Today, Nortel announced its new Chief Technology Officer, Gary Kunis. He will lead Nortel's strategic vision for the product and technology portfolio. He will report to Gary Daichendt, president and COO. One of the pioneers of the Internet in the 1980s, Kunis has led numerous development and engineering breakthroughs related to IP standards and routing technology. Until 2002, Kunis was the Chief Science Officer at Cisco Systems.

In addition to the Kunis news, Nortel announced that Brian McFadden, a 26-year Nortel veteran and the current CTO, has been appointed to the role of Chief Research Officer (CRO).

The release announcing Mr. Kunis' and Mr. McFadden's appointments can be found here. 

Every so often, I receive interesting survey results, which I feel compelled to share with you, the readers of my blog. In this particular case, the subject is triple play deployment, and the source of the information is a survey conducted over the course of a recent Supportsoft executive briefing series.

Responding to the survey, 98% of those polled agreed that customer service represents a key competitive advantage for successfully acquiring and retaining customers for triple play services. However, 90% of service providers responding to the survey acknowledge that delivery of triple play services (broadband, VoIP, and IPTV) raised significant customer service challenges.

This dilemma brings into focus the need for service automation solutions to help deal with the added complexity of triple play services. Almost 100% agree that service automation is essential to profitably acquiring new triple play customers. And key to a successful service automation strategy is having a network-view and a customer premises-view into customer service problems, with unanimous agreement that both views are necessary to effectively diagnose and resolve customer problems.

“European service providers are rapidly deploying triple play services — in addition to further driving broadband adoption, with IPTV and VoIP rollouts underway in several countries. We know from earlier research studies that 81% of European customers prefer to receive all three services from one provider,” said Chris Grejtak, senior vice president of products and marketing at SupportSoft.

The survey was conducted at three briefings held by SupportSoft in Frankfurt, London, and Paris.

APconnections, a Colorado-based supplier of plug-and-play bandwidth shaping products, has just released the AirEqualizer, a self-contained power-over-Ethernet (PoE) wireless access point (AP) with built-in NetEqualizer technology (NetEqualizer appliances are plug and play bandwidth shaping systems designed for voice and data networks). AirEqualizer is designed to allow organizations to control network congestion at the AP, and ensure high-quality connectivity for VoIP and other priority users, thereby dramatically reducing help desk and service calls — without the need for any manual tuning.

“With AirEqualizer, we are changing the economics of delivering quality wireless services,” said Art Reisman, CTO and founder of APconnections. “Built-in equalizing eliminates brownouts and lockups, while at the same time allowing 25–40 percent more users to connect to a single AP.”

In addition to APconnections’ equalizing technology, AirEqualizer comes with standard commercial AP technology, including authentication, billing, re-direction, routing, and firewall protection.

You can find the release announcing this product here.

Just got word of this latest acquisition in the VoIP space (release below). Keep an eye on the SBC market to see what happens next...

Juniper Networks, Inc. to Acquire Kagoor Networks

Brings Secure and Assured VoIP To Customers Worldwide

SUNNYVALE, CA - March 29, 2005 - Juniper Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: JNPR) today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Kagoor Networks in a transaction valued at $67.5 million in cash, plus options and certain other incentives and equity compensation. This move is an additional step in Juniper Networks' strategy to bring secure and assured networking to customers worldwide through rich traffic processing. The combination of Juniper Networks' best-in-class secure and assured networking solutions and Kagoor's session border control (SBC) technology, delivers a powerful solution for network operators looking to cost-effectively deploy quality Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and other rich media services. Session border control technology is also one of the key building blocks required for infranets.

Headquartered in San Mateo, California, with a research and development

(R&D) center in Herzelia, Israel, Kagoor brings to Juniper Networks a highly skilled engineering team with deep voice expertise. In addition, the company's VoiceFlow SBC products are installed in over 100 carriers worldwide, most of which also use Juniper Networks' platforms. Kagoor also brings powerful synergies through a number of common strategic partnerships including Lucent, Siemens and NEC. Juniper Networks will leverage the acquisition to establish an Israeli R&D center which will tap into the strong engineering talent pool in Israel.

