Nokia N82- The Power to do much more

Nokia N82 is another device that its manufacturers believe will
empower people not only to connect with each other but give them the
ability to do much more. This device that is featuring A-GPS, 5
megapixel camera, Xenon flash, Carl Zeiss optics and WiFi internet
connectivity, incorporates all the multimedia computer features common
to Nokia Nseries.
Like its predecesor the Nokia N95, the Nokia N82 is the latest epitome
of a truly converged device that is not one thing but is many. With a
powerful Xenon flash and Carl Zeiss optics, the Nokia N82 delivers
remarkably vidid photographs , even in low light conditions. The
powerful A-GPS and Nokia Maps help you explore and locate new places.

Archos 605 Wi-Fi now Available

The much anticipated wireless portable player- Archos 605 Wi-Fi has
been released and now available for use. The The Archos 605 WiFi
allows users to wirelessly download movies, TV shows, and (soon) music
on the spot, as well as stream the latest YouTube videos.
The Archos 605's screen is big enough to do video justice, yet small
and thin enough to comfortably fit in your pants pocket. The recessed
4.3-inch TFT LCD screen is not only bright, colorful, and
glare-resistant, but it displays at a resolution of 800x480, making it
one of the highest-resolution PVPs on the market. Plus, the screen
valiantly resists smudges despite its dual-duty as a touch screen. It
also has a built-in kickstand and an internal speaker really put this
player over the top.

There are a few disappointments: The battery is non removable and its
life is only average. Many users will need to shell out extra for
software and hardware accessories they'll wish were included.

The Archos 605 WiFi is one of the most impressive portable video
players we've seen all year and its low price tag makes it very hard
to resist. You may end up spending another $100 or more on extra
features and accessories, but 605's ability to take the sting out of
road trips and air travel should make the investment all worthwhile.
Below are the specifications that make the device such an essential gadget:
• Device Type: Digital AV player
• PC Interfaces: Hi-Speed USB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
• Display Type: TFT 4.3 in - Color
• Memory / Storage: HDD Capacity 160 GB
• Supported Still Images Formats: BMP, PNG, JPEG
• Supported audio formats: MP3, PCM, WAV, WMA, ADPCM, Protected WMA (DRM)
• Video Playback Formats: WMV, MPEG-4, Protected WMV (DRM)
• Connections: Headphones - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, Hi-Speed USB,
Audio / video output
• Battery: Internal, Rechargeable
• Firmware Upgradable: Yes
• Included Accessories: USB cable, Carrying pouch, Stereo headphones

M930W Communicator Released

Asus has finally released its M930W, a Communicator-like device that
is believed would compete with E90 from Nokia, this was made known
through the French site GPS & Co.
According to the report, the upcoming device will use Marvell's
PXA270M 520 MHz CPU, boasting such specs as tri-band GSM, GPRS, EDGE,
and HSDPA connectivity support, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, WiFi, 256 MB ROM
and 128 Mb of RAM, and of course the microSD slot that can read
MicroSDHC cards. One thing we're not sure is whether the upcoming
device also sports the GPS receiver, although we wouldn't be surprised
to see it on-board as well. As expected, Windows Mobile 6 is running
the show.

UT Starcom Partners Markwell to Deploy IPTV Service

In collaboration with Markwell Industrial Co. Ltd, UT Starcom has
revealed its intention to offer IPTV services throughout Taiwan
territory.
Markwell is a cable and internet provider and the signed contract
includes system capacity for 500,000 subscribers and initially 20,000
set-top boxes. Markwell plans to deploy an additional 480,000 set-top
boxes in the next two years.
Alameda-based UTStarcom , a provider of Internet-protocol television
networks and services, said it is also in discussions with other cable
operators in Taiwan who are interested in IPTV systems.
Cable TV has grown popular across the island of Taiwan since it was
introduced in the mid-1990s. Taiwan has a population of 22.9 million.
UTStarcom has major deployments on mainland China with China Netcom
and China Telecom. It also has deployments in India with Bharti Airtel
and MTNL/Aksh and in Japan with Softbank. In addition, the company
just announced Dec. 10 its first deal in Latin America with Brasil
Telecom.
UTStarcom says it has 600,000 IPTV subscribers worldwide.

ITU Announces First Set of Standards for IPTV

With a view to protecting the IPTV market, the International
Telecommunication Union (ITU) has announce the firs set of standards
to be followed globally for the Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)
and it is believed that this will protect the interests of all the
shareholders.
As part of the innovation for next-generation networks, NGN, IPTV is
one of the most visible services to emerge recently and it has
received a loud acceptance from the populace.
According to ITU, both the business case will be the principal driver
for accelerating deployment of NGN. The standards were built with
technical contributions from leading service providers and
manufacturers from the information and communication technology - ICT
sector.
Director of ITU's Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, Malcolm
Johnson said, the standards are crucial for IPTV to reach its market
potential and global audience.
He said they are also necessary in order to give service providers,
control over their platforms.
The standards will help to encourage innovation, mask the complexity
of services, guarantee quality of service, ensure interoperability
and, ultimately, help players remain competitive.
The announcement was made at the seventh meeting hosted in Malta by
the Maltese Ministry for Competitiveness and Communications.
Operators consider IPTV a key element of a triple-play package of
voice, video and data services.

Fring Adds Yahoo!™ and AOL’s AIM to its Free Wi-Fi Mobile

Joining Skype, Google Talk, MSN, ICQ, and Twitter to provide its users
with more options of staying connected with all their buddies online,
Fring has announced that it has added Yahoo!™ and AOL's AIM(R) instant
messengers to their growing world of online communities.
As a result, users of a Yahoo! or AIM account and a Fring-enabled
handset will be able to take all of their buddies mobile and benefit
from Fring's IM-style chat and live presence features, enabling them
to bring y IM and mobile phone contacts into one easy-to-use list on
your handset. Users will be able see whether they're on, offline or
away and enjoy rich chat sessions from their mobile or whenever they
are away from their PC.
By using Fring's mobile VoIP application, users can make voice calls,
chat and check out the status of their contacts before dialing
irrespective of their location and they can do this using through the
lower cost data plan and free Wi-FI.

GN Launches Jabra GN9350

GN has recently announced the release of Jabra GN9350, a dual function
wireless headset which combines both landline and VoIP mobility in one
small and neat package. The GN9350 main features include the ability
to be linked to a PC for VoIP connections while also connected to the
landline for your normal phone calls. By simply pressing a button on
the base station or the headset, the device can be used to switch
between the PC audio and the telephone.
During the trial, it was discovered that transitions between the
telephone line and PC audio were smooth with only a slight pause
between switches. The Jabra headset also provides connectivity for
Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (DECT) phones which must
be paired to the base station.
The GN9350 allows up to 4 headsets to be set up in conference mode for
conference calls. The GN9350 also boasts of a wireless range of up to
300ft (91.4m). Walls may restrict the signal somewhat but testing done
around the office gave a decent range from which to roam about. Audio
quality is something that Jabra has always excelled in and the GN9350
is no different. Audio streaming in from the PC was pretty clear with
no discernible static due to the Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
capabilities of the unit. The volume is suitable for a quiet office
environment, and does not leak out of the headset.
In addition, VoIP quality is very clear, and calls via Skye to a VoIP
phone were clear on both the receiving and outgoing end. However on
testing the telephone line, we got mixed results. While we had very
clear incoming audio, the outgoing voice was distorted by static. This
occurred both times when we tested with a landline and a mobile line.
While the GN9350's microphone has noise-canceling functions, it didn't
seem to work for our outgoing calls.
The devise is housed in black and silver and by removing the back
cover reveals a LCD menu with buttons at the side for configuring the
various features of the GN9350; the cover itself is easy to remove and
conceals the LCD screen and connecting ports.
The headset is a long sleek affair keeping to the black and silver
theme and fits snugly in a slot at the top of the base station. The
base station also acts as a charger for the headset when not in use.
The headset is rated to have 43 hours of standby time and up to nine
hours of talk-time for telephony and six hours for PC audio. The unit
also comes with a headband and neckband attachments for users to
choose from.

