Press8 Releases VoIP iPhone App


Press8 has released a Voice over Internet Protocol App for the iPhone so that customers can make and receive cheap calls on their smartphones.

In doing so it joins the market for existing VoIP iPhone apps by companies such as 3CX.

Industry research by the Insight Research Corporation showed that more than two thirds of all workers use wireless and mobile computing.

Like the 3CX phone system for Windows, Press8 is a VoIP PBX system which runs phone systems over the internet.

The company is based in Austin, Texas, and has been in operation for three years and serves a number of SME's and SMB's.

Transferring these benefits to an app allows for mobility and a number of remote features. These features mirror those advantages of being in an office such as call forwarding and call attendant.

Tamara Field, the President of Press8 Telecom, said: "Maintaining phone system communications is important for all types of businesses.

"Our new app caters to employees who are on the road. The Press8 Telecom iPhone App allows employees who are reluctant to travel to do so in the most efficient way possible while keeping in contact with the office.”

The Press8 Telecom iPhone App can also be bought and downloaded via iTunes onto an iPod, iPod Touch, or iPad.

US School Saves Money with VoIP


A school managed to save large amounts of money by using Voice over Internet Protocol technology.

The Minooka Grade School District in Illinois has installed VoIP telephony to keep parents informed about changes to their schedule.

Superintendent Al Gegenheimer said: “We saved money and at the same time improved our Internet, to make communciation with parents and other shools much easier."

For instance if the school is closed due to snowfall, they can set up an automatic voice mailbox with emergency school closing information.

The process is instigated as soon as the superintendent makes the decision to close.

That saves the school from having to call each of the parents individually, which could cost up to $40,000 per year.

Then each parent can instead make the call, pressing 5 to get information. The time saving is also notable, saving the school around four hours of administration for every closure.

This plan is all part of a district wide upgrade to an IP telephony service.

It gives the school increased bandwidth from 2 megabits to 100 megabits for fast and efficient communication. And all that is actually cheaper than paying for two different internet and phone lines.

VoIP Progress in 2010


Companies continued to upgrade their communications networks to VoIP solutions in 2010, seeing it as an important part of their business future.

And despite the high demand prices have stayed low, according to a Fiercevoip contributor.

VoIP growth has been at its highest levels since 2008. Mike Dolan explained that this was unsurprising as many SME's and SMB's view VoIP as "mission critical".

80% of businesses with 1,000 or more employees are now using at least one cloud computing service.

He stated: "With 2010 being such a strong year for IP communications, I am sure we are all looking forward to what 2011 will bring."

In addition the technology is proving attractive to individual consumers.

But some parts of the world are still proving resistant to VoIP.

At the beginning of the year the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority opened the door to VoIP in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but companies such as Skype are still not offering their full service there.

Rouzbeh Pasha, the Skype Middle East director, said:"Skype is not in discussions with the UAE's TRA.

"Generally speaking, we're always excited when people use Skype regardless of where they are."

Skype connects people from all around the world through video and voice calls via multiple mobile devices.

Skype wary of VoIP Competitors


Since Skype went down just before Christmas, the Voice over Internet Protocol service will be nervously looking over its shoulders at other competitors.

Skype went down for a whole day due to a server outage on December 22, and it is not the first time that it has happened.

It is bad news for the company which is trying to get an Initial Public Offering as it plans to attract more revenue, especially business custom.

The Skype competitors include the VoIP service Fring, which Skype has already blocked in the past to try and limit its threat.

Fring offers low cost VoIP calls and their VoIP app on Android has proved very popular. Fring was one of the first companies to allow mobile video calls via 3G and wi-fi to other Fring users.

Many people with a gmail account will also have access to Google Voice, and the call phones feature has many benefits including easily access to your entire contact system and call forwarding.

Another new service is not too appealing given that you have to listen to some ads before you use it. Nevertheless Freephone2phone allows 10 minutes of free international calls, which is a great deal.

Skype 3G went live in May as one of a number of Mobile VoIP apps created for smartphones. In October it was released for Android via wi-fi.

Make VoIP calls on Gingerbread



Lifehacker has just produced a useful guide to making VoIP calls on the Android 2.3 smartphone, an OS otherwise known as Gingerbread.

The service uses SIP trunking and Voice over Internet Protocol and works without the use of any 3rd party apps. Therefore you can make low cost calls over your own data network.

