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JAJAH, today announced the beta‐launch of its Twitter calling solution, JAJAH@call. JAJAH users with a Twitter account can make phone calls via Twitter free of charge. @calls are made without revealing your number and without needing to know the number of the person you wish to call - all you need is their Twitter username. The key caveat being BOTH users must be JAJAH users (to do the mapping between Twitter and your phone number)

So how does it work?

To make a call you simply send a Twitter message (tweet) with "@call @username" where the 'username' is the Twitter name of the person you wish to call. According to JAJAH, "If that person follows you on Twitter, a free two‐minute call - the verbal equivalent of a tweet ‐ will be initiated. Both Twitter users need to be JAJAH users as well."

JAJAH@Call works no matter how you use Twitter, whether it's on a computer or mobile phone, at Twitter directly or using a Twitter‐client such as Seesmic (web and desktop), TwitterBerry (BlackBerry), Tweetie and Twitterfon (iPhone), and Twidroid (Android).

Not sure how widespread the usage of this will be. It is limited to 2 minutes and both users have to be on Jajah. How many possible workarounds can we come up with to save a few cents? A cool novelty I guess. I'll probably try it once and then never use it again.

I tested Siphon, a SIP-based VoIP application for the iPhone, in California at ITEXPO. Interestingly, Siphon worked perfectly in California over AT&T's 3G data network. Yes, you read that right - VoIP over 3G! I couldn't contain my giddiness when I realized I could now register my iPhone with TMC's Asterisk-based IP-PBX and make/receive calls. I've tried Siphon a few times in the past and it never worked over 3G - only WiFi. I thought perhaps AT&T was now easy their restrictions and allowing it. (silly me)

However, once back in Connecticut I tested it again and it didn't work. Apparently, in some parts of the country AT&T is blocking port 5060, the default SIP port. I did some port testing on my iPhone and indeed AT&T is blocking outbound port 5060. While I was in Los Angeles I was able to use Siphone to make & receive VoIP calls over the 3G data connection through my corporate Asterisk-based PBX. I was able to receive calls to my TMC extension as well. Guess it was good while it lasted...

Now, Siphon does let you change the local SIP port from the default 5060. In theory, the Siphon application can be modified to use a different outbound port and then you could setup some port forwarding rules on your firewall, i.e. map the 'always open' port 80 (web) on your firewall to forward to port 5060 when connecting to your SIP-based IP-PBX's IP address. Or if you IP-PBX is already using port 80, there are plenty of other outbound ports that AT&T doesn't block.

Apple has rejected and blocked Siphon from the App Store. Interestingly, Apple allows other SIP clients (WiFi-only) to be downloaded from the App Store, including iPico, fring, iSip (supports push notifications of calls), Acrobits Softphone, WeePhone SIP, and Nimbuzz. What's interesting about the Siphon app is the whole saga the developer had to go through with Apple when submitting this SIP application to the App Store. It wasn't pretty...

The short story is that even when Siphon didn't support VoIP over 3G a few versions ago, Apple still rejected the app providing a lame excuse. Then after several attempts, Siphon went "underground" and provided their SIP app to Cydia, the primary jailbroken app store - with full VoIP over 3G functionality. If you can't beat em', screw em'! That's why a lot of apps have gone to the Cydia App Store to get around Apple's ridiculous restrictions.

Check out this screenshot of my iPhone showing how you can enable Siphon over EDGE/3G:



Unfortunately, like I said earlier, AT&T is blocking outbound port 5060 in some parts of the country, so simply enabling Siphon over Edge/3G by itself won't work if they block it. Apparently, the AT&T cellular network in Los Angeles, California works though. If anyone else has gotten Siphon to work over the AT&T 3G network, post a comment - or even if it didn't work. Would be a good gauge of how widespread they allow/disallow this.

The day is coming when the carriers will have to allow VoIP over 3G. Look at what VoIP, and especially Vonage did to the traditional landline industry. We went from paying long distance minutes by the minute to an UNLIMITED plan with UNLIMITED minutes for a flat rate. The mobile industry will soon have to follow suit.

