Source: www.voip-news.com

Tektronix Communications joined in the fun of Global MSF Interoperability 2008 event. The event promotes multivendor interoperability and the advancement of monitoring and test solutions for multiservice networks.

According to the company:

At GMI 2008, Tektronix Communications monitored both voice and video services simultaneously in the access and core networks. Building on its heritage of innovation and industry leadership in next-generation network monitoring, Tektronix Communications used its Unified Assurance suite of solutions including GeoProbe and Advanced Performance Monitoring (APM) for network monitoring in a multiservice environment.

“Participation in GMI 2008 showcases Tektronix’ commitment to meeting service operators’ needs as they migrate towards multiservice environments,” said Mark Driedger, Vice President and General Manager, Network Management, Tektronix Communications. “However, there is a great deal of complexity that needs to be managed in a multiservice environment in order to ensure a high quality of service, which is fundamental to customer retention and reduced churn. In this environment, a monitoring solution that supports open standards and vendor interoperability is crucial for network operators to leverage the highest return on their network investments.”

Source: www.voip-news.com

The Avistar C3 Desktop Videoconferencing and Collaboration solution has received a 2008 Internet Telephony Excellence Award from Internet Telephony Magazine.

“Recognition by INTERNET TELEPHONY is testimony to the tremendous value Avistar C3’s high-quality desktop videoconferencing provides to organizations. In addition to cost savings from reduced travel expenses and increased productivity, desktop videoconferencing allows for a distributed workforce without losing the person-to-person interactions that are key to teamwork and innovation,” said Simon Moss, CEO, Avistar.

Internet Telephony releases the ratings a few times a year.

“Taking risks to advance VoIP technology and provide real solutions has earned Avistar recognition from the editors of INTERNET TELEPHONY and an INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award. C3 Desktop Videoconferencing and Collaboration has excelled in delivering solutions, and its customers are extremely pleased and have offered their testaments of support,” said Greg Galitzine, Editorial Director, INTERNET TELEPHONY.

Source: www.voip-news.com

ThinkTel is now using Empirix’s Hammer XMS to analyze and troubleshoot their VoIP network. The wholesale voice over broadband provider says that their problem resolution rates have increased by 40 percent since the Empirix was installed.

According to MarketWatch:

“After reviewing several diagnostic and monitoring options, it was clear Empirix’s Hammer XMS solution was the most comprehensive offering that fit our needs,” said ThinkTel President and CEO Dave Damer. “Simply put, with Hammer XMS, first time problem resolution numbers are up and we’ve also been able to use Hammer XMS as a sales and marketing tool since it demonstrates very clearly our capability to diagnose, identify and resolve issues. As a growing company, we’re focused on partnering with other organizations that can scale to our growth, and Empirix has proven it will be an asset as we continue to expand.”

Source: www.voip-news.com

ip.access Ltd. is going to use the G35 protocol analyzer from Tektronix Communications to provide simulation of UMTS core networks to UMTS Femto as well as Macro Radio Access Networks to test their femtocell access point elements.

“Tektronix’ G35 test platform gives us a reliable simulation solution to test our pioneering femtocell technology, and enables us to enrich our test environment with core network capabilities without needing to buy and maintain an expensive core network infrastructure,” said Dr. Nick Johnson, CTO of ip.access. “The addition of UMTS core network simulation is critical to the commercial availability of our femtocell solutions in time for anticipated operator deployments in early 2009.”

ip.access is creating a femtocell technology solution that features enhanced mobile voice, video and data services for effective indoor communications.

“With the G35, Tektronix offers the industry’s most comprehensive functional and load test environment and broadest range of test interfaces,” said Richard Kenedi, General Manager, Function & Load Diagnostics, Tektronix Communications. “This is an essential requirement for ip.access in their delivery of leading-edge femtocell network infrastructure solutions.”

Source: www.voip-news.com

There’s a new mobile VoIP service available from MediaRing. Read about it on The VoIP Weblog.

Backtrack 3 is out and there are some new VoIP security tools. SIPvicious tells you about what’s out there and where to find it. Read it here.

If you are using the VoxSwap social network, you now have two new features: video and Skype. Read about it on the VoIP News of the UK.

Source: andyabramson.blogs.com

It looks like Toktumi will be the next VoIP try at Staples. The office phone service creates a small business phone service over the net but works with any phone.

You manage Toktumi using a WINDOWS PC…and a Phone Adapter on the premise.

Here are some facts from the release:

Toktumi’s monthly service fee is $12.95 per month for each line, which includes access to all features and can be cancelled at any time without obligation.

