February 2005 Archives

Very interesting release from Radvison which involves Microsoft's upcoming intergrated communications client code named Instanbul as well as Microsoft's Live Communications Server...

RADVISION BRINGS 3G VIDEO TO
MICROSOFT’S DESKTOP MULTIMEDIA COMMUNICATIONS OFFERING AT 3GSM WORLD CONGRESS

RADVISION 3G Video Telephony Gateway and iVIEW Desktop Conferencing Platform Bridge PC Desktops and 3G Video Phones into Seamless Multimedia Communications Architecture

3GSM World Congress, Cannes, France (Hall 2, Stand E23) and Fair Lawn, New Jersey, February 14, 2005 -- RADVISION (Nasdaq: RVSN) today announced that it is publicly debuting its powerful 3G video services solution for the Microsoft desktop multimedia communications architecture in a live demo in the Microsoft stand in Hall 1 at the 3GSM World Congress.

This integrated RADVISION/Microsoft demonstration will feature real-time video calling between 3G video handsets and PCs running Microsoft’s upcoming integrated communications client, code named Istanbul. With this solution users will be able to launch a video call from a Microsoft-powered desktop PC to a 3G video phone with just a few clicks of a mouse.

“Whether they are at their desks, on the road, or in the home, business professionals today need to stay in touch,” said Marc Sanders, Senior Product Manager, Real-Time Collaboration, at Microsoft. “Microsoft’s real-time collaboration architecture for the desktop, featuring Live Communications Server 2005 and Istanbul, when combined with presence-based 3G video telephony from RADVISION, is a powerful step forward towards the industry’s vision of true mobility -- where you can connect to any one, using any device, through any media including instant messaging, voice, and even video.”

“Over the past year we have seen huge interest both by the enterprise IT manager for personal desktop multimedia communications and from the 3G operator for real-time 3G video calling,” said Boaz Raviv, General Manager of RADVISION’s Networking Business Unit. “The integration of these two worlds, through our presence-based iVIEW multimedia communications architecture and our SCOPIA 3G video services platform, now enables enterprises and service providers to quickly deploy real-time visual communications networks that spans from the employee’s desktop to his or her 3G phone.”

Bringing Video Telephony to Broadband Mobile Devices

The RADVISION SCOPIA 3G Video Gateway, which enables visual communication between IP and 3G devices, enables PCs with the Istanbul desktop client to connect to 3G handsets. The RADVISION 3G gateway seamlessly bridges video calls between 3G‑324M enabled mobile video phones and PDAs with IP-based video answering machines and other IP (SIP and H.323) and ISDN-based videoconferencing end points. The platform also enables mobile videophones to utilize additional resources on the IP network including multipoint conferencing bridges, which host three or more parties in a single session, voice and video gatekeepers, and terminals.

About RADVISION iVIEW Desktop for the Microsoft Environment

Additionally, because RADVISION’s iVIEW Desktop tightly integrates into Microsoft’s presence-based Live Communications Server 2005 environment, a video call between wireline and mobile devices can now be initiated simply by clicking on an icon. The Microsoft Live Communications Server then transparently communicates with the RADVISION device which then initiates and supports the video call between the IP and 3G devices.

iVIEW Desktop also provides the resource management and integration of RADVISION’s award-winning multimedia communications platform into a Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 infrastructure, including the soon to be released Istanbul integrated communications client. With this solution, IT managers can implement a multiparty, multidevice communications architecture that integrates with Microsoft-powered presence, instant messaging, scheduling, data collaboration, voice calling, and video telephony in a single seamless experience for the employee desktop or meeting room.

About RADVISION

RADVISION LTD. (Nasdaq: RVSN) is the industry’s leading provider of high quality, scalable and easy-to-use products and technologies for videoconferencing, video telephony, and the development of converged voice, video and data over IP and 3G networks. For more information please visit our website at www.radvision.com.

Eagle Broadband (AMEX: EAG) and GlobeCast, a subsidiary of France Telecom (NYSE: FTE) and the world's leading satellite services provider, joined forces and today launched IPTV Complete, which they claim is "the industry's first, turnkey IPTV services solution that enables both incumbent and new broadband providers to rapidly deliver 200+ channels of the highest quality IP video anywhere in America." I guess they didn't read my Triple Play cover story in Internet Telephony Magazine, which I also blogged in my Triple Play article preview, which talks about a Triple Play company called Pannaway, which offers a turn-key IPTV Triple Play solution. I have a scheduled conference call with Eagle Broadband to clarify some questions I have about their Triple Play solution, so I'll update this blog entry when I find out the answers. In the meantime, here is the news about IPTV Complete...

