Skype and Google backs Wi-Fi sharing company

A spain based Wi-Fi sharing company, Fon Technology SL has won the backing of Skype and Google. Fon Technology SL is partly a grass-root social movement that encourages users to share Wi-Fi internet access with their neighbours with the objective of creating a block-by-block network of shared wireless internet access around the globe. The company will announce on Monday that it has received $21.7 million in funding from backers including skype and Google. It understandable why skype and google are backing Fon Technology SL on this project. Both company have VoIP service on their own and a widespread availability of Wi-Fi access will only increase the use of wireless VoIP or Wi-Fi VoIP. For more details check out the news item at Reuters UK and the Fon Technology’s website.

Configuring SparVoIP for X-Lite

Use the configuration data below to configure the new SparVoIP for X-lite softphone: Enabled YES Display Name (sparvoip user name) Username (sparvoip user name) Authorization User (sparvoip user name) Password (sparvoip password) Domain/Realm sparvoip.de SIP Proxy sip.sparvoip.de Out Bound Proxy sip.sparvoip.de

SparVoIP, the latest from FINAREA

Finarea, the company behind the highly popular voipbuster has released another softphone targeted primarily at German users. Its as expected just another variation of voipbuster, the only difference being the slightly different user interface design and the fact that it is in german. At the moment you can call landlines in about 35 countries free for 1 minute for the trial version and unlimited after you buy 10 euros credit. I have tested it and it worked fine with superb audio quality like its predecessors voipbuster, voipcheap and voipstunt. Users of one of sparvoip predecessors that still want to continue enjoying free calls to Germany should download sparvoip and buy 10 euros credit as Germany will seize to be free from all others expect sparvoip soon. This is the way finarea is making to us to somehow pay for the free calls. SparVoIP can be downloaded free from www.sparvoip.de

Configuring SipDiscount for X-Lite

Use the following configuration settings for Sipdiscount on X-lite softphone. They worked even better than the one suggested on the sipdicount website. Enabled YES Display Name (Sipdiscount user name) Username (sipdiscount user name) Authorization User (sipdiscount user name) Password (sipdiscount password) Domain/Realm sipdiscount.com SIP Proxy connectionserver.sipdiscount.com Out Bound Proxy sip.sipdiscount.com Leave all other settings as default. This configuration is working for me, I used to have some problems while using the settings suggested on the sipdisount website but with the above settings no problem at all . Voipstunt for now only work with their softphone.

JAJAH to launch JAJAH WEB

Jajah will soon launch a web activated telephony nicknamed Jajah web. JAJAH WEB stands for web activated telephony in a click. The idea is Truly simple: see a number on your screen, call it, talk via your own phone, save money.Calls triggered through JAJAH WEB are phone-to-phone, you don't need a headset, a microphone or a special Internet phone to use it and you are not tied to your machine when talking to your friends. JAJAH WEB works with your web browser, you don't have to download or install any kind of software to use it. JAJAH WEB is as simple as searching a keyword in Google and JAJAH WEB is as comfortable as any regular phone call, but much cheaper. And last but not least you can use JAJAH WEB also with Mac or Linux operating systems. The countdown to the launch is on their web site at www.jajah.com

VoIP Providers Win Major Victory

The FCC may have been a bit too hasty in requiring VoIP providers a short window to provide nation wider E-911 compliance. The original deadline was in August of this year. Not only did the FCC have to subsequently push back the deadline for compliance, but the Senate Commerce Committee pushed back the deadline for full 911 compliance for up to four years. The deadline will be moved in one year increments based on waivers granted by the FCC. These waivers will be granted if compliance is not technically or operationally feasible at the time. The legislation, S 1063, waives the current November deadline and requires revised FCC rules within 120 days from the date the bill is enacted. Providers still have to warn subscribers that 911 and E-911 service is unavailable and receive confirmation from subscribers that this message is understood. The bill goes on to waive E-911 rules for up to four years if the service provider meets a specific set of tests. One of the more important parts of this bill is the requirement that our public safety 911 system be modernized. The bill also treats VoIP providers like wireless and wireline carriers in another vital area: public safety officials are now immune from lawsuits when they accept VoIP calls. The bill also does wonders for providers who were afraid they would have to cut off customers. As long as these customers subscribe before the end of 2005 and acknowledge certain 911 limitations, they cannot be disconnected.

