PcPhoneline VTA 1000 – The dual mode Skype/SIP Gateway

If you are looking for an adapter that works with skype and SIP based voip services then the PcPhoneline VTA 1000 dual mode gateway is what you need. It connects to your computer through a USB port and have a phone port for your regular phone. You can make skype/skypeout and sip calls directly from your regular phone. I will be placing an order for one soon so that I can test it to see how best it works with sip services such as voipbuster, voipcheap, skypho etc that I use. I will write a more detailed review of it after the test. Meanwhile, I have read some very positive reviews about this product on the internet.George Pickles of voipuser .org wrote a nice review about PcPhoneline VTA 1000.

SPA-3000 Analog Telephone Adapter from Sipura

This highly efficient telephone adapter combines the functionality found in the SPA-2000 and SPA-1000/1 and have the additional advantage of possible connection to legacy telephone network. The SPA-3000 enable users to make the best use of their broadband phone service. Calls from mobile or regular phone can be routed through a voip service provider and vice versa eliminating long distance call rates. Users can call the SPA-3000 through a local number or a phone directly attached to it and the call will then be routed through a voip service provider to their destination. The SPA-3000 have advanced authentication, call routing intelligenece and security feature. With this device you use several voip service providers and always let it route calls through the best provider for your intended destination. You can also setup your own voip network using two SPA-3000 connected to both the internet and regular phone network. One SPA-3000 route your long distance or international call through the internet to the second SPA-3000 where the call can be answered at no cost or futher processed as a local call to any regular or mobile phone allowed by the SPA-3000 dial plan. In case of power failure or the Voip service is dawn calls are sent to a traditional phone carrier via the FXO interface. The SPA-3000 is in compliance with Part 68 United States FCC Regulations, ETSI TS 103 021 – 1, 2, 3 and Australian ACIF S002: 2001.

Gizmo project announce new Call In numbers in Spain, France and UK

Gizmo project has announced that they now have new call in numbers in Spain, France and UK. In Spain gizmo project users can buy local madrid numbers while Paris numbers are available in France. Numbers from inner London, Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow. Gizmo project Call In service let you get a local number of your choice on which people can call you directly on your PC from any telephone. Gizmo Call In service cost $3 per month. Related post : Gizmo project getting better

EQO - Mobile Skype Plugin

EQO is a software device that connects your mobile phone to your skype account so that you can make and receive skype calls anywhere you are. EQO allows skype users to make and receive skype calls directly from there mobile phone without the need for expensive 3G or Wi-Fi enabled phones and wireless broadband internet connection. Its very easy to setup and use, you download EQO from their website, install it on your system on which skype is running and enter some information about your mobile phone. The mobile phone application will then be configured and sent to your mobile phone directly and you can then install it with a click. Once EQO and skype are running on your system and EQO on your mobile phone, you can receive and make skype calls directly from your mobile phone. EQO works by using GPRS for the signalling and routing the calls to your mobile phone using skypeOut. Not all mobile phones are supported at the moment but a list of supported phones can be found on their website at www.eqo.com.

Vbuzzer Internet phone review

I have been testing Vbuzzer internet phone for some time now and its been working really fine. The PC-to-Phone rates are low and the audio quality is very good. Vbuzzer is the product of Canada based Softroute Corporation. Its a combined voip application and instant messenger. Important features include, call forwarding to any landline or mobile phones, free voicemail to e-mail service and recording of personal voicemail greeting. The PC-to-phone service is nicknamed BuzzOut while Phone-to-PC service nicknamed BuzzMe enable subscribers to receive unlimited calls on Vbuzzer. You get a free area 416 BuzzMe number that can be reached from any phone. They have at the moment an introductory offer which include the following:

1. Free Area 416 BuzzMe number
2. BuzzMe number with area code of your choice
3. BuzzOut Toronto - Unlimited free calls to any Toronto number
4. BuzzOut Canada - Unlimited calls across Canada for just $5.49 per month
5. BuzzOut Canada and US - Unlimited calls across Canada and US for just $7.99 per month

This offers are valid till june 30, 2006. Vbuzzer is SIP based and can be configured on phone adapters or ip phones. Click Here for more information and download

More Skype Dating sites !

More dating sites based on the skype voip application has emerged on the internet. Some days ago i wrote about verbdate and yesterday i discovered someonenew and single skypers. All this dating sites enable their members to meet other skype users. You register and create a profile with your skype name and if somebody likes your profile he or she can call you directly on skype. The days of sending e-mail to breate the ice is fast becoming outdated now you can just skype instead. So VoIP is not only changing the way we communicate but also the way we meet and date. So if you are single and looking and use skype you, can register with any of these service, you never know maybe the next time your skype will ring it might be " I just call to say I love you". Good luck Singles!.