Commenters had a few things to say. For instance Gingerbread appears to offer calls to/from other SIP accounts without ringing the actual phone numbers. Therefore you can only make calls to other SIP accounts not to landlines via that SIP account.

Another said that Droid X did not have the right features for this to work. Yet more people wanted to know if the VoIP calls were compatible with Google Voice.

3CX Greece New Year Training


3CX, the award winning phone system for Windows, will run New Year Partner Training sessions in Greece.

They will be held in conjunction with Share Sectron which is a 3CX distribution partner in Greece.

The two day seminar will take place from January 7 to January 9 at the Pelion Resort in Portaria.

All registered 3CX Partners are invited to join Sectron for free training on the 3CX Phone System.

However the event can only hold 20 attendees so you are advised to book early as it is likely to be popular.

The schedule for the event is:

07-11-2011
19:00 – 19:15: Welcome and Introduction
19:15 – 19:30: 3CX IP PBX for Windows: Why?
19:30 – 20:30: Successful selling of 3CX Phone Systems

08-11-2011
09:00 – 09:30: Overview of 3CX Administration System – V9
09:30 – 10:30: Setup 3cx PBX server
10:30 – 11:00: Coffee Break
11:00 – 12:30: Setup Hardware Phones and Patton Gateways
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch Break
13:30 – 14:30: 3CX User Portal, 3CX Phone & 3CX Assistant Overview
14:30 – 16:00: Setup 3cx Hotel module

09-11-2011
09:00 – 10:30: 3CX Installation Troubleshooting Practical Training
10:30 – 11:00: Coffee Break
11:00 – 13:00: Sip Server and DNS services
13:00 – 14:00: Lunch Break

Voice Embraces Cloud with 4G


Voice communications are set to move into the cloud with the assistance of 4G.

That is because a single standard for LTE voice has now been agreed for 4G.

Therefore there is more incentive for carriers to invest in wireless services in the future. Along with the wireless service WiMax, carriers can make an investment in IMS.

According to the director of Broadsoft, David Walters, the communications market is changing with a proliferation of 'VoIP application servers that sit in carrier networks, leveraging SIP trunks to serve enterprises and SMBs.'

However those characteristics may now be taken into the cloud. Voice will become more and more like another IT service which can be purchased.

Mr Walters explained: "This provides a big opportunity to help value-added resellers package voice services in the cloud, creating a crisp business model in the process."

The upshot is a world where customers can gain PBX functionality for their mobile phones.

Tribair Creates VoIP Community


Claims by Tribair that it will create the world's largest Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) community demand that we stand up and take notice.

From its base in Canada, this recently launched company is creating a global network of VOIP hotspots where members turn their WiFi connection into shared hubs.

Therefore Tribair aims to be more than just a service provider.

The CEO of Tribair, Eric Reiher, said: "We want to make communications a rewarding experience, both socially and financially. Tribair leverages the network effects inherent in phone conversation to build a user contact base."

He add: "Smartphones are feature rich but the costs of multimedia messages, roaming or long distance is punishing. On the other hand Tribair can save you money."

Hotspot owners can actually make revenue from their VoIP hub via the long distance calls of other users. Calls are made using WiFi or 3G.

With one fifth of the revenue up for grabs, this is a revolutionary, decentralized concept.

It works by use of an app which is available on various smartphones including the Android and the iPhone.

Once you have downloaded the app there is a starter credit of 25 cents, and astonishingly this could get you a 17 minute call to more than 50 countries worldwide.

These smartphone rates claim to be 45 per cent cheaper than Skype.

All you have to do is open the WiFi router and the application automatically displays worldwide Tribair free WiFi networks.

Calls between members use only data, not airtime, which means savings on and roaming charges.

VoIP over 4G in 2011?


Many dedicated VoIP users have been wondering whether they will get a faster service and better quality of call over 4G next year.

Yet the handset and application developers have been slow to act, partly because no final standard for VoIP over 4G has yet been defined.

Right now 4G is being used for data channels on dual mode devices as well as faster mobile Internet connections.

However good news is at hand and before the New Year a number of companies will expand into 4G and unified communications.

They include the Verizon Wireless LTE network and Clearwire with 120 million people taking advantage of it is WiMax network.

One of the big developments of 2010 is that SIP trunking is now ubiquitous and this is offered cheaply as part of many VoIP services. It is also a main part of the VoIP portfolio offered by cable companies.

