Security

Pretexting in Context

September 11, 2006

I had a chance to get the opinions of Joe Sanscrainte on pretexting -- this is the topic that seems to be captivating consumers and regulators alike. Joe happens to be an attorney who is also a privacy expert. Here are Joe's comments which are worth a read:

Remember that what's happening right now with telephone records is really just one skirmish in the overall war over privacy. The fact remains that data brokers only get telephone records from telephone companies because they are able to provide other people's identifying information, including name, address, date of birth, mother's maiden name and most importantly, social security number (or even just the last four digits.) From a privacy perspective, it therefore isn't enough to go after just the telephone records, there has to be more focus on protecting all elements that identify us.

Right now, under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Section 222 of Title 47, US Code), it is the duty of telephone carriers to maintain the privacy of telephone records. However, this law, in and of itself, has not prevented data brokers from basically creating a business model to obtain this information under false pretenses. Eleven states have passed laws over the past year to specifically make pretexting in order to obtain telephone records a crime (interestingly, in CA where the HP case takes place, no such law is currently in place; however, such a bill is currently awaiting signature.) The telephone companies most certainly welcome these new laws criminalizing the procurement, sale and purchase of fraudulently obtained telephone records, because this enables them to better meet the requirements of Section 222.

The FTC has not been oblivious to these developments - in May of this year, it filed a suit against five web-based operations that obtained and sold consumers' confidential telephone records to third parties.

Lydia Parnes, Director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection, opined that "trafficking in consumers' confidential telephone records is outrageous; it robs consumers of their privacy and exposes them to everything from snoops to stalkers." For more information, visit http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2006/05/phonerecords.htm.

Posted in Security

FBI on VoIP

September 18, 2006

Here is a radio interview from NPR with Robert Mueller, director of the FBI. One of the points of interest from the interview is that they must adjust to the latest technologies like disposable cell phones, and VoIP. As he says, it is technically and legally challenging to monitor IP telephony. Apparently they are getting some cooperation in VoIP monitoring.

The interview talks about many things besides VoIP but the fact that the topic came up makes it interesting to us in the IP communications community.

Posted in Security, VoIP

$1.27 Billion in VoIP Support Services Revenue by 2010

October 19, 2006

A sign of a healthy market is one in which there is lots of money being made. IDC reports that the VoIP services market will be growing at a phenomenal rate. I was blown away to discover they predict VoIP equipment support services spending will reach $1.27 billion in 2010. this is a staggering number and one can imagine how much money will be spent on service and equipment based on the fact so much is being spent on the support services.

On a related note, here is an IP communications market research page that is a summary of research in the communications market.

The reason we put this page in place is to ensure we can track the reams of research news flowing across TMCnet on a regular basis.

Posted in Broadband, CRM, Call Center, Conferencing, Consumer Electronics, Google, IMS, IP Communications, IPTV, JITC, Open Source, SIP, Science, Security, Speech Technologies, Technology, Video, VoIP, WiMAX, Wireless

Femtocell Definition

October 20, 2006

According to Mae Kowalke, femtocells are small cellular base stations that provide enhanced coverage at the far edge of the network. They will enable wireless providers and others perhaps to provide services such as IPTV and definitely FMC.

Perhaps most importantly femtocells will allow service providers to shore up their coverage without the need for expensive towers. T-Mobile is rolling out this technology as we speak and there seems to be lots of opportunity for this market as ABI predicts that, by 2011, annual worldwide shipments of femtocell products will reach 19 million units.

Specifically, ABI predicted that “by 2011 there will be 102 million users of femtocell products on 32 million access points worldwide.”

My take? I have predicted for while that a new technology would come out soon that is better than WiFi and not quite WiMAX.

Posted in Broadband, IMS, IP Communications, IPTV, SIP, Security, Technology, Video, VoIP, WiMAX, Wireless

Heading Home From Lisbon

October 26, 2006

It has been a wild week here in Lisbon at Dialogic Connections and there is so much going through my head. Will the new Dialogic be anything like the old one? Can it generate more interest in telecom? Will more companies be drawn to this market via the company's partner program?