"Network operators worldwide are increasingly looking to deliver enhanced VoIP and other rich services to their enterprise and consumer customers, but they need to do this in a secure and assured fashion. SBC technology is a key element in delivering these attributes. With Kagoor, Juniper gains best-in-class SBC technology and an acknowledged center of excellence in voice," commented Kittu Kolluri, general manager, Security Products Group, Juniper Networks.

"Our joint customers and partners have already recognized the value Juniper Networks and Kagoor bring in delivering best-in-class solutions to help them differentiate their service offerings," commented Jim Dolce executive vice president, Worldwide Field Operations, Juniper Networks. "This acquisition demonstrates Juniper Networks' continued commitment to helping customers enhance their businesses through the creation of IP-based infranets that deliver the quality and assurance of private networks, with the flexibility and positive economics of public networks."

"We welcome this initiative by Juniper Networks. Session Border Control technology is a key element in delivering secure, reliable Next Generation Network solutions to our customers. We are pleased to extend our existing partnership with Juniper into this important area," commented Andreas Mueller-Schubert, president Fixed Networks Solutions, Siemens.

"We're very pleased to be joining the Juniper Networks team and are excited at the opportunity this represents for our combined customers and partners.

Kagoor's voice expertise and comprehensive SBC functionality is a great complement to Juniper's networking and security expertise," commented Opher Kahane, co-founder and CEO, Kagoor Networks.

The acquisition is expected to close in the second quarter of 2005 subject to certain customary closing conditions. Kagoor generated less than $5M of revenue in 2004 and it is expected to be less than $0.01 per share dilutive to Juniper Networks in 2005 and to be accretive in 2006.

About Session Border Controllers

Session Border Controllers are an integral part of delivering security and assurance to VoIP and other rich media services. SBCs are primarily deployed at the network edge to facilitate the secure and reliable flow of real-time IP traffic across network boundaries. They enable three main

functions: carrier-to-carrier peering, carrier-to-enterprise service enablement and carrier-to-consumer service enablement. SBCs are also key building blocks in the development of infranets.

About Infranets

An Infranet is a network that combines the reach of the Internet with the predictability of a private network. Infranets will be built individually by network operators and can be federated to create a single, global network capable of facilitating any communications application. In enabling IP infrastructures to co-operate in the delivery of voice and other real-time applications, SBC technology is an important component of infranets. More information about infranets can be found at www.infranet.org.

About Kagoor Networks

Kagoor is a leading supplier and innovator of session border control technology that ensures customers fast, expert delivery of IP communications services (voice, video, multimedia). Kagoor's award-winning VoiceFlow series of session border controllers overcomes technical roadblocks typically encountered at VoIP network borders. With leading telecom partnerships and a rapidly growing base of over 100 worldwide customers, including 14 Tier 1 carriers, Kagoor's VoiceFlow is the most popular, scalable family of session border controllers available. The company is headquartered in San Mateo, CA, with offices throughout the world. More information is available at www.kagoor.com.

About Juniper Networks, Inc.

Juniper Networks is the leader in enabling secure and assured communications over a single IP network. The company's purpose-built, high performance IP platforms enable customers to support many different services and applications at scale. Service providers, enterprises, governments and research and education institutions worldwide rely on Juniper Networks to deliver products for building networks that are tailored to the specific needs of their users, services and applications.

Juniper Networks' portfolio of proven networking and security solutions supports the complex scale, security and performance requirements of the world's most demanding networks. Additional information can be found at www.juniper.net.

Virginia-based Telecom Trends International, Inc., a Market Research and Strategic Consulting outfit released a report earlier this week saying that BPL or broadband powerline communications is poised for growth.  According to the firm, worldwide service revenue is expected to reach $4.4 billion by 2011.

BPL technology uses the electricity power grid to bring broadband signals into buildings, which of course has interesting potential for applications such as VoIP.

The report, “Broadband Powerline Communications: Ready for Take-Off,” states that Broadband Powerline Communications for access applications (BPL-Access) is well positioned to compete head-on with DSL and cable modem technologies for a share of the broadband access market.