Additional facts about IPTV Complete:

• Saves $1 to 2 million or more in up-front capital expenditures required to design, purchase and install an IP head-end and video network infrastructure • Reduces the time to market for a new IPTV service from the industry average 12 to 18 months to 30 to 60 days • A profitable, lower risk service deployment model that greatly reduces time, effort and costs • Leverages an advanced, satellite delivery transport infrastructure which allows incumbent and new broadband providers to add high quality video to their existing voice and data offerings to complete a "triple-play" services bundle • Enables telephone companies, municipalities, utilities, universities, real estate developers, multiple dwelling unit owners, and other providers, to deliver the highest quality IPTV video over their broadband networks including Fiber-to-the-Home, Premise of Node, DSL, etc.
• Multimedia Research Group is projecting the global IPTV market will grow from 2 million subscribers in 2004 to 26 million in 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eagle Broadband and GlobeCast Join Forces and Launch IPTVCompleteTM, the First, Turnkey IPTV Solution That Enables Broadband Providers to Rapidly Deliver More Than 200 Channels of IP Video Anywhere in America

HOUSTON and MIAMI -- February 15, 2005 -- Eagle Broadband, Inc. (AMEX: EAG), a leading provider of broadband, Internet protocol (IP) and communications technology and services, and GlobeCast, a subsidiary of France Telecom (NYSE: FTE) and the world's leading satellite services provider, announced today they have signed a multi-year agreement and are launching IPTVCompleteTM, the industry's first, turnkey IPTV services solution that enables telephone companies, municipalities, utilities, universities & real estate developers to rapidly deliver more than 200 channels of the highest quality IPTV video services anywhere in America.

IPTVCompleteTM from Eagle Broadband and GlobeCast provides the largest package of standard, premium and high definition television programming, video-on-demand, pay per view and digital music available in America with full IP multicast video content rights for distribution over fiber, DSL and other private IP networks.

IPTV (the distribution of Internet Protocol-based television services over broadband networks) is the latest technological revolution for the multi-channel distribution of broadcast television, video content and interactive entertainment services to the consumer in an all IP-format. Communications research firm Multimedia Research Group, Inc. (MRG, Inc.) is projecting that the global IPTV market will grow from 2 million subscribers in 2004 to 26 million in 2008, thereby fulfilling the prediction that "2005 will be the year of IPTV."

IPTVCompleteTM can save $1 to 2 million or more in up-front capital expenditures required to design, purchase and install an IP head-end, secure the necessary video content rights, provision circuits, aggregate content, operate and maintain the head-end, and the many other tasks required to launch and operate a competitive IPTV service offering. By reducing or eliminating many of these complex and time consuming tasks, IPTVCompleteTM can reduce the time to market to launch a new IPTV service to under 60 days versus the industry average of 12 to 18 months.

The agreement combines Eagle Broadband's IP video content rights, expertise delivering IP video services and IP set top boxes, with GlobeCast's carrier-class IP network and global IP satellite distribution capabilities. By leveraging an advanced, satellite delivery transport infrastructure, IPTVCompleteTM makes it much easier for incumbent and new broadband providers to add high quality video to their existing voice and data offerings to complete a "triple-play" services bundle which can increase subscriber rates, reduce customer churn, generate higher average revenue per user and provide a real competitive advantage.

IPTVCompleteTM offers a more profitable services deployment model that reduces time, effort and cost. IPTVCompleteTM provides telephone companies, municipalities, utilities, universities, real estate developers, multiple dwelling unit owners and other broadband providers with a high quality, IPTV video signal anywhere in the country that is ready for distribution over their existing broadband networks including Fiber-to-the-Home, Premise or Node, DSL, etc. Broadband providers simply pay an affordable, monthly fee along with a more scalable, pay-as-you-go, per subscriber fee that eliminates large up-front capital expenditures and reduces on-going operational costs.

According to Matt Davis, Director, Broadband Access Technologies at research firm Yankee Group, "Voice revenue is under siege and service providers must respond by building networks that will open up new revenue sources and protect existing customers from churn. Time to market is essential for service providers and there are many time-consuming challenges required to secure the necessary content rights, and to design, procure, install, and build-out a new video network. Since replicating a cable offering has no advantages and only allows for market entry on price, service providers will turn to IP video because IP-based services offer flexibility and provide an opportunity to integrate services, innovate and disrupt. IPTVComplete offers several key components of the value chain, including content, transport and customer premises equipment (CPE). Service providers seeking entry into the IPTV market will find this combination can substantially reduce the time and cost it takes to get up and running."