Marcom Systems Introduces Audiolog 3.3

Mercom Systems announced its Audiolog Call Recording Server Release 3.3. Version 3.3 emphasizes security and reporting enhancements that lead the industry. With this release, Mercom continues to secure customer investments in call recording and quality monitoring solutions by sustaining upward compatibility and seamless scalability since its platform was first offered in 1996. Mercoms`s stable-platform development philosophy guarantees customers a versatile, full featured audio recording system with low total cost of ownership.

VoiceOne patners Google for Click-to-Call

Google is in a partnership with VoiceOne to provider click-to-call advertising. This service let people call advertisers directly from their search results without the need to pick up a phone and dial. This service is already in the testing phase.

SBC Intros IP-Based Surveillance

SBC Communications Inc. introduced its new IP-based system for remote monitoring of business network equipment and other critical info technology infrastructure. The system enables enterprises to monitor equipment at multiple sites from a centralized location, enabling customers to ensure that network issues are rapidly detected and rectified by video at remote locations without the need of regular IT staffing. “Asset protection is a high priority for many organizations today, as businesses increasingly depend on networks and IT infrastructure to maintain day-to-day operations,” said Mark P. Fishler, vice president, SBC Product Management. “At the same time, network and IT equipment is often spread out among multiple locations, and it often impractical to have on-site staff to monitor and manage equipment at every site. The SBC IP Surveillance solution is designed to provide a highly efficient and cost-effective alternative for these types of businesses.” SBC is the first telecom to deliver an IP-based monitoring system, which bundles NetBotz technology and is currently available today for customers in 19 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. NetBotz Inc. is a web-based monitoring system provider. The IP-based monitoring system comprises IP cameras with motion detectors, temperature sensors, power surge detectors, humidity sensors, fluid detectors, particle sensors, door sensors, and other detection equipment based on specialized customer requirements for larger spaces, such as data centers or manufacturing floors, or small spaces, such as equipment closets and server rooms. Additionally, the system automatically alerts cleared individuals of potential problems through e-mail, SNMP (simple network management protocol), HTTP POST, telephone, or pager notices. http://www.sbc.com

Skype to expand audio conferencing from 5 to 500 users

The current limitation of 5 users for audio conferencing will soon be removed by skype through a premium service that will allow up to 500 users per audio conference. This expansion will happen when Highspeedconferencing.com operated by Vapps, a vendor of audioconferencing equipment in Hoboken, New Jersey, gets certified as a Skype service and this is expected to happen in the next few weeks. The service will cost from $0.035 to $0.06 per minute and it will also be available to non skype users.

Configuring VoipBuster on X-lite

This post is to give information about how to configure VoipBuster on X-Lite softphone. In X-Lite open ‘menu’ and select ’system settings’ then ‘sip proxy`, from the list of proxies deplayed select the an available proxy. You should then enter the settings below: Enabled YES Display Name (VoipBuster user name) Username (VoipBuster user name) Authorization User (VoipBuster user name) Password (VoipBuster password) Domain/Realm sip1.voipbuster.com SIP Proxy connectionserver.voipbuster.com Out Bound Proxy sip1.voipbuster.com Leave all other settings as default. This configuration is working for me. I am still working on configuring VoipStunt on X-lite as soon as it start working I will post the configuration settings here.