Yahoo and MSN to interoperate

According to report on the Yahoo messenger website, Yahoo and MSN are working on a way to connect Yahoo messenger and MSN messenger. This they said will happen within the first half of 2006. This has been long awaited and i strongly believe interoperation is the right way to go. Most analysts believe that Yahoo and MSN are connecting in order to compete with Skype in the voip business. With interoperation users of Yahoo will be able to see friends who are online on MSN messenger and be able to share IMs and emotions, easily add new contacts from either application. It is also expected that users will be able to make voip calls from Yahoo to MSN and vice versa. More Yahoo Links : ============== Yahoo! Personals with 7 Day FREE Trial offer Get quotes from Yahoo! Autos Yahoo!Music Unlimited Free Trial Yahoo! Top Games

New Internet Phone Service launched in Vietnam

Vietnamese One Connection Internet Inc. (OCI) has launched a new broadband internet phone service in Vietnam, the first of its kind in this Asian Country. With this service subscribers can save up to 80 per cent on international calls. The service nicknamed B-phone has a monthly subscription charge of VND27,000 ($1.7). The user gets a broadband internet connection and a PAP2 Telephone Adapter. This is another example of how VoIP technology is helping developing countries to reduce the cost of international calls.The OCI Company, founded in 2001 is a subsidiary of the Ho Chi Minh City-based Electronic Information System Incorporation (EIS Inc.). OCI, known as a leading internet service provider in Vietnam, provides high-quality Internet and other online add-in services at cost-saving price and offers best information and communication technology for business community.

Jajah to integrate with Opera browser and Symbian OS

Jajah Inc. has signed an exclusive agreements to intergrate JAJAH within Opera browsers and the Symbian OS mobile operating system. Through these partnerships, JAJAH instantly reaches Opera’s 20 million users and Symbian’s 60 million users. JAJAH will also be integrated in a custom version of Opera Mini, the only full web browser for the world's 700 million Java-enabled mobile phones. Opera Software ASA is an industry leader in the development of web browser technology for the desktop and mobile Internet devices; Symbian Ltd. licenses Symbian OS, the market leading open operating system for advanced, data-enabled mobile phones

Jajah going Mobile

JaJah Inc. has announced that the popular Jajah web activated telephony will soon be available on mobile phones. This might happen as early as May 2006. Jajah has become so popular because of its ease of use and it has seen exponential growth in just a week since launching in the U.S.. No download, no complitated setup or hardware required and you dont even need broadband internet connection. You just use your web-browser to activate the call and make the call using your regular telephone. When launched jajah mobile will enable subscribers to initiate cheap voip calls directly from their mobile phones and this will considerably reduce the cost of calling from mobile phones which at the moment is still very high in most countries. Click Here for more information about Jajah web-activated telephony.

Sipera Launches VoIP Security System

Richardson, Texas based Sipera Inc. has launched Sipera IPCS 310 System for comprehensive IP Communications Security. The Sipera IPCS 310 intelligently and transparently monitor VoIP traffic, detect anomalies in traffic and call patterns and identify threats, to protect end-user devices and network infrastructures against attacks. Enterprises are migrating their mission critical communications such as voice telephony to IP networks. This undoubtely has enormous advantages which include cost savings and more collaboration but this also expose them to potential treat of people who can explore the openess that comes with IP networks to launch malicious attacks. Which is why security products such as Sipera IPCS 310 are must have for an enterprise. The Sipera IPCS 310 utilizes sophisticated security functionality with patented protection techniques to intelligently analyze every call, and perform the correct action. Sipera IPCS products can be deployed in any existing VoIP infrastructure with no need for on-site interoperability testing, due to Sipera's close development and integration work with leading VoIP infrastructure manufacturers. More information about Sipera IPCS products can be found on http://www.sipera.com

Verbdate launches "Dating 2.0" service, a SkypeWeb enhanced dating service

Just as it has now become the trend for social networking websites to integrate voip applications most especially skype to enhance communication between their members, Canada based Verbdate have decided to go in this direction too. They have launched a online dating service taged Dating 2.0 which integrates SkypeWeb, Skype's integrated Internet presence feature, and location maps to help singles find and connect with each other in their own geographic locations, helping likeminded individuals speak anonymously with one another safely before meeting. The Verbdate service, which is 100% free, will serve the 80 million singles presently seeking a date online in North America today with a newly enhanced search and communication system. This new service allows members to see who is presently online and willing to accept a Skype call, an instant message, or an email to break-the-ice. Singles can search for compatible like-minded individuals with “tags”, keywords that describe an individual's likes, hobbies, and personality traits, resulting in a much more real world matching experience. SkypeWeb makes it easy for Web users to connect through Skype. Available in 27 languages, Skype is used by people in almost every country around the world, and communication over Skype has become a global phenomenon. The latest version of the software has further simplified the Skype interface, making it even easier for people to connect online. Additionally, members can add others to their buddies list and see where their friends and acquaintances last location was, and with Verbdate's soon to be released mobile client this buddy system will surely be a great tool for seeing the latest singles hotspot on a Friday night!. More information about subscription is available at www.verbdate.com.

TerraSip - The Mobile VoIP Community

TerraSip is a recent, globally aligned and world-wide operating enterprise. It offers free internet telephony based on the international SIP standard for TerraSip members. The membership is free. TerraSip's adjustment aims at mobile internet telephony, the voice over WLAN, briefly VoWLAN. Recently TerraSip started a first pilot project of VoWLAN with two WiFi network carriers in Germany and Austria, in order to test mobile internet telephony in the German-speaking countries. More details soon!

UTStarcom F3000 - Clamshell Type Wi-Fi Handset

This beautifully designed Wi-Fi enabled mobile handset was first introduced by the German VoIP provider Sipgate at cebit 2006 in Hanover. It has a clamshell type design and enable making voip calls wherever their is Wi-Fi broadband internet access. It has all the popular call features like three way calling/call waiting, call rejection, call transfer/call forwarding, caller ID blocking, repeat dial and call hold/resume.F3000 supports major VoIP/IP protocols such SIP, HTTP, RTP/RTCP, SDP, STUN and DHPC and also support G.711u, G.711a, G.729a, G.726 speech codecs. It has a nice 65K CSTN Color display with a resolution of 128x160. It supports the 802.11b/g with WEP and WAP encryption standards. Powered by a Li-ion battery it gives about 3 hours talking time and about 75 hours standby time. With a dimension of only 85x43x22 mm and weihgt of just 90g it fits nicely in your pocket like any mobile phone.

