November 2007

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Rumours of Google and Skype... Oh My!

November 21, 2007

There’s goes Rich again, spreading rumours. It’s rumours with a “u” because this particular speculation got its start in the UK, where Jemima Kiss — writing on The Guardian’s pda:thedigitalcontentblog — hypothesized about a Skype/Google marriage.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: acquisition, google, rumor, skype : Related Tags: rumours, google

2 Comments

Packet8 Adds Mobility

November 19, 2007

Packet8 today announced the Packet8 MobileTalk international calling service for mobile phone users. Over 340 handset models are supported out of the gate, including mobile smartphones running the Windows, Palm or Symbian operating systems. Blackberries are also supported. One of the hallmarks of the MobileTalk solution is its simplicity. Users simply go to he Packet8 Web site to sign up, and a custom software app is created on-the-fly that’s downloaded to the user’s mobile phone over the air. If the user does not have a data plan, an e-mail is sent with the software as an attachment, which the user can then download to their handset by syncing with their PC as they would normally do to add other software. Once the number is dialed or selected from, say, a recently missed calls directory, the MobileTalk application identifies the international prefix being called and redirects the call to a local Packet8 network access number. From there, Packet8 initiates the international call at a low per-minute rate. Customers can sign up for a Packet8 MobileTalk account starting today at the company’s dedicated MobileTalk site.

Posted in Mobility

Tagged: Bryan Martin, international, mobility, Packet8, voip : Related Tags: packet mobiletalk, mobiletalk account, mobile phone, apply packet, existing packet, packet

2 Comments

Verizon Salutes Armed Services Personnel

November 15, 2007

For the fifth consecutive year, Verizon Business announced it will provide free phone calls this holiday season for U.S. Armed Forces personnel stationed in Iraq. From Nov. 21 through Nov. 28 and from Dec.

Tagged: armed services, free, verizon : Related Tags: verizon business, verizon, business, calls, washington, phone

Milestone! 300th Taqua 7000 Switch Deployed

November 13, 2007

Taqua, Inc., today announced that Clear Rate Communications has deployed the Taqua 7000 Switching System to provide advanced voice services to its growing business and residential customer base in Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio. “With the unique architecture of the T7000, competitive carriers like Clear Rate can deploy and turn up full Class 5 voice services easier and more cost-effectively than with any other competing solution ,” said Eric Pratt, Taqua’s president and CEO. “With 300 systems in service, the added benefit to Clear Rate is that they are deploying a field hardened product.”

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: taqua, voip : Related Tags: voice services, taqua, clear

LifeSize, Tech Data in Distribution Pact

November 9, 2007

I received a heads up on some HD videoconferencing news that will be going out across the wires this coming Monday 11/12. LifeSize, maker of high-definition videoconferencing equipment, will announce a distribution agreement with uber-distributor Tech Data. Tech Data will distribute LifeSize’s complete HD product portfolio of high-definition video communication systems to solution providers nationwide. LifeSize and Tech Data will reportedly work together to jointly develop marketing channel programs to assist resellers. The HD video conferencing solutions will be supported by Tech Data’s Telephony Specialized Business Unit (SBU). LifeSize will also formally introduce Dan Sibille as their new director of global channels. Dan and his team will manage existing and grow new OEM relationships, maximize existing and develop new distribution relationships and develop programs for qualified channel partners.

Posted in Video

Tagged: distribution, high-defintion, LifeSize, Tech Data, videoconferencing : Related Tags: lifesize, distribution, develop

1 Comments

Noble Systems to Acquire Amcat

November 7, 2007

The consolidation in the tech space is clearly not limited to the VoIP arena. Contact center players are getting in on the fun as well. According to a Marketwire report, Noble Systems Corporatiion is set to announce that it is acquiring AMCAT (as well as AMCAT UK and AMCAT Germany GmbH). The combined entity will serve the whole breadth of the market from large-enterprise (Noble’s expertise) to small and medium-enterprise (Amcat’s target). Check out Noble Systems Web site for more.

Posted in Contact Center

Tagged: acquisition, Amcat, Contact center, Noble Systems : Related Tags: noble systems, amcat, noble, systems

ITEXPO - What a Steal...err I Mean DEAL!

November 7, 2007

I’m no criminal, you know. I work hard and I’m as honest as the day is long. But I too have my moments of weakness. For example: I was walking past my VP of Marketing’s desk earlier today and I saw an opportunity. I saw on his desk a whole big bag of discount registration coupons. Just lying there. He was away from his desk, and this big box of shiny happy 20%-off coupons was staring me in the face. I thought back to when I was a kid and I “accidentally” took a whole handful of candy from the plastic pumpkin in front of my neighbor’s house, even though the sign clearly said “Happy Halloween! Please Take One.” Suddenly the old urge was upon me.

Posted in VoIP

Tagged: conference, discount, ITEXPO, Miami : Related Tags: conference program, conference, discount, going, registration, coupons

Open Handset Alliance Member List

November 5, 2007

The Open Handset Alliance is a group of mobile and technology leaders who share a common vision for changing the mobile experience for consumers. The Alliance is made up of mobile operators, software companies, chip makers, handset manufacturers and commercialization companies. For more information visit http://www.openhandsetalliance.com. Mobile Operators China Mobile Communications Corporation www.chinamobile.com/en KDDI CORPORATION www.kddi.com NTT DoCoMo, Inc. www.nttdocomo.com Sprint Nextel www2.sprint.com/mr/aboutsprint.do T-Mobile www.t-mobile.net Telecom Italia www.telecomitalia.it Telefónica www.telefonica.es Semiconductor Companies Audience www.audience.com Broadcom Corporation www.broadcom.com Intel Corporation www.intel.com/products/mid Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. www.marvell.com NVIDIA Corporation www.nvidia.com/page/handheld Qualcomm Inc.

Posted in Mobility

Tagged: google, mobility : Related Tags: software companies, mobile operators, handset manufacturers, commercialization companies, handset alliance, corporation

1 Comments

Tom Wheeler on the Discovery Dilemma

November 5, 2007

I saw a great article titled The Discovery Dilemma that was published on TMCnet’s Billing global online community. In the article, the author — Tom Wheeler of CTIA and NCTA fame — talks about the challenge facing wireless operators when it comes to enticing customers to consume non-voice mobile services such as games, video, tones, and the like. Check out the article here. For other insights from Tom Wheeler, check out his TMCnet columnist page here.

Posted in Mobility

Tagged: billing, mobility, Tom Wheeler : Related Tags: discovery dilemma, wheeler, article

Greg Galitzine's VoIP Authority Blog

November 2007