Global Crossing Now Avaya SIP-Compliant

Global Crossing announced that its enterprise Voice over internet Protocol portfolio is fully compliant with Avaya’s Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) telephony products. SIP is an open signaling standard that allows carrier and enterprise voice equipment to interoperate over an IP network via SIP trunks. SIP trunk services are an enterprise networking category that uses new efficiencies in network design and capabilities via SIP-enabled applications. “We’re proud to be the first global service provider to receive SIP interoperability compliance certification from Avaya, “said Anthony Christie, Global Crossing’s chief marketing officer. GlobalCrossing is a member of the Avaya DeveloperConnection Program, which develops, markets and sells third-party products that interoperate with Avaya technology. Eric Rossman, vice president, developer relations and technical alliances, Avaya called the announcement “a big step towards establishing SIP as an open standard for all signaling across both enterprise and service provider networks.” Global Crossing currently runs more than two billion minutes per month of VoIP traffic over its private, global backbone. Avaya’s Converged communications Server 3.0 and its SIP Enablement Services module works with Communication Manager software, the company´s flagship IP telephony software, supported by Avaya media servers, gateways and SIP telephones.

Siemens Intros IPTV Products

Siemens Communications, Inc. introduced its SURPASS Home Entertainment portfolio of broadcast server provider systems on Monday, enabling IPTV services for operators in the U.S and abroad. The SURPASS Home Entertainment system comprises centralized back-office management platforms for service providers, branding control, and tools for tailoring the look and feel of all user interfaces, including program guides and web-based portals. IPTV services are part of technologies seen in today`s smart homes. Siemens has been developing smart home networks that can be managed by users from anywhere and from any device. The company has teamed up with health care and security industry players in order to video conferencing products and services to connect patients and doctors as well as remote home control and surveillance capabilities. “For example, Siemens’ smart home vision includes the use of a mobile device, from a remote location, to activate and set a DVR to record a show or even to turn off a stove or operate other home appliances,” noted the company´s news release. User-friendly gateways of IPTV and smart home solutions are key components of the siemens Lifeworks philosophy, a vision for anytime, anywhere digital media delivery without barriers, “Consumers will want to do everything, everywhere,” Coles said. “With IPTV and home networks in place, we’re ready for a quantum leap forward.

VoIPshield Intros VoIP Vulnerability Assessor

VoIP security product provider VoIPshield Systems Inc. introduced VoIPaudit, a vulnerability assessment system for VoIP-based services, the company announced at Internet Telephony Conference and EXPO in Los Angeles. With VoIPaudit in place, VoIP service providers will be able to automatically identify and eliminate possible VoIP-specific attacks before they impact IP telephone services. “Ours is the first security solution which can not only address the complexity of voice deployments, but secure the VoIP network at the systems level,” noted Paul Slaby, co-founder and CEO of VoIPshield Systems. “VoIPaudit is designed to meet the unique requirements of enterprise and service providers deploying VoIP. Voice communications are critical and VoIPaudit offers and unprecedented level of intelligence and security assessment for all the equipment and devices in the VoIP network.” Cinnabar Networks and MKC Networks have been beta testing VoIPaudit. They “have been able to identify security issues and take corrective actions before voice systems are impacted,” noted the company’s news release. VoIPaudit scans all VoIP-specific devices and applications, related components such as directory servers, routers, and the underlying operating system. It also provides multi-vendor support for VoIP protocols including SIP, H323, Cisco Skinny, Nortel Unistim, and other proprietary protocols. The system is currently available, starting at US $10,000.

NetZero Claims Dial-Up VoIP

Saying “consumers should not have to have broadband internet access in order to enjoy the price savings and feature content of internet phone calling,” Mark R. Goldston, chairman, CEO and president of United Online has announced NetZero Voice, a Voice-over internet protocol phone service that provides local and long distance calling over dial up and broadband internet connections. The NetZero voice internet phone service works with virtually any ISP service, dial-up or broadband, and allows dial-up users, including the estimated 45 million U.S users, Internet phone calling. Usually such services require broadband connections. The full-featured NetZero Voice does not require adaptor, a router, or any other high tech hardware and there are no start-up fees, Goldston says: “All you do is download and install the free software in a matter of minutes, plug in a microphone and speakers or a headset and start making internet phone calls,” NetZero is offering five calling plans, ranging from free to $14.95 per month. To sign up for a pay service a U.S billing address is required. The calling plans available range from NetZero FreeVoice, offering unlimited worldwide computer-to-computer calling between NetZero Voice users, to NetZero unlimited, where in addition to free unlimited worldwide computer-to-computer calling and a personal phone number, purchasers get unlimited computer-to-phone (landline or cell phone) and phone-to-computer calling to the continental United States, Canada and Puerto Rico and unlimited inbound calls from any landline or mobile phone for $14.95 per month. International call rates vary. Unliked most VoIP services, company officials claim, “NetZero Voice is designed to work well over both broadband and dial-up internet connections,” Using proprietary technology, NetZero Voice claims to reduce echo, latency and other problems with VoIP connections.

