Source: solokay.blogspot.com

Source: andyabramson.blogs.com

I was tipped off by a reader tonight about something special inside the Standard, the second coming of the Industry Standard.

When I read this, my chin dropped. I was stunned.

For the record, I don’t profess to be a techie, just someone who can make sense out of technology so others can understand. That was why I started VoIPWatch in 2003 with the basic idea behind it being four main objectives. Those same four still hold true today. For long time readers, this is nothing new. I’ve said it here before:

1. Make VoIP better understood by the media

2. Speak at conferences

3. Make new friends

4. Attract clients for Comunicano, my asymmetrical communications agency that represents so many fine startups not only in VoIP but in Mobile and 2.0 type service sectors.

Thank you all for your readership and loyalty, because without you, this wouldn’t be any fun.

Source: andyabramson.blogs.com

In a move that totally pre-empts the likes of FON and other "social hotspot" networks, BT has taken the concept of openness to a new level with the launch of a HotSpot available option at all TOTAL BROADBAND locations.

In their announcement they are actually promoting VoIP so this is a good sign for client Truphone and other VoIP on the mobile handsets.

What this means is BYE BYE MuniWireless and HELLO PUBLIC WIRELESS, a concept I have shared with friend and WiFi diva Esme Vos of MuniWireless fame. Basically what BT has done is what I suggest to a few folks years back on what the cable MSO’s should do…..darn I hate it when I’m right (again.) Steve Garrido are you remembering ?

Source: andyabramson.blogs.com

With Telco 2.0 looming this week in London this story is rather timely.

WireOne, a video conferencing service provider has been acquired by British Telecom. Long regarded as one of the more forward thinking and inventive telecom companies, BT is making the move to augment their video related comms offerings at a time where everyone from Cisco, LifeSize, Polycom and Tandberg are all seeing growth according to a newsletter I also read by Elliot Gold of Electronic Telespan.

The timing couldn’t be better. With Video Conferencing growing in importance to companies and individuals, the BT purchase validates the marketplace as being emerging with a big and bright future.

Source: solokay.blogspot.com

Source: www.voip-news.com

Another virtual PBX option? Yep.

BT of the U.K. and RingCentral of the U.S. have partnered to create a virtual PBX system that lets users choose between using their standard phone or their computer to make calls. There’s a so-called Desktop Call Controller as well as the capabilities to greet callers with a uniform message, include holding music and other features to promote a professional business atmosphere for small businesses.

“The telephone is still an essential business tool, but when combined with an online virtual phone system like BT RingCentral, it becomes even more powerful for small businesses. It allows them to present a more professional image by giving them the tools that have traditionally only been open to big business and also gives them more control of how they communicate, with customers, colleagues and partners,” sai Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business.

Source: voipcentral.org

The Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust has now deployed VoIP technology to establish a strong communication network for the healthcare staffs so that they can make free or low cost VoIP calls over their handheld devices.

The Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust, a key organization of National Health Service (NHS) has reached out an agreement with BT to offer hosted VoIP service using NHSs N3 broadband network.

The deal is awarded to BT as part of the 12.4bn NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT). As part of the deal, the telecom giant will extend hosted VoIP service to PCTs three sites with more than 280 Cisco handsets.

The hosted VoIP service would converge voice and data on NHSs network. The trust will access to BTs hosted service as monthly rental fees. The trust workers will enjoy free VoIP calls and very inexpensive calls to their mobile phones.

It is first that healthcare units have adopted converged VoIP service to reduce their communication costs and build strong communication network.

Source: voipcentral.org

Just imagine. The newly installed IP Telephony platform by the Department for Work and Pension (DWP) has managed to handle more than one million VoIP calls in a single day. The IP Telephony platform has been developed by BT. But, why is Nortel in news for that historic achievement?

A TMC blog post reveals that BT has used Nortel VoIP solutions for the development and deployment of DWPs IP network. It includes Nortels Communication Server 2000 Carrier class softswitch, 24,000 Nortel handsets (Nortel 2002 model), 4000 fax and other analogue devices, Nortel DWDM Optical and network security products and Nortel hosted service.

BT-supported DWPs Integrated Communications Network is one of the largest converged data and voice networks in Europe covering more than 435 sites in UK. The newly installed IP network provides communication services to nearly 35,000 users in UK.

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Source: voipcentral.org

With a view to educate the small business enterprises about the various aspects of VoIP and its advantages in a corporate communication system, BT has released a free VoIP guide, ‘Understanding VoIP’ for them.

The guide describes how business enterprises can make best use of VoIP and garner varied advantages of this latest IP technology. It outlines various strategies for the SMB to create cost-effective additional line, capped-price calls to mobile and international destinations and enjoy free advanced calling features including voicemail, call waiting, call forwarding and call barring.

Bill Murphy, the managing director of BT Business says,

A quarter of small businesses in the UK are already using VoIP services, but that means the vast majority still aren’t.

He added,

What we’re showing with this guide isn’t just how to make calls over the internet, but the real benefits it can bring to smaller companies. These extend way beyond cost and allow even the smallest company to create a more mobile, flexible workforce.

I hope the guide will encourage corporate sectors adopt VoIP at its fast.

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Read the Guide

Source: voipcentral.org

Sony has made it clear that they are not bringing PSP VoIP to the USA, although the expansion plan for the service may include 100 countries in the world. Some of the Middle East and African countries are in the list. However, the PSP users in America will have to wait for this sophisticated service.

Talking to GigaOM, Dave Karraker of Sony divulged that the company is not planning to bring this service to the USA. However, he has not expressed the exact reasons for the denial of this service for the Americans.

Sony has brought PSP VoIP service for the UK users in collaboration with BT (British Telecom). The PSP VoIP service enables users to place and receive VoIP and video calls with fellow PSP users.

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Source: voipcentral.org

We have some good news for Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) users. From now, they can use the device not only for playing games but also making VoIP and Video calls to their friends, family and relatives.

Developed by BT, the Sony PSP provides basic wireless broadband communication services such as video and voice calls, and messaging to the growing number of UK users.

The updated PSP service will support only home or BT wireless hotspots, which are located in the public places in England. As of now, there are nearly 2000 BT hotspots in England.

Steve Andrews, the Chief of Mobility and Convergence at BT commented,

With over 8 million PSPs shipped across Europe, we are very excited by the opportunity to give customers a whole new communications experience, connecting and seeing friends across the world through BTs technology.

Earlier this month, Austria-based Jajah has added a web interface to enable Sony PS3 (PlayStation 3) to initiate calls. The Sony PS3 is a major competitor of Microsofts Xbox 360 and Nintendos Wii in the market.

Read

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Source: voipcentral.org

In an effort to lure the corporate customers, BT has launched its Office Anywhere, a VoIP service that enables the business enterprises to make free VoIP calls over BTs WiFi hotpots.

Available for the HTC S620 Windows Mobile handset, the Office Anywhere smartphone provides free VoIP calls to UK landlines from BTs Openzone Wi-Fi hotspots, which are found in the different locations, such as airports, railway stations, hotels and leisure sites, as well as home and office networks in UK and Ireland.

The HTC S620 Windows Mobile handset features a QWERTY keyboard, a 2.4-inch screen, quad-band with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and a 1.3-megapixel camera.

Using Office Anywhere service, the business enterprises can also make free calls to UK customers from more than 30,000 international hotspots.

As of now, the service is available for free of cost. BT will soon introduce different price structure for the service.

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