The report estimates that the BPL-Access services market generated $57.1 million in revenue worldwide in 2004, and projects that by 2011, BPL-Access will generate $4.4 billion in revenue worldwide. 

The report says that there is no global standard for BPL-Access– each vendor offers its own proprietary solution – but BPL-Access allows the use of existing infrastructure which lowers the cost of deployment, allowing the provision of services at competitive prices The report covers developments. in Broadband Powerline Communications globally.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into 550 Madison Avenue was the SONY shop located just off the lobby. My goodness, this company makes some cool toys! I mean, the T-series VAIOs…. These make the perfect gift for any magazine editors on your shopping list… (Our legal department just advised me to say that I’m kidding. OK. I’m kidding.)

But all joking aside, the name SONY continues to be associated with high-quality electronics in both the consumer as well as professional realms. That’s why I accepted an invitation to attend the company’s press conference and luncheon introducing Sony's newest sub-brand of IP Communications products. I was curious to see what they had in store.

As it turns out, SONY launched its new IPELA line of IP-based communications products, a series of products including IP monitoring and recording devices as well as IP-ready videoconferencing systems.

Known for its unique product nomenclature (see: VAIO) SONY has come up with a new term again. IPELA combines IP (Internet protocol) with BELLA, the Italian word for beautiful.

Beautiful IP.

During the launch presentation, SONY’s President of Broadcast & Business Solutions, John Scarcella noted that the concept of vision is very closely related to the concept of communications. For example, he said, “…successful leaders are said to have ‘vision.’ When we understand something, we say ‘I see.’ IPELA represents our vision of expanded IP-based business communications — one that will make global visual communications as commonplace as a telephone call.”

Among the first products in the IPELA line are the PCS-G70 room videoconferencing system and the PCS-TL50 desktop videoconferencing system. Also available are a series of network video monitoring cameras.

Regarding the future roadmap of the IPELA line, SONY executives told the media and analysts in the audience to keep an eye out for enhancements including high-definition video for videoconferencing and surveillance uses; extended use of IP for monitoring and surveillance; and an array of endpoints and mobile terminals designed to facilitate the delivery of data, voice, and video.

SONY also announced several customers, including the NBA, Grossmont Union School District, and the NFL.

During the briefing, Mr. Scarcella took the time to acknowledge leaders from partner companies who are involved in SONY’s integrated visual communications (IVC) strategy: RADVision, Glowpoint, ClearOne, and Mimio. Also present at the briefing, and representative of SONY HQ’s commitment to this initiative, was Yoshinori Onoue, Deputy President of SONY’s Professional Solutions Network Company, based out of Tokyo.

I’d also like to thank the wonderful team at the Hoffman Agency for all their help.

Hi folks, I was out of pocket yesterday and didn’t get a chance to comment on what may yet play out to be one of the more important turning points in our industry’s young history. On Monday evening, Level 3 Communications decided to withdraw its forbearance petition, which asked the FCC to affirm the existing rules for who pays whom and how much for exchange of traffic between VoIP networks and phone networks.

In withdrawing the petition, Level 3 noted the recent change in FCC leadership and how that placed the Commission in the difficult position of confronting a statutory deadline while managing a leadership transition.

While I am not myself a carrier of VoIP traffic (nor do I play one on TV), it seems to me that Level 3 missed out on an opportunity here. Perhaps they had caught wind of the fact that the Commission was set to rule against their petition, and took advantage of a change in leadership at the FCC to gracefully bow out at this time, electing to regroup and come out swinging at a later date.

But with the lobbying efforts put forth by the incumbent telcos regarding this and any other issue that threatens to hurt their ability to make money selling phone service, it’s a dangerous game to back down. I believe that maintaining the status quo, and remaining in regulatory “limbo” is no way to push ahead and shine the light on a new dawn of communications. (I’m running out of cheap metaphors.) Hopefully, Level 3 and others in our industry will gather their thoughts, collect themselves, and revisit their business before the FCC in short order.

Here are several comments that reached me yesterday while I was out:

The following statement can be attributed to Staci Pies, President of the VON Coalition:
“As the new FCC Chairman begins his term, we look forward to working with him to help unleash the full promise and potential of VoIP. As an immediate step, the Commission must reaffirm that VoIP providers should pay cost-based rates when accessing the public network. The Commission must also replace the broken access charge regime as quickly as possible.” 