Foundry to Update Le Figaro’s Converged VoIP

As part of the commitment to offer its audience with the latest and
authentic information available, Le Figaro has chosen Foundry
Networks(R), Inc, and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching
and routing to update its VoIP subscription and this includes its
Ethernet network infrastructure.
Le Figaro is France's leading daily newspaper and a unit of Groupe
Figaro which is a major leader in French journalism. In mid-2005, Le
Figaro decided to relocate its operations in a move to centralize all
the newspaper's services (editing, production, advertising and
administration). However, this also required an update of its Ethernet
network infrastructure and Le Figaro therefore called upon Foundry
Networks.
However, before its move, Le Figaro was operating its own fiber-optic
network with more than 1,500 PCs and 250 switches scattered between
seven sites. In late 2004, Le Figaro began to regroup its different
sites to a central one located on boulevard Haussmann in Paris.
Foundry, whose solutions were already in use in Le Figaro, was called
upon to offer technical support.
While improvising the best solution available, Foundry took account of
a complex set of user requirements to best meet Le Figaro's
expectations. In addition to great tolerance for any connection breaks
and very high service continuity, the Ethernet network also had to
carry and route television data flows broadcast over multicast IP. The
network also needed to deploy VoIP companywide, as the business was
planning to partially deploy this service at all its sites. Also,
since the editorial office remains open until one in the morning
during the week and on Sundays, Foundry also installed a
high-availability solution for interconnection links, active network
equipment and production servers.
Recognizing the effect this has on his company, IS director for Le
Figaro, Mr. Hernandez said that they are happy with their equipment
and that Foundry's technology has allowed them to homogenize their
network, reducing risk of breakdowns and making system administration
simpler.
In anticipation of future growth in network traffic, coupled with more
diverse data sources and the arrival of new application flows, Foundry
and Le Figaro's DSI decided to install a 10 gigabit Ethernet (10GbE)
backbone network, consolidating GbE and 100 Mbps data inputs.
"Foundry Networks is very pleased to have been selected by Le Figaro,
an undisputed leader in French journalism, for its extensive network
installation," said Bob Schiff, vice president and general manager for
Foundry Networks' Enterprise Business Unit. "We have built a
high-performance, scalable and cost-effective networking solution for
Le Figaro, which needs the reliability and power of high performance
networking without the hefty price tag of specialized systems. As Le
Figaro continues to inform the French public with breaking news, we
are confident that Foundry's networking equipment will scale to meet
the demands of its extensive publishing requirements and high
journalism standards."
Foundry fitted the Le Figaro network with FastIron switches and the
core of this new Ethernet network is made up of four FastIron SX 800
switches used to manage the multicasting of digital video stemming
from telebroadcasting channels. The FastIron SX 800s are locally
connected by 10GbE multicode fibers to 48-port 10/100/1000 Mbit/s
switches. The production servers use 100 Mbit/s or GbE connectivity.
Some of these switches have a federating function via GbE multimode
fibers while other 24-port switches are used to serve PCs. Three VLANs
were set up by stage to separate the different data traffic flows
passing through the network for VoIP, data and video

Unlimited calling rate to be introduced to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Vietnam and Russia thanks to QuantumTone

            In an announcement some days ago, QuantumTone made it known that it's finally going to launch the long awaited unlimited calling plans for Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Mexico, Vietnam, Turkey, Europe, Asia, and other South and Central American countries for flat monthly rates.

            With this in place, users will not have to pay at per minute rates for international calls. Instead they can call with their mobile or home phones, to use the service. The other alternative is to get a new digital home phone service from QuantumTone.

The QuantumTone phone can be used without any internet connection. You can get it from online portal and some select local retail storefronts in major metropolitan cities throughout the country. With time, this product will be introduced to consumers in Europe and the Middle East.

According to Monica Kish, the CEO of QuantumTone, "Our service transforms any mobile or local land phone into an instant world phone with unlimited calling capabilities. The advent and perpetual developments of QuantumTone VoIP Technology has simplified international telephony. Realizing how agonizing, time consuming, and expensive for ethnic frequent callers to use long distance services and deceptive, gray-route prepaid calling cards, we felt the need for such flat rate unlimited calling plans. Residential consumers can take advantage of our new service and call their friends and family overseas worry free. We are the first US telephone company that pioneered such aggressive worldwide unlimited plans to some of these high-cost international tariffs like anywhere in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mexico, Columbia, and other destinations."

The introduction of a new calling plan by QuantumTone actually brings in a new era of VoIP connectivity and IP telephony sophistication that has never been seen before in home and mobile device until now. In the actual sense, it show us a clearer picture of what a mobile phone and digital home phone can do with the IP technology from QuantumTone. You also get multiple unlimited domestic and international calling plans for residential and business use from QuantumTone.

The VoIP Home and Q-TONE Mobile/Home offers you the convenience of registering either your existing mobile phone or local home phone or choosing QuantumTone VoIP so as to make free calls to any overseas country you want. Our domestic country, the US is not left out, not to mention Canada which is a long distant country. To wrap it up, QuantumTone also provides digital quality, enterprise grade VoIP solutions which comes with a lot vital calling features with no added cost.

 

 

Support increased in Polycom IP handsets thanks to Ipcortex

To create more support for the Polycom range of SIP handsets, Ipcortex Ltd of Milton Keynes has upgraded its VoIPCortex IP-PBX platform. With this upgrade, users and resellers of ipcortex products will now have more choice and simplicity at the same time.

The handsets are very quick to configure. It is distributed by more than 6 different vendors, including Aastra, snom and Linksys. This ensures compatibility.

The Polycom SoundPoint and SoundStation IP handsets can best be used with the VoIPCortex range of IP-PBX units, since they support a high level of functionality. The VoIPCortex IP-PBX platform has advanced features as standard. Deployment of the Polycom IP handsets can be easily done throughout an organisation, making the advanced features of the VoIPCortex IP-PBX platform available to all.

The variety of handsets available are the desk, executive and receptionist phones or conference units. Ipcortex provides services like converged network products and expertise to resellers and end users, from small businesses to major enterprises

‘Voice on the Net Coalition Europe’ a new Lobby Group

A new lobby group know as the 'Voice on the Net Coalition Europe' was set up and launched on 14 December. It was set up to try to influence the regulation of the Internet in Europe. The group is made up of large suppliers like Google, Intel, Microsoft, and Skype.

.           The new group, Voice on the Net Coalition Europe also known as VON Coalition Europe has stated that it will work to educate, inform, and promote responsible government policies that enable innovation and the many benefits that Internet voice innovations can deliver.

Earlier on, precisely in November, the European Commission brought forth a proposal on regulatory changes that would require VoIP providers to enable calls to emergency services. In this light, the Office of Communications, which is the telecommunications regulator in the UK, has now mandated that such access must be made available by September 2008. Top VoIP providers such as Skype, did not agree with the proposal. Their argument was that VoIP is a complement to, and not a replacement for the conventional telephony services.