IPTVCompleteTM includes all the components broadband providers need to deliver a complete range of IPTV and interactive entertainment services to their subscribers. IPTVComplete's satellite distribution allows Eagle/GlobeCast to install a fully featured, IP video head-end anywhere in the United States eliminating the need for costly long-haul bandwidth circuits. Broadband providers can choose some or all of the IPTVCompleteTM components from a customizable menu of options that can be tailored to meet their specific needs.

Key IPTVCompleteTM options include:

• 200+ channels of programming from major content providers with full IP multicast rights.
• Pay per view, video-on-demand, digital music and high definition programming.
• A full function IP video head-end.
• Video network & head-end design, integration & installation.
• Video content aggregation & IP encapsulation.
• Content encryption.
• Satellite distribution & transport.
• IP set top boxes & middleware.
• 24/7 customer service, network monitoring & technical support.

IPTVCompleteTM benefits for broadband providers include:

• Rapidly generating profitable new revenue streams
• Enabling IP video services that can more than double average revenue per subscriber
• Speeding time to market and time to revenue
• Enabling stickier" triple-play" that can reduce customer churn
• Highly scalable, pay-as-you-go, per subscriber model
• Minimizing up front and ongoing capital and operating expenditures
• Ability to rapidly deploy IP video head-ends anywhere in the U.S. eliminating costly long-haul circuits.

David Sprechman, President and CEO, GlobeCast America, commented, "GlobeCast's global leadership position as a provider of digital and IP-based video distribution services via satellite and fiber, makes the company uniquely suited to meet the needs of broadband providers and ensure the successful deployment of IPTVCompleteTM. We look forward to working with Eagle to help broadband providers across the country deliver the highest quality IPTV services to their customers." GlobeCast has more than 30 years of experience in satellite broadcast delivery and distributes more than 500 television and radio channels on more than 10 satellite systems for cable and direct-to-home delivery worldwide.

"Today's launch of IPTVCompleteTM provides incumbent and new broadband providers with the fastest, lowest cost way to begin delivering high quality IPTV services to their subscribers," said Dave Weisman, Chairman and CEO of Eagle Broadband. "For the first time, providers have a more financially viable, lower risk solution to rapidly generate new revenue streams. By leveraging Eagle's IP video content rights, IP set top boxes and experience delivering IP video services over broadband networks and GlobeCast's world-class satellite distribution capabilities, providers can reduce the time, cost and complexity of delivering their own IP video services to meet the high customer demand for the latest entertainment services."

For additional information regarding, please call 800-628-3910 or 281 538 6000 or email iptvinfo@eaglebroadband.com.

About Eagle Broadband
Eagle Broadband is a leading provider of broadband, Internet Protocol (IP) and communications technology and services that create new revenue opportunities for broadband providers and enhance communications for government, military and enterprise customers. Eagle leverages years of proven experience delivering advanced, IP-based broadband bundled services to provide service provider partners with a way to deliver next generation entertainment, communications and security services to their subscribers. The company's product offerings include IPTVCompleteTM, the fastest, lowest cost way for broadband providers to deliver the most competitive IP video services, the Media Pro line of HDTV-ready IP set-top boxes that enable broadband providers and hotel operators to maximize revenues by delivering state-of-the-art, interactive entertainment services and the SatMAXTM satellite communications system that provides government, military, homeland security and enterprise customers with reliable, non-line-of-sight, voice and data communications from any location on Earth. The company is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.eaglebroadband.com or call 281-538-6000.

About GlobeCast
GlobeCast (www.globecast.com) - a subsidiary of France Telecom - is the world's leading satellite services company, operating a global network of satellite distribution platforms for DTH and cable broadcast, enterprise media and advanced IP-based content delivery. The company's global presence includes 15 teleports and technical operations centers throughout America, Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Africa. GlobeCast offers the complete range of satellite broadcast solutions, including TV channel distribution, secure satellite Internet delivery, webcasting, satellite newsgathering, direct-to-home distribution, sports programming backhaul, program origination, studio production, special events mobile production and audio distribution.