Mike Holloway, President and CEO of PointOne, said:
“FCC Chairman Kevin Martin is just beginning his duties in a very demanding role. The removal of the petition gives Chairman Martin and the Commissioners the opportunity to establish appropriate interim rules to govern the exchange of VoIP traffic. Moreover, the withdrawal means that the current rules, which enable VoIP providers to offer consumers unlimited packages of innovative communications services, remain solidly in place.

“This is good news for the competitive VoIP industry and great news for consumers. 

“PointOne is confident that Chairman Martin and the other Commissioners recognize the need to reconfirm immediately that VoIP providers are not burdened by the ‘old rules’ designed for ‘old wires.’  Until such time as the Commission changes the current compensation rules, VoIP providers will continue delivering their services to consumers by purchasing cost-based access to the old network as end users — and remain free of dated access charge obligations which add unnecessary cost burdens to the American consumer. The Commission must then establish expeditiously a clear path forward for the delivery of all services, including innovative IP-based services, by reforming comprehensively the system of payments between interconnected providers.”

In his blog yesterday, Rich Tehrani shared comments from Jonathan Lee, senior vice president, regulatory affairs CompTel/ALTS:
“It is unfortunate for Level 3 and the entire community of VoIP service providers that the previous FCC leadership was unable to reach a consensus on this critical issue, despite having the full allotment of time allowed to consider the forbearance petition.

“With the change of leadership at the FCC coming so close to the deadline for action on the petition, CompTel/ALTS believes Level 3 made a prudent decision to withdraw its petition at this time. With this decision, the new FCC will not be forced to rush to a hasty judgment and will have a fair opportunity to consider the various policy ramifications of the questions on which Level 3 seeks clarity. Nonetheless, the issues presented by Level 3 are important issues, which must be resolved expeditiously in order for this exciting technology to reach its full potential. CompTel/ALTS is optimistic that Chairman Martin will make these issues a priority.” 

I recently received my copy of the Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (DTT) Global Telecommunications Index, that company’s analysis of the global telecom sector during 2003 and 2004. This report follows on the heels of a Deloitte’s recent report: TMT Trends: Predictions 2005, which I discussed with Deloitte’s Philip Asmundson, who was recently promoted to national managing partner of that company’s  U.S. Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) industry practice.  

The Index is part of DTT’s ongoing research and analysis, and the findings are drawn from objective data and performance metrics as well as expert analysis by DTT’s member firms’ team of telecommunications practitioners.

The report finds that from January 2003 to December 2004, the market value of the worldwide telecommunications industry increased by 28 percent, an improvement over the period covered in DTT’s previous report (January 2000–July 2003), which saw the telecom market drop by 69 percent.

No single global phenomenon can be responsible for the rise. In fact every region has its own reasons that reflect the unique nature of industry structure and competitive environment.

According to the report:

The rise in market value for EMEA was a surprise to many — exceeding Asia Pacific’s performance by a significant margin. The sharp increase reflected three major factors:

1) Higher earnings and multiples, mainly on the back of cost savings from existing constituents;
2) Contributions from new entrants to the index, particularly from the Eastern European countries and the Middle East, which have significant growth potential due to their low wireline and wireless penetration;
3) A turnaround in performance by Telecom Italia and France Telecom.

In Asia Pacific, increased earnings were the big story, largely driven by operating cost reductions in developed countries. China also continued to assert itself as an increasingly large and dominant market. Healthy earnings growth was partially offset by lower multiples, reflecting lower growth prospects in mature markets such as Japan and Korea.

In the Americas, large telcos such as Verizon and SBC reported flat or negative earnings as they faced off against new competitors offering discounted services. Despite that threat, some earnings multiples improved – mostly as a result of proposed mega-mergers such as SBC (AT&T), Verizon (MCI) and Sprint (Nextel).

In all regions, the dominance of the top five players was diluted by new listings and by continued growth in developing countries. The telco sector is in the midst of significant and undeniable change and incumbency is no longer a guarantee of success.