From what we gathered from Stephen Collins, the director of global governmental and regulatory affairs at Skype, the company says that Internet-enabled communications are an entirely new genre of communications products, services, and applications and a new frontier in communications for individuals and businesses alike. In the opinion of Skype, in order to unleash their vast benefits, policymakers need to embrace forward-thinking policy approaches.

In a further statement, Stephen Collins has this to say, "If we automatically subject this new technology to legacy telephone regulation, consumers, and business users could miss out on the new services, increased choices, better prices, and improved features that VoIP, for example, can deliver.

In a statement made at the launching of this lobby group, the coalition claimed that the premature application of emergency call rules to Web sites, click-to-dial services, one-way public switched telephone-network voice services, and other VoIP services that are not a replacement for traditional home or business phone services could actually harm public safety, stifle innovations critical to people with disabilities, stall competition, and limit access to innovative and evolving communication options where there is no expectation of placing a 112 call.

 

 

 

Huawei selects Spirit IMS-ready PC VoIP software

China 's largest provider of Next Generation Telecoms networks, Huawei Technologies, is one of the fastest growing suppliers of mainstream NGN solutions. It is currently serving 31 out of the world's top 50 operators.

The giant provider has just given licence to Spirit's TeamSpirit 3.0 Voice Engine PC to offer the highest quality PC VoIP solution to its operator and service provider customers. You will find out that Huawei's products and solutions are deployed in over 100 countries. Infact they serve over one billion users in the whole world. With its fast growth in the overseas markets, the company will earn close to $16bn this year.

Picking TeamSpirit Voice Engine PC by Huawei will advance the adoption and widespread deployment of embedded Internet Telephony over IP networks for IMS/NGN. The Spirit software allows broadband operators and service providers to offer their subscribers an easy PC-download with a rich voice experience, an unprecedented quality and  a reliable back up.

The TeamSpirit Voice Engine PC is backed up by the award-winning proprietary technology which gives one an unprecedented quality. With this in place, operators can now get new customers easily and also deliver new exciting, rich, interactive, multimedia services on market demand.

Pay Platform Providing Frequent Flyer Miles launched by VoIP-PAL.com

In the first quarter of 2008, VoIP-PAL.com Inc. will launch its transactional pay platform. This information was obtained from an announcement made by the company itself. With the pay platform, customers can receive frequent flyer miles from a variety of renowned airlines. It becomes possible once they buy VoIP products from any of the designated VoIP-PAL.com Web sites.

As an incentive program, the Frequent flyer miles has helped to improve customer sales and loyalty. It has been proven to be one of the world's most successful incentives to buy consumer goods. It has also been proven to be a customer motivator. Since we are in an era where companies are struggling to gain their customer's money, as well as attention, innovative and proven methods is necessary. The implementation of a frequent flyer incentive program by VoIP-PAL.com, benefits any one that is a part of it.

This is how it works. Once products from VoIP-PAL.com are bought from any of the designated VoIP-PAL.com Web sites, customers will get a mileage code, either on a gift certificate or through e-mail. After this, the customer will now have to visit VoIP-PAL.com's custom branded redemption site to enter their codes. On selecting an airline program of choice, the consumer can now enter their account details for that airline program. The frequent flyer miles will appear in their airline account just in a space of 24 to 72 hours. It is after this that the customer can now start making travel plans.

            Here is what the CEO of VoIP-PAL.com Inc., Richard Kipping, has to say from News - Alert, "Launching the platform is a goal we have set for early 2008. We are excited to be able to offer airmile incentives to our customers and plan on developing future incentives that market our VoIP products as alternatives to expensive long-distance telephone costs."

            A nationwide teleconference was held recently by VoIP-PAL.com to update shareholders on recent developments, discuss the company's unique contract to sell its VoIP product and its position on becoming an acquisition candidate. 

            In a bid to help businesses and individuals worldwide to communicate more effectively, VoIP-PAL.com, Inc. focuses on selling cutting-edge VoIP products and services. It also tries to cut costs by providing the greatest cost savings that is possible. VoIP-PAL.com wants to be marketing the highest quality, most innovative, best priced products and services available continuously.

            Even though not everybody will think frequent flyer miles when shopping for VoIP products and services, we all know that consumers always want a good value for anything they buy. As the fare for airline travel continues to be more expensive, programs that provide lower cost or even free travel has been known to act as an incentive for purchase. Since VoIP-PAL.com understands what is happening, they implemented a plan to capitalize on the concept, which you will consider a smart and strategic move.

 

Mobile Operator 3 launches Skypephone in Sweden, Denmark and Austria

            After introducing the Skypephone in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong and Italy, Mobile operator 3 is at it again. It wants to launch its Skypephone in Sweden, Denmark and Austria.

            With the 3 Skypephone, which is a 3G device Internet phone, you get to make free Skype-to-Skype calls to any place in the world. You can also make conventional calls using the handset. One very good thing about this phone is that it allows users to use free Skype calls not just when they are connected to a PC but also while on the move.

            The phone is slim and lightweight. It comes in either a black or white colour, with a dedicated button for launching the Skype software. You will find a digital camera in it. There is also internet connectivity. That does not end there. You also get to download music and video.

            Sending text messages is quite easy. Instant messages can also be sent free of charge using Skype. Skype chat that is started on the phone are automatically synchronised to the users PC and the other way round.

            Presently, the first 5 call destinations for UK 3 Skype customers are the UK, USA, Poland, Germany and France.

 

Euro regulators sets rule on VoIP

            In a bid to harmonise VoIP standards and services across the union, a number of measures have been put in place by European regulators. The Group had a joint agreement on the regulation of IP telephony. With this regulation, a time will come when all users will tap into their service and use the very same number across the 27 member nations.
            According to Roberto Viola, the chairman of the European Regulators Group, "Our network of regulators will continue to set the pace in driving more effective regulation in Europe. Our common position on VoIP will help providers roll out their services across Europe more rapidly, whilst ensuring that consumers enjoy consistent levels of protection in terms of access to emergency services."
            He further said that the group will "continue to work closely" with European commissioners to smooth out regulatory issues that are holding back consumer enjoyment of telecoms services such as VoIP.

 

 

VoIP to gain from emergency calls

            Thanks to new government policies that would soon be implemented, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services would get better in the future. Ofcom, the Telecoms watchdog has just announced the plans that have been put in place to make all VoIP providers, provide access to emergency services. The IT Week thinks this would really be beneficial to VoIP users and also help take the service to a greater level. Based on reports from IT Week, the take-up and development of VoIP in the UK could be driven on by the new plans, which are set to come into force in 2008.
            The changes that will be put in place includes the creation of operator services and directory enquiries, in addition to special services for disabled people which would be charged at special rates.
            Though there has been some fear that the new addition might hinder the development of VoIP in the short-term by making providers less inclined to support incoming calls, Ofcom affirmed strongly that this will not happen because market forces will be too strong for providers to resist.
            Based on this, IT Week can now see that bringing in emergency call access on VoIP will greatly help in improving and widening the range of services provided by VoIP operators.

 

Uruguay Telecoms Market will be Worth US$1.07bn in 2012

            Come 2012, it is expected that Uruguay's telecommunications market will likely bring in revenues that is worth at least US$1.07bn. This was brought forward after a recent study by Signals Telecom Consulting. According to Signals, Uruguay's telecoms sector will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4% between 2007 and 2012.

