Digium receives VoIP industry recognition

Digium has received further acclaim for the technological innovation and quality of service provided by its VoIP product range.The open source telephony industry leader, which was set up in 1999, was presented with awards by Unified Communications (TMC) and TechTarget's SearchNetworking.com.TMC heralded Digium's Switchvox IP PBX SMB 3.0 as the product of the year while the latter gave the firm a silver award for VoIP telephony platform Asterisk.SearchNetworking.com stated: "Asterisk can save an organisation significant costs and is at the forefront of open source VoIP development."This latest recognition comes after InfoWorld presented Asterisk 1.4 with its technology of the year prize. Digium have also appeared on numerous power lists, including eWeek, Linux Magazine and VoIP-News.Mark Spencer, creator of Asterisk and Digium's founder and chief technology officer, declared: "Each award and other recognition motivates the entire Digium team to push harder to continue to strengthen and expand the Asterisk platform."

Airspan VoIP technology

DBD buys Airspan VoIP technology
US vendor Airspan Networks has announced that German WiMAX operator Deutsche Breitband Dienste (DBD) has purchased Airspan’s VoiceMAX ‘voice processing technology’ for carrying voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) on its network. DBD provides residential customers and SMEs with high speed wireless internet access and voice services, via wireless networks in both metropolitan areas (under the MAXXonair brand) and rural areas (under the DSLonair brand) across Germany. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed

A cheap VoIP alternative: MagicJack

April 16, 2008 (Network World) Last week, I started to enumerate my phone numbers, and I wound up discussing Google Inc.'s GrandCentral telephony service with considerable enthusiasm. While some people, such as reader and fellow Twitterer Allen Clarkson, are big fans, not everyone is quite as enthusiastic.
"Jim" commented on Gibbslog that "GC has a very bad feature called call presentation. If you receive a call, you MUST press 1 ... before you can take the incoming call. If you have a [headset on with a Bluetooth link to your phone], this is almost impossible while driving or if your hands are busy. This 'feature' cannot be turned off."
That is a valid point, and it would certainly be a good idea for
GrandCentral to add voice recognition for selected devices.
Anyway, I wound up at the end of last week's column with a total of seven phone numbers: house, office and fax (such as it is) via Vonage, local dial-only POTS (plain old telephone service) line for DSL, GrandCentral number, and a Gizmo5 line. This week, I added a new one: a magicJack number.
MagicJack is a rather clever device that offers unlimited voice-over-IP calling in North American for $39.95 for the first year and $19.95 for subsequent years, and includes voice mail, 911 support, caller ID and free 411 service.
The magicJack hardware is a USB dongle about the size of a box of matches that weighs less than 1 oz. (Because the device is a little large, MagicJack LP also provides an extension cable for the USB socket.) The dongle provides hardware support for some VoIP protocol decoding and telephony management, and a phone jack on its side allows you to optionally connect a regular telephone handset. Windows XP and Vista are supported, and beta firmware for Mac OS X has just been released.
The first time you insert the magicJack into a USB port, it glows a pleasant blue, and all of the required drivers are downloaded from its onboard storage.
(I must digress here and complain about hardware manufacturers that use blinding blue LEDs. Yes, they are a cool color, and yes, they are easy to see. But they are so damn bright! On my desk, I have a docking station for my PDA that's just below eye level. I had to put electrical tape over the LED because it was bright enough to give me radiation burns.)
Once all of the drivers have been installed, the magicJack thinks to itself for a while and, voila! a softphone interface appears. You then go through a registration process, and you get to pick a number from what appears to be any of the majority of metropolitan areas.
The softphone interface is pretty good, recording all incoming and outgoing numbers, allowing you to select the location to associate with 911 calls, switch between using a handset and the PC's microphone and speakers, and so on.
The call quality was excellent -- several people I dialed commented on how "live" the connection sounded. I experienced a few setup issues, but given that my PCs are home to a bizarre collection of software, I might have been pushing the envelope of compatibility somewhat.
That said, if you run into problems, MagicJack's LivePerson chat-based tech support (the only choice the company offers) is not going to make you happy: They are the usual bunch of poorly skilled, outsourced, customer-disservice droids that can barely understand what you're asking and don't seem to care. Add to that MagicJack's horrible Web site, which uses the kind of marketing Ron Popeil would have been proud of, and you have an odd result: a device with incredible potential and value but backed by second-rate presentation and support.
Pros: Cheap and works amazingly well; incredibly portable; support usually not needed. Cons: PC has to be on (voice mail takes calls when you aren't available) and poor support. Bottom line: For the price, magicJack is unbeatable.