Forward-looking statements in this release regarding Eagle Broadband, Inc., and GlobeCast are made pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, continued acceptance of the company's products, increased levels of competition, new products and technological changes, the company's dependence upon third-party suppliers, intellectual property rights, and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Skype, the Internet telephony software provider, said on Monday it had reached a cooperation agreement with Motorola, the world's third-largest handset marker, aimed at increasing its penetration of its key wireless market. This is big news that was announced at the 3GSM show in Cannes, France. The reason it is big news is that we need the cellular manufacturer "big boys" on board to offer hybrid/combo WiFi/3G/cellular type devices (multiple wireless networks supported) that support VoIP clients, such as SIP, or the popular Skype VoIP client.

In fact, I've recently ranted about "one trick pony" WiFi phones and my desire for combo devices, so I was pleased to read that interest in combination cell and VoIP phones is growing from handset makers, according to executives attending the 3GSM Show. Unfortuately, the cell phone carriers are not too happy with these hybrid devices since they can go around their networks and thereby avoid charges. So kudos to Motorola for not cow-towing to the carriers! However, I wonder if the carriers won't support these hybrid devices? That may be difficult, since most cell phones use standard components, such as SIM cards, and follow the cellular wireless spec, whether its GSM, CMDA, etc. In theory, you can take a SIM card from a non-hybrid/combo cell phone and plug it into a hybrid/combo device and start making calls using the "unique SIM identification" So unless the carriers can somehow detect you are using a hybrid device, what are they going to do? Knock you off their network and not let you make calls? First of all, I don't think they can detect you are using a hybrid/combo device and secondly can you imagine the backlash is they did?

Here's the news from TMCnet.com:

Luxembourg-based Skype said it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Motorola with the aim of having some Motorola Wi-fi or 3G phones pre-loaded with Skype software in the future.

"This is the first major handset manufacturer with whom we have signed such an agreement," Niklas Zennstrom, chief executive and co-founder of Skype, told Reuters in an interview at Cannes 3GSM, the world's largest mobile communications trade show, which opened on Monday.

At first, the pair will co-market products such as Bluetooth, or wireless, handsets.

Skype's software, which needs to be used with a high-speed Internet connection, enables users to make free phone calls over the Internet.

It has already attracted 26 million registered users since it was launched 18 months ago, and Skype said on Monday it was now attracting 140,000 new registered users a day.

Mobile phones and devices fitted with Skype software allow users to make free phone calls over the Internet to other mobile phones which have also been fitted or pre-loaded with its software. Its software also allows users to make cheaper international calls on mobile phones to non-Skype users.

Another Instat VoIP report to share...

Businesses Likely to Embrace IP Telephony in 2005 - But, Are Needs Being Met?

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., February 14, 2005 - A significant number of businesses, large and small, are expected to fully embrace IP Telephony, which harnesses the power of the Internet in business communications, over the course of this year. According to new research from In-Stat (http://www.in-stat.com), more than 30% of firms, even those with less than 100 employees, are interested in and, more importantly, planning to adopt IP telephony solutions in 2005. However, the research shows that businesses needs for IP voice networks vary greatly and that there is a growing need for "small office" solutions, which are hard to come by. This suggests that one size won't fit all for IP telephony and that meeting customers' diverse requirements with a rich portfolio of product may be what distinguishes "leading" vendors from those that fail.

"Without question, the business network is becoming increasingly fragmented, driving customers' requirements upward and creating a complex product development environment. Today, large customers appear to have similar need for small office solutions (IP telephony systems designed for 20 users or less), as their small business counterparts," says Kneko Burney, Chief Market Strategist for the high-tech market research firm. "Given these market conditions, the successful vendors will be those that offer customers, large and small, an array of products that can meet a variety of needs, from small office to campus installations, from specific applications to PBX-replacement." Burney also states that customers are also expected to place a high premium on service and support for these new systems. But, it seems that, today, there are few vendors that meet customers' growing needs effectively.

In-Stat has also found that:

• IP Telephony solutions account for a bit more than 10% of the installed base of voice lines in the Enterprise market. However, despite the opportunity for growth for IP telephony, the competitive environment is such that any one vendor will likely grow at the expense of another in the coming years.
  
• The small business market is expected to become a key growth segment for IP telephony solutions, as these customers show increasing needs for more advanced voice and data networking capability.
  
• A key opportunity for vendors in 2005 and beyond is expected to be the "small IP Network" designed for single sites with 20 or fewer users. With the average enterprise having more than 100 small sites, the opportunity across size of business for solutions such as these is enormous.