Outbound calling costs two cents per minute to most phones worldwide.

Inbound calls to Toktumi lines are free.

Toktumi’s Phone Adapter carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Source: www.voip-news.com

Looking to deploy a videoconferencing solution that uses your IP system? Desktop videoconferencing and collaboration products are getting more focused attention from Avistar Communications Corporation. Avistar has created a new Professional Services business unit to support product developments, giving enterprise customers access to comprehensive design and planning for video networks. There is also on-site service available in the U.S. and the U.K.

“Avistar’s implementations of desktop videoconferencing are among the world’s largest,” said Mike Horn, VP of Operations at Avistar. “We have now established Professional Services offerings to extend this capability to other enterprises planning large scale deployments of Avistar solutions. Our customers, especially those who have deployed desktop video at scale, look to our extensive base of experience in order to maximize the value of their collaboration technology investment through improved adoption across their user community, technical network optimization and shared best practices.”
The Professional Services team can be used for both short- and long-term projects.

Source: www.voip-news.com

Small business phone service from California-based Toktumi Inc. is now available to the public in beta. Toktuma’s enterprise-grade PBX service is free to downloadable to PCs (you do have to pay for calls though). According to the company, it takes five minutes to set up.

“We’ve had a very successful private beta, and look forward to opening up the system more broadly,” said Peter Sisson, CEO and founder of Toktumi, Inc. “We welcome entrepreneurs and small business owners throughout the US to try Toktumi, and use it freely before they commit to paid calling privileges.”

Here’s some info from the company:

(1)	Easy setup: Just download the software. Toktumi’s instant setup wizard allows you to pick your phone number, configure your settings, and start making and receiving calls in under 5 minutes. No need for expensive installation services or IT support.
(2)	Advanced features: Unlike consumer VoIP offerings, Toktumi provides the advanced features businesses require, and a few they’ve never seen before. Auto-attendant, call transfer, visual voicemail, instant conferencing, and call waiting are all standard. Toktumi’s unique search dialing capability allows calls to be placed by typing a name or keyword of the person or product desired. Mobility is automatic: calls ring wherever you login: at home, the office, a hotel, or your cell phone if you are on the road.
(3)	Reliability: Core functionality and call handling are hosted at Toktumi’s secure data center, ensuring calls are always answered, even if your PC is offline, the Internet is down, or the power is out. When you are offline, your calls are forwarded to your cell phone, voicemail, or attendant.
(4)	Reduced costs: Customers require no special equipment to setup their office phone service - all they must do is download the software. They do not require special phones - they can connect any regular telephone, cordless phone, or speaker phone directly to their PC using Toktumi’s unique adapter. Toktumi also works with headsets and USB phones, providing customers with complete flexibility.

Click here to learn more or download.

Source: andyabramson.blogs.com

I was really expecting more from TokTumi after hearing so much from folks leading up to Demo. Now that I read Rafe’s review I’m yawning….bored, and really not interested. Candidly, I’m bummed. I think the world of Peter Sisson, especially after what he did with his last startup, Teleo, selling it to Microsoft.

So why am I yawning…well… nothing really looks NEW. Instead I get the impression that Toktumi is just a few things packaged up and sold with a pretty bow around it. So based on what Rafe wrote here’s my initial impressions.

1) Dongle makes me think of MagicJack.

2) PBX On The Cloud Concept is very much like a former client, Telephony2’s Call Butler (note to Jim and Mike at Telephony2 please check patent filings to see if any infringement is here. You could be the next AT&T, Verizon or Sprint if so)

3) Appears to do a lot of things client PhoneGnome does (note to David Beckemeyer see number 2)

4) Toktumi sounds like Tokbox…

I’ll check it out today at DEMO, after I get done yawning….

Source: voipcentral.org

The Korean leading telephone service providers are deeply worried as Skype has decided to offer international telephone service at a cheaper rates in the next couple of months. KT and Hanaro Telecom, the Korean big fixed-line firms fear at the announcement made by Skype.

Despite the fact that Internet phone service or VoIP is inferior to regular phones in quality, yet people have the tendency to adopt new services at lower rates.

Skype, the largest telephony service provider in alliance with Auction plans to start the two-way VoIP services within the next two months. Users have to pay about 20 won a minute across the world through a pre-paid card, Skype plans. KT charges 696 won a minute for a call to Japan and 282 won for a call to America.

Skype had already started its free of charges in Korea in late February. The Korean firms offer internet phone service but restricted to corporate sector. They have not yet gathered 100,000 customers for their service where as the leading VoIP service provider Skype targets the common man.

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