SIP

AT&T Grants Us Mobile VoIP Freedom

October 8, 2009

On September 17th I wrote about how siphon, a SIP app for the iPhone was working over 3G for me in Los Angeles but not in Connecticut. Apparently, port 5060, the SIP port was blocked in Connecticut but not in Los Angeles. Sources have informed me that AT&T was trialing opening up port 5060 nationwide but was first opening it up in select cities, including Los Angeles. I guess I was onto the "big news" about AT&T now allowing VoIP over 3G calls and didn't know it.

Posted in SIP, TMCnet, VoIP

AstriCon Adds to your Asterisk Arsenal

October 6, 2009

The 10th Anniversary of the AstriCon 2009 conference is next week in Arizona (October 13-15) and it is shaping up to be a great show. For one, AstriCon is sporting 30% more companies in the Expo Hall than last year's conference. The AstriCon organizers have even thrown in some cool freebies to add to your Asterisk arsenal. All attendees receive three popular Asterisk licenses, including: Skype for Asterisk, Fax for Asterisk, and G.729 for Asterisk.

AstriCon 2009 will be held at the Renaissance Glendale Resort and Spa near Phoenix, Arizona. You can register for the conference at www.astricon.net.

Posted in Asterisk, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP

Vonage Launches Vonage Mobile for Apple iPhone & Blackberry

October 5, 2009

Today Vonage launched Vonage Mobile for the Apple iPhone and Blackberry. I've already said this will be a killer app and could sway iPhone users to sign up with Vonage. Though, many iPhone users and wireless phone users in general have killed their landline entirely. Nevertheless, there are some cool features with Vonage Mobile, including a single-number identity for both your home and mobile number that could give Vonage an added boost.

Vonage World is not limited to just WiFi - it works over 3G! Vonage Mobile offers low-cost international calling and Vonage claims that you can save more than 50% on calls to dozens of countries versus the rates charged by wireless carriers.

Posted in Apple, Mobile Phones, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, VoIP, Vonage, Wireless

Verizon Hub Bites the Dust

October 2, 2009

What an inglorious end to the Verizon Hub, which Verizon Wireless promoted as the greatest VoIP phone ever. Sure it was sexy, and sure it was gadgety - doubling as a Web tablet and digital phone frame, but apparently users just weren't buying. Not even a year after Verizon Wireless launched the Hub they have killed it.

Verizon Wireless said Sept. 30 it was discontinuing sales for its Verizon Hub. The Hub retailed for $199 and required a $34.99 monthly fee. Too high a price if you ask me.

Posted in SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway Launches

October 1, 2009

Microsoft today just released the Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway, which is available at no cost. That's right, it's free and is immediately downloadable. The XMPP gateway allows basic presence sharing and instant messaging (IM) with Cisco Jabber and Google Talk. OCS users can now instant message Cisco Jabber and Google Talk users.

The Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 R2 XMPP Gateway can be downloaded here. Also, check out this video featuring Ashima Singhal (Senior Product Manager) and Albert Kooiman (Senior Product Manager) from the Communication Server team who discuss IM interoperability between different networks and show how the XMPP Gateway works.

Notice the different network icons (Yahoo!, AOL, Gmail/Google Talk)

Demo of Communicator client IM'ing a Google Talk user.

Some more good news - a PIC License will no longer be required for federation with American Online (AOL). Customers qualify for federation with AOL if they have Office Communications Server 2007 R2 Standard CAL or active Software Assurance on their current LCS/OCS license. Alas, customers who want Yahoo!

Posted in Microsoft, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Cisco Buys Tandberg, but does Video Interoperability Suffer?

October 1, 2009

Cisco bought Tandberg, a video conferencing company for $3 billion. But is this good for the video conferencing industry or bad? Let's have a recap of Cisco's "openness" and adoption of standards.

First, Cisco was very late to adopt the SIP standard, finally embracing third-party SIP phones back in 2006. However, Cisco plays some serious licensing shenanigans that make it very cost prohibitive to use 3rd party SIP phones with Cisco CallManager.

Posted in Polycom, SIP, TMCnet, Unified Communications, Video Conferencing, VoIP

TeleBlend Offers $99.99/year Unlimited VoIP Calling Plan

September 30, 2009

TeleBlend, you know the Sunrocket saviors, after the 2007 Sunrocket implosion, today announced that it will be offering one year of unlimited local and long distance calling for just $99. If you recall, Sunrocket was offering $299.99/year for unlimited calling just 2 years ago. Now that same offering is going for $99/year. Amazing how quickly prices have dropped in just two years.

The $99 Annual Plan is available for a limited time only and includes unlimited US calling, a free device, 15 free calling features including caller ID, voicemail and simultaneous ring with no cancellation fees.

"TeleBlend has always strived to provide the most affordable unlimited phone service in the industry.

Posted in SIP, TMCnet, VoIP

Rich Takes xMax Wireless for a Test Drive

September 29, 2009

Rich Tehrani took xG Technology's xMax technology, a WiMAX / LTE competitor for a (literal) test drive.

Rich writes:

xG Technology proclaimed in 2005 that they have a revolutionary technology which allows wireless broadband using unlicensed and licensed frequencies. They said they could build the equivalent to a WiMAX network without the need to spend a massive amount on spectrum auctions and moreover, their technology had better range than WiMAX.

It seemed too good to be true and after some years of waiting, the communications industry got impatient. After all, this revolutionary technology had the potential to change the way wireless networks are deployed. If it was real, where was it?

Posted in Mobile Phones, SIP, TMCnet, Technology and Science, Unified Communications, VoIP, Wireless

Polycom VVX 1500 Video Phone Quick Demo

September 29, 2009

Check out the quick video recording I made of two Polycom VVX 1500 IP video phones making a test video call. I used an iPhone 3GS to capture the video of the test call between the two phones. The iPhone's video recording quality isn't too shabby, but doesn't truly give you an idea of the quality of the Polycom's VVX 1500 touchscreen. (Note: The video phone was tilted far back, so it was aimed directly at the fluorescent lighting in the ceiling.

Posted in Asterisk, Polycom, Reviews, SIP, TMCnet, Video Conferencing, VoIP

Skype for Cisco Interoperable with Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series

September 23, 2009

Skype for SIP keeps adding more SIP-based IP-PBX solutions to their interoperability list. First they had Shoretel, then SIPfoundry's sipXecs and now today they announced that they are interoperable with Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series for Small Business.

"In today's tough economy, executives of smart small and medium-sized companies realize that effective communications with customers, partners and employees are a key to helping them grow their business," said Stefan Oberg, VP and General Manager of Skype for Business. "By certifying Skype for SIP as interoperable with the Cisco Unified Communications 500 Series, we are providing a single offering that will help many SMBs around the globe save money, save time and stay ahead of the competition."

Full Story

Posted in SIP, ShoreTel, Skype, TMCnet, VoIP

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