THE FUTURE

Here are some key trends DTT expects to see over the next few years.

China will continue to grow and influence the Asia Pacific region
China’s mobile penetration should grow significantly beyond its current level of 21 percent, with every five percent increase equivalent to adding the entire UK population to the telco market. China’s telcos are likely to seek opportunities outside of their borders, gradually becoming regional telcos. Also, China Netcom will list in the near future, increasing China’s impact on the index. Chinese telcos represent approximately 25 percent of the DTT Asia Pacific Telco Index, up from 22 percent in 2003. China is sure to replace Japan as the leading contributor to the region’s Telco Index.

“The only question is when?”

Eastern Europe will continue to drive growth in EMEA
The Eastern European countries, which collectively have a population comparable to the United States, will continue to develop their telco markets and attract investment as their economies grow.

India is the wildcard
India has a population on par with China, and has already established itself as a leading supplier of IT outsourcing. Mobile subscriptions in India grew by 102 percent per annum over the last three years, yet the penetration rate is still a paltry 2.5 percent. Can India follow China’s lead, or will the many historical factors which have constrained India to slow growth in the mobile sector continue to hold it back?

The US market will look very different when DTT compiles the next edition of the Telco Index
The US market is currently seeing fierce competition for traditional wireline telcos, which are facing competition from both cable and wireless operators. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is enabling cable companies to offer the triple play bundle of voice, video and data services, allowing cable players to attack the incumbents’ voice and internet markets. Wireless operators have persuaded some consumers to give up their wireline voice connection entirely, removing wireline telcos’ historical customer relationship. With the dividing line between cable companies and telcos becoming increasingly blurred, it’s likely cable companies will make an appearance in the next edition of the DTT Global Telco Index.

Among the issues holding back acceptance of VoIP is the perceived lack of 911 standards. As we at Internet Telephony magazine have been saying all along, it's simply a matter of time until these issue get worked out. Below, please find a recent news item from Volo Communications and how they are offering 911 service to their carrier customers throughout North America.

Volo Expands its 911 Emergency Service throughout North America

Volo First Wholesale VoIP Provider to Offer Ubiquitous 911 with Must-Have Features and Services

Orlando, Fla. March 21, 2005:  Volo Communications, a leading global wholesale provider of advanced voice and data services, today announced it is the first wholesale Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider to offer a ubiquitous 911 solution to CLECs, IXCs, cable and wireless operators, ISPs, and resellers throughout North America. Now available throughout the U.S. and Canada, Volo's 911 service known as i-911 now enables service providers to move VoIP service into a "primary" service offering. 

A part of the company's VoiceOne Information Service (VOIS), the i-911 service uses Volo's data infrastructure and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA)'s XML standards, the i-911 service emulates the wireline 911 environment with the delivery of accurate location information and call back numbers. 

A key feature of the i-911 service is that it can route emergency calls for the customer whose location is constant and the customer who often moves the location of his VoIP device.  Customers can update their new location information in real time, so that their  i-911 call will be delivered to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the new location. Also, the  i-911 service provides PSAPs the information they need to dispatch emergency services in the event that an emergency call is disconnected or the caller cannot speak.  To date, 911 service for customers on the move has been problematic for VoIP providers because most 911 routers are not able to deliver an out of area code number to a PSAP.

Volo's Founder and CEO Shawn Lewis said, "As VoIP progresses in to becoming a primary line service, 911 has been at the top of the list of critical issues for VoIP providers to resolve. Now that we have expanded our  i-911 services throughout the U.S. and Canada, our service provider customers can give consumers the peace of mind that their VoIP i-911 service is the most accurate and advanced in the industry."

Internet Telephony magazine Regulation Watch columnist John Cimko served for fifteen years at the FCC, and currently practices law at Greenberg Traurig LLP in Washington, D.C.

The Level 3 forbearance petition puts the FCC in a bind. Granting the petition would take a key issue off the table in the pending intercarrier compensation rulemaking. But denying the petition, depending on how it’s done, would expose VoIP providers to access charges before the FCC decides how its new unified compensation regime will work and what rules will cover VoIP providers.