            From what was gathered from the study, mobile telephony will experience a strong growth during this period and will continue competing with fixed line monopoly Antel. It also emphasized that revenues generated by mobile operators will exceed revenues from the fixed line business by the end of 2007.

            The mobile operators in Uruguay are América Móvil unit CTI Móvil, Telefónica unit Movistar Uruguay and Ancel, which is owned by Antel. Based on this study, the country will end 2007 with a mobile penetration rate of 76.5%. This percentage is expected to increase to 100% by 2011. The reason for mobile sector growth will be the launch of mobile broadband. This will allow mobile operators to compete with Antel in that aspect.

 

 

 

Andover Public Schools awards AT&T voice and data services contract

                Andover Public Schools has just awarded a five year voice and data services contract to the US communications holding company AT&T Inc. Andover Public Schools is a public school district which serves over 4,000 students in eight schools wthin Butler County, USA.

            Under the terms for the contract, AT&T has said that it will provide a Switched Ethernet solution to support the implementation of VoIP. This will widen its current relationship with Andover Public Schools. AT&T believes this solution will provide expanded bandwidth for educational applications at each school and support programmes across the network, including podcasts and United Streaming TV.

            The solution was designed to incorporate disaster recovery services, thus ensuring an increased network security and redundancy. It will also support streamlined communications that will ensure efficient voice and data network management.

According to AT&T, VoIP services will convert voice calls into data packets, which will allow the district to send and receive calls over a high-speed Internet connection, while VoIP will allow teachers to route calls to different rooms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vonage, AT&T to settle dispute over VoIP patents

            Just some few days back, Vonage and AT&T decided to settle the dispute between then over alleged patent infringement by the former's voice-over-IP (VoIP) service. The information came in from the announcement made by the two companies concerning the issue.

            Though the two companies refused to provide the precise details of the agreement, the deal came in some weeks after the two had agreed in principle to end the litigation which accused Vonage of infringing on patents for connecting phone service to Internet systems.

            It looks like in the settlement, there will be payment of a lump sum and royalties based on previous lawsuits settled by Vonage. Previously the Internet telephony company had to tackle multiple lawsuits that are relating to similar VoIP patents. They have even struck deals with Sprint and Verizon to continue running its existing service without any significant modification. The complaint brought forward by Verizon might have blocked Vonage from connecting to its phone network. It might have contributed to Verizon significantly curbing Vonage's ability to serve its American customer base.

 

 

 

Skype and 3 Partner to Launch Product

3, a mobile operator company says that it has entered partnership with Skype to launch Skypephone handsets in Austria, Denmark, and Sweden. This follows the successful introduction of the handset in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Hong Kong and Italy and means free mobile to mobile international Skype calls are available to 3 customers across eight countries.

The 3 Skypephone is a 3G Internet phone with free internet calling built-in. In addition to Skype calls the phone makes conventional calls and can be used to access 3's broad range of internet services.

Kevin Russell, CEO 3 UK, comments: "The 3 Skypephone has brought the worlds of home and mobile broadband together. Our customers are now able to enjoy the same Skype experience at home as on the move. The rollout across our international business underlines our commitment to offer innovative services that challenge the status quo."

Click Here now to Download the latest version of Skype and enjoy the best Quality Audio and Video calls for free

Over $750 Million Generated from IP Phone in the Third Quarter

Dell'Oro Group reported that the worldwide IP phone revenues exceeded $750 million in the third quarter of this year, growing more than 40 percent compared to the same period last year, due in large part to strong demand for IP lines to the desktop, according to a Dell'Oro Group report on the enterprise IP telephony market. Nortel and Avaya remained the top two vendors of worldwide line shipments, while Cisco bumped Siemens as the third largest vendor of worldwide line shipments in the quarter. Despite the upset in analyst ranking, Siemens enjoyed a strong fiscal year-end quarter.

The report indicates that IP phone revenues are becoming a larger part of a vendor's revenue stream as customers are opting for more expensive IP phones instead of keeping or replacing their older digital phones.

"IP Phone growth accelerated in the third quarter as large enterprises that have completed the first phase of revamping their voice infrastructure by upgrading their call control to IP are now entering the second, multi-year phase of upgrading users' desktops to IP phones," said Alan Weckel, Senior Analyst at Dell'Oro Group. "Vendors, such as Avaya, Cisco, and Nortel that are closely integrating voice into an enterprise's business processes -- such as deploying Unified Communications -- are seeing the greatest uptake in IP phone adoption," Weckel added.

Company Exposed VoIP Security Threats

In order to find lasting solution to security flaws in the company's services, Sipera Systems, after long investigaton, have been able to identify and list its top five VoIP vulnerability of 2007 which ranged from toll fraud to remote eavesdropping.

"By highlighting the top five vulnerabilities, issuing VIPER Lab Threat Advisories, and providing the Sipera IPCS product line, Sipera is helping enterprises and service providers secure their VoIP systems," said a statement by Krishna Kurapati, Sipera founder and CTO.

The other three security holes highlighted were the Skype worm, which utilised that software's chat function; Vishing, in which malicious users spoof their phone number to gain sensitive information; and VoIP hopping, which can give hackers access to VLANs by making a PC mimic a VoIP phone.

BlueNote Expands Services

Expanding it services, BlueNote Networks on Monday added two voice-interaction services to its VoIP web-services offering, allowing companies to build interactions such as automated phone calls or text messages into business applications.

The company added two new web services to its SessionSuite product: the Outbound Notification Solution Framework (ON-SF), for outbound notifications, and the Session Interaction Plugin Framework (SI-PF), for interactive sessions such as automated telephone communications.

Outbound notifications can be handled over channels such as voice, SMS, fax or email, and the application automatically handles aspects such as queuing, retries and filtering based on the time of day, BlueNote said.

SessionSuite is based on SIP, the protocol which sets up multimedia communications, applying the same application programming interface (API) to text, voice and video interaction, BlueNote said.

The idea of ON-SF is to allow SIP messaging functions to be integrated with business applications so that various events can trigger a personalised notification. For instance, an airline could inform passengers of upgrade status or itinerary changes, or a financial institution could deliver stock alert messages.

BlueNote is targeting specific vertical markets, including healthcare and higher education. One of its customers, Northern Kentucky University in the US, is currently testing the system by offering notifications on university opening hours to students.

SI-PF is intended as a simpler alternative to the more specialised VoiceXML, allowing organisations to create interactive media applications using familiar web-service APIs.

 

Expanding it services, BlueNote Networks on Monday added two voice-interaction services to its VoIP web-services offering, allowing companies to build interactions such as automated phone calls or text messages into business applications.

The company added two new web services to its SessionSuite product: the Outbound Notification Solution Framework (ON-SF), for outbound notifications, and the Session Interaction Plugin Framework (SI-PF), for interactive sessions such as automated telephone communications.

Outbound notifications can be handled over channels such as voice, SMS, fax or email, and the application automatically handles aspects such as queuing, retries and filtering based on the time of day, BlueNote said.

SessionSuite is based on SIP, the protocol which sets up multimedia communications, applying the same application programming interface (API) to text, voice and video interaction, BlueNote said.

The idea of ON-SF is to allow SIP messaging functions to be integrated with business applications so that various events can trigger a personalised notification. For instance, an airline could inform passengers of upgrade status or itinerary changes, or a financial institution could deliver stock alert messages.

BlueNote is targeting specific vertical markets, including healthcare and higher education. One of its customers, Northern Kentucky University in the US, is currently testing the system by offering notifications on university opening hours to students.