The report, "Voice Box: IP Telephony and LAN Convergence in the US Business Market, Part One: US Enterprises (1,000+ Employees)" (#IN0401365EM),covers large Enterprise businesses. Other "Voice Box" reports (#IN0401374MT, #IN0401380SB, #IN0401384SH) cover Mid-Tier companies, Small Businesses, and SOHO firms. They provide forecasts for the number of voice lines used by type, including TDM PBX, IP-enabled, IP telephony, and Centrex. Forecasts for voice network equipment and IP telephony are also included. Data on line use, application and business drivers, voice network requirements, and IP telephony as part of a bundle are presented. Brand and channel data for IP telephony purchases are provided as well. To purchase this report, or formore information, please visit: http://www.in-stat.com/catalog/Ecatalogue.asp?ID=73

I already knew Teleo was using Global IP Sound's technology before the news was announced today since both will be in my P2P VoIP speaking panel at Internet Telephony Conference & Expo.

I received an email from David S. Isenberg (formerly of AT&T) over the weekend asking if I could plug a conference titled "F2C: Freedom to Connect", which runs March 30-31st in Washington, DC. It's basic premise? "F2C is where communications policy meets networking technology, network economics, networked applications, and network construction and operation. F2C is dedicated to the proposition that strong networks build strong democracies, and vice versa."

How timely. President Bush talking about how democracy helps spread freedom and David is putting a technology spin on this premise. I guess instead of sanctions in Iran or North Korea we should just send over some network engineers to build high-speed Internet access for these countries.   Tongue-in-cheek aside, there is some truth to David's premise that the more open communications you provide to a society, the greater chance democracy has to spread. After all, totalitarian states control their citizens by controlling information citizens receive, such as censoring TV, news, or even the Internet.

The conference features Dan Gillmor (former tech columnist for the Mercury News), David Weinberger (Co-author of Cluetrain Manifesto, author of The Myth of Interference and other writings on Open Spectrum), Vint Cerf (one of the true inventors of the Internet), Scott Heiferman (founder of meetup.com), Jim Baller and Terry Huval (fighters for municipal fiber to the home) and many other heros of the open network.

Sounds like an interesting event.  Wish I could attend myself... 

Check out the conference lowdown here: http://freedom-to-connect.net/

Looks like Lucent is pushing strongly into the cellular market by offering a converged software solution that integrates Openera's Mobile IMS Client with Xten's  X-PRO SIP "softphone" application along with integrating it with Lucent's own IP Multimedia Subsystem.  This will allow the delivery of VoIP, "push to talk", video, and more.

Check out the release...

Lucent Technologies Announces Agreements with Two Companies to Deliver VoIP and IMS-Enabled Services Via Mobile Devices And PCs

MURRAY HILL, N.J., Feb. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lucent Technologies today announced it will integrate software solutions from Openera and Xten Networks (BULLETIN BOARD: XNWK) with Lucent's industry-leading IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) convergence solution to support the delivery of voice over IP (VoIP) and new converged "lifestyle" services -- across a variety of wireless and wireline networks -- to mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs) and personal computers (PCs). Both Openera and Xten Networks will provide downloadable clients that can support a wide range of devices and enable the delivery of converged service bundles.

Under the agreements, Openera will supply its Mobile IMS Client, which enables the delivery of advanced IMS-based multimedia services including Active Phone Book, push-to-talk and video sharing on mobile phones. Openera's Mobile IMS Client can be rapidly deployed across a range of mobile phone manufacturers' existing handsets and can be customized and re-branded for use within a service provider's network.

Xten Networks will supply its X-PRO SIP "softphone" application, which simulates the features and functionality of a small business phone system and enables VoIP services on wireline or wireless broadband connections for PC- based and Pocket PC based devices. Xten Networks' softphones are available for Windows, Mac OS X and Pocket PC operating systems.

"Lucent is committed to helping service providers increase customer satisfaction and reduce churn by delivering Value Over IP(TM), VoIP and 'blended-lifestyle' services, and IMS-capable devices are a critical piece of the equation," said John Leonard, vice president of offer management for Lucent's Mobility Solutions Group. "By incorporating these solutions from Openera and Xten Networks into our Accelerate(TM) Next Generation Communications Solutions portfolio, which includes Lucent's IMS solution, service providers will be able to offer their subscribers exciting new services on a plethora of popular devices."