Configuring Voipdiscount on Express Talk

To configure Voipdiscount on Express Talk softphone follow the steps below: 1. From the menu bar click VIEW and select SETTINGS 2. Select the "Line Tab" in settings 3. Select on which line you want to configure voipbuster, there are lines 1 to 4 4. Enter the following cofiguration settings:

• Display Name: Your Name
• Sip Account Number(or user): your voipdiscount user-id
• Server(sip Proxy or Virtual PBX): sip.voipdiscount.com
• Password: Your voipdiscount password.

5. Click OK These settings worked very fine for me. Feel free to comment or make suggestions regarding these settings. Related post : Express Talk - Free softphone with a difference

Best voip calling rates for Ghana. Cheaper than calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Ghana and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives the best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Ghana for several voip applications and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Ghana and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio quality. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.153           0.166  

  skypho                   0.082           0.178

  voipcheap                -N.A-           -N.A-

  voipstunt                -N.A-           -N.A-

  Gizmoproject             -N.A-           -N.A-

  Internetcalls            -N.A-           -N.A-

  voipdiscount             -N.A-           -N.A-

  Jajah                    0.079           0.160

  poivy                    -N.A-           -N.A-

Best voip calling rates for Aruba. Cheaper than calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Aruba and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives the best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Aruba for several voip applications and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Aruba and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio quality. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.164           0.239  

  skypho                   0.113           0.183

  voipcheap                0.160           0.160

  voipstunt                0.144           0.144

  Gizmoproject             -N.A-           -N.A-

  Internetcalls            0.096           0.144

  voipdiscount             0.096           0.144

  Jajah                    0.098           0.185

  poivy                    0.120           0.204

Best voip calling rates for Philippines. Cheaper than Calling Card rates

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Philippines and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives the best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Philippines for several voip applications and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Philippines and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio quality. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.198           0.249  

  skypho                   0.147           0.170

  voipcheap                0.231           0.249

  voipstunt                0.204           0.228

  Gizmoproject             0.327           0.327

  Internetcalls            0.132           0.168

  voipdiscount             0.132           0.168

  Jajah                    0.137           0.160

  poivy                    0.168           0.168

Best voip calling rates for Bangladesh. Cheaper than Calling Cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Bangladesh and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives the best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Bangladesh for several voip applications and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Bangladesh and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio quality. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.136           0.136  

  skypho                   0.070           0.057

  voipcheap                -N.A-           -N.A-

  voipstunt                -N.A-           -N.A-

  Gizmoproject             0.304           0.271

  Internetcalls            -N.A-           -N.A-

  voipdiscount             -N.A-           -N.A-

  Jajah                    0.046           0.071

  poivy                    -N.A-           -N.A-

Best voip calling rates for Argentina. Cheaper than calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Argentina and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives the best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Argentina for several voip applications and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Argentina and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio quality. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.032           0.172  

  skypho                   0.025           0.163

  voipcheap                0.009           0.174

  voipstunt                free            0.156

  Gizmoproject             0.049           0.273

  Internetcalls            free            0.156

  voipdiscount             free            0.156

  Jajah                    0.016           0.187

  poivy                    0.018           0.192

Best voip calling rates for India. Cheaper than calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to India and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives the best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in India for several voip applications and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for India and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio quality. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.154           0.170  

  skypho                   0.138           0.138

  voipcheap                0.160           0.160

  voipstunt                0.144           0.144

  Gizmoproject             0.263           0.263

  Internetcalls            0.120           0.120

  voipdiscount             0.120           0.120

  Jajah                    0.118           0.133

  poivy                    0.132           0.132

Best voip calling rates for Cuba. Cheaper than Calling Cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Cuba and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Cuba for several voip application and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Cuba and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio qualities. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    1.025           1.025  

  skypho                   1.008           1.008

  voipcheap                1.001           1.001

  voipstunt                0.90            0.90

  Gizmoproject             N.A             N.A

  Internetcalls            0.90            0.90

  voipdiscount             0.90            0.90

  Jajah                    0.9836          0.9836

  poivy                    0.9720          0.9720

Best voip calling rates for Pakistan. Cheaper than calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Pakistan and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Pakistan for several voip application and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Pakistan and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio qualities. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.143           0.164  

  skypho                   0.115           0.115

  voipcheap                -N.A-           -N.A-

  voipstunt                -N.A-           -N.A-

  Gizmoproject             0.408           0.364

  Internetcalls            -N.A-           -N.A-

  voipdiscount             -N.A-           -N.A-

  Jajah                    0.096           0.116

  poivy                    -N.A-           -N.A-

Best voip calling rates for Iran. Cheaper than Calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Iran and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Iran for several voip application and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Iran and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio qualities. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.133           0.168  

  skypho                   0.101           0.147

  voipcheap                0.134           0.174

  voipstunt                0.120           0.156

  Gizmoproject             0.220           0.220

  Internetcalls            0.072           0.156

  voipdiscount             0.072           0.156

  Jajah                    0.046           0.181

  poivy                    0.084           0.180

Best voip calling rates for Iraq. Cheaper than Calling cards

If you are looking for the cheapest calling rates to Iraq and with guarantied good audio quality, then here is what you are looking for. The table below gives best calling rates for landlines and mobile phones in Iraq for several voip application and service providers that i have used. Included in the table are the cheapest calling rates for Iraq and with voip applications that gives very good audio quality. I have used all the internet phone applications included in this table and they all have remarkably good audio qualities. Some of the rates are even cheaper than calling card rates for thesame destination.