Here are three reasons why the FCC is likely to deal with the petition in a way that preserves the status quo until the FCC adopts compensation mechanisms for all carriers, including VoIP providers, in the pending rulemaking.

First, keeping the status quo avoids tying the FCC’s hands in the rulemaking. Second, it also avoids saddling the emerging VoIP industry with access charges that could dampen the development of the VoIP sector. Finally, it promotes the FCC’s competitive policies. An important aim of the intercarrier compensation rulemaking is to adopt a framework that preserves and extends competitive telecommunications markets. One way to do this is to integrate VoIP providers into an intercarrier compensation regime in a way that promotes competitive alternatives in the VoIP sector. Dispensing with the Level 3 petition in a way that maintains the status quo would give the FCC its best chance to achieve these competitive goals in the rulemaking.

Hunter Newby is chief strategy officer at telx. Here are his thoughts on the pending FCC decision regarding Level 3.

The old way of telecom still generates a lot of cash flow. That cash is used to buy influence in the government, but it can’t stop evolution, it can only slow it down. I believe the US is currently ranked 13th in the world for broadband deployment/use. Broadband deployment is being financed by the savings realized from migration off of the PSTN to VoIP. The broadband access that rides in with VoIP also enables learning (public Internet, research, etc) and soon video applications that many parts of the rest of the world already surpass us with and continue to get ahead of us. If the FCC wishes to push the US further down the list to 23rd, or 33rd in the world in terms of education and economic development they will assess these access charges. If they do it will force VoIP networks to seek out peering at a much faster pace and it will bring about the demise of the traditional phone companies even sooner than if they left it all alone. The only thing keeping the new VoIP networks from peering with each other is awareness. The pieces all currently exist they just need to be assembled. 

This is mainly for carrier and enterprise VoIP. They can buy Ethernet transport. Consumer VoBB’s and MSO’s are already peering and that will increase dramatically, but those who live in an area not serviced by a broadband voice provider will have to move. Their rates for phone service will skyrocket and many VoBB’s and MSO’s may have to raise their flat rates a little to cover the higher terminating costs, or accept a lower profit margin for a while.

So, in summary, if the FCC imposes the fees evolution will happen anyway and they’ll end up looking like the bad guys.

Level 3 filed a forbearance petition with the Federal Communications Commission asking the agency to reaffirm that legacy switched access charges do not apply to VoIP. The petition was filed on January 6, 2004. A press release from Level 3 offers up the details. 

Well, the FCC is bound to rule on the petition by next Tuesday, March 22, 2005. Our own David Sims reported on industry buzz that the FCC was set to rule against the petition rather than let the March 22 deadline pass, but in short order, the FCC would then also order a rule change exempting VoIP service providers from access charges. 

Unless the FCC gets called in to rule on whether or not Mark McGwire  and the rest of his (ALLEGED) steroid using colleagues deserve a place in Cooperstown, it’s a safe bet that this issue will be resolved one way or the other very soon.  

In keeping with my recent history of using my blog as a resource for gathering together comments form some of the leading minds of the industry (humbly, mine excluded) I have asked a number of people to respond with their thoughts on what may or may not happen, what they think of this whole scenario, and so on. 

First up today is William Wilhelm, Internet Telephony magazine Regulation Watch columnist, and Partner in the firm of Swidler Berlin Shereff Friedman, LLP. 

Here’s what he had to say regarding the Level 3 petition: 

The Level 3 petition is a significant proceeding because it would move the charge for originating or terminating VoIP on the PSTN to a cost-based rate. I believe there is general agreement among the FCC commissioners that access charges must be reduced and that innovative VoIP services should not be subject to an irrational economic regime. The question before the FCC is whether to bite the bullet now — or wait for another day. Most VoIP providers are paying inflated rates to terminate traffic on the PSTN — intercarrier compensation reform in the near term would be a significant boost for the VoIP and other IP services.

TMC and Quintum Technologies announced a winner in the VoIP Becomes Reality Contest at the recent Internet Telephony Conference & EXPO. The winner of the grand prize consisting of $25,000 in Quintum Tenor MultiPath switch products and remote install support was Callis Goodrich, an engineer in the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego. One of the more interesting angles of the contest, is that all four honorable mentions were for submissions from outside the United States, a testament to the fact that VoIP is truly a global technological trend, offering solutions for all manner of businesses and all manner of users.