Fring VoIP Earns 10K Per Day

Despite only costing one cent per minute, Fring's Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service is so popular that the company is reporting earnings of $10,000 per day.

Known as the fringOut voice calling service, this VoIP product has only been live for a couple of months.

Yet mobile VoIP is clearly the future, say company representatives and customers are endorsing it with their wallets. However, these earnings do not take operating costs into account.

A spokesperson said: "fringOut VoIP calls are as cheap as one cent per minute, but we are seeing a huge consumer vote for mobile VoIP. "

Fring is an peer-to-peer mobile VoIP app for smartphones such as iPhone and works on various IP telephony networks. All fring calls are routed to a PSTN termination server and VoIP gateway. Calls destined to PSTN and GSM networks pass through a circuit switch, possibly Session Initiation Protocol.

Calls to VoIP users continue through the VoIP gateway to their destinations. Support for DTMF dialing is available for Symbian devices.






Death, Taxes and VoIP

If death and taxes are the only certainties in life, it was only a matter of time before Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) would see increased taxes.



A few years ago the National League of Cities pushed for a raise in VoIP tax rates, having sensed a profound change in the telephony industry.

According to a report on TMCNet, VoIP is an easy target for governments which are seeking to rise revenue in these cash-stricken times.

They are already losing much of the tax income from traditional methods of telephony, which six years ago was estimated at $22 billion annually.

Although internet based services are always harder to tax, as far as regional authorities are concerned it is vital to find a way. But higher taxes will in turn mean higher prices for consumers.

2011 is the expected date for the VoIP taxes in American states such as California, so it will be interesting to see whether they slow the rapid industry growth.

However the government is banking on the fact that low cost calling via VoIP will prove as indispensable to consumers as cigarettes and alcohol.

Garrett Smith, the director of marketing and business development at VoIP Supply, said: "The market for VoIP is stable and VoIP equipment is selling strongly despite the recession. "










Nimbuzz gives HD VoIP

Nimbuzz has just launched high-definition Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) calls for Android 2.0.2.

This move has been in the works since May 2010 when Google paid 68.2 million dollars for Global IP Solutions.

The writing was on the wall. They wanted the real-time video and voice over IP processing tech company to produce apps for the Android operating system with the use of GIPS technology.

Now users can benefit by making high-definition video and voice calls using the HD voice codec. They can also enjoy high quality calls and fewer dropped calls.

The app has a revamped profile system with a ‘My Profile’ page. There is a new interface and contact list. Meanwhile the app can run straight from an SD card so that users can save smart phone memory.

Nimbuzz plans to launch the HD voice app for the iPhone and Symbian smart phones as well as for personal computers.

Nimbuzz has recently had various conflicts of commerce and opinion with Skype and the app can be seen as a VoIP direct competitor to this market leader.

The Nimbuzz HD voice and video app is now available on the Android marketplace.


Visual Voicemail and Windows VoIP

The recently released Windows phone 7 will not only offer Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP), but also a number of interesting features such as visual voicemail.

This would allow users to go through their voicemails without having to use the automated command system, and instead see the messages which are waiting for them.



It is thought that the features, including VoIP, are in the underlying OS and will just need to be turned on via the release of an update.

Microsoft has already announced that it is releasing the second Windows Phone 7 update in February, so this could be when these features get unlocked.

Before that there will be a January update which will fix 'glaring omissions' such as the absent copy and paste fixture.

Furthermore excited customers can expect support for the Microsoft SkyDrive, whih is a cloud-based virtual hard drive, and turn by turn GPS navigation.

It is thought that the January update will require the connection of the Windows 7 smartphone with your PC, which is unusual.

By February all will be forgettoen as users revel in updated API's for apps, VoIP features and generally improved opportunities for multi-tasking.

There is no release date for the third update for the Windows Phone, which will actaully see it classified as Windows Phone 8, but expect to see significant improvments, especially in the internet explorer browsing department.

Mobile VoIP Apps Have Promise

Mobile Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps have promise in terms of cost savings but will take time to deliver as they need excellent internet performance.

Not only do these Mobile VoIP Apps need constant broadband or wireless access, but they are still associated with some security risks.



Market researchers at GfK Singapore said that while companies such as Viber could offer cheap domestic and international calls, the need for Wi-Fi or 3G meant that traditional VoIP bundles were still a more practical option. 
 