 Application/            landline          mobile
  provider                $/min            $/min

  skype                    0.372           0.372  

  skypho                   0.175           0.175

  voipcheap                0.120           0.214

  voipstunt                0.024           0.192

  Gizmoproject             1.035           1.035

  Internetcalls            0.024           0.192

  voipdiscount             0.084           0.192

  Jajah                    0.076           0.1327

  poivy                    0.084           0.216

UTStarcom F1000G Wi-Fi Mobile Handset

Using mobile voip enables one to save on the cost of making phone calls while on the move. The cost of calling from mobile phones is still very high for most countries in the world. More and more voip service providers are now offering mobile voip services that enable their subscribers to make voip calls using Wi-Fi enabled mobile phones. The F1000G wi-fi mobile phone is a nicely designed and highly functional mobile phone from UTStarcom. The F1000G can be thought of as an IP Phone combined with a wireless network card. It can be used to access VoIP service from any Wi-Fi hotspot that has access. This phone automatically searches for the presence of a Wi-fi network and log on to it, this allows one to roam from you hotspot to another without having to change the settings on the phone. Looking and operating just like a cell phone, F1000G provides a low-cost way to communicate when you are on the move with popular features such as three way calling, call waiting, call rejection/redial/mute, call transfer, call forwarding, Call hold/resume, repeat dial on busy, caller id blocking and reject anonymous call. Using F1000G is easy and intuitive, differing hardly at all from a GSM mobile phone, and including standard features such as an address book and call list manager. It has a high-performance rechargeable battery that provides talk time of up to 4 hours and standby time of up to 80 hours. Weighting just 111 grams and a dimension of 110mm x 45mm x 22mm fits nicely in your pocket like any mobile phone. F100G supports major VoIP/IP protocols such SIP, HTTP, RTP/RTCP, SDP, STUN and DHPC and also support G.711u, G.711a, G.729a, G.726 speech codecs.

Uplink - The Skype to SIP Adapter

Lots of voip applications are based on the SIP protocol. SIP protocol has now become an industry standard. Skypeon the other hand use a proprietary protocol and has been very successful in the voip business with millions of subscribers and have a kind of cult following in the voip market. So the need always arise when you want to call from your sip based voip service or softphone to a contact on skype and vice versa. Since SIP and Skype dont interoperate ( i hope they will one day) you need an adapter that acts like a gateway between the two protocols so that calls can be made from one to the other. One of such adapters is the Uplink from NCH Swift Sound. Uplink connects the SIP protocol based voip calls to the proprietary Skype network and it works in both direction. Uplink can be downloaded free from NCH website. Its very easy to configure and use, you will get going within minutes. After installing the uplink software just go to options to give the path to your skype executable, enter you SIP service settings and the dial options when Skype call sip and vice versa. If configured correctly it worked very fine and does not interface with the call quality.

Odeo Voice Mail from a Web Site

Odeo.com developed this cool application that can be used to get feedback from readers. Readers can now not only leave text comments but can also send their comments as voice mail. So lets give it a try and see how it works. Click the button below to send me a voice mail.

Talqer adds PC-to-Phone Calls to Google Talk

Vozin Communications, a new player in the VoIP field has developed an application that enables making PC-to-phone calls from Google Talk, nicknamed Talqer. Talqer can be used as a stand alone pc-to-phone voip application or can be integrated with Google Talk as a pc-to-phone call plugin. Before now Google Talk can be used only for PC-to-PC calls but with Talqer integrated you can now make high quality PC to normal phone calls at very low rates. Talqer is available free for download. Related post: Google enters the voip market with Google Talk

Choosing IP Telephony Infrastructure

Choosing the right IP telephony infrastructure for your enterprise is very important and it significantly affect the overall quality of service. The days of proprietary PBXs are rapidly disappearing. Voice over IP is one of the fastest growing technologies with shipments of IP lines expected to eclipse traditional PBXs this year. Along with assessing your network readiness for VoIP (appropriate available network bandwith as well as routers and switches capable of Quality of Service), it is important to delve into the specific features and aptions that a potential vendor offers. Important criteria to look for in your IP PBX vendor include Ease of Integration with Legace PBX Systems and Reliability. Legacy PBX's may be depreciated over 7 to 10 years as well as it is unlikely that there will be an immediate cutover in multiple sites. This necessitates that the IP PBX have an easy way to integrate with existing PBX, even if it is temporary. Look for ease of deployment features in the IP PBX that make extension-to-extension mapping as well as caller ID forwarding easy. Like legacy PBX systems, one of the most important criteria in selecting an architecture is reliability. When the CEO is unable to get dial tone, or the call is cut off, the opportunity cost of not investing in a reliable system are much greater than the up front equipment costs. Key areas to look for are Real-time operating systems for servers delivering dial-tone, Automatic failover of voice clients to another device on the network if the call control server fails and connectivity to the PSTN if the WAN link fails. In addition, look for a redundancy strategy in the call control server itself. This might either be through redundant hard drives, power supplies and fans, or through a second server and a sub-second failover mechanism.