GTT Supports iCORE Networks' Hosted VoIP Business

iCORE Networks (iCORE) has signed a multi-year agreement to purchase data networks from Global Telecom & Technology, Inc. (GTT), to strengthen its core network infrastructure. GTT will enable iCORE to deliver VoIP services to its expanding base of customers in the United States and Canada.




By leveraging GTT Hub Service, a private line offering designed to provide multiple connections from a central location, iCORE will connect customers from distant locations to its secure hosted facility in Ashburn, Virginia. Thanks to GTT Hub Service, iCORE also has the flexibility to add customer-supporting connections “on the go.” This capability extends its network reach in lock step with the needs of its customers.

Bruce Simms, iCORE’s executive vice president of operations noted in a statement that iCORE is rapidly expanding its business, and their customers demand cost-effective and reliable telephony services. He added that GTT Hub Service gives them the reliability and flexibility they require need to meet the customer demands of today, with room to grow for the future.

Expressing his excitement to partner with iCORE, Richard D. Calder, Jr., GTT’s president and CEO said that GTT Hub Service provides security and scalability at competitive prices , which is a powerful combination for any business. He pointed out that as a Multi-Network Operator, the company continually works with suppliers to create innovative and integrated products for customers.

Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, iCORE Networks is a Cisco (News - Alert)-certified IP provider offering end-to-end hosted VoIP services to small and medium sized businesses.

GTT, a Multi-Network Operator combines multiple networks and technologies to design unique network solutions for its customers. Last week, the company launched GTT Managed Network Services, a proactive network monitoring and management service, targeting enterprise and carrier customers worldwide. GTT Managed Network Services are powered by GTT's Global Network Operations Center and provide customers a turn-key solution to protect the safety and security of their networks.

Anuradha Shukla is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anuradha’s article, please visit her columnist page.

Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Best Practices for Implementing a First Contact Resolution Program in the Contact Center brought to you by Enkata.

Skype, VoIP apps hit the iPhone

Mobile VoIP provider, fring, laid claim this week to becoming the first such application to be made publicly available on the Apple iPhone.
The arrival of the app also means that iPhone users can communicate with users on the Skype, AIM, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, Twitter and Yahoo! networks, using their wifi connection. And they also benefit from fring's presence functions, including the ability to view the fringster's availability, such as online, offline, or on a call.
The caveat however, is that this "sneak preview R&D version" of fring only works on jailbroken iPhones, or those that have been hacked to run third party applications.
A full release version is due for launch later this year, probably after the introduction of version 2.0 firmware for the iPhone in June, which will allow third party apps to run natively.
Fring has released a demo video of the application working, here.
To comment on any articles, please contact us at chatback@telecoms.com or have your say on our blog.

iCORE Networks Selects Global Telecom & Technology

MCLEAN, Va., Apr 16, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Global Telecom & Technology, Inc. ("GTT"), (OTCBB:GTLT), a leading global Multi-Network Operator (MNO), announced today that iCORE Networks (iCORE), a premier provider of hosted Voice over IP (VoIP) and managed communications services, has signed an agreement to purchase data networks from GTT to strengthen its core network infrastructure. The multi-year deal will enable iCORE to deliver VoIP services to its expanding base of customers in the United States and Canada.
GTT Hub Service(SM), a private line offering designed to provide multiple connections from a central location, will allow iCORE to connect customers from distant locations to its secure hosted facility in Ashburn, Virginia. GTT Hub Service(SM) also gives iCORE the flexibility to add customer-supporting connections "on the go," extending its network reach in lock step with the needs of its customers.
"iCORE is rapidly expanding its business, and our customers demand cost-effective and reliable telephony services," said Bruce Simms, iCORE's executive vice president of operations. "GTT Hub Service(SM) gives us the reliability and flexibility we need to meet the customer demands of today, with room to grow for the future."
"We are very excited to partner with iCORE," said Richard D. Calder, Jr., GTT's president and CEO. "GTT Hub Service(SM) provides security and scalability at competitive prices - a powerful combination for any business. As a Multi-Network Operator, we continually work with our suppliers to create innovative and integrated products for our customers."
About GTT
As a Multi-Network Operator, GTT combines multiple networks and technologies to design unique network solutions for its customers. By integrating components of multiple carrier networks, GTT can create the "best network" in a way that no single carrier can. GTT has taken the Multi-Network Operator strategy to a new level, through a combination of powerful network design tools; a global service footprint; a deep and broad set of strategic supplier relationships; and above all, an expert team committed to delivering outstanding end-to-end customer service.
Headquartered just outside Washington, D.C. in McLean, Virginia and with offices in London, Paris, and Dusseldorf, GTT has over 150 carrier partnerships and access to over 100,000 network Points of Presence around the world. GTT provides a global service footprint that supports more than 300 businesses in more than 70 countries, worldwide. For more information visit the GTT web site: www.gt-t.net
About iCORE Networks
Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, iCORE Networks is a Cisco-certified IP provider offering end-to-end hosted VoIP services to small and medium sized businesses. iCORE Networks provides advanced application services focused on businesses' communications needs using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies.