Paypal preapproved payment now available for Skype

For those who does not like to use their credit card to pay for skypeIn or skypeOut credits there is now a better option paypal. You can now pay for skype credits using your paypal account. Better still the paypal preapproved option is also available, which means the next time you pay for credit you don’t need to enter your details again, just a few mouse clicks and you are done.

New record for Skype

On the 23th of january skype broke through the 5 million concurent users. That means at a particular point there were more that 5 millions people logged on to skype server from all over the world. This number is more than the population of many countries and this shows popularity of skype. Contratulations skype!.

One webcam for several Applications

Have you ever wanted to use your webcam for video chat on skype and yahoo at the same time? If yes, you must have discovered that this is not possible. A video source can only work with one application at a time. This limitation can now be removed using a new freeware called splitcam. Splitcam allows you to use one video source for more than one application. Actually with splitcam you can now connect up to 64 clients at the same time. With video now a standard feature of instant messengers splitcam is sure a very useful and innovative product. More and more voip applications will integrate video in year 2006, even some bloggers refers to this year as the year of video , so having a software that enable you to use your webcam for more than one client is really great. For more information and download visit http://splitcamera.com/

Virtual Phone Lines and DID (Direct Inward Dialing)

For those interested in virtual phone lines that they can integrate with their sip or iax clients as a call-in number, such can be obtained from www.virtualphoneline.com. They have phone numbers for so many countries around the word and they are actually acting as the retail arm of didx.net which is whole sale only DID (Direct Inward Dialing) solution. This is particularly useful because most of the popular voip applications that we use have call-in numbers for some few countries only. Want to know more about DID ? Check out this article at http://www.voip-info.org/wiki-DID

Nuera Intros Small SIP VoIP Media Gateway

Nuera communications, Inc. introduced the SGX-100 SIP media gateway with an eye on helping small-scale service providers and large enterprises establish cost effective points of presence and connect legacy systems to the public telephone network. The SGX-100 is a carrier-ready small SIP media gateway that distinguishes itself with low price and redundancy. With list pricing starting at $5,000, the SGX-100 scales in capacity from one to four E1 or T1 ISDN circuits. The hot-swappable redundant power supplies of the SGX-100 are designed to provide high system availability typically found only in medium and large media gateways. The SGX-100 is the first member of Nuera’s SIP media gateway product line, which will also include gateways with higher capacities. Bill Ingram, president and chief executive officer of Nuera communications believe that the success of SIP in enabling both advance subscriber features and cost-effective PSTN connectivity marks and exciting stage in the industry and expect the SGX-100 to help build the excitement and grow the industry. More info at www.neura.com .

Send and receive SMS with Skype

You can now receive sms on your skype client using “sms to skype” and you can send sms to any GSM phone using “skype to sms”. Sms to skype and skype to sms are services offered by connectotel. Your skype username has to be approved by connectotel to be able to use the service and this normally takes about 24 hours. Check out http://www.connectotel.com/ for information about how to setup your skype and GSM mobile phone for these services.

VoipStunt

This is a follow up of my previous post “Another softphone from FINAREA” . Voipstunt has been working really fine since I first used it. The audio quality is good and its now really popular among users because one can call 39 countries for free. I got a UK call-in number despite the fact that I am living in germany, all I have to do is to enter UK for country in my profile, click get inbound number and within seconds I got +44208…….. Tested the voip-in features of voipstunt and it worked really great. Friends in London has been calling me free with my call-in number from their normal phones. It is now clear that FINAREA are just coming up with different variations of voipbuster in other to make us switch and pay another 10 euros minimum credit required to have unlimited free calls but their rates are still the lowest in the market.