Keeping Wireless VoIP Infrastructure Secure

With more and more people and businesses adopting VoIP, security issues are becoming more important. The risks even become greater when voip is implemented on a wireless LAN. Wireless LAN infrastructure is subject to additional vulnerabilities not seen in wired networks. Propagation of RF signals beyond the enterprise perimeter leads to the ability of an improperly secured wireless access point or wireless client to be compromised, exposing the corporate network to theft or malicious hacking. For this reason, the enterprise's security strategy is a foremost consideration in determination of the wireless LAN infrastructure and must encompass all wireless clients, including voice clients. Best in class practices for enterprise-class security include, Strong over-the-air encryption and authentication, Restricting network resource access with virtual LANs, Guest Access through a captive portal and Preventing rogue access points and other Wi-Fi vulnerabilities.

Lycos Phone Beta Launched

The internet search engine company Lycos has entered the voip market. They have launched Lycos Phone in partnetship with Idia-based Global7. Lycos Phone is a softphone that can be used to make both PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calls. PC-to-PC calls are free and PC-to-phone calls are at low rates. When you sign up as a Gold member you get 100 free minutes of PC-to-phone calls and you also get a free US phone number as "Lycos In" number on which you can receive unlimited free incoming calls. The service is supported by advertisment, so if you sign up for Netflix or credit card promotional offers and see banner-ads you can make unlimited free calls to phones in the United States. The GUI also supports instant messaging and streaming media content. Additional features include Video calls, voicemails, online video streaming and fax to e-mail service. I got my 100 free minutes yesterday and call a friend in the US, the audio quality was quite good. I am now waiting to receive my free Lycos In number. Click here to download Lycos phone

Import MSN, Skype and Outlook contacts directly to Voipbuster, Voipcheap and Voipstunt

With the latest version of voipbuster, voipcheap and voipstunt its now possible to import your MSN, Skype and Outlook contacts directly. This feature is very easy to use, click Tools on the menubar and select Import contacts and follow the prompt. Maybe Finarea is moving gradually in the direction on interoperation but definitely too slow. I hope that in future it will be possible to make direct Pc-to-Pc calls from say voipbuster to a skype user. There are numerous voip softphones out there and i believe we will not be able to use them to their full potential if they don’t interoperate. Imagine a case in the regular telephone sector where a Vodafone subscriber cant call a T-Mobile subscriber for example, how will that be like. I look forward to a time when these voip service providers will be moving faster in the direction of complete interoperation.

TRENDnet's New Mobile Solution Combines Bluetooth and 802.11g

TRENDnet, a best-in-class networking manufacturer of wired and wireless networking solutions announced its latest mobile innovation, the TBW-103UB 802.11g WiFi and Bluetooth Combo USB Adapter. The device integrates WiFi and Bluetooth access into one USB 2.0 adapter to enable the seamless transfer of information between Bluetooth enabled devices, such as cell phones, and computers. By integrating the two wireless tools into one unit, a brigde between the Bluetooth-equipped cell phone and the PC has been created. While Bluetooth has become a common feature in newer cell phones, it is not always included as a standard feature in PC's. By connecting the TBW-103UB to a regular laptop USB port, mobile users can now sync contact files, share photos, listen to music or make VoIP calls via their Bluetoooth-equipped cell phone or headset. Simultaneously users can surf the internet via their WiFi connection. "This unit is the latest product in a line of solutions recently launched intendet to improve the productivity and lifestyle of laptop users, "stated Heath Gregory, Marketing Director for TRENDnet. "By combining these two standards into one solution we are helping users make the most of their mobile devices and enhance their ability to distribute their content and stay connected anywhere."

Omnivox AES gets Multi-User Interface

APEX Voice Communications, a leading supplier of multi-service platforms for enhanced services and real-time billing solutions to telecommunications carriers, service providers, developers, and enterprises worldwide, announced that it has added a Multi-User Interface to its OmniVox AES multi-service platform for enhanced services solutions. Key features include enhanced account administration, new object control functions and the greater use of permissions for various account actions. The new OmniView Operation, Administration, Management and Provisioning (OAM&P) module of OmniVox AES gives systems administrators the ability to create Domains, Groups and Users. For example, Domains are used to partition systems when services are being "sub-leased" to third-parties. Each Domain in return has its own domain administrator that can create User and Group accounts and assign them various permisions that can be applied to Users. Also, password storage and verification now uses 160-bit encryption for increased security. "We have had extremely positive feedback from our customers who have started to implement the new multi-user interface of OmniVox AES," said Elhum Vahdat, executive vice president of APEX Voice Communications. "The new multi-user interface, along with the added security features, continues to keep OmniVox AES at the forefront of multi-service platforms."

Vodavi and Converged Access Ink VoIP Reseller Deal

Vodavi and Converged Access announced that they partnered to provide traffic management and quality of service (QoS) systems for VoIP networks. The new partnership calls for Vodavi to resell Converged Access’ Converged Traffic Manager (CTM) and Converged Access Point (CAP) systems to Vodavi’s authorized dealers. Enterprise customers deploying the Converged Access and Vodavi’s XTS-IP and TeleniumIP communications system bundle can now employ traffic management, and other WAN optimization and application control techniques. The Converged Access systems enable network managers to set priority levels for voice and data applications so that voice traffic is protected with Quality of Service (QoS) over the private network. The Converged Traffic Manager enables tollquality VoIP, jitter-free IP video, and businessIP response times. The product integrates traffic monitoring, traffic management, compression and caching with advanced application layer visibility and control to assure WAN efficiency and application performance for converging IP voice, data and video applications.

