was designed to represent the percentage of users that might find the VoIP quality acceptable. 

    The relationship between R-value and MOS is not quite linear. 

    R-value

    MOS Value

    100

    5.0

    90

    4.3

    80

    4.0

    70

    3.6

    60

    3.1

    50

    2.6

    How Does CSA Calculates MOS and R-Value?

    The ClearSight Analyzer (CSA) and the Network Time Machine (NTM) family of products includes an ability to calculate the expected quality of VoIP transmission, based on the Codec used, and on actual observed values of latency, jitter, and packet loss.

    Basically it uses the formulas set forth by ITU-T Recommendations G.107 and G.113.

    It derives measured statistics from the RTP packets in the audio/video stream, and applies coefficients that can be set by
    the CSA or NTM user in an E-model configurati on screen. 

    The MOS values and R-values are calculated separately for each fl ow, and are displayed in stati sti cs tables and in VoIP reports. 

    CSA and NTM calculate and report Minimum, Mean, and Maximum values for MOS and R-value. 

    That way the user not only sees the overall average quality, but also gets an idea as to whether that quality varies much over time.

    How to Remedy Poor VoIP Quality?

    When CSA or NTM reports consistently low scores for MOS and R-value, there are oft en simple steps that can be taken to
    improve things, even without deploying extra bandwidth. 

    When you have made these changes to your network, simply use CSA or NTM again to see what diff erence it makes to your
    MOS and R-values.

    So, for example:
    – Load balancing: If some parts of the network are performing well and others are not, then it may be possible to re-route some of the traffic to better balance the load on selected network segments. 

    – Traffic Shaping: Often network providers contractually guarantee a certain level of performance in terms of committed bit rate, maximum burst length, average sustained bit rate, and other quantities characterizing available network resources. 

    This is known as provisioning a network segment. When traffic exceeds these guaranteed values, it may still be forwarded, but performance may deteriorate. 

    The process of traffic shaping controls the flow of traffic so that it does not exceed those contractually guaranteed performance
    values.
     
    If you suspect that you are overrunning some of these limits, you can check the flow of traffic over such provisioned segments, and change the traffic shaping algorithms to better match your traffic to the network’s capabilities. 

    – Traffic Prioritization: Situations may arise where VoIP quality deteriorates because of other traffic competing for bandwidth – for example, a large file transfer or the sudden occurrence of Windows updates. 

    A simple way to fix this is to program your switches and routers so that they use a higher priority for forwarding VoIP packets
    than other data packets. 

    It doesn’t hurt a data packet that is part of a fi le transfer to be delayed for a few extra milliseconds, but delaying VoIP packets can seriously degrade the VoIP QoS. 

    We’d be interested to hear your feedback on Steve Wong’s advice. Please send us your comments or any questions.

  • TringMe Offers VoIP Calls From Silverlight Apps


    TringMe has launched a widget that allows users to make VoIP calls from Microsoft Silverlight applications. 

    Silverlight doesn’t allow access to a mic – a problem for VoIP calls – so TringMe used a backdoor Flash widget to access it. 

    The Indian start-up’s founder and CEO, Yusuf Motiwala, said they had used a workaround to get past the lack of microphone support in Silverlight. 

    Controversially, this makes use of a competing platform to strengthen an existing platform. 

    Motiwala said it opened the VoIP door to "millions" of Silverlight developers. 

    "There are Silverlight developers who like to create telephony applications but due to the Silverlight limitation, it wasn’t possible so far," he said. 

    "However, with this, they can now easily integrate telephony functionality in their Silverlight applications". 

    Essentially the hack allows users to get the benefits of Silverlight while using Flash for things that Microsoft hasn’t yet programmed into Silverlight.