Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Tom Keating
CTO
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Longview IoT Boosts Energy and Wireless Efficiency

Some of the biggest challenges slowing down the adoption of IoT are security, efficient battery usage and optimized wireless communications.One company has...

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Hallmark's Simple, Inexpensive Way to Boost Customer Satisfaction

In an effort to boost margins, companies often push more users to automated solutions such as FAQs, chatbots, voice bots and anything...

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Huawei Places the World's First 5G VoNR Video Call

Huawei recently completed the world's first voice over NR (VoNR) call. The voice and video call service was made using two Huawei...

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IGEL Advances Future of Work

IGEL is a provider of a next-gen edge OS for cloud workspaces. The company’s software products include IGEL OS, IGEL UD Pocket (UDP) and Universal...

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Tata Communications and Cisco Collaborate on SD-WAN

Tata Communications and Cisco have extended their partnership to enable enterprises to transform their legacy network to a customized and secure multi-cloud...

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How to Win the 50-Year-Old China Trade War

Today and this week in-fact is historic - the left and right in the U.S. agree that we have a major trade...

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Extreme Elements Enables The Autonomous Enterprise

Extreme Networks just announced Extreme Elements which in-turn enables the autonomous network and subsequently the autonomous enterprise. In a dynamic webinar, Dan...

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VoIP History

January 3, 2005

CTI Magazine cover

I often get asked "When did VoIP begin?" or "What is the history of VoIP?". Well, VoIP goes further back in time than most would expect - 9 years in fact. In fact, I did the first product review of a VoIP product back in 1996 within CTI Magazine (which later became Communication Solutions Magazine). CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) Magazine was at the forefront of news, articles, and reviews of anything to do with computers and telecom (or telephony if you prefer).

Cablevision Price Drop Analysis

January 3, 2005

In my Cablevision Optimum Voice blog entry, I ranted about how Cablevision was overcharging $34.95/month for it's unlimited VoIP phone service, which is much more than other VoIP providers. In the comments section of that blog entry, Rich Tehrani disagreed with my assessment stating that Cablevision could get away with this pricepoint if they bundle it with other services.

As a former Cablevision customer a few years ago, I looked into getting Optimum Voice at a discounted rate since I had cable + broadband and they told me "Sorry, it's $34.95/month".

That price point was a couple of years ago.

VoIP Event

January 2, 2005

VoIP Event in Miami

The next big VoIP event is Internet Telephony Conference & Expo down in sunny Miami and I can't wait to go! Right now I'm stuck up here in chilly Connecticut where the past few days have been in the 20's. So in addition to me envisioning the latest VoIP products, services and of course VoIP gadgets at the Miami show, I'm also dreaming about South Beach. And no, not for the scantily-clad women in bikinis!

Telic SIP Phone Trial

December 28, 2004

Just thought I'd share this email I received from Telic.net. THey're offering a free 100 minute trial using their platform based on SIP.
The email from them is as follows...


 

Use 's managed VoIP platform to roll-out a SIP Phone service in days. To demonstrate the advanced end-user features and ease of use our platform enables, we invite you to try it out for yourself.

Windows CE .NET VoIP Phones

December 28, 2004

There was one prediction I left off my 2005 VoIP Predictions list. While I did say Microsoft would try and get back into VoIP after previous failed attempts, I mostly talked about Microsoft's VoIP "software" plans, i.e. Longhorn perhaps with more advanced Live Communications Server (LCS) functionality. Well, I neglected
Microsoft's embedded hardware division.

VoIP Security

December 27, 2004

VoIP Security Lockdown

VoIP security is often overlooked.Too often us VoIP bloggers get caught up writing about the latest cool feature added to Vonage/Packet8/CallVantage, etc., or the latest VoIP gadget or toy.Unfortunately, VoIP security just isn't a sexy topic.

But as VoIP deployments continue their meteoric rise both in residential and business, VoIP security is going to become much more critical.

Here's a good primer on VoIP security that came out in the latest issue of Internet Telephony Magazine that you should go check out:
Internet Telephony Feature Article: How Secure Is VoIP?

p.s. If you don't subscribe to Internet Telephony Magazine, you should.It's free (in print form) in the U.S.And if you are international, TMC recently launched a digital PDF version that you can download.It contains all the same graphics, charts, architecture diagrams as the print magazine. It even includes the advertisements if you are so inclined to check those out.Actually the ads are pretty important. I learn about a lot of new VoIP companies that often launch their product within Internet Telephony Magazine, since it is the first VoIP magazine (launched in 1996).Seeing ads is also a gauge of the company's financial strength and well-being before you 'plop' down cash on a company that may not be around in a year or two.

VOIP Security Tips
- Encrypt VOIP traffic and run it over a VPN.
- Make sure that server-based IP-PBXs are locked down and protected against viruses and denial-of-service attacks.










Walmart and VoIP

December 23, 2004

2005 VoIP Predictions

December 22, 2004

I've been thinking about making predictions for 2005 for some time now. I had a few ideas jotted down back in November but just never got around to compiling everything together and then sitting down and writing my VoIP predictions. Well, with only 9 more days until New Years Eve and then 2005, I guess I can procrastinate no longer.

Here are my Top 10 VoIP predictions and ponderings for 2005.

Vonage and CompUsa

December 21, 2004

Vonage announced a deal with Compusa to offer Vonage's broadband VoIP solution. The funny thing is I thought Compusa ALREADY was offering Vonage. Could have sworn I already saw a press release about this. I guess so many retail stores are offering so many various VoIP providers it's hard to keep track!

Skype, Cable & Wireless deal

December 21, 2004

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