Superdeal from voipbuster, Call Armenia, Bolivia, Costa Rica , Nigeria, South-Africa etc for just 1 cent per minute

This is the latest superdeal from Voipbuster, users can now call landlines in Armenia, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Lithuania, Macau, Nigeria and South-Africa for just 1 cpm. So if you call any of these destinations often then enjoy the good times!.

JAJAH Launches in US

Jajah will tomorrow 28-03-06 launch her revolutionary web activated telephony in the United States of America. Launched last month in Europe, it has gained a tremendous acceptance among users because of its easy of use. With Jajah web activated phone-to-phone calls you don’t need a broadband connection, no download and no headphone is required. Just enter your telephone number and the number of the person you want to talk to and jajah will connect you within seconds. Anybody can use it, it needs absolutely no configuration. Can be described simply as "VoIP Made Easy". I am not surprise that they are going fast because been able to enjoy the low rates of voip calls using your normal phone, with great audio quality is simply irresistible Related post: Jajah Web - Click to call

VSoft Phone from Mobif

VSoft phone is an easy to use internet telephone from Malaysia based MoBif. Its really easy to setup after download and you can get going in minutes. As usual PC-to-PC calls are free and calls to regular phones are at lower rates. The internation rates are in Malaysia ringgit and you have to convert to your prefered currency to see how that compares with any service you are currently using. I have tried it and the call quality is resonably good. Vsoft can be downloaded free at http://www.mobif.com.my/products_VSoft.htm

Treo 650 Smartphone - More than just talk!

This beautifully designed phone from Palm simplifies your life and make it a lot easier to stay connected. The Treo 650 Smartphone lets do more than just talk by combining all the features of a mobile phone with e-mail, an organizer, web access, digital camera and an MP3 player. It has a nicely positioned and finger -friendly keyboard and also bluetooth technology that lets you connect wirelessly to other bluetooth enabled devices. You can listen to your favourite music using the MP3 player and the digital camera let you campture video and takes photos which you can then easily send to friends and colleagues. Powered by the Intel PXA270 processor that gives impressive multimedia performance and long battery life. And with the right voip client software such barablu you can make free or low rate voip calls directly from this mobile phone.

D-Link DPH-540 - The Wi-Fi flip-style mobile phone for VoIP

It is not suprising seen more and more products developed for voip considering the immense popularity of internet telephony at present. The latest of such products is the DPH-540 from D-Link and its shipment is expected to start this summer. DPH-540 is a Wi-Fi enabled flip mobile phone developed specifically for internet telephony. It has a SIP-based VoIP software from TelTel preinstalled enabling users to make voip calls wherever there is a Wi-Fi hotspot.The DPH-540 includes a large colorful LCM to display call information such as the numbers you dial, address book entries and caller ID numbers. The DPH-540 also supports several advanced calling features, including last number redial, mute, hold and text messaging. It has 12 MB RAM and 16 MB flash memory, 40-tones polyphony and USB interface for recharging. It runs on a Li-Ion 900 mAh battery, has dimensions of 113x48.7x25 mm and weights 115g.

PayPal to go Mobile

PayPay, the popular online payment system will soon offer its subscribers the possibility to may make and receive payments from their cell phones and other mobile devices. To use the system subscribers will need to register their phones online and select a code to protect against unauthorized users. Person-to-person payments, buying of items and making donations can then be done directly from cell phones using PayPal Mobile. The system is allready being tested and its expected to be lauched in United States, Canada and the United Kingdom soon. This new service from Paypal will make it possible for us to pay for our voip service anywhere we are without the need to go online and this could be very useful if you subscribe to a service that let you make voip calls directly from your cell phone or other mobile devices.

Configuring Voipdiscount on X-lite

This post is to give information about how to configure Voipdiscount 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: (Voipdiscount user name) Username: (Voipdiscount user name) Authorization User: (Voipdiscount user name) Password :(Voipdiscount password) Domain/Realm: sip1.voipdiscount.com SIP Proxy: connectionserver.voipdiscount.com Out Bound Proxy :sip1.voipdiscount.com Leave all other settings as default. This configuration is working for me.

Recording calls with voipbuster, voipcheap... etc

A reader sent me an e-mail requesting to know how he can record calls with his voipbuster and voipcheap user clients, so after replying his e-mail i decieded to make a post about it here also for the benefit of other readers. The best way to record calls made using voipbuster, voipcheap, voipstunt, internetcalls etc is to use Express Talk softphone. Just configure any of those applications you are using on Express Talk and then use the Record call feature on express talk to record the call. You can also select automatic record call option on express talk so that your calls are recorded automaticall whenever you call. This can also be used with any SIP based voip service.

Apple iPhone coming!

Most analysts believe that an Apple iPhone is on the way. Some says it will be an iPod with an iPhone while others think it will be seperate from iPod. Of recent some images of how the iPhone will look like has started appearing on the internet. MobileMag believes it will look something like this, while zdnet believes it will look like this. But i kind of think it will not look like any of the mockups that are appearing on the internet, this might just be an attempt by apple to hype things up before surprising us with their design. One thing is sure though, an Apple iPhone is on the way and it might come sooner than later.