SI-PF is intended as a simpler alternative to the more specialised VoiceXML, allowing organisations to create interactive media applications using familiar web-service APIs.

 

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Verizon Adopts Managed Nortel VoIP Service

Verizon has partnered with Nortel to offer managed service for Nortel's IP PBX. Verizon Business, which already offers a managed service for Cisco Systems' IP PBX products, on Dec. 10 added Nortel's Communication Server 1000 IP-PBX, Business Communications Manager branch-office IP PBX and CallPilot voice mail platform to its portfolio of managed services.

"What's unique about Nortel is that they've announced a very well-connected integration strategy with Microsoft. There is a lot of industry discussion related to using Microsoft's Office Communicator that launches the Unified Communication applications. Lots of people have that client on the desktop already," said Laurie Shook, manager of managed IP telephony for Verizon Business.

The new Nortel IP PBX managed service will include the full life cycle of on-premises equipment management, from implementation and deployment through fault, configuration accounting, performance and security management.

"We identify problems, fix and troubleshoot the network, configure servers and routers, and we manage it, take care of asset management and then do performance reporting. If there are not immediate but potential problems, we can identify and take proactive action instead of reactively fixing a break. Then we do a security assessment that looks at how those issues affect VOIP [voice over IP]," Shook said.

As a part of the new Nortel IP PBX managed service, Verizon Business will offer 100 percent platform availability service-level agreements and call completion guarantees, as well as guarantee actual voice quality based on a Mean Opinion Score of 4.0.

Verizon Business has to date provided implementation and deployment services for 155,000 Nortel Time Division Multiplexing-based Nortel PBXes and 4,800 IP PBXes.

The Nortel-based managed service, due in January, is aimed at large enterprises that prefer managed network services to in-house support.

In a separate announcement, Verizon Business also added support in its IP trunking services for Nortel's Communications Server 1000 5.0 release, and will allow customers to use idle trunk capacity in one location to accommodate an increase in traffic from another location.

New Application for Web Pages Launched

A new application that would enable developers to create telephony applications that can be embedded in websites has been launched by a Californian company.

The new technology branded Ribbit includes software switch that essentially connects Internet-based voice communication services with mobile phones, landlines phones and text messages.

On top of that connection is the Ribbit APIthat lets developers build applications that unify the wide variety of communication methods.

Developers can build applications that include functions such as recording, sending and receiving voicemail, and making and receiving calls. The applications can be built using Flash, embedded into any site, and integrated into existing web-based services. The platform supports many existing VoIP platforms such as Skype, GoogleTalk and MSN.

Developers can charge end-users for the applications, and Ribbit can handle the billing for them. There are several ways developers can offer and charge for their products, and in some cases Ribbit will share revenue with developers.

Ribbit showed off one application a developer has created that embeds phone capabilities into Salesforce.com. By keying a code into a mobile phone, users essentially replace their current voicemail with Ribbit for Salesforce. Then users can listen to or see text transcripts of their mobile voicemail messages within Salesforce. They can send the messages to colleagues and tag them for easy sorting later.

Users can also make and receive phone calls through their Salesforce page. Such calls are automatically logged in their Salesforce application.

Ribbit for Salesforce will cost US$25 per user per month for end-users. It is currently in a private beta with more than 90 companies, and should be widely available in February, Ribbit said.

Salute America's Heroes, a veterans' association, has built essentially a call center application that lets veterans who work for the group make and receive phone calls while at home through a browser. The capability is integrated into a website that also hosts tools they use while making the calls. The capability allows the association to take on the cost of the calls rather than reimbursing workers for the use of their home phones.

Ribbit designed its own softswitch, which runs on Linux blades and has been certified in an Alcatel-Lucent lab to meet the capabilities and reliability that telecommunications providers typically require, said Ted Griggs, CEO and co-founder of Ribbit. Ribbit's network operations center is hosted by a third party in Virginia, and the company is working on opening one on the West Coast to offer geographic redundancies. It can add capacity simply by adding more servers.

Ribbit says that more than 650 developers are working on new applications, although on Friday only two were listed on the developers site. "Dozens" are near release, a few additional applications should be available on Monday, and many more should be available in the early months of next year, Ribbit said.

NetIQ Says VoIP Companies Neglects Security Threat

In a recent study carried out by NetIQ, it discovered that many IT managers are turning blind eye to security threats that could compromise their VoIP infrastructure. It was discovered that among

About 66 IT managers, either using or planning to deploy VoIP systems in mid to large enterprises, found that more than half (59%) rated the threat of viruses or worms attacking their VoIP system as "low" or "very low".

Spam over IP (SPIT) and SIP compromises were equally low on respondents' radar with only 12% and 18% of respondents, respectively rating these as "high" or "very high" security threats. Just 24% of those surveyed were concerned with DoS or toll fraud.

While the majority of respondents had a firewall in place to secure their infrastructure, less than half had installed security management specifically designed to protect and secure their VoIP system.

Ulrich Weigel, chief security strategist for NetIQ comments: "The survey highlights a worrying complacency among organisations that have either already deployed or are about to install a VoIP infrastructure.

"The main focus for organisations has traditionally been on ensuring voice quality and performance, but vigilance with security - and taking measures such as encrypting voice services and performing regular security audits - is equally important."

The research findings come as the SANS Institute, in its annual round up of the most significant IT risks, recently announced that VOIP servers and phones ranked within the top 20 security risks for 2007. The organisation's experts have warned that the rapid adoption of systems in order to achieve cost savings has led many organisations to overlook vulnerabilities such as VoIP phishing scams, eavesdropping, toll fraud, or denial-of-service attacks.

 

Motorola Announces Launch of VoIP Service via its WiMAX Network by NeckarCom

Following the successful implementation earlier this year of WiMAX network in the Ulm region of Germany by Motorola, the company announced that NeckarCom Telekommunikation GmbH, an innovative German telecommunications provider, has launched its commercial Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service. NeckarCon was able to easily integrate all Motorola current standard voice and standard voices services across the WiMAX solution due to the flexibility of Motorola's WiMax solutions.

Explaining the importance of this development, the managing director, NeckarCom Telekommunikation GmbH said "We completed the roll-out of the WiMAX network in the Ulm region in October, which enabled us to offer wireless broadband data services in an area where fixed-line broadband services were not possible. We are now extending our services to offer VoIP, transforming communications in the region. The breadth and quality of Motorola's WiMAX product portfolio will support NeckarCom as we expand and bring further next-generation communications tools and services to our customers."

The corporate vice president & general manager, Motorola Home and Networks Mobility EMEA, Joe Cozzolino said "WiMAX is significantly disrupting traditional broadband business models and challenging providers to think about how they roll-out new communications networks and services in both metro and rural areas.

"The Motorola WiMAX network that NeckarCom chose to deploy a few months ago is already transforming its communication capabilities in the Ulm region. We are thrilled to be working with such a forward-looking provider as NeckarCom. Together, we are demonstrating the key benefits that WiMAX offers for voice and data communications today and in the future."

Customers in the Ulm region now benefit from a high-quality, low-cost, complete communications package from a single provider. NeckarCom's integrated voice and data service was the first 802.16e WiMAX-based offering in Germany and is based on Motorola's WiMAX technology. WiMAX 802.16e is a future-proof standard which can support fixed, nomadic, and mobile voice and data services and will allow NeckarCom to build a next-generation portfolio of communication offerings on its current WiMAX network.

