Tag: hardware-and-technology

  • Empirix Brings VoIP and IMS Expertise to Mobile Networks

    Empirix has expanded its flagship Hammer XMS technology to provide end-to-end network monitoring for mobile core architectures.

    For mobile operators transitioning to all IP LTE networks, and traditional wire line operators or MSOs that are adding mobile service offerings, Hammer XMS "helps lower the cost of deploying and maintaining multi-protocol network architectures and ensures a more consistent customer experience," as the company claims.

    Hammer XMS includes a suite of protocol support for both GSM and CDMA networks including MAP, CAP, IS-41, CAMEL and WIN services, complementing existing SS7/C7 and IMS protocol support. The new solution by Empirix extends its hallmark end-to-end view across TDM and IP domains to the mobile market. Acoording to the company, it gives operators ‘unparalleled visibility into the customer experience throughout the core network.”

    Transaction monitoring, real-time packet analysis and historical storage of CDRs enable operators to troubleshoot, analyze and report on service quality much more effectively – thereby giving them the ability to more quickly identify and fix issues before they impact their customers.

    “As the boundaries between fixed and mobile services blur, end-to-end network validation will only become a larger, more complex task for providers adding mobile services as well as mobile operators migrating to all-IP networks,” said J.D. Doyle, General Manager of service assurance solutions at Empirix.

    “Ultimately, however, these new services will help them become more nimble and Empirix is committed to smoothing the inevitable transition to IP, lowering costs and speeding the time to market for our customers,” he said.

    Hammer XMS also provides operators with the tools to introduce and monitor multiple IP-based elements and services. End-to-end correlation between TDM and IP domains is provided for mobile softswitches, helping carriers assure the quality of service over SIP-based trunks to the PSTN.

    According to Empirix, femto cell launches will go more smoothly as carriers will have the ability to monitor the quality of voice as traffic from femto cell is carried over the broadband network. Carriers can then assure a smooth integration of femto based sessions into the core mobile network. Additionally, carriers will be able to more effectively enforce SLAs with lower cost IP interconnect partners.

  • America's First 4G Phone, HTC EVO, Debuts on June 4

    Sprint announced that it will start selling its highly anticipated HTC EVO 4G on June 4. The company will price the device at $199.99 with a two-year service agreement with a new line activation or eligible upgrade.

    HTC EVO 4G will use Sprint’s Everything Data or Business Advantage Messaging and Data plans. Everything Data plans start at $69.99 per month. Mandatory $10 per month Premium Data add-on will allow costumers to use WiMAX when they’re in a Sprint 4G market.

    Additionally, an optional pricing add-on will turn HTC EVO 4G into a mobile hotspot connecting up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices (laptops, gaming devices and digital cameras) simultaneously at 4G speeds where available and at 3G speeds anywhere on the Sprint 3G network for $29.99 per month.

    Sprint launched first U.S. 4G in Baltimore in September 2008. According to the company, today, Sprint 4G covers 41 million people and expects to have up to 120 million people covered by the end of 2010.

    "HTC EVO 4G is a fantastic 3G device, but when you use it in our growing 4G coverage area, it becomes a multimedia powerhouse," said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO.

    HTC EVO 4G features Android 2.1, the newest version of the HTC Sense, simultaneous voice and data capability in 4G and Wi-Fi coverage areas, 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 4.3 inch display, two cameras – an 8.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with HD-capable video camcorder and a forward-facing 1.3 megapixel camera, built-in mobile hotspot functionality allowing up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices to share the 3G or 4G and integrated HD video capture.

    "The EVO 4G experience is much like going from TV to HDTV. But EVO has more than just an impressive list of features – it is also fun to use with remarkable gaming, video and web-browsing capabilities," Hesse added.

    With the launch of HTC EVO 4G, Sprint is also launching new video chat service: Qik. The two-way voice and video capability will be available as an upgrade to the preloaded Qik app on HTC EVO 4G to enable conversational, interactive, real-time sharing between mobile devices or from mobile-to-desktop.