AVACON for Skype

AVACON for Skype is a skype plug-in that let you turn a skype audio conferencing into a video conferencing. It works by changing the skype avatar into a live video feeds from your webcam so the your contacts can keep a eye on you while you chat or talk to them. AVACON for Skype is developed by San Diego based INVENTEERING Inc. and it’s a clever Skype plug-in that streams video from your webcam directly to your profile. It is a very easy to use plug-in and it comes with a 15 days free trial. So if you want to lively up your skype conversations check out avacon at http://www.inventeering.com/.

Free Axon Virtual IP PBX Software

Axon Virtual PBX Software developed by the NCH Swift Sound is designed for the management of calls in a business environment or Call center. It enables the implementation of a scalable IP based PBX. It uses voip technology to connect phone lines and extensions working as a fully featured telephone switch. It offers all the features of a traditional PBX such as internal and external calls and also more advanced call queuing capability for call center application. It can be use with other innovative software products from NCH Swift Sound like IMS On-Hold messages system, VRS voice call recording software, IVM Call attendant, voice mail and IVR Software and express talk internet Phone. Its designed to be very easy to install and use. You can get going with the software within minutes and it can be downloaded for free at www.nch.com.au

Voipdiscount debuts with 52 free Countries, Call forwarding and Lower Rates

A new internet phone debuts yesterday with 52 free countries and Call forwarding capability. This is also from Finarea, the company behind voipbuster, voipcheap, voipstunt, internetcalls etc. The GUI design is very similar to the others before it but the rates are lower for some destinations. Now you can call 52 countries for free as against 45 and 39 countries in the case of internet calls and voipstunt respectively. The latest addition to the list of free countries are Brazil and Czech Republic. Like others before it Voipdiscount has call forwarding, you can forward your voip-in and P2P calls to any phone number of your choice, the forwarded calls will be charged at the voipdiscount standard rates which mean free if the number is in one of the free countries. I have tested it and the audio quality is very good much like all other voip clients and voip systems from Finarea. Voipdiscount can be downloaded for free at www.voipdiscount.com.

Internetcalls add more free destinations

Users of internetcalls can now call landlines in Andorra, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Croatia, Georgia, Latvia, Mongolia and Turkey for free.

Patton's SmartLink M-ATA is the worlds Smallest Phone Adapters

Patton Electronics has started shipping what has been aclaimed the world's smallest phone adapter, the smartlink M-ATA.The SmartLink™ M-ATA™ enables the connection of a regular telephone device to voip service through a broadband internet access making it possible for subscribers to use their regular phone for voip calls. The small size is to reduce the shipping cost for the providers and also makes it easy to move it from one place to another by end users. Voip users can take the adapter with them when they travel and be able to use it away from home. The SmartLink™ M-ATA™ provides a single RJ-11/12 FXS port that connects to an analog phone, and one RJ-45 10/100Base-TX full-duplex/auto-sensing Ethernet port that connects to a broadband xDSL or cable modem. The M-ATA supports SIP or MGCP call signaling, G.711, G.726, G.723, and G.729ab CODECS, G.711 transparent FAX and T.38 FAX relay. IP services include NAPT, DHCP client, PPoE, programmable static routs, ICMP redirect, and VLAN 802.p/q support. Management services include web-browser configuration, multilevel security access, TFTP and HTTP configuration and software loading, SNMPv2 agent, and syslog support. More information are available at M-ATA product page on Patton’s web site.

Free Asterisk Classes

Chis at AsteriskBlog is planning free Asterisk beginner classes. The classes will be held at the local library in Anderon County, South Carolina. So if you are interested in learning one or two things about Asterisk you can contact Chris at Chris@Asteriskblog.com for more information.

VoIP Security - Get involved !

It wont be an overstatement if one says the popularity of voip technology is soaring. More and more people and companies and joining the voip train everyday. With the enormous cost sayings and new functionalities provided by this amazing technology one is not surprise why this is the case. But this also bring lots of new security issues to the fore, security issues like eavesdropping, call pattern tracking, conversation reconstruction etc have to be taken into consideration during voip deployment. This is why i was very happy when i came across VoIP Security Alliance (VOIPSA). VOIPSA is a non profit organization which aims to fill the void of voip security related resources through a unique collaboration of VoIP and information security vendors, providers and thought leaders. Membership of VOIPSA is open to both individuals and organisations. They have two working groups namely Treat Taxonomy and Security Requirements. The Treat Taxonomy working group is responsible for defining and identifying the potential VoIP deployment security threats, while the Security requirement working group is concerned with defining the security requirements across the wide spectrum of a VoIP ecosystem. I have contacted the Treaty Taxonomy working group leader about joining the group and i hope to start contributing my own quota to the efforts of VOIPSA soon. So if you want to be one of the people helping to make our communications secure go to VOIPSA Website and join a working group of your choice or tell them about your organization and they will let you know how you can get involved.

Yahoo Messenger with Voice now available in the U.S

Yahoo on wednesday lauch yahoo messenger with voice in the U.S. This service has been available for some months for international users. Services such as Phone-In and Phone-Out are also available. Unlike Skype voicemail services are free and there are a host of other enhancements to the yahoo voice service. This is establishing Yahoo messenger as a complete communication client, with IM, Chat, PC-to-PC calling, PC-to-phone calling, radio etc. My first experience with yahoo messenger with voice was not so good and i hope with this lauch most of the issues has been addressed. More Yahoo Links : ============== Yahoo! Personals with 7 Day FREE Trial offer Get quotes from Yahoo! Autos Yahoo!Music Unlimited Free Trial Yahoo! Top Games

Configuring Voipstunt for Express Talk

To configure Voipstunt on Express Talk softphone follow the steps below: 1. From the menu bar click VIEW and select SETTINGS 2. Select the "Line Tab" in settings 3. Select on which line you want to configure voipstunt, there are lines 1 to 4 4. Enter the following cofiguration settings:

• Display Name: Your Name
• Sip Account Number(or user): your voipstunt user-id
• Server(sip Proxy or Virtual PBX): connectionserver.voipstunt.com
• Password: Your voipstunt password.