In fact, the first wireless carrier that lets me register my cell phone to my SIP-based IP-PBX over a 3G data connection will become my new wireless service provider and have my business. I'm sure millions of others feel the same. Heck, charge me a few cents for terminating or originating my SIP-based calls. I'd pay for the ability to use my corporate identity (CallerID) when making business calls on my personal cell phone. Or just count SIP calls as 1.5x or 2x per minute of usage towards my current monthly plan's bucket of minutes. Of course, the carriers would have to detect when a SIP call originates or terminates, which is a technical challenge. They'd have to do packet inspection on a mass scale to support this.

Still, there has to be an appropriate revenue-generating business model for the wireless carriers that will allow their customers to use SIP over 3G. Make it $5/month extra or something. Vonage took the traditional landline providers by surprise, causing the defection of millions of users. So if the wireless carriers wait too long, some new wireless carrier is going to come along and do the same by offering VoIP/SIP over 3G. You mark my words...

The IEEE recently ratified 802.3at, a new Power over Ethernet Plus standard. The IEEE 802.3at-2009 Power over Ethernet (PoE) Plus standard defines the technology for powering a wide range of powered devices at up to 25W over existing CAT5e and above cables.

Mike McCormack, Chair of the IEEE P802.3at Task Force said, "IEEE 802.3at uses the Link Layer Discover Protocol (LLPD) from IEEE Std 802.1AB, which allows dynamic power allocation and negotiation down to 1/10th of a Watt, and associated technology including Type, Length, Values (TLVs) from IEEE 802.3bc, which was also recently approved. This will allow equipment manufactures to manage their power supply costs and efficiencies at levels not possible with previous standards, and to cut their costs in the process."

I contacted Daniel Feldman, Director of Marketing, Telecom, Microsemi and he responded to Mike's quote by saying, "This is a mis-interpretation of what can be actually done. All LLDP allows is for more devices to be powered with a given power supply, it does not increase the power supply efficiency in any way."

Mike McCormack also stated,  "In addition, we have increased available power up to 25W. This will allow Power over Ethernet (PoE) to address applications such as high power Wireless APs, gimbal mounted cameras, and even some netbooks, as well as newer emerging applications."

The new standard is fully compatible with IEEE Std 802.3. "The improvements made in IEEE 802.3at are all fully compatible with any device built to the 802.3-2005 standard," said McCormack.

Soon we should start seeing low-power and high-power IEEE802.3at-2009-compliant VoIP phones, WLAN access points, network cameras, WiMAX subscriber stations and more.

One firm, Microsemi claims that their PD-9000 Midspan family offers the industry's only solutions to combine IEEE802.3at-2009 compliance, mutual midspan-to-midspan backup capabilities, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) communications, and pre-programmed powered device shutdown, all with simple network management protocol version 3 (SNMPv3)--a secured management that can run on Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6). In addition, the PD-9000G family provides a safe and cost-effective PoE solution for Ethernet end terminals. More devices can be powered via the network, thus eliminating the need to use a power supply and install costly power outlets close to the end device.

The PD-9000 family is available in 1-, 6-, 12- and 24- port versions in a 1U format, and a virtual 48-port 2U midspan.  Microsemi also offers a 60W midspan family capable of powering network cameras and other devices at up to 51W, without infringing on the new IEEE802.3at-2009 standard.

Interesting that Microsemi is able double the standard 802.3at-2009 maximum of 25W and go up to 51W without breaking the standard. I asked Daniel about this and he responded, "This is possible because the IEEE802.3at-2009 standard changed the definition of a Powered Device, compared to the text existing in IEEE802.3-2005's Clause 33. The new standard considers the PD the power interface, and not the whole device being powerd. This means that one can have two power interfaces, each taking 25.5W inside the same box. And nothing precludes these to be connected one over the 2-pairs using lines 1,2,36 and the other using the 2-pairs that use lines 4,5,7,8. "

And who is creating devices that suck 51W of power if Microsemi is the only midspan that supports 51W over Ethernet cables? Daniel responded, "One good example that can be directly powered is the Axis Q6032E. The beauty of the Microsemi business model is that we don't create only Midspans, we also create PoE splitters. In this specific case, we created a 51W capable splitter that delivers 12 or 24 volts, and we are working on a version that delivers 18V. So ANY application that takes these input voltages and uses 12, 18 or 24 volts could be powered over Ethernet today. We have customers in the Access Control market very excited about our 60W solution."

