Source: www.voip-news.com

There are two new Unified Communications solution products being released by GN Netcom. The new products are the Jabra GO(TM) 6400 and PRO(TM) 9400 Series, which are the first Bluetooth and DECT headset solutions that feaure a touch screen base.  They are scheduled for release in September.

“We are dedicated to working with today’s industry leading unified communications solutions providers to help change the way office professionals communicate,” said David Grazio, Director of Channel Marketing, GN Netcom. “The Jabra GO 6400 and PRO 9400 series are the latest innovations that secure our commitment to the Jabra brand’s position as the number one choice for unified communication solutions.”

According to the company:

The Jabra GO 6400 and PRO 9400 Series feature several state-of-the-art sound technologies to ensure optimum call clarity and hearing protection, regardless of which phone (mobile, desk and softphone) the user is connected to.

Wideband/Narrowband Sound and DSP
– High definition sound and digitally enhanced speech deliver crystal
clear calls ensuring both parties are able to hear clearly, minimizing
disruptions

Noise Blackout(TM) Technology
– A dual microphone technology eliminates virtually all background
noise, transmitting only the user’s voice

SafeTone Technologies
– PeakStop(TM) technology protects users from sudden sound spikes and
loud noises, while Intellitone(TM) keeps sound levels within a safe
average throughout the day

DECT Technology
– The Jabra PRO 9400 series features DECT technology, providing up to
450 feet range; dependable connectivity gives users the freedom to
move around the office without losing sound quality

Source: www.voip-news.com

DevMar Associates are now a distributor for AAR’s Contingency Response Communications System. The communications system is intended to provide local, state and federal agencies with an interoperable communications solution that is simple and yet bridges the gap between agencies, command and control.

“AAR is looking forward to working with Dennis DuVal and his team at DevMar Associates,” said Lee Krantz, Vice President and General Manager of AAR Mobility Systems. “Dennis’ extensive background working with government agencies at many different levels, combined with his knowledge of the communications requirements during a disaster and experience as Chief of Police of Syracuse, NY gives him solid credibility and makes him a natural fit to represent the CRCS in the marketplace.”

According to the company:

The CRCS is an IP-based, agency-neutral solution that allows first responders to communicate and exchange information with radio interoperability, live streaming video, wireless Internet and VoIP services. Potential operators include military, firefighters, law enforcement, National Guard, Department of Homeland Security and other organizations involved in disaster recovery activity.

Source: www.voip-news.com

There is a new conferencing solution available from Konftel. The Konftel 300W is a wireless conference phone with a rechargeable battery that can run for up to 48 hours (talk time) without recharging. It’s being shown off this week from June 17-19 at the InfoComm 2009 event in Orlando, Fla.

Since it’s a wireless conferencing solution, it can be used anywhere in a building — whether there is a phone line or not.

According to the company:

DECT is a thoroughly tested wireless standard in terms of safety and audio transmission. A coverage range of up to 650 ft (200m) allows you to move the conference phone to wherever a meeting is being held. The Konftel 300W is GAP compatible and can be integrated with existing DECT systems.

Konftel 300W is easy to connect to your cell phone or computer via USB for VoIP calls. Its embedded Line mode function enables you to switch between DECT, cell phones and USB and combine them for multi-party calls.

Source: www.voip-news.com

Skype is branching out into wireless with a new and now available thin client for iPhone and an upcoming one for BlackBerry. But the VoIP provider has been meeting with much opposition from wireless carriers who don’t want their users by-passing traditional cellular channels with the voice application that can carry calls over the mobile internet.

The wireless carriers are threatening to revoke wireless data access from anyone who tries to use the software. Can you smell the fear?

The wireless carriers say that it will tie up valuable network traffic, and that is certainly possible. But the bigger issue at play here is the ability to bypass the system. Skype is both an internet phone service and an instant messaging service. When people can bypass the system, that means less extra minutes used on wireless phones, less additional revenue, less potential for late fees, less text messaging, less fees for text messaging and so on. It’s really no wonder that the wireless companies are balking at the prospect of making less money off their cash-cow iPhones.

So, are the wireless carriers right in their blockage? I don’t think so. People are paying for a service – this internet service on the phones – they are making money. If the Skype thin client is that much of a stress on the system, charge people a higher access fee to pay for upgrades. It’s really pretty simple.

And ultimately, wireless carriers need to accept the fact that like it or not, they can’t block change. It’s going to happen one way or another. And VoIP on mobile phones is next up to bat.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Continuing with the story I posted about AT&T delivering the goods by ramping up its service during SXSW, I found this interview over at The Dealio with D’Emilio.

Source: www.voip-news.com

There is a new report from Pyramid Research that highlights the telecom market in Nigeria. Turns out that Nigeria has the largest mobile telecom market in all of Africa and it’s expected to keep growing over the next five years.

“The bulk of service revenue will continue to come from mobile, which will generate 83 percent of total service revenue over the next five years,” said Yejide Onabule, analyst at Pyramid Research and author of the report. “Suppliers of mobile network technologies are likely to benefit from more aggressive rollouts of mobile voice and data services, and demand for CDMA and GSM base stations is expected to remain strong over the next several years.”