Posted in CRM, Call Center, Conferencing, IP Communications, IPTV, ITEXPO, JITC, Open Source, SIP, Security, Speech Technologies, Technology, Video, VoIP, WiMAX, Wireless

Pretexting OK by Investors

December 8, 2006

HP seems to have gotten through the pretexting scandal unscathed -- paying $14.5 million to settle a civil claim revolving around the issue. HP shares have actually gained around 9 percent since the probe was disclosed in a regulatory filing, but fell 28 cents to $39.86 Thursday on the New York Stock Exchange. "It looks like they got off pretty easy, and that this is actually going to be a good thing for HP," said Roger Kay, who follows the company as president of market research firm Endpoint Technologies Associates. "It looks like they're in control of their destiny and have put at least some of this behind them." The vast majority of the settlement -- $13.5 million -- will fund state and local investigations into privacy rights and intellectual property violations, according to the lawsuit and settlement filed simultaneously in Santa Clara County Superior Court. Apparently HP has been extremely cooperative and this issue seems to be largely behind the company. HP CEO Mark Hurd said in a statement that the company is "committed to ensuring that HP regains its standing as a global leader in corporate ethics and responsibility." The agreement did not include a finding of liability against HP. From my perspective the low fine amount seems like a minimal deterrent against this sort of behavior in the future.

Posted in Security, Technology

Alcatel-Lucent

December 9, 2006

I like the new Alcatel-Lucent logo. It makes me think of a cross between an airline and an ecommerce company. I do really like the way the A and L come together as one. On a separate note the new company's credit rating was reduced to junk by Fitch ratings.

Posted in Broadband, CRM, Call Center, Conferencing, IMS, IP Communications, IPTV, SIP, Security, Speech Technologies, Technology, Video, VoIP, WiMAX, Wireless

Saving Money on IP Communications Education

December 14, 2006

If you haven’t been watching, the early-bird deadline for conferences at Internet Telephony Conference & Expo (register) is approaching --tomorrow actually -- and we are talking about a savings of up to $1,000. The show is in 40 days so be sure to make your travel arrangements now as hotel prices will skyrocket soon. For many people there company foots the bill so this isn’t important. To us however, we would rather have you save some of that hard earned cash and spend it with one of the exhibitors at the show.

Posted in Broadband, Call Center, Conferencing, Google, IMS, IP Communications, IPTV, ITEXPO, Open Source, SIP, Security, Skype, Speech Technologies, Technology, Video, VoIP, Wireless

Happy Holidays and Thanks!

December 15, 2006

I would like to take a moment and thank all my readers and wish you all a great holiday season and a Happy New Year. In addition I want to specifically thank you all for visiting TMCnet so frequently as we have once again hit one million unique visitors in the month on November according to WebTrends. This is the second time this year we have done so. (Apparently our October numbers are still being run -- long story. We may have hit this number in that month as well.) Thank you for making TMCnet the largest community of communications and technology decision makers in the world. A few things you should know about TMCnet going forward are the site will soon have a more streamlined look that is easier on the eyes.

Posted in Broadband, CRM, Call Center, Conferencing, Consumer Electronics, IMS, IP Communications, IPTV, ITEXPO, JITC, Open Source, Personal, Rates Technology, SIP, Science, Security, Skype, Speech Technologies, Technology, Video, VoIP, WiMAX, Wireless

Bring a Map

December 29, 2006

I'd like to start this blog entry off by saying Happy New Year and wishing all my readers a tremendous 2007. I hope you are healthy and happy and that your family and all loved ones are as well. Having said that, I cover lots of topics on my blog and many times I focus on telecom and sometimes I get to cover weird stories that are hard to believe Other times I tie a story into a trade show like the Internet Telephony Conference & Expo (ITEXPO) taking place in 24 days -- January 23-26 at the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center. Many times when I write about the show I like to have a hook.

Posted in Broadband, CRM, Call Center, IMS, IP Communications, IPTV, ITEXPO, JITC, Personal, SIP, Security, Skype, Technology, Video, VoIP, WiMAX, Wireless

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