VoIP

A coming bandwidth drought?

Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:59:56 -0500

Are the good times coming to an end? A recent study by Nemertes Research says that limits to Internet bandwidth could leave VoIP callers on permanent hold and the rest of us twiddling our thumbs while waiting for email to download. What's the reason for the coming bandwidth shortfall? It's a number of things, but the big reasons are the rapid expansion in residential broadband deployment and the rising use of bandwidth-intense applications like streaming movies, video conferencing, and mobile VoIP. And just when we were finally starting to get the hang of this whole Internet thing…

For more on why you should be afraid of the bandwidth going away:
- Read the study report at eWeek

Google mulling Sprint buyout?

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

Settle down, folks: for the time being, this is a totally unsubstantiated rumor. VoIP columnist Rich Tehrani unleashed a editorial piece over the weekend where he muses philosophical about the rumors he's "been hearing" regarding a buyout of Sprint-Nextel by Google. While Tehrani fails to mention exactly who's been whispering in his ear, it doesn't take too much of a stretch of the imagination to see how a Google/Sprint deal might make sense. After Sprint's deal with Clearwire fell out last week, it's become painfully clear that Sprint is going to need an infusion of cash if it is to make good on it's ambitious WiMAX plans. And we probably don't need to point out the fact that with or without WiMAX, Sprint just hasn't been doing so hot lately. So, we've established that Sprint is a prime target for acquisition--but why would Google want to buy? Well, as we've seen, Google is already dipping its toes in the mobile market, though it would be a bit of a leap for the company to enter the carrier space. Still, Google has expressed intentions to bid in the upcoming 700Mhz auction and its hard to argue that the openness of Sprint's XOHM network wouldn't jive with the big G's agenda. Could Google snap up Sprint-Nextel and make a huge splash in the