i2Telecom International Releases MyGlobalTalk

i2Telecom International Releases MyGlobalTalk(TM) Beta Version 2.0 for Mobile VoIP Offering
i2Telecom's MyGlobalTalk(TM) Service Platform Provides Windows Mobile(R) 5.0 & 6.0 Users With Global Calling at Cost-Effective Rates

i2Telecom International, Inc. ("i2Telecom®") (OTCBB: ITUI), a developer of patented and innovative high-quality Voice-over-Internet Protocol ("VoIP") products and services, today announced the release of Beta Version 2.0 of its MyGlobalTalk(TM) service.
MyGlobalTalk(TM), i2Telecom's internally developed patent pending technology, is a new and advanced mobile VoIP application that targets the wireless handset market. MyGlobalTalk(TM) places Internet telephony in the hands of every cellular phone user, independent of wireless carrier technology, handset manufacturer, or the type of wireless carrier voice/data plan involved. The objective is to enable mobile users to access low-cost Internet telephony communications in a completely "untethered" manner via their MyGlobalTalk(TM) enabled cellular phones. Once MyGlobalTalk(TM) software is installed on cellular handsets, users are able to call any telephone in the world directly from their cellular phones, using VoIP technology, at a fraction of normal long-distance rates. In addition, MyGlobalTalk(TM) is fully functional without local access to the Internet or proximity to an Internet "hotspot." Users also need not wait for the availability of dual-mode WiFi phones, because MyGlobalTalk(TM) provides the benefits of a dual-mode phone at a fraction of the cost using the customer's existing mobile handset.
Mark Hewitt, Chief Strategic Officer of i2Telecom International, Inc., stated, "We are pleased to be on track for the Beta Version 2.0 release of MyGlobalTalk(TM) and to have been recently recognized as a recipient of a number of awards related to this exciting technology. These awards include the 2007 INTERNET TELEPHONY® Magazine's 'Product of the Year' Award, 'Best of Show' at the INTERNET TELEPHONY® Conference and Expo East 2008 and the 2007 'Product of the Year' Award by Unified Communications. Our team's innovation has brought ease-of-use into the world of VoIP services, through our exciting new MyGlobalTalk(TM) service. MyGlobalTalk(TM) users now have the ability to make calls anywhere in the world over the i2Telecom services network using their cellular phones."
"We view MyGlobalTalk(TM) as a foundation technology that can rapidly gain traction by leveraging the exponential growth of our customer base," continued Mr. Hewitt. "Furthermore, it is our goal to maximize the value of our intellectual property and aggressively pursue additional patentable innovations through such technologies as MyGlobalTalk(TM)."
MyGlobalTalk(TM), when combined with the i2Telecom services network, allows users to access, through their mobile handheld devices, the cost benefits and features that the Internet delivers to the computer. The current Mobile VoIP Beta Version 2.0 provides low-cost access to both international and domestic telephone networks. Future releases will include speed dial and access to enterprise VoIP enabled communication products currently available from such companies as Microsoft, Nortel, Avaya, Cisco, Vertical, and Mitel.
MyGlobalTalk(TM) is being released in phases, having commenced in the first quarter of 2008 to customers in the United States and the United Kingdom with SmartPhone handsets that utilize the Windows Mobile® 5.0/6.0 operating system. Accompanying the release of the MyGlobalTalk(TM) mobile application is a MyGlobalTalk(TM) branded web site. Subsequent releases will be available worldwide and will include support for BlackBerry, iPhone and Symbian enabled handsets, while adding new features specifically designed with the mobile handset user in mind. For additional information please visit