Ok, so 51W can be quite useful, but at what point does sending that kind of wattage over cables start to cause heating and wire melting issues? Well, last year I interviewed Amit Gattani, Director of Marketing for Akros Silicon and asked him, "There's no issues with the wires melting with this increased wattage in the wires, is there? Especially when these wires run up in the ceilings where it could post a fire hazard?"

Amit Gattani laughed and replied, "That's a very good question. At the standard level we spent a lot of time on this issue. Copper wire has a fairly high capability to carry current. However, heating of the cable, especially when these cables run in the attics and you're pulling 50 cables together in a bundle, heating of the cable can become an issue. One, 13W solutions you can use Cat 5 cable. For 30W it is Cat 5e and above and the reason is that Cat 5e and above have lower resistance drops so the heating issue is less." He added, "The 30W power limitation is actually put in place for a high degree of safety margin from the cable bundle heating up."

I asked Daniel this same question and he responded, "No issue whatsoever. The TIA and ISO/IEC data used to determine that maximum current of 600mA in IEEE802.3at (which is what heats the cable) used a model that assumed all 4-pairs are used, not only 2-pairs. This is because there is no gurantee that split cables are not going to be used in deployments. "

Good to know! Don't need the IT guy burning down the building just for PoE!

Avaya has agreed to purchase Nortel's enterprise business for $900 million, which is much larger than the $475  million 'stalk horse' bid put out last month by Avaya. As part of the deal, Nortel will sell the assets of the Enterprise Solutions Business, and shares of Nortel Government Solutions and DiamondWare  to Avaya. Avaya will pay out US$900 Million in cash to Nortel, with an additional pool of US$15 Million Reserved for an Employee Retention Program.

But the bid is subject to approval. Both Canadian and U.S. Court Approvals of Sale will be sought at a joint hearing on September 15. Expect fireworks to fly in the Canadian government over this deal. Nortel is a huge source of national pride for Canadians, so to lose Nortel to an American company is something that the Canadian government may not be happy with. Though I just don't see the Canadian governement shelling out $900 million in a counter-bid offer to acquire and nationalize them.

Commenting on the announcement, Nortel Enterprise Solutions President Joel Hackney said:

"This is fantastic news for our customers, as this will empower us to continue to deliver industry-leading solutions and services focused on unlocking the enterprise business potential enabled by unified communications. It provides the capability to chart our future with laser-focus, enabling customers to compete in new ways with greater scale and resources. We look forward to working closely with our customers, partners and stakeholders during this pre-close phase to ensure that we continue to innovate to meet customers' needs with high-performance, efficient and secure communications solutions.

"As we work through integration planning, it is business as usual, and we will continue to focus on supporting our installed base," Hackney said. "Through deal close and beyond, we will deliver on our stated customer commitments and maintain high levels of service and support. We will ensure our customers can fully leverage their existing Nortel investment as they benefit from the complementary capabilities of the Nortel and the Avaya portfolio of products and services."

While everyone from Apple to Palm to Microsoft have built or are building an app store, it appears Skype is getting out of the app business. I read the news on Friday on CNet that Skype is pulling the plug on its Extras program, which enables third-party developers to create add-ons for Skype. According to CNET, "not enough people were installing Skype Extras, Skype said in both an e-mail and in a blog post to developers."

Skype is allowing for some transition time, but it won't certify any new applications and any existing Extras will eventually have their digitally signed certificate expire. So your favorite third-party Skype Extra will eventually die.

Ok, so maybe Skype Extras wasn't that popular with Skype users, but I think Skype is to blame, not the developers. Had Skype actively promoted some of the cooler add-ons within the Skype client, perhaps some of the apps would have performed better. With nearly 1/2 billion Skype users, surely there is a market for these add-ons which include hosted backup services, call recording (though Skype should offer that for free), emoticons, hosted meetings, games, SMS, and more.