 

IPTV Experience hall opened in South Korea

Enterone in partnership with Korea Telecom, Sony Computer and Entertainment Korea has opened an IPTV Experence hall in South Korea. This hall is a place where visitors can have hand on experience with IPTV services. Visitors can enjoy KT's Mega TV IPTV service which was adopted as a set top box for play station 3. This service will be formally launched next year.
This hall is situated on the 20th at MBC Edupark on the 6th floor of Shindorim TEchnomart building in Seoul, South Korea. The companies behind this hall believe it will help popularize IPTV adoption and translate to more sales of their IPTV services.

Complements of the Season

This is to wish all my readers and staff contributors a very merry christmas and a properous new year 2008.

Trai picks DoT to supervise IPTV services

 

            The telecom regulator Trai has just disclosed that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) would be the nodal agency to supervise IPTV services. This decision was taken disregarding the rule made by the cable industry that new media platform IPTV must be regulated by the 1995 Cable TV Act, with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) standing in as the nodal body.

            What then is IPTV? It is a way of delivering and viewing TV programmes using an Internet Protocol network and high-speed broadband.

            According to Trai, the rules for the operational procedures of IPTV would be made by the DoT, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India. This development is very significant because presently, any service that involves the transmission of television channels over any platform is controlled by the I&B ministry. In its provision paper on Internet Protocol (IP) TV, Trai said that the DoT will now look into matters related to IPTV in consultation with other ministries concerned.

            Trai also added in its paper that, "Operational procedures like time to keep a copy of the contents shown on IPTV, monitoring requirements etc can be worked out by the DoT based on feedback from the respective ministries."

            A further addition in the paper by Trai was that, "DoT may perhaps seek the guidance of the respective ministries to ascertain the penalties for the breach to maintain uniformity and shall initiate suitable action for imposing penalties for violations in a time-bound manner."

            When it comes to giving out licenses, Trai said the telecom companies having Unified Access Service Licence and cable companies registered under the Cable TV Act would not require any fresh licence. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that have a net worth of Rs 100 crore have also been permitted by Trai to start these services.

            The IPTV package is interactive because of the presence of a return path i.e. consumers can interact by asking for offerings. This is where it has an upper hand when compared to cable services. It can also provide video-on-demand, time-shifted television (i.e. a show that can be watched days after being telecast) in addition to other interesting features. But when you try to overlook the arguments of the broadcasters and the cable industry, Trai has termed IPTV as a delivery platform and not a service.

 

 

 

 

 

Amino has been Chosen For Central America's First IPTV Service

            The Amino AmiNET125 multi-codec Set-Top-Box (STB) has been chosen by Panama's CTV Telecom for Central America's first IPTV service. The platform of AmiNET125 was fashioned in such a way to help operators in up coming markets to bring in IPTV services using a flexible and cost effective approach. AmiNET125 can also be used in European and North American markets for standard definition TV sets.
            In Panama City, CTV has a purpose built high-speed 100 per cent fibre optic network which is used solely for the delivery of the new IPTV service. The people that Subscribe to CTV get pure IPTV services from them. Such services include telephone, broadband internet and television, with a choice of over 100 broadcast, music and on demand channels. Right now an initial order has already been issued for a substantial volume of AmiNET125 STBs. More orders are likely on the way since the delivery area stretches to other parts of the country.
            According to Juan McKenzie, the director at CTV Telecom, "Amino is a valued partner and has gone far beyond just selling us a STB. Throughout the deployment we've benefited from Amino's vast IPTV knowledge and experience which has helped us to develop the business and avoid common pitfalls. The unrivalled interoperability of Amino technology has also enabled a quick and seamless integration with our other IPTV partners."

            To achieve the best combination of reliability, performance and cost, AmiNET125 combines proven hardware and software architectures with the latest processor and peripheral components. It actually adds the very best features of Amino's initial standard definition products but in contrast, it added a USB 2.0 and a programmable multi-codec DSP capable of MPEG-2, H.264 and WMV9.Through the use of a new System-On-Chip (SOC) solution, it also combines a powerful CPU and advanced, programmable DSP in a cost effective single package. This package can easily be field-upgraded in order to support the addition of new services and codecs, thus boosting the increase of average revenue per user (ARPU).
            This is what the Director of Sales for Amino in the East Coast & Latin America, Sandra Conejos has to say, "This deployment brings IPTV to a previously untapped market and demonstrates Amino's dedication to driving the geographic spread of IPTV technology to new areas. The AmiNET125 focuses on the core requirements of cost sensitive markets in the developing world to produce a lower cost, flexible multi-codec platform supporting advanced IPTV services. Through this technology consumers in Panama will soon be enjoying innovative IPTV offerings for the first time."
            Just recently, the AmiNET125 won the highly esteemed CSI Product of the Year Award under the category, "Best IPTV technology", before the Microsoft Xbox360 solution for IPTV. Note that the CSI award is actually the third international accolade given to Amino's multi-codec range of STBs in the last couple of years.

 

ABA to make an appearance on NeuLion's iPTV service

            This announcement was made at the same time with Sports Video Group's League Technology Summit in New York City on December 11. It follows NeuLion's successful launch of other IPTV networks for the National Hockey League, New York Knicks, National High School Coaches Association and others.

            This will make NeuLion's iPTV platform to be able to broadcast live and video on demand content, which is streamed straight to the TV. ABA will now be able to offer Chinese basketball games and other game footage through KyLin TV, NeuLion's Chinese media network.

            Since after launching KyLin TV in 2005, there has been more than 25,000 subscribers in all the U.S. State and Canadian providence. With KyLin TV, they have direct access to the largest collection of Chinese television entertainment and most popular broadcasts from China and Hong Kong in North America.

            KyLinTV will now cover the ABA games. NeuLion's iPTV service allows KyLinTV subscribers to watch television programming through NeuLion's set top box via the internet. The Pay per view games has been available since this December at the rate of $2.99. Just watch out because at least two games are scheduled per week. It will feature the Beijing Aoshen Olympian vs US/Canada teams. You will find teams from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Beijing in ABA. Though the Beijing Aoshen Olympian were once based in Los Angeles, this season, they will be playing in Singapore. Throughout this season, the ABA teams from Canada and the U.S. will be playing games which will be featured on KyLinTV.

            According to Charles Key, the ABA's Vice President of media and marketing, "Basketball is quickly becoming the number one sport worldwide and the Beijing Aoshen Olympian is gaining incredible fame. We are thrilled to reach the growing Chinese audience in North America and are eager to bring them this basketball coverage on KyLinTV."

            Chris Wagner, the Executive vice president and co-founder of NeuLion also said this, "NeuLion Sports Networks continue to grow. We are excited to have the ABA as a new basketball content provider and partner. Consumers prefer to have a choice in watching sports on either TV or the PC and that is a slam dunk for us, since our platform can deliver to either device."

            To round it all up, Joe Newman, the CEO of ABA said, "The ABA recently signed a 15-year agreement with the Beijing Aoshen Olympian to develop teams in Asia, including mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. We are very excited about this season as being the first step towards bringing the excitement of ABA basketball to the world and having a wonderful parner like NeuLion is very important to us."

 

Xilinx yearns for wireless communications market in India

 

            A player in the programmable logic devices (PLD) market, California-based Xilinx Inc, has foreseen a lot of prospects in the wireless communications market in India, especially with regards to Wimax and IPTV. They have been catering to wireline communications, aerospace and defence, in addition to industrial and medical verticals in the country.