The report also looks at WiMAX, IPTV and VoIP, to survey their spread and reach.

There is an excerpt available at:
http://www.pyramidresearch.com/downloads.htm?id=18&sc=PRCIR031009_NIG

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

And now, ABC News expands the story that ran on Good Morning America yesterday.Just click here.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

Source: www.voip-news.com

Ascom Wireless Solutions has added VoIP to the Ascom teleCARE IP solution. Intended for hospitals, the solution allows nurses to speak directly with patients when they call.

According to Ascom:

Ascom teleCARE IP was introduced last year to the market. This is the platform to branch out from, a solid foundation to build new features and innovations on. Now the next step has come; with VoIP. This new voice communication feature will make everyday life for hospital staff even more convenient. Communication is done while on the move, by means of Ascom DECT or VoWiFi wireless handsets. Conversation is possible between patient and staff, and naturally also between the staff themselves. All communication is done over the LAN using VoIP and SIP clients. Using the LAN makes it possible to connect multiple sites to one large united site.

“To create a truly future proof environment with solid communication solutions for our customers is one of the most important tasks we got,” says Jan Ringenier, Product Manager at Ascom. He continues, “With VoIP the healthcare sector can benefit from reducing communication and infrastructure expenses by routing phone calls over existing data networks and avoid duplicate network systems. The Ascom teleCARE IP system is highly secure in operation and makes it possible to reuse the existing infrastructure, which means less investment for the hospital.”

Source: www.voip-news.com

Verizon Wireless has added Static IP addressing to the Verizon Wireless Private Network. The enterprise solution allows for more secure communication. There is a one-time setup fee of $500 to establish the Verizon Wireless Private Network with Static IP.

It’s compatible with PC cards, wireless routers, embedded laptops and other mobile internet devices on the Verizon network.

According to Verizon:

The new Private Network Static IP feature gives enterprise and government customers enhanced administrative control over employees’ access by allowing them to assign a unique IP address to identify each mobile device accessing the network.

Enterprise and government customers can easily administer their wireless workforce IP policies and reinforce corporate security by adding a fixed block of wireless IP addresses to their corporate firewall. By using Static IP on the Verizon Wireless Private Network, enterprise customers can request data on demand from a specific device such as a wireless router whenever and wherever needed.

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

I knew there was a trend towards more and more homes going totally wireless – that is no landline phone- every man (or person / child) for him / her-self, but this number really surprised me:  according to a story on Telecompetitor, 20% of all homes will be wireless by the end of this year.  This story is based on research from Nielsen Mobile.

A few more factoids here.

• The majority of people who have dropped their landline are in lower income-brackets (46 percent have a household income of $50,000 or less), are younger (64 percent of decision makers in wireless substitution homes are in the 18- to 34-year-old age range, compared to 30 percent of the U.S.) and have smaller household sizes of 1-2 people

• As of Q2 2008, 55 percent of cord cutters were renters, compared with 29 percent of total households

• Wireless substitutors use 45% more minutes on their wireless phone when compared to non-wireless substitutors but only pay 10 percent more for their mobile phone service (netting a $33 savings per month in a single-person household, less $6.69 for each additional wireless subscriber)

• Wireless substitutors are less likely than the average wireless subscriber to have satellite TV and more likely to use over-the-air or broadcast TV

• Wireless substitutors are less likely than the average wireless subscriber to have DSL internet and more likely to use a cable modem to access the internet

Are you going totally wireless?

If so, when and why?

Email me:  alan at weinkrantz dot com

Source: alanweinkrantz.typepad.com

AT&T is making introducing new social media tools and platforms

JuiceCaster 6.0 and Buzzwire — that keep you connected to your online world. JuiceCaster 6.0 enables you to use your AT&T wireless device to instantly share and post your mobile videos and photos with your favorite online communities — including exclusive mobile video postings to YouTube and Flickr. With Buzzwire, you can access and customize an extensive streaming media library that spans popular video and audio content, as well as live Internet radio, directly from AT&T phones.

JuiceCaster 6.0

This unique application from Juice Wireless lets you share videos and pictures from your wireless device to the Web’s most popular social-networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. AT&T customers also have exclusive access to post directly to YouTube and Flickr as well. Family and friends can instantly view, rate and comment on content directly from their own phones or directly from an online social-networking site.

AT&T customers can use JuiceCaster to:

• Post mobile pictures and video to popular social-networking Web sites and blogs, including Blogger, Facebook, LiveJournal, MySpace, Twitter and Xanga

• Set your status to update automatically on Facebook and Twitter, and receive friends’ status updates on their own phones

• Broadcast existing or new mobile videos and photos to global audiences using YouTube and Flickr, without requiring a computer or Internet connection

• Make content public or create custom groups by adding and connecting with friends directly from AOL, JuiceCaster, Gmail, Hotmail, MS Outlook and Yahoo!

Meet new friends within the JuiceCaster community
JuiceCaster 6.0 is available for $2.99 a month on compatible 2G and 3G AT&T handsets. AT&T customers can simply text Juice to 386 to begin connecting and communicating in a rich social- networking environment that includes profiles, pictures, videos, friend lists, comments, ratings and personal status updates. For more information on JuiceCaster, visit www.att.com/mediamall.