Read more on CNET

Many users have been complaining about Skype for iPhone 1.2 crashing or locking up their iPhones. The recent 1.2 version released just last Friday repeatedly crashes either after logging on or dialing a number and affects both jailbroken and non-jailbroken iPhones. A thread on the Skype forums revealed some very unhappy users.

Well, today Skype released 1.2.1, a hotfix, to solve this problem.

Raul on the Skype blog writes:

With this hotfix we have addressed three issues about what you have been telling to us lately.

We would suggest for everyone to upgrade in iTunes.

The update, to version 1.2.1 resolves following issues:
* Crashing in Dialing and History.
* Erroneous handling of international prefixes.
* Crashing due to special characters in contact names.

See also full release notes and known issues.

If you recall, I wrote how Skype for iPhone and iPod touch was blocked in Canada. A Skype representative told me, "There are some patent-licensing issues which prevent us from offering it there." The Skype representative went on to say "I can't go into many more details other than it's codec related."

Well my Canadian brothers, rejoice! Today, Skype is bringing the iPhone & iPod touch app to Canada after settling the dispute. The Skype for iPhone application for iPhone and iPod touch is available immediately on the App Store in Canada.

As to the dastardly villain who was blocking Skype for iPhone in Canada, I contacted a Skype representative but he couldn't disclose the company name. I wonder if eBay's (which still owns a 35% stake) next quarterly statement will reveal a large payout to this "nameless one" or "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named."

Saw a couple of very recent Top VoIP blog lists I thought I'd share. I'm in both of these top VoIP blogs lists along with all the usual suspects.

List #1 link: Top 7 VoIP Blogs to Watch

1) GigaOm

2) Communications and Technology Blog 

3) VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Quote:

Another TMC blog, and a good one: Tom Keating: CTO, VP, Founder TMC Labs uses his 14 yrs telecom experience and 28 yrs "programming, tinkering with & breaking computers" to cover VoIP issues in lively interesting fashion: Recent topics include: SIP Print VoIP Appliance Review; a Skype Headset Review; and Microsoft's releasing two new UC training tools.

4) VoIP IP Telephony

5) No Jitter:

6) Fierce VoIP

7) VoIP Watch

List #2 link: The Top 33 (Other) VoIP Blogs

Too long to list them all here, but I like how he lists my TMCNet blog first and then writes - "Rich Tehrani's blog at TMCNet - the other big hitter in TMC's one-two voip blogger punch."

At ITEXPO, Aastra announced G.722 wideband audio codec support (HD audio) in their new 67xxi firmware version 2.5.0 or later. It's available as a free download from Aastra with no strings attached. No need to upgrade your 67xxi (formerly 57XXi) phone to a newer model to get HD audio. I spoke with Aastra at ITEXPO about this free upgrade and got a demo as well. First, it's important to note that the speaker and the microphone built into the existing 67xxi don't have the full frequency response for full HD audio. However, there is still a noticeable improvement in audio quality, especially in the low-end bass side. For 100% HD audio from the microphone to the speaker to the full-range frequency response you can purchase their newer phones which feature upgraded hardware components.

But for the thousands of Aastra phones out there - including one I use as my primary desk phone - you can simply upgrade to the new firmware and immediately see a performance improvement. I also mentioned to Aastra some issues with the speakerphone switching to half-duplex mode when there is a lot of ambient noise or if the remote caller is talking too loud. The remote caller who is speaking can't hear you (half-duplex) no matter how loud you yell. Well, apparently this new firmware does some tweaks and solves that issue as well.

Aastra is calling their wideband audio feature Hi-Q. Let's face it, Polycom has done a good job positioning themselves as having the best sounding IP phones, especially with their HD Voice product line. Aastra's new Hi-Q offering now allows them to compete with other HD phones including not only Polycom, but also Cisco, Snom and others. Aastra Hi-Q wideband audio will be supported on the 6757i CT, 6757i, 6755i, 6753i, 6751i, 6731i and 6730i.