Another Skype blocking System Launched

A Leipzig based company Ipoque has added a new add-on filter to the company’s PRX Traffic Manager PRX-250 system which effectively gives it a skype killer capability. For less than $3000 an enterprise can now block all skype communications on their network. Some companies and government agencies are well disposed to the idea of blocking skype traffic on their network due to security issues and bandwidth consumption. Another Skype killer is in town.

VoIP Ireland acquires Q2C

In a bid to enter the lucrative US voip market where the forecast for residential and business adoption of VoIP services are very good, VoIP Ireland has acquire US based telephony company Q2C. VoIP Ireland provides IP telephony services to enterprises, government agencies, and residential consumers. The company plans on bringing wireless hotspots and low cost VoIP calls to franchise chains and retail outlets throughout the country and also plan on incorporating VoIP capacities into payphone functionality. Brian Powell, VoIP Ireland managing director is very optimistic about the acquisition.

Skype Consuming too much Bandwith

More and more people are complaining about skype consuming too much bandwith. Andy , Om malik and Aswath have all posted about this topic.

TelTel Lauches IP Telephony For Service Providers

SIPbased Internet telephony technology provider TelTel recently launched the TelTel SIP Virtual Network Operators (SVNO) partnership program. The program is said to be able to allow ISPs, ITSPs, CLECs, carriers and other internet service and content providers to offer SIP-based telephony and multimedia services without having to build their own SIP infrastructure. Businesses can sign up for a one-time fee, which covers access to the PsipTN platform, SIP termination and origination, a softphone available for partner customization, full integration with the partner´s existing operation and customization with legacy networks. Additionally, SVNO partners can deliver conferencing, voicemail, PBX features, and web-based portals to manage services. SVNO partners can offer customers co-branded and remote configurable SIP equipment such as IP phones, ATA and videophones. SVNO partners with proprietary networks can also connect the network to the SIP infrastructure by offering their own termination and origination to the PsipTN. They can still use the PsipTN´s existing termination and origination for areas outside their coverage area. The new PsipTN Developer Kit from TelTel features billing, provisioning, and co- branding API´s, together with a hosted “TelTel Ready” Asterisk-based platform for rapid application development and deployment. It offers the ability to create applications with commerce and communication capabilities such as interactive voice response (IVR), Information and entertainment channels, conferencing, social networking, voice messaging, enterprise and call center applications, customer relationship management (CRM) and PBX hosting.

UK Cities to get Wi-Fi Coverage.

The United Kingdom has unveiled plan for a city-wide Wi-Fi access in the following cities: Birmingham, Cambridge, Edingburgh, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Oxford and the London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Camden and Islington. This will give resisdents and visitors of those cities broadband wireless Internet access from laptops, PDAs and mobile phones. The project is being executed by European wireless provider The Cloud. The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by March 2006. The system will be made available to ISPs to offer services.People who want to use the wireless network will pay one of the ISPs for access, and revenues will be split between The Cloud, the local council and the ISPs. With the increasing popularity of Wi-Fi mobile phones, this is a good news for VoIP users and service providers. Also people can now use there favourite voip applications on mobile devices anywhere within those cities. I think the announcement of Skype-Netgear Wi-Fi mobile phone couldnt have come at a better time.

SPA9000 - The New IP-PBX from Linksys

Linksys®, a Division of Cisco Systems, Inc. has announced a new line of SIP-based telephony products aimed at large residential, SOHO and very small business customers. Included in this line is Linksys SPA900, a new IP-PBX with hundreds of telephony features. It supports 4 users out of the box and can be upgrated to 16 users. For details on the SPA9000 and other SIP-based products from Linksys visit http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060105/nyth090.html?.v=33

Internet FM Radio on Skype

Some cool kids in Brisbane, Australia are now operating an Internet based FM Radio using Skype. You just call their skype name "Internet FM", mute your microphone and you are connected to their studio and can start listening to Music and other Radio programmes live. You can chat live with the main host in the studio. The founder of Internet-FM, 14 years old ASHLEY IRVINE told me he plan to go full time audio streaming of Internet-FM soon. Check them out at http://www.internet-fm.tk/.