The foundation of Lucent's converged networking portfolio is the Lucent IMS solution, a service delivery platform that enables service providers to simply and cost-effectively introduce new VoIP and multimedia services. Lucent's IMS solution enables operators to deliver services that blend voice, video and data capabilities, simplifying the creation of converged "lifestyle" service bundles. It also helps reduce the introduction costs and time-to- market for new services by leveraging a common applications infrastructure to deliver services with a common "look and feel" across third-generation (3G) mobile, WiFi, and wireline networks.

Lucent and Openera are demonstrating Lucent's IMS solution and Openera's Mobile IMS in Lucent's hospitality suite (on the Pantiero just outside the Palais des Festivals) at the 3GSM World Congress 2005, taking place from Feb. 14 - 17 in Cannes, France.

For more information about Lucent's presence at 3GSM World Congress 2005, please visit http://www.lucent.com/3gsm/ .

Lucent Technologies Announces Agreements with Two Companies to Deliver VoIP and IMS-Enabled Services Via Mobile Devices And PCs

Borderware has announced a product to help protect VoIP from hackers... If I am reading this release correctly, they claim to be the first "SIP-aware" firewall. There are many H.323 -aware firewalls out there for sure, but I could have sworn there already existed at least a few SIP-aware firewalls, i.e. have the ability to inspect the packets coming into the firewall and distinguish SIP voice traffic from regular data. A SIP-aware firewall would have the ability to allow SIP traffic to pass through without having to open ports, which open the door to security issues. I'll have to look into this claim to be "first" further - could just be marketing-speak (aka exaggerated press relese claims). Could have sworn Jasomi's firewalls for example were "SIP-aware".

Anyway. here's the BorderWare release:

Had to share this release. I was bemused to read that VoIP has reached the coldest, darkest, farthest reaches of the Earth!

Og Vodafone to Offer VoIP Services with Cirpack MultiNode
Fixed & Mobile Telco Deploys TISPAN-Ready Infrastructure Enabling Migration Path to IMS

3GSM World Congress, Cannes, France, February 14, 2005 – CIRPACK, a developer of next generation voice switches for operators’ infrastructures, today announced that Og Vodafone, the alternative fixed & mobile operator in Iceland, upgraded its wireline voice switching infrastructure with Cirpack MultiNode. Og Vodafone can now provide legacy POTS & ISDN services as well as voice over IP and IP Centrex services from the same switching platform, further optimizing operations and enhancing service packages.

With Cirpack MultiNode, Og Vodafone has the ability to deploy multiservice access networks compliant with the TISPAN architecture, an industry initiative targeting seamless integration of legacy wireline phone services with an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Leveraging Cirpack’s open architecture and compliance with IMS standards, Og Vodafone can offer innovative voice over IP services to residential and business customers and now has its networks ready for delivering convergent services including fixed and mobile networks.

“Og Vodafone has been using Cirpack voice switches for several years and we have always been impressed by the flexibility and the reliability of the platform. It matches the Class-5 feature set of legacy systems and scales very easily,” explains Örn Orrason, VP Networks, Og Vodafone. “Upgrading our Cirpack LEN switch to a Cirpack MultiNode allows Og Vodafone to meet the increasing demand for our services and launch innovative packages on a large scale such as voice over IP over DSL and IP Centrex. With the Cirpack switch, we can now think of merging our wireline and wireless networks into an IMS delivering new value added and converged services to all types of users: narrowband, broadband and mobile.”

“Operators around the world are all looking at offering new innovative voice over IP services to their broadband customers. To ensure success of a massive VoIP deployment, operators must deploy next generation voice switching platforms that can really scale and maintain legacy telephony services while share the existing back office and information systems,” explains Jean-Pierre Dumolard, Cirpack’s CEO. “Og Vodafone has been delivering POTS and ISDN services with a Cirpack switch for about 3 years. We are now upgrading the platform for launching VoIP services. Tomorrow, Cirpack will enable both these narrowband and broadband wireline users to be seamlessly integrated into a converged fixed-mobile IMS architecture.”

The Cirpack MultiNode is a carrier-grade telephony platform designed to deliver a full set of voice services to hundreds of thousands of subscribers simultaneously. It is made of a Class-5 and Class-4 softswitch running on IBM eServer and highly scalable media gateways connecting IP, ATM and TDM networks together. Cirpack MultiNode enables low cost deployments of toll-grade VoIP and IP Centrex services on a very large scale while maintaining existing POTS and ISDN services and connecting to the PSTN using any flavors of SS7. Cirpack switches comply with the TISPAN architecture for integrating wireline voice services into a 3GPP’s IMS.