            Some days back, Krishna Rangasayee, the senior director of vertical markets and partnerships Xilinx Inc, said this "We are targeting the booming wireless communication and networking market in India. Though IPTV technology is in its initial stage in the country, India is expected to be the fastest-growing markets for this technology and we see growth opportunities in this arena too, in one or two years down the line."

            Xilinx, which is worth $2 billion has various projects at hand. It has already tied up with companies that use its programmable chips to develop technology for equipment and implement wimax networks. They are also at different levels of negotiation with other companies too. Right now, they are in the process of developing their Hyderabad centre, which is its largest facility outside the US, into a global R&D hub. According to Mallik Moturi, the managing director of Xilinx, they are now building a systems and applications development, and customer support teams, as part of this program.

            As of now, the Hyderabad centre has developed 60 full product development lifecycle of intellectual property (IP) cores which includes gigabit ethernet, networking, automotive and process-related cores.

            Mallik further stated that, "The Hyderabad centre currently employs about 100 high-end design engineers and we plan to increase the strength of the R&D manpower here to 300 in the next couple of years."

            "On the company's $75-million Asia Pacific venture capital fund, which was designed to seek opportunities to invest in companies in the Asia region including India, Xilinx was planning to invest in companies that are creating innovative applications based on programmable logic". Rangasayee said

            He also added that, "Investment opportunities are all there and Xilinx is currently evaluating a couple of them. It will take a year or so to finalise the investments."

 

 

 

 

SoonR now gives file access and Skype from iPhone

            In a recent announcement, SoonR made it clear that its remote file access service now works with the iPhone.

            SoonR is a company that links mobile phones with the data on a remote Mac or PC. Anyone that uses it can easily access documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Even if you like, you can access more than 40 different document types with the help of a slideshow style interface. Apart from this, it can also be integrated with Outlook e-mail, calendar and contact information where Mac users can access their Mail account, mail attachments and contacts.

            It also leverages AJAX technology, which the iPhone supports. SoonR was enabled on the iPhone by the developers so as to scale fonts and pictures and also make adjustments just to check if the iPhone is being held in the portrait or landscape modes.

With the iPhone's "pinch" action, Users can easily zoom and also pan.

            One other thing is that SoonR enables users to make Skype call using the iPhone. The Mac or PC will be used to bridge the call. With SoonR Talk, users can make Skype chats and also show user status or presence information.

            SoonR offers basic accounts for free. This is because they are still beta-testing the software. Very soon, they plan to introduce the premium account.

 

 

 

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As AdultVest， Inc. Finishes 11 Studio IPTV Deals, More are still on the Way

            The exclusive licensing agent for "FyreTV", AdultVest, Inc. has just announced that it has inked a non-exclusive license agreement with Redlight District, VCX, TeraVision, Combat Zone, Mercenary Pictures, Channel 69, Critical X, KBeech, Acid Rain, Digital Sin, and New Sensations to utilize their adult movie titles for the FyreTV platform. Note that FyreTV is a new adult IPTV platform

            There are close to 60 other major labels in the works for FyreTV's soon-to-be released IPTV service in the Beverly Hills office of AdultVest. You can easily access the service through a set-top box. It is hooked up through a standard DSL line and it also features true streaming video that has no buffering, boasting DVD quality movies and trick play functionality, providing the ability to fast forward and rewind at DVD speeds.

            With the FyreTV platform, users can search inside movie titles for a particular performer and even scenes. It also enables them create playlists and favourites that are like iTunes. Since the content of the FyreTV system is not for once ever downloaded to a computer, studios are confident that their valuable titles are protected.

            FyreTV had decided before time that when it starts up the launch of their multi-million dollar national consumer advertising campaign, they will have their very own firefighters on board their big red fire truck. The truck will be parked on the floor at AEE''s 2008 conference which is actually taking place the same time as CES (the consumer electronics show) from January 9-12 at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas.

            Al Jones, the Business Development Associate for AdultVest's content licensing division was the one that made the announcement. This is what he had to say, "AdultVest, Inc. is the first and only investment firm to focus exclusively on the Adult Entertainment Industry. With an estimated +70 million unique visitors daily over the internet and has an estimated $65 Billion Dollars in worldwide revenues, the adult industry has been a consistent leader in the development, adoption, and expansion of new technologies. The new FyreTV technology demonstrates just how important the Adult Industry has been to the global development of ground breaking new technologies. Our firm welcomes the opportunity to help main stream technology companies tap into the adult entertainment market. It's clearly one of the most profitable ways to get your new product off the ground."

      The CEO of FyreTV, Estefano Isaias added, "AdultVest, Inc. has done a phenomenal job of assisting us to navigate the industry. They've successfully secured contracts with 11 major adult studios and have nearly 60 more contracts in the works with the industry''s top producers. We look forward to AdultVest's continued assistance as we expand in this dynamic marketplace. By securing the best content the Adult Entertainment Industry offers, our platform is sure to be a major success. People from all over the world will be able to watch thousands of their favorite adult movies, stars, scenes and genre at home in High Definition on FyreTV with just the push of a button."

            Get more information on this by registering on their website http://www.AdultVest.com. The other alternative is to call this number 1-323-330-6480.

 

 

 

 

Coyote to launch a new website come 2008

            Come this New Year, Coyote bikes which is a division of Avocet Cycles accessory division intends to launch a fresh website. Though the site was supposed to start functioning just before the dawn of 2008, the 1st of January has been chosen as the day it must start working fully.

            They intend to protect the website with a password. Dealers can view the extensive portfolio and also download images, information and offers. The website will offer a unique service known as the 'text and collect' service. Here, the dealer can text Coyote their order and also include a date on which they will collect the products from the warehouse. In case you need information on this service, you can check their website, www.coyote-sports.com.

            In a statement, this is what Ian Pollitt Walmsley, the Managing Director of Coyote told BikeBiz, "The website is simple yet effective with the aim to give dealers an easy option to receive the information that they really need, product images, product information , price and the ability to order. We want this site to develop over the coming months and improve the information provided, we are here to serve the dealers and if there are any areas that we can improve on, suggestions will be welcome"

 

 

 

 

ZTE Won the Bid to Build AVS-IPTV

The much speculated bid to build what it believes to be the and first's AVS-IPTV commercial network offered by China Netcom Group Corp. has been won by ZTE Corp.

After much speculations and deliberations and amidst several other bidders, ZTE has been finally chosen and  according to the contract awarded it will be the sole providers of the IPTV network solutions for the project which is believe to be the world's largest.

AVS which is the national audio/video coding and compression standard is China's initiative and intellectual property that protects local service providers' interest and would enable them to save on high patent fees imposed by foreign operators.

Based in China, China Netcom Group Corp. is a broadband communications and fixed-line telecommunications operator and the company has been collaborating with China's Ministry of Information Industry to drive the industrial implementation of AVS standard Trial tests on the use of AVS-IPTV for commercial purposes in Dalian. Since last year November the campaign has been hot and the collaboration has yielded a good result establishing a very firm foundation for the IPTV developments in both the national and international markets.

JumpTV Collaborates with AETN and Endmol to Offer IPTV

This is good news for subscribers of JumpTV, this company that has been offering international and sports programming has been able to secure content deals with AETN International and Endemol thereby bringing a possible increase in its subscription base.

This agreement would enable JumpTV to carry Endemol's Russian production of Deal or No Deal throughout North America. In a similar manner, the AETN programmes; The History Channel and A&E Network libraries, including Mysteries of the Bible, Ancient Mysteries, The History of Sex, Weapons at War and Modern Marvels would be offered through JumpTV's broadband VOD service.