I did a demo with Aastra on the ITEXPO show floor with Hi-Q turned off and then on and I noticed the difference right away. Can't wait to get back to Connecticut and upgrade my Aastra 6757i CT phone! They also demo'ed some cool new DECT 6.0 phones and new WiFi phones that are just now coming to the United States. (They are currently available in Europe)

According to Aastra, "Aastra's Hi-Q audio technology is a software based acoustic optimization, backwards compatible with existing 67xxi series SIP phones, delivering a more life-like conversation and richer user experience via an industry standard G.722 wideband codec."

Aastra 67xxi firmware with Hi-Q wideband audio support can be downloaded here.

8x8, Inc. announced at ITEXPO a new, web-based conferencing service to its existing portfolio of business communication offerings for small to medium sized businesses. I met with a few 8x8 employees to get the low-down on this interesting new offering.

First, they leverage Adobe Flash and Adobe Flex for the client piece, which enables cross-platform support. No download required. You can also easily invite participants from a dashboard utility or send an email link to instantly join the conference. Importantly, it supports VoIP over the Flash client, so callers from around the world can join in for free. It also features remote desktop sharing, and full presentation tools such as invite, mute, kick, pass controls, etc. One 8x8 spokesperson commented, "Our offering is like eVite + WebEx combined".

It's only $29.99/month for unlimited web meetings which can be used for training, webinars, webcasts, presentations, etc. They told me that currently 15 is the maximum number of participants. After 15 participants it's $2.99 per participant per meeting up to a maximum of 50. However, they said the SMB market they are targeting in most cases won't exceed 15 participants. They also stressed that they priced their conferencing offering for the SMB to be very cost-effective versus other conferencing solutions.

What's even cooler is that 8x8 told me they plan an Apple iPhone app which will allow you to join the conference, see the presentation/remote screen sharing, and hear the conference leveraging VoIP. I guess they won't be using Flash for that one since Apple still hasn't allowed Flash on the iPhone. 8x8 also mentioned they support the G.729 codec.

The "8x8 Virtual Meeting" web conferencing service is available as an add-on service for existing 8x8 customers or as a standalone offering for new subscribers, 8x8 Virtual Meeting features complete integrated voice conferencing (to and from any telephone or web browser platform), presentation slide sharing, desktop and application sharing, instant messaging, chair control, conference control and call recording, with up to 50 participants per conference.

"Small businesses, like those that subscribe to our 8x8 Virtual Office hosted phone services, want and need the same communications tools enjoyed by larger enterprises," said 8x8 Chief Marketing Officer Debbie Jo Severin. "In fact, in a recent survey of our existing business customers, more than 60% of them told us they already use some form of web conferencing in their day to day operations. 8x8 Virtual Meeting is a powerful collaboration tool that embodies all of the cost, performance and ease-of-use characteristics valued by our small business customers. We are excited to offer this new service and look forward to introducing additional communications solutions specifically geared to the small business market."

Highlights of the 8x8 Virtual Meeting web conferencing service include:

• No software download, plug-ins or supplemental hardware required
• Integrated VoIP, chat, desktop sharing and dial in/dial out features
• Unlimited meetings for a low monthly or annual price
• Up to 15 participants per meeting with the option to add more for a minimal cost
• One free local dial in number
• Flexible local and international toll or toll free meeting dial-in numbers available
• Audio-only meetings, audio and web meetings or web-only meetings
• Record any audio meeting or portions of a audio meeting
• Playback and/or download meeting audio recordings
• Perform desktop sharing and pass controls to participants
• Seamless integration with 8x8 Virtual Office services including corporate directory
• Extensive meeting management capabilities for meeting creators and participants
• Organize past meetings, upcoming meetings and meetings in progress
• Create private group audio sessions during a live meeting
• Customize dial in numbers for each meeting, including international numbers from 19 countries and more than 50 international destinations
• Request and manage participant RSVPs online

Existing 8x8 subscribers can add 8x8 Virtual Meeting service with unlimited conferencing for $29.99 per month. As a standalone service, 8x8 Virtual Meeting is priced at $39.99 per month. Lastly, for a limited time, 8x8 is offering a free 30-day trial version with unlimited conferencing, up to 15 participants per meeting and a free local dial-in number.