About Og Vodafone

Og Vodafone is the second largest telecom operator in Iceland offering fixed and mobile services to almost one-quarter of the market, ensuring secure communications for tens of thousands of individuals, as well as many of the country’s largest corporations. Og Vodafone operates its own carrier-grade mobile and fixed line telecommunications network with several secured international connections to ensure maximum quality. Through the wide-reaching co-operation agreement with Vodafone in marketing and sales as well as service and technological matters, Og Vodafone brings Icelanders world-class telecommunications services. Og is listed on the Main List of the Icelandic Stock Exchange, ICEX. For more information: www.ogvodafone.is

About CIRPACK

CIRPACK develops next generation voice switching platform that can be connected to TDM, ATM and IP networks to deliver advanced phone services to all types of subscribers simultaneously and provide seamless migration of wireline networks to IMS/TISPAN architecture. It provides carrier-grade reliability, scalability and regulatory features for massive deployments of broadband telephony and IP Centrex for instance as well as of legacy PSTN infrastructures delivering ISDN or POTS services. CIRPACK switches have successfully passed all certifications in a dozen countries. CIRPACK works with industry leaders such as IBM Global Services to provide global solutions. With over 2 million Class-5 licences deployed, and over 40 telco customers in 15 countries, CIRPACK is a leading player in the softswitch market. For more information, please visit www.cirpack.com.

Let's recap the mega-mergers, shall we? SBC & AT&T, Nextel & Sprint, and now according to MSNBC its Verizon and MCI? According to MSNBC, which quotes the Wall Street Journal, "Merger talks between Verizon Communications and MCI Inc. have advanced, and the two companies could announce a deal in the next few days, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday."

So who's next in this telecom mega-merger mania? It's certainly entertaining to watch, so break out the popcorn! And is this consolidation good for the VoIP industry? Is it good for consumers? It certainly can't be good for consumers if there is less competition. And the less choice VoIP vendors have when selecting a carrier backbone, the more expensive VoIP will be.

One could argue that in a free capitalist society, there's nothing wrong with these types of mega-mergers, but I have my doubts. We broke up Ma Bell for a reason - it was a monopoly. This reminds me of Terminator 2 where the bad Terminator gets frozen, broken into a billion pieces by Arnold and then a few moment later after melting, the bad Terminator reforms to be just as big and strong as before. This eerily sounds exactly like what's happening now. We broke Ma Bell into pieces and now it's reforming into just a few big monoliths. Not good... Not good at all.

MSNBC - Talks between Verizon and MCI advance

I was just informed that Internet Telephony Conference and Expo is sold out! (the exhibts/booths are sold out that is - still room if you want to attend)  Rich told me it's up 100% from last year. Wow, this is amazing. I can't wait to go to the show, it's just 11 days away. I'm also really looking forward to moderating one of the hottest VoIP topics - namely Peer-to-Peer VoIP. It's titled "A Close Look at P2P VoIP".

Some very big names important to the P2P VoIP space will be part of the panel, including Skype's Niklas Zennström, Teleo's Peter Sisson, Nimcat Networks' Mahshad Koohgoli, Popular Telephony's Dmitry Goroshevsky, and Global IP Sounds' Gary Hermansen.

Here's a description of the panel I am moderating:

Peer-to-Peer VoIP is a potentially disruptive force that is taking the IP telephony market by storm. OK, “incrementally by storm.” Little by little, bit by bit, this approach to VoIP is taking hold proponents tell us that P2P VoIP addresses issues such as scalability, security, redundancy that are required in enterprise and service provider implementations, while supporting basic as well as innovative features. Come see what all the fuss is about.

If you're coming to the show, make sure to stop by this P2P VoIP session and feel free to say hello and tell me how much you hate.. I mean love.. my VoIP blog. (Just don't fill me ego too much, my wife tells me if my ego gets any bigger I won't be able to fit my head in our front door.)

Remember my BlackBerry 7270 blog entry? In that, I wrote:

The BlackBerry 7270 supports VoIP telephony that essentially extends desktop phone functionality to a BlackBerry wireless handheld allowing the user to place and receive calls on the go. It utilizes SIP-based call control to deliver standards-based interoperability with IP-PBX and traditional corporate telephony equipment.

Hmmm, I wonder if it will work with SIP-based ITSPs or SIP-based softclients like XTEN’s? It would be very interesting if you can simultaneously receive email and make a free VoIP call over the WiFi connection.

