Tom Keating : VoIP & Gadgets Blog
Tom Keating
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VoIP

VoIP news, trends, and opinions, VoIP reviews. Covering Asterisk, Cisco, Grandstream, Polycom, Microsoft, Vonage, Packet8, etc.

FREETALK Connect Review

December 15, 2010


FREETALK Connect might be an easy to install IP-PBX, but it doesn't skimp on features, packing quite a punch in advanced features, including Skype for Asterisk & Skype Connect support, paging, conference bridges, PSTN failover, custom CallerIDs per user, find me/follow me, and more. I took a FREETALK Connect system for a test drive and was pretty impressed with how easy it was to setup and configure, but was also impressed with its tight integration with Skype.

First, I should mention that FREETALK Connect runs with Asterisk in its core. Currently running Asterisk v1.4, the box relies on a Web portal for all administrative (add users, configure auto-attendant, etc.) and user interaction (voicemail, call forward settings, etc.). You don't get console access to the Linux kernel.


Tru Rates Now Available in Australia

December 14, 2010

Some news I wanted to share from Tru (also known as Truphone)... Tru, (dba Truphone), has expanded its local rates and local number proposition to Australia. Starting today, both business and pre-pay customers of Tru’s GSM service in the UK and US will benefit from paying only local rates instead of roaming rates for all calls and texts to and within Australia, as well as local data rates when roaming within the country.

In an industry first, Tru’s network now offers customers the option to have three local mobile numbers for the UK, US and Australia on one SIM card, allowing friends and business contacts based in those countries to reach them wherever they are without paying the cost of an international call. 

Obihai Mashes Up Mobile, Landline, VoIP & Social Networking

December 10, 2010

Obihai Technology released their OBiON application for the iPhone. In some ways Obihai is very similar to the very hyped Ooma product, which Rich Tehrani likes, but I was initially not a fan of until they changed their business model. Obihai was started by the founders of the creators of the very first analog telephony adapters, the Komodo Fone 300, which was used by VOnage.  A Little VoIP History: I got one of the earliest prototypes of the Komodo Fone 300 ATA device, which I reviewed for Internet Telephony Magazine back in 2000.

Digium|Asterisk World Returns to ITEXPO

December 10, 2010

TMC and Digium, the Asterisk Company, today announced that Digium|Asterisk World is returning to ITEXPO, February 2-4, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.  Asterisk is the world’s most widely used open source communications software, and the Digium|Asterisk World event helps the entire Asterisk community learn how to create more flexible and powerful telephony solutions.

Open Source Communications solutions currently account for more new phone lines than any single conventional PBX or key system manufacturer.  While Open Source communications software can be free of charge, it creates significant revenue opportunities for businesses that install Open Source PBXs, and provide GUIs, PBX appliances, gateways, and other related services.

Skype Updates Nokia App

December 8, 2010

fring Update for iPhone

December 5, 2010

Viber - Another VoIP Mobile App Launches on iPhone

December 2, 2010


Viber, a mobile VoIP app for the iPhone launched today. There are plenty of mobile VoIP apps for the iPhone, but each has its weakness, including Skype, which is a battery hog. Viber's claim to fame is that it doesn't use buddy lists or require registration. Instead, your phone number is your username.

G.722 Now Available on CounterPath's Bria iPhone Client

November 30, 2010

CounterPath has upgraded a number of features on its Bria iPhone Edition client.  (check out my previous demo of the Bria for iPhone client) Some of the top new features include:

- The much anticipated G.722 codec
- Added Noise Reduction
- Added High Resolution Images for iPhone4
- Substantially Improved Battery Life on UDP Accounts over WiFi 


Bria iPhone Edition offers enterprise and SMB users full access to their PBX features, with G.711, G.722 and an optional G.729 codec. A larger announcement from CounterPath is expected tomorrow. I'm out of the office recovering from nose surgery from a broken nose, but I'll try and cover the news when I can.

911 Joins the 21st Century - To Add SMS & Video

November 23, 2010

We all remember the controversy surrounding VoIP & 911. Should they be required to provide 911, shouldn't they? Should PC VoIP apps like Skype be exempt since these are mobile VoIP apps? Back in 2007, Congress passed legislation requiring Internet telephony service providers to provide e911 services.

Demand up, prices down for carrier VoIP and IMS equipment, led by China

November 22, 2010



Market research firm Infonetics Research released its third quarter (3Q10) Service Provider VoIP Equipment and Subscribers and IMS Equipment and Subscribers market share and forecast reports. Thought I'd share...

ANALYST NOTE

“The number-one story that will come out of 2010 for the IMS and carrier VoIP equipment markets is China, where conditions are driving volumes up and pushing prices down. There are large network transformation projects underway in China, so demand for equipment is very strong, but at the same time, vendors are willing to push the pricing limits to get into strategic accounts.




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