I’ve included the release below.

And the Winner Is....
Quintum and Technology Marketing Corporation Name US Navy Winner of “VoIP Becomes Reality” Contest  

Quintum Technologies and TMC announced at the Spring Internet Telephony Conference and EXPO that a U.S. Navy laboratory was selected as the winner of their joint “VoIP Becomes Reality” contest.

The contest submission from Callis Goodrich, an engineer in the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego (SSC San Diego), described how the Navy’s Automated Digital Network System (ADNS) used Quintum’s Tenor switches to eliminate outmoded, inefficient time division multiplexing (TDM) voice network connections and to converge both voice and data communications over a ship-to-shore satellite link.

The Tenor switching platform reduced network bandwidth required for ship-to-shore VoIP calls. With their converged network for voice and data traffic the Navy was able to dynamically allocate the limited available network bandwidth via the satellite link between voice and data. SSC San Diego also used the Tenor modem relay feature so that calls and fax transmissions could be switched from G.723 to G.726 as necessary for secure encrypted telephone calls. Tenor switches successfully supported encrypted STU-III calls over IP at 24 kbps gross bandwidth. They found call quality for secure phones via VoIP was as good as or better than via TDM.

Quintum and TMC also selected four entries as Honorable Mentions. Syed Muhammad Zakaria Al-Hady of the Learn Foundation, a charitable foundation in Bangladesh, implemented several internet cafés through which people could make phone calls from remote villages to the UK, the USA and Middle East.

The next was earned by Faraz Ghani of Strategez, LLC in Dubai, which sought to implement a ship to shore VoIP system between oil exploration ships in the Gulf of Oman and the local offices. They connected calls via IP to the GSM and fixed line subscribers, locally in the UAE, and internationally to the PSTN from the PABX.

The third Honorable Mention was submitted by Gabriel Prodanescu, of DataTEK Group, in Romania. DataTEK implemented Internet Cafes with a multi-tiered partner structure, using Vox Carrier, Inc. as the service provider, and Dialexia, a Canadian reseller to assist in the deployments. DataTEK supplied all the necessary software, as well.

The last Honorable Mention was from Virgilio Almeda of Creative Technologies in the Philippines. His company implemented a VoIP network in a Bank with IP phones and a competitor’s Call Manager. The design provided direct dialing from the IP phones in the home office to the analog phones in branch locations, hop off calling in the remote offices, and fax transmissions.

“We were amazed at the level of interest that this contest generated,” said Chuck Rutledge, Vice President of Marketing for Quintum Technologies. “We had a very difficult time selecting the winner and Honorable Mentions from the many submissions we received. The variety of applications submitted really reflects how far VoIP technology has advanced.”

“We are pleased to be the winner of the VoIP Becomes Reality Contest,” stated Callis Goodrich of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center San Diego, Chief Engineer of the US Navy Automated Digital Network System (ADNS). “The equipment can help us to test and deploy a robust communication environment which is required to economically and efficiently support complex military operations.”

Maybe I’ve been living in a cave, because it seems everyone I’ve spoken to today has already heard of this, but I was somewhat surprised by the fact that there is a place in America, where people have yet to make a phone call. 

Well, somewhere other than Pearl River, NY. 

I received a media alert today, basically telling me that Centennial Communications was going to provide Shaw Louisiana with that town’s first-ever phone service. 

Foster Campbell, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner will use Centennial's newly constructed cell towers to call Steve Largent, President of the CTIA — the international association for wireless communications.  While to some degree this can be viewed a sstunt to draw attention to that organization’s annual trade show, it’s still amazing to me that there are places in this country where you could not make or receive phone calls.

The event will take place this coming Monday March 14, at 9:00 am CST, and approximately 40 seconds later, residents of Shaw, Louisiana will likely seek to add all their numbers to the National Do Not Call registry. 