5. Click on Advanced Line Settings, select use a different outbound server and enter
sip.voipstunt.com as the outbound server 6. Click OK These settings worked very fine for me. Feel free to comment or make suggestions regarding these settings. Related post : Express Talk - Free softphone with a difference

Configuring Voipcheap for Express Talk

To configure Voipcheap on Express Talk softphone follow the steps below: 1. From the menu bar click VIEW and select SETTINGS 2. Select the "Line Tab" in settings 3. Select on which line you want to configure voipcheap, there are lines 1 to 4 4. Enter the following cofiguration settings:

• Display Name: Your Name
• Sip Account Number(or user): your voipcheap user-id
• Server(sip Proxy or Virtual PBX): connectionserver.voipcheap.co.uk
• Password: Your voipcheap password.

5. Click on Advanced Line Settings, select use a different outbound server and enter
sip.voipcheap.co.uk as the outbound server 6. Click OK These settings worked very fine for me. Feel free to comment or make suggestions regarding these settings. Related post : Express Talk - Free softphone with a difference

Configuring Voipbuster for Express Talk

To configure Voipbuster on Express Talk softphone follow the steps below: 1. From the menu bar click VIEW and select SETTINGS 2. Select the "Line Tab" in settings 3. Select on which line you want to configure voipbuster, there are lines 1 to 4 4. Enter the following cofiguration settings:

• Display Name: Your Name
• Sip Account Number(or user): your voipbuster user-id
• Server(sip Proxy or Virtual PBX): sip1.voipbuster.com
• Password: Your voipbuster password.

5. Click OK These settings worked very fine for me. Feel free to comment or make suggestions regarding these settings. Related post : Express Talk - Free softphone with a difference

Express Talk - Free softphone with a difference

I discovered Express Talk while searching for skype to sip gateways and i must say its a wonderful softphone. Express Talk was developed by NCH Swift Sound, a leading audio technology developer. Express Talk let you call other users pc-to-pc free and you can configure up to four gateway services on it for PC-to-phone calls. It has call holding, call transfer, call recording and do not disturb features. It uses the SIP protocol and is compatible with most major VoIP SIP service providers.Its like having a the features of advanced telephone system in a softphone. You can a hold a call on one line while you make another call using another gateway service on the other line. Its links directly to other nice programms for call recording and On-Hold music. Most of all its very easy to install, configure and use. All the features of Express are summarized below:

1. Lets you make internet phone calls free direct PC to PC, or PC to phone via a VoIP SIP gateway provider. More information on VoIP here
2. Supports up to 4 lines on the one phone with the ability to put calls on hold.
3. Works with a headset or in speakerphone mode with just a standard microphone and set of speakers.
4. Includes data compression (GSM, uLaw, ALaw and PCM), echo cancellation, noise reduction comfort noise and more.
5. Uses the standard SIP protocol so it can link to a broad range of telephone gateways, SIP system or other internet phone software.
6. Also works with the VoIP Virtual PBx - just by installing that software you can create a LAN based PBx for offices or call centers.
7. Can be configured to work behind NATs and Firewalls.
8. Supports caller ID display and logging.
9. Includes a phone book with quick dial.
10. Supports call transfer.
11. Lets you record your phone calls to wav or used in conjunction with the VRS Call Recording Software, will save to MP3, wav and more.
12. Plays on-hold music to callers on hold. Can also link to the IMS On-Hold Messages Player Software to create professional mixes of music and messages on the fly.

I have configured all major voip clients that i use on express talk and they worked perfectly. In future posts i will give the express talk configuration settings for voipbuster, voipstunt, voipcheap and others. Express Talk can be downloaded for free.

RNKVoIP to launch VoIP2Go

PR Newswire has reported that RNKVoIP will be launching VoIP2Go on March 31, 2006. This service is an equipment free voip service. Users dont need any equipment such as headset, ip phone, phone adapters, gateway etc to make voip calls. In fact you dont even need an internet connection, all you need is just a regular landline or mobile phone on which you can call from. Subscribers will only need to make a phone call from any traditional telephony system to RNKVoIP VoIP network and be connected to any phone around the globe. With VoIP2Go no softphone download, equipment configuration and computer knowledge is required. This is another of recent voip service providers move to make voip service available to everybody and everywhere, a move i considered very positive. The entire news item can be read at PRNewswire.

mobiVoIP - VoIP on the move

I have been part of the Beta testing of mobiVoIP for some time now and it has really worked fine. mobiVoIP developed by Madison, Wisconsin based MantraGroup™ Inc enables users to make VoIP calls from mobile devices such as PDA's or Smartphones. It worked very well with bluetooth and WiFi connection but i couldnt get it to work well with low bandwith connections like GPRS and IrDA. With broadband wireless internet connection the audio quality was very good. Calls can be made to other mobiVoIP users and to any regular phone. More information can be obtained at http://www.mobivoip.net.