    Related articles

    Sprint Announces First 4G Handset in the U.S. – the HTC EVO 4G
    ABI Research: 4G Mobile Consumer Service Revenue Will Exceed $70 Billion in 2014
    MWC 2010: Interview with Ashis Sharma, VP of Marketing at Alvarion

  • NACT and VOIPFUTURE to Deliver VoIP Monitoring to Customers in the US and Canada

    NACT and VOIPFUTURE announced an agreement that establishes NACT as the exclusive distributor of VOIPFUTURE’s Voice Services Monitoring capabilities in the United States and Canada.

    NACT is a provider of prepaid application solutions (NACT’s Vinci, and Vinci Softswitch), having sold and installed more than 650 switching platforms – in 26 countries – that control more than 12 billion minutes of traffic annually.

    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.

    “Offering competitive voice services poses a number of challenges that are influenced by the dynamic behavior of IP networks, and effective, easy-to-use monitoring capabilities play an essential role for voice service providers,” said Jan Bastian, CEO of VOIPFUTURE.

    “NACT’s new management understands our industry – and they’ve aligned all of the resources that we feel are necessary to develop a market for our technology in US and Canada,” ha added.

    Arnie Goodstein, President of NACT, said: “Of all the VoIP monitoring technologies we’ve looked at, VOIPFUTURE provides a level of granularity and quality that is simply unmatched by any other offering.”

    Related articles
    VoIP Monitoring: Interview with Jan Bastian, CEO of VOIPFUTURE
    VOIPFUTURE First to Monitor Multiple GB/s Links at Full Line Rate

  • Sharp Develops World’s First 3D Camera for Mobile Devices

    Sharp has developed a 3D camera module for mobile devices capable of capturing high-definition 720p 3D video images, an industry first. Mass production of these modules will begin within 2010. Sharp said they will start shipping samples in July.

    3D images are composed of two views taken using two cameras that simultaneously capture separate images for the right and left eyes. Consequently, a 3D camera requires peripheral circuitry to apply image processing to the two images, for example, to adjust color or to correct positioning between the images from the two cameras. Manufacturers have thus been pursuing designs that reduce the size and weight of 3D cameras and seeking ways to shorten their development period.

    According to Sharp, their new 3D camera incorporates functions to process the image data output by the left and right cameras, including Color Synchronizing Processing to adjust color and brightness, Timing Synchronizing Processing to synchronize the timing of the video signals, and Optical Axis Control Processing to correct positioning.

    Fast Readout Technology transfers video data from the image sensor, enabling 3D images to be captured in high-resolution HD mode. In developing this camera module, Sharp also applied high-density mounting technology to achieve a compact form.

    "Embedding this camera module in mobile devices such as digital cameras, mobile phones, and smartphones will contribute to the development of a wide range of new, innovative communications tools," the company said .

  • Goober Introduces New HD Voice and 6-Way Video Conferencing Solution

    Goober Networks, a Unified Communications provider, announced goober 3.0 as a public beta*, a new collaboration solution that includes multi-protocol instant messaging, HD Voice to landlines and cell phones and 6-way video conferencing calls to PCs including Windows and Macintosh.

    goober 3.0 delivers its HD VoIP calling across multiple PCs, including Windows and Macintosh, and the iPhone and iPad with gooberVoIP, which works over Wi-Fi and 3G networks.

    It delivers HD voice quality from 8-16 kilohertz and is able to support video conferencing resolutions from 720 to full HD. No additional hardware is required by the service provider or the end user, and the software-only client can be downloaded for free.

    It supports 227 countries, offering HD VoIP calling worldwide. According to Goober, their flat rates are “versatile and flexible”, offering an average per-minute price “that’s 25-50 percent less expensive than any other VoIP provider.” Calls in the US and Canada are $.01 USD per minute.

    “Goober 3.0 is compatible with today’s 100 million VoIP subscribers worldwide, the 1.6 billion people projected to use IM services by 2012 and the projected 1.9 billion email users by 2013, plus the growing population of social networking and instant messaging sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, GoogleTalk, Jabber, ICQ, MSN, QQ, Yahoo and AOL,” the company said.