Shaw is a rural town in Louisiana that has never had any type of telephone service.  With the leadership of Commissioner Foster Campbell of the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the efforts of Centennial Communications Corp., the local wireless telecommunications carrier, the residents of Shaw, Louisiana will now have access to modern and reliable telecommunications services.  The availability of support from the federal Universal Service Fund ("USF") enabled the construction of two wireless towers in Shaw area, making possible the provision of telecommunications services to the community.

Verizon Recap

 A few days ago I blogged about the fact that my house went “off the grid” as phone service mysteriously died; not VoIP service, but my Verizon POTS line. 

Turns out the actual copper strung from the pole across the street was old and simply ceased to provide service. Nice guy that I am, I give Verizon the benefit of the doubt on that score. What kills me however is the fact that they lied to us, telling us that someone had been dispatched as early as last Tuesday to correct the issue, and that we were the only service call on the docket. Imagine the surprise, when on Wednesday the Verizon truck rolls up at our house and the nice gentleman proceeds to troubleshoot the situation, while telling us he just got his orders that morning. 

It took him no time to fix it. 

I’m as patient as anybody, but frankly I’m not so certain I want to deal with an organization that provides my lifeline service, but feels it necessary to lie and takes over 48 hours to dispatch someone to handle the situation. You gotta figure that in this day and age everyone should have access to telecommunications, be it in Shaw, Louisiana or Pearl River, NY.

Hmm... I wonder if there is an alternative to plain ol' telephone service these days.... Maybe I should check out this VoIP thing. I hear it's hot.

I've noticed a bit of  a trend in our industry, and I'm wondering if it's simply not a signal that VoIP is maturing. It seems that a number of companies are unveiling not just new products but they are announcing new CEOs and presidents. Examples include companies such as Spirent Communications (CEO: Anders Gustafsson) and SS8 Networks (CEO: Dennis Haar) to name but two. If your company has hired a new president or CEO in the last 6 months, shoot me an e-mail or reply to this post. I wonder how broad this trend really is.

Speaking of presidents... our very own Rich Tehrani was quoted in a recent Boston Globe article discussing our just concluded Internet Telephony Conference and EXPO success in Miami.  The article was excerpted in a Vonage Forums post.

Yesterday Rich Tehrani blogged about the recent Vonage outage.

Well for everyone who thinks this type of thing only happens to customers who choose VoIP providers, I was unable to reach my family on the phone today too. Thing is, my provider is Verizon, and this is my landline we're talking about. Estimated time until Verizon can send someone out to check things out? 24 to 30 hours. This is ridiculous. In fact it's bordering on criminal. My house is essentially "off the grid" and I'm placed ina  queue for a over a day??? 

And please don't suggest that cell phones should cover me in the interim. I don't recall reading that in the fine print when I signed up for Verizon's service.

Grrrr...

Looks like the FCC is showing that it has teeth after all when it comes to its stance on VoIP… Under Michael Powell’s leadership, the Commission reached a consent decree whereby Madison River Communications will make a $15,000 voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury  in response to that company’s blocking of Vonage VoIP ports. 

That sentence might also read "The FCC slapped Madison River with a $15,000 fine for screwing with consumers' rights to access the services of the VoIP provider of their choosing."

But that's not the way it read in the press release I received last night:

FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell Commends Swift Action to Protect Internet Voice Services

The Enforcement Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission reached a $15,000 consent decree today with Madison River Communication, LLC that will ensure uninterrupted Internet voice service on the company’s network.

“We saw a problem, and we acted swiftly to ensure that Internet voice service remains a viable option for consumers,” said FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell.

According to the terms of the consent decree, Madison River commits that it will refrain from blocking VOIP traffic and ensure that such blocking will not recur.   The company will pay a contribution of $15,000 to the United States Treasury to settle this matter.

“The industry must adhere to certain consumer protection norms if the Internet is to remain an open platform for innovation” said Powell.

Powell has laid out his vision of “Internet Freedom,” a series of principles by which any company that intentionally breaks a consumer’s connection to the Internet violates the openness that consumers have come to expect. 

“In my view, the surest way to preserve ‘Net Freedom’ is to handle these issues in an enforcement context where hypothetical worriers give way to concrete facts and — as we have shown today — real solutions,” said Powell.