Arrangement has been concluded to make the programmes available in four other languages and these are French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish language. The AETN's programming will be geo-blocked and will only be carried out in territories where a good number of immigrant communities for each language reside.

Also, plan has been concluded on pricing, it will be offered through ad-supported free-to-consumer, pay per view and subscriptions models and the paid services will be as low as $0.49 per episode and for those who would be interested in series of episodes it will be available at$5.99.

Also, as part of their marketing plan, the content will be marketed alongside with JumpTV's live sports and VOD content from Portugal, Spain, Latin America, Russia and the Ukraine.

Telco Launches IPTV in Korea

Telco LG Dacom has joined the race of providing IPTV services in South Korea market making the company to be the third to offer such service after the fore runners, Hanarotelecom and KT with their respective Hana TV and Mega TV.

Although, the company is currently offering about 3,000 programs which include the high-definition content, it said that it has already mapped out plans to increase the number of programs available to be offered to over 20,000 subscribers  before June next year.

The product, branded myLGtv, will not be offered to subscribers as a stand-alone service but it will be bundled in with the its broadband internet and internet telephone services which would attract discounts for intending users choosing all the three services.

Meanwhile, IPTV operators are still banned from offering real-time broadcasting there is indication that this ban will be lifted by next year. As it stands, Teleco is number the third largest company offering IPTV with some 1.6 million subscribers trailing behind KT's 6.5 million and Hanarotelecom's 3.7 million.

 

Alcatel-Lucent and Wind Partner to Offer IPTV

In collaboration with one of the leading telecommunications companies in Italy-Wind, Alcatel-Lucent  have completed arrangements to offer IPTV  on commercial ground to the nation at large. This service will be offered based on Alcatel-Lucent's solutions and the Microsoft Media room Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and multimedia platform.

Already, Wind has been offering about 2 million households its IPTV service as part of its first phase arrangement and the service has been described as being user friendly due to the fact that the company has incorporated such features like instant channel change, multiple picture-in-picture, personal video recorder (PVR) functionality and video on demand (VoD)  at a reasonable pricing.

The chief operating officer at Wind, Khaled Bichara, said that it has partnered with Alcatel-Lucent because the latter's IPTV solution contains an IP/MPLS network infrastructure based on its 7750 Service Router (SR), combined with integration and implementation expertise. Alcatel-Lucent's solution integrates the Microsoft Media room platform for TV service delivery. The solution leverages Alcatel-Lucent's IP Transformation Centers (IPTCs) resources encompassing network, service platforms and OSS/BSS systems.

 Bichara further stated that "As our long term partner for triple play deployment and IP network transformation, Alcatel-Lucent is helping us to enhance our service offering and pioneer advanced and innovative IPTV features to our customers.

. "This effort will create sustained value for Wind through increased revenues and customer loyalty, strengthening our competitive position in the Italian marketplace."

While making her remark about the partnership, Frederick Rose, president of Alcatel-Lucent's business in Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific said that "The successful delivery of advanced entertainment service by a leading European carrier such as Wind is a milestone for Alcatel-Lucent, enhancing our real-world experience in bringing IPTV and entertainment services to the market."

The Alcatel-Lucent's end-to-end solution for IPTV also includes an overlay IP network, based on the Alcatel-Lucent 7750 SR to facilitate the seamless transition of Wind'sTDM (time division multiplexing) network to IP. In addition, the solution comprises proficiency in end-to-end IP-based network, services and OSS/BSS re-engineering and integration using best-of-breed products from Alcatel-Lucent and a range of strategic partners.

Verizon Announces Expanded FiOS TV Service

 The people of Oregon will soon enjoy the FiOS TV service from Verizon. Sensing the yearning of consumers wishing to enjoy the benefits FiOS TV can offer, Verizon has concluded a plan to include the greater Portland among the regions it offers the service and this would bring them to 13 states.

Being the nation's largest company that offers digital FiOS TV, Verizon has earned certification from the independent Fiber to the Home Council for providing all the way to customers' homes.

With the launch of this service, the company has succeeded in providing options for users living in Oregon and this would cause them to have access to more range of programming choices and at the same time make available superior picture quality desired by as much as about 152,000 households accounting for over 400,000 potential viewers who have already subscribed to Internet service and FiOS voice services.

Going by this recent move, Verizon may be on its way to snatch customers from other local cable providers and it is hoped that their services would protect the customers they jealously value.

Skype lays off 30 employees

 

            I have just heard that Skype has decided to lay off 30 of its employees in Tallinn and London. As you all know, Skype is a company that deals with online calls. With Skype, users can make phone calls using their computer to other Skype users free of charge through the internet.

            This information was revealed in the Estonian newspaper, Eesti Päevaleht. This is what Sten Tamkivi, the Estonian manager of Skype said, "Dismissal is not the right word since the company was always being "reordered". So we had a little restructuring last week as well."

            In another statement, Sten denied the allegation that the lay off was influenced by the manager of eBay. Before this development, the manager was quite disappointed by the low profitability of Skype which eBay bought in 2005 for 2.6 billion USD. So this might have spiced up the speculations.
            Sten Tamkivi further stated that a few people were also dismissed in the Skype Estonian office. He also mentioned that it does not mean Skype had enough employees. Infact, if you go to the Skype website, you will still see announcement for 45 new employees. Amazing, isn't it. One will wonder what they are actually looking for.

 

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Introducing Logitech’s USB Headset

            A new USB Headset is in town. It is the ClearChat Pro USB Headset that has just been launched by Logitech. It is most ideal for PC-Internet calling applications such as Skype. You also cannot leave out using it to listen to music, watch movies, or play games on the PC.
            It features proprietary laser-tuned audio drivers, an audio equalizer switch, and a noise-canceling microphone. The USB Headset can be connected to the PC using a USB port. It produces a high-quality digital audio, which does not depend on the quality of the computer's sound card. The laser-tuned audio drivers in the headset also allows for high-performance audio. It is also more comfortable to use.

            The SoundSwitch equalizer is a headset-based switch which enhances audio performance for PC-Internet calling, music listening, and gaming, instantly.
From what Logitech said, the PC calling mode accentuates the human voice while the music mode provides well-balanced sound, and the gaming mode enhances gaming audio, increasing the level of realism.

            You can easily find controls on the headset. It gives people a speedy access to volume and mute functions. With the adjustable noise-canceling microphone, you get a more personal fit. There is also a flexible boom which adjusts easily to the desired distance from the mouth. The microphone boom usually emits a soft, Red glow when it is muted. This is so that anyone using it will be sure no one else is listening-in while they talk.
            The price of Logitech's ClearChat Pro USB Headset is Rs 2,995. It can be obtained through Rashi Peripherals and Savex. The good thing is that you get a two year warranty.

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Vuze IPTV gets exclusive right to anime deal

 

            Since after its signing of an exclusive right to a Japanese anime series, the online television service Vuze has claimed an internet first. By this pact, it now has the sole right of globally distributing episodes of Neko Rahmen that was created by the producers, Think Corporation. But for now the series is yet to be accredited outside Japan. Vuze IPTV works by means of the Azureus BitTorrent client, which shares files on a peer to peer basis.
            According to the company, this will be the very first time an online video service would have an exclusive right to Japanese anime. Right now, they are putting 13 full episodes of this video online for you to see. You don't have to worry because it is free of charge. It is going to come with English subtitles. Hopefully they will add other subtitles in French, German and Spanish by the beginning of next year.

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