Well, no word on the XTEN support, but Greg Galitzine point out to me that RIM has signed deals with Verizon and Nortel.  In this deal,  RIM adds mobility to 3Com and Nortel IP-PBXs which extend those vendors’ IP PBX features to RIM’s Blackberry 7270 devices. These Blackberries operate on 802.11b networks and incorporate both voice and data capabilities. So basically you can make and receive phone calls from your Blackberry device and the calls are routed through the Nortel or 3Com IP-PBX.  This is great because if someone dials your office extension, and you are on the road, you don't have to remember to forward your calls to your cell phone.  Instead the call is routed over IP to the Blackberry 7270 device.

Check out Greg's blog article here: http://blog.tmcnet.com/blog/greg-galitzine/voip/on-voip-mobility-security.html

TiVo may get all the headlines and they certainly have a rabid following, including geeks who modify their units, add additional hard drives, and perform other tweaks. But I'll tell you, I would not trade my Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PC for a TiVo. I'm hooked baby!

Especially when you consider that TiVo decided to betray their customers by ADDING their own commercials -- check out the storm of controversy in the tivocommunity.com forums. I believe TiVo adds popup ads AS YOU FAST FORWARD through commercials. If I spent >$300 for a lifetime TiVo subscription (or pay their monthly subscription), I would be pretty peeved that TiVo decided to change the rules, when one major purchasing factor is the ability to fast forward through advertisements.

And speaking of subscriptions, that's another reason why I love my Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PC - NO MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FEE! The TV guide listings download for free via the Internet to an XML file which the MCE PC is able to display.

One of the "knocks" against the MCE 2005 PC is that it's too big - no one wants a bulky PC in their living room and they want something that easily slides into their entertainment system. Well, there are two solutions for that.

One is to use a Linksys Media Center Extender (pic below) to wirelessly transmit the video/audio from the MCE 2005 PC to your TV.

LinkSys Media Center Extender Front Panel

The second option is to use a small footprint MCE 2005 PC, such as ones from Alienware (pic below). Actually, there are quite a few small footprint MCE 2005 PC's now that look very good in a home theater environment.

Alienware DHS 2

HP Digital Entertainment Center z545

Samsung DM-T40/H300

With so many small footprint Media Center PCs available, there is no excuse for anyone to claim that Tivo is better due to its size. Besides, can you browse the internet on Tivo? No!. Can you check email on Tivo? No! Can you have a slideshow of all your pictures on the TV? No! Can you stream your favorite Internet radio station on Tivo? No! Can you skip past commercials with no ads? No! Can you play MP3s on your Tivo? No! Can you play Half Life2 on your huge 65" TV via Tivo? No! Can I have a videoconference on your TV using Xten or inititiate a VoIP call using Skype? All of these things CAN be done with a MCE 2005 PC. Case closed!

The only reason why you may want to go with Tivo is price, PERIOD! I do admit MCE 2005 is more expensive, but hey, you get what you pay for - a heck of a lot more features than Tivo.

Heck, if you are in the market for a new or second PC anyway, you may as well buy a MCE 2005 PC and get the PVR functionality as an added bonus (amongst other cool features). And if you're worried about the PC being used for the TV and not being able to use the PC while someone else is watching TV, you have a few options.

1) Buy a really old PC - doesn't matter if it's Win98 or Windows XP. Then use the Remote Desktop client (uses RDP protocll) to connect to the MCE 2005 PC remotely. (It's similar to PCAnywhere) MCE 2005, like Windows XP supports multiple clients to connect using the Fast User Switching feature. So basically, you can access your fast MCE 2005 PC using a slow PC to surf the web, check email, etc. The only thing you won't be able to do is play high FPS games over the RDP protocol. The RDP protocol was not designed for high-speed video motion.

2) Buy a long VGA cable, long keyboard cord, and a long mouse cord (or just go wireless keyboard/mouse) and then just extend these to a 2nd room. You may need to install a 2nd video card to be able to access the Windows Desktop while someone is watching TV though.

All in all, MCE 2005 rocks and all the naysayers trashing MCE 2005 are just jealous in my humble opinion.

According to ResearchAndMarkets, the global service provider voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) gateway market at $165.3 million in 2003 is expected to reach 985.7 million dollars in the year 2009. The market is anticipated to grow at a steady positive rate over the years. The growth is brought by replacement of digital proprietary voice switching systems with systems that do manage to put voice over the Internet reliably and clearly.

Check out the report here:
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Market Opportunities, Strategies, and Forecasts, 2004 to 2009 - Research and Markets - Market Research Reports