General manager at GfK Singapore, Shirleen Kok, said: "Mobile VoIP apps such as Viber offer free calls for users which is a good cost-cutting option. However their reliance on wireless networks, data and hardware specifications make them less appealing compared with the traditional bundled minutes offered by telcos."

She explained that the three main telecommunications companies in Singapore could offer affordable data plans with bundled VoIP. These are expected to increase along with smartphone subscriptions. 
Another analyst at the IDC Asia-Pacific practice group said that these apps could allow customers to make free calls if they were not overly concerned about the voice quality. That drawback will prevent Mobile VoIP Apps from having significant enterprise growth at this early stage.

Businesses will be more concerned about issues such as security and reliability while requiring extra features
such as voice mail.

Because this is hard for app developers to achieve, carriers with a good knowledge of back-end mangement will be preferred. They can also provide service level agreements (SLAs) on latency and bandwidth which makes them more reliable.



VoIP via Skype now available on Nokia

Skype has millions of users worldwide but the figure is constantly growing.

The VOIP application will now be updated to include extra support for Nokia mobile and smartphones.

A Skype spokesperson said: "The new upgrade makes it easier to do many things. Users can add a profile
photo or contacts, navigate and set their mood message.

"The app is easy to share just by recommending it to other friends with Symbian handsets."

Previously Skype was mainly available on Symbian phones but not necessarily models by Nokia.

However the “Skype for Symbian” upgrade supports 31 different Nokia phones including the N8, E5 and C7, according to the Skype blog.
Reaction to the upgrade has been favorable so far with eBay alone comenting that the app provided cystal clear sound, even if you have a slow internet connection.


The Skype app for Nokia has also been updated so that the interface fits on larger screens.

The download is free from the Skype site.















Verizon Introduces VoIP in Switzerland

Verizon Business has introduced VoIP  in Switzerland to add to its European VoIP portfolio.

The VoIP product service-level agreemen was previously only available in the United States of America.

The European VoIP portfolio will allow small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as large companies, to make and receive domestic and international calls cheaply.



Meanwhile the company has certified Cisco VoIP and unified communications to work with Verizon IP Trunking in both Europe and America.

Therefore Verizon customers can make use of web conferencing, presence and other UC solutions. By offering these services in the cloud they can be made use of on a pay-per-user basis.

Anthony Recine, the vice president of communications solutions at Verizon Business, said, "Verizon Business continues to expand and enhance its VoIP offerings to create a powerful unified communications and collaboration platform for multinational enterprises.

"By expanding our VoIP portfolio in Switzerland, introducing a comprehensive VoIP service-level agreement and certifying the latest Cisco Unified Communications system with world-class IP Trunking, we continue to advance VoIP for our worldwide customers."



By next year an SLA is to be launched for VoIP services in Europe which will increase the mean opinion score guarantee to four and introduce a four-hour mean-time-to-repair metric.

Verizon Business customers can use the certification of Unified Communications Manager with Cisco Cube.


Verizon IP Trunking customers can use Cisco Unified Border Element, an enterprise-focused session border controller, to enable enhanced collaboration applications and improve network connections. 



VoIP the Final Frontier



Cisco Systems has boldly gone where no other VoIP company could go.

The incorporated company used an Internet router in orbit to make the first VoIP telephone call from space. No terrestrial infrastructure was used to route the call.

The experiment was part of the Cisco Internet Routing in Space (IRIS) program.


Cisco stated: “The use of satellites for such calls will make them more efficient. Software such as the Intelsat 14 can be upgraded from the ground while the router is in orbit."

VoIP iPhone Apps Prove Popular


Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) apps for the iPhone are proving popular and Viber has reported over 1 million downloads in the first few days of its service.
VoIP allows you to make low cost calls and is employed by companies such as 3CX which has also released free VoIP app for the iPhone. The 3CXphone can be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, a deskphone.
Along with Viber, 3CX offers a threat to Skype by allowing you to make low cost calls from anywhere worldwide.
The Viber app will automatically scan your mobile contact list to see which other contacts have Viber for free calls. No registration is required and the service runs as soon as your mobile is turned on without having to log in.
All in all you get high quality calls without being bombarded by adverts.