    "Goober Chat offers multiple protocol messaging features, allowing friends to join chats, even if they’re using other messengers besides goober, such as ICQ, MSN, GoogleTalk, Jabber, AOL, Yahoo! and QQ – no other UC provider offers this cross-platform chat capability and we’re excited to be the first to bring this capability to the market, so people can simplify their communications from one location," said goober Networks’ CEO Peter Uhlich.

    The solution will be powered by Global IP Solutions’ GIPS VoiceEngine and GIPS VideoEngine.

    *The current beta version offers 4-way video conferencing; however, the final public release of goober 3.0 will support a record-setting 6-way video conferencing capability.

  • Mobilicity Gets CRTC Approval and Launches in Toronto This Spring

    Mobilicity, formerly known as DAVE Wireless, has received a green light from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission to operate as a telecommunications carrier. The new wireless carrier is gearing up to launch in Toronto this spring.

    Rollouts will subsequently take place in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa.

    “It has taken four years to get to this stage and the impact of our upcoming launch will be felt across the country,” said Mobilicity Chairman John Bitove.

    “We want to let consumers know that Mobilicity will be bringing simplicity and value to Canadian wireless customers very soon,” ha added.

    The CRTC approval was granted subject to changes, which Mobilicity has agreed to implement within the required timeframe.

    Mobilicity, formerly known as Data & Audio Visual Enterprises Wireless Inc. (DAVE Wireless), is a Canadian wireless carrier. The company is led by Obelysk, a diversified Canadian holding company, and Quadrangle Capital Partners, a global investor in the telecommunications and media sectors.

    Following the Canadian wireless spectrum auction, Mobilicity holds licenses which cover more than half of Canada’s population in 10 of the 13 largest markets including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa.

    They were recently named one of Canada’s Top 25 Up and Coming Information & Communication Technology start-ups by the Branham Group.

  • GIPS HD Voice to Power LG FMC VoIP Solution

    Global IP Solutions announced that it has been selected by LG Mobile to provide HD voice for its Fixed Mobile Convergence solution.

    FMC allows telecom operators to combine fixed telephony, cellular telephony and broadband into unified end-user services. The aim is to provide both services with a single phone, which could switch between networks ad hoc. Several industry standardisation activities have been completed in this area such as the Voice call continuity (VCC) specifications defined by the 3GPP.

    Typically, these services rely on Dual Mode Handsets, where the customers’ mobile terminal can support both the wide-area (cellular) access and the local-area technology (for VoIP). However, an alternative approach achieves FMC over 3G mobile networks – eliminating the requirement for Dual Mode. LG SU210

    Last month LG announced the KH3900 JoyPop, the company’s first FMC phone.

    LG Electronics added HD Voice capabilities to its FMC application by integrating GIPS VoiceEngine Mobile, which includes advanced acoustic echo cancellation (AEC) technology. “Good AEC implementation is critical to improve quality of voice calls on mobile devices,” according to LG.

    The company also said that GIPS’ strong local support and expertise team in South Korea ensured a smooth implementation of voice processing technology in their smartphone model SU210/KU2100/LU2100 for FMC solution.

    LG will be initially selling this product to service providers, starting with the South Korea market.

    According to GIPS’ CEO Emerick Woods, implementing GIPS HD voice technology offers service providers assurances that network, bandwidth and delay issues will be overcome.

    GIPS has already enabled HD Voice and Video Chat to the iPad, iPhone as well as to the Android mobiles.

    Related articles
    MWC 2010: Interview with John Hermansen of Global IP Solutions

  • iPad Available Internationally on May 28

    Apple announced iPad international availability and pricing – the “magical and revolutionary device” will be available in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, Switzerland and the UK on Friday, May 28.

    Customers can pre-order all iPad models from Apple’s online store in all nine countries beginning on Monday, May 10.

    Pricing details:

    UK:
    • 16GB WiFi £429
    • 32GB WiFi £499
    • 64GB WiFi £599
    • 16GB WiFi+3G £529
    • 32GB WiFi+3G £599
    • 64GB WiFi+3G £699

    Continental Europe:
    • 16GB WiFi €479
    • 32GB WiFi €579
    • 64GB WiFi €679
    • 16GB WiFi+3G €579
    • 32GB WiFi+3G €679
    • 64GB WiFi+3G €779

    Canadian pricing is $50 (in CAD) more than US pricing.

    Apple also informed that it plans to release iPad in Austria, Belgium, Hong Kong, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand and Singapore in July. The availability and local pricing and pre-order plans for these nine additional countries will be announced at a later date.

    In the US, Apple has already sold over one million iPads and customers have downloaded over 12 million apps from the App Store, as well as over 1.5 million ebooks from the new iBookstore.

    Related articles
    Apple Unveiled iPhone OS 4
    iSuppli: iPad Will Be a Sales Success for Apple
    Is an iPad a Revolutionary Device?

  • Verizon Boosts Functionality and Security for Selected VoIP Services

    Verizon Global Wholesale is now offering additional functionality for three of its product platforms — SIP Gateway Service, Advanced Toll Free IP Termination and Carrier IP Termination Transport. This new functionality enables the product platforms to share a single, secure virtual private network connection called an IP Security (or IPSec) tunnel.

    According to Mike Yancey, director of wholesale voice services for Verizon Business, Verizon bypasses other security protocols in favor of IPSec tunnel because it offers the greatest level of flexibility.

    An IPSec tunnel maintains integrity and confidentiality because all data is encrypted prior to transmission, then authenticated upon receipt to verify the data has not been altered. The source of the data is also authenticated to prevent the possibility of such security breaches as "spoofing" an IP address – a fraudulent network technique in which a program or person masquerades as another.

    Verizon’s SIP Gateway Service comes in four configurations: Inbound Complete, Two-Way Local, Two-Way Complete and Outbound. These services are complemented by Carrier IP Termination Service. This offering allows customers to take advantage of the cost savings of originating long-distance traffic and terminating that traffic via SIP protocol over a global network.

    The company’s Advanced Toll Free Service allows U.S.-based customers to support toll-free calling solutions on a global basis. The service supports in-country toll-free dialing outside the U.S. across more than 80 countries and Universal International Freefone Numbers across more than 40 countries.

    Related articles
    Skype Mobile for Verizon Wireless Now Available
    Verizon Business Offers New VoIP Contact Solution

  • Visa Brings Mobile Payments to iPhone

    Visa and DeviceFidelity are working to allow iPhone users to make payments by simply waving their iPhone in front of a contactless payment terminal. The new technology, developed by DeviceFidelity and certified by Apple, combines a protective iPhone case with a secure memory card that hosts Visa’s contactless payment application, called Visa payWave. The technology will work for both iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G devices.

    iPhone users will be able to make Visa mobile payments in retail stores, at fast food restaurants, in taxis, during sporting events, and also make purchases at vending machines that have contactless payment terminals.

    Visa claims that “thousands of merchants throughout the U.S.” have already upgraded their payment terminals to allow consumers to make Visa mobile payments.

    The technology will also work with a majority of smart phones that have a slot for a memory card. “By simply inserting the card into the memory slot on their phone, mobile users can transform their existing mobile phones into a Visa payment device,” according to the company.

    Visa has already rolled out a similar technology in Malaysia and Japan, where consumers can make mobile payments in stores and restaurants.

    The mobile payment application can be password protected and utilizes advanced security technology to uniquely identify each contactless transaction. In addition, all Visa mobile payments are backed by Visa’s global processing network and analyzed for potential fraud in real-time. If a mobile device is lost or stolen, account holders should contact their issuer, as they would if their card was lost or stolen. The issuer can immediately deactivate the account.

    Market trials of the payment-enabled iPhone are scheduled to start this summer.

    Related articles
    Tagattitude Transforms Mobile Phones into a Secure Payment Tools
    On-line Micropaymets by Absolu Payment
    VeriFone Announces iPhone Secure Payments Solution