3CXPhone 5 adds video, BLF to free soft phone in Smartphone Look

3CX’s popular free business soft phone does Unified Communications and becomes ‘Zero Admin’

London - November 30, 2010- 3CX today announced a new version of its popular free VoIP soft phone for Windows, 3CXPhone 5. New features added to 3CXPhone 5 include standards based video support, multiple SIP profiles, BLF and the ability to provision and manage all soft phone installations network wide. 3CXPhone 5 will remain completely
free.

UK VoIP Subscriptions Rise


More UK consumers are subscribing to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) solutions.

A report published by the watchdog Ofcom shows that the VoIP market in the United Kingdom increased by nearly a third - 27 per cent - between 2006 and 2009.

That translates to a two per cent increase in VoIP subscribers per hundred Brits. It is evidence of a greater worldwide trend which has seen total VoIP usage rise steadily year on year.

However the UK is still lagging behind other European countries in terms of VoIP uptake.

10 per cent of Germans use the technology, which allows you to make low cost calls from PC to PC, or from computer to landline and mobile. In France the number is slightly higher at 15 per cent.

The study states that slower UK growth is because voice lines often come with bundled voice calls.

These include unlimited offers which are similar to the managed VoIP offers in other countries.

While global VoIP lines have doubled over the period UK fixed telephony revenues have increased by three percentage points.

3CX and Orbtalk make VoIP Partnership


3CX , which makes software-based VoIP phone systems for Windows, has partnered with Global service provider Orbtalk.

Orbtalk is helping the 3CX Phone System to provide unparalleled levels of support and value through ISDN grade SIP Trunking. This optimises 3CX IP PBX solutions.

Paul Byrne, Operations Director at Orbtalk, said: "This partnership has huge potential, offering a joint cost saving solution. 3CX is an excellent alternative to expensive providers such as Avaya and Cisco."

He added: "We have worked with 3CX to provide their resellers an automated Trunk and Numbering Solution. We can also offer recurring monthly residuals on the minutes and channel charges.”

3CX and Orbtalk customers gain number portability with various Internet Protocol and traditional service providers. There is also seamless provisioning of SIP Trunks and Numbering Solutions for resellers and customers in line with the 3CX product promise.

Stephen Corrigan, the Channel Manager for 3CX, said: “Our partnership with Orbtalk is an exciting development. It provides a global service which has been certifed as fully interoperable with 3CX.”

Orbtalk is seeking to partner with International voice and data resellers for the resale of its SIP Trunk channels and UK and International Numbering solutions. Interested parties should contact sales@orbtalk.co.uk

3CXPhone 5 includes Video Support


A new 3CXPhone 5 version has been released. The popular and free VoIP soft phone for Windows will now include multiple SIP profiles, standards-based video support and BLF. There is also the ability to manage all softphone installations network-wide.

Nick Galea, the 3CX CEO said: “The softphone is now a serious desk phone option for businesses. These free phones save on administration and are easy to manage. With 3CXPhone 5, softphone installations can be easily provisioned network wide. 3CXPhone is also very easy to setup as a remote extension, allowing users to connect to the company phone system from anywhere."

The new features in 3CXPhone 5 include video support so that video calls can be established with the click of a button.

Multiple profiles can be registered against VoIP providers or multiple PBX’s simultaneously. This allows seamless connection to multiple offices and the ability to make or receive calls from different VoIP providers on a single 3CXPhone install.

Furthermore:

■BLF – monitors other extensions and transfer calls with a single click
■Speed dials – configure
■FREE – no license fees
■Supports G.711, GSM and iLBC codecs
■STUN support for NAT/firewall traversal
■Jabra headset support
■Works with 3CX Phone System, Asterisk and popular VoIP providers

VoIP Solutions for London Schools


Two London schools will welcome Voice over Internet Protocol solutions in order to save costs on calls and improve administration.

The VoIP solutions will be installed at schools in Barking and Dagenham as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.

The Borough of Dagenham and Barking has signed a contract worth £4.5 million with RM.

This specialist IT education supplier is providing wireless networking and interactive learning technology. RM will also give VoIP support during the length of the contract.

Together they will form a new communication system so that school employees can collaborate quickly and effectively.

The RM CEO Terry Sweeney said: "We have been in contact with Dagenham and Barking for a long time so it is great news to work with these BSF sample schools."

"We look forward to collaborating with teachers and pupils in these two schools to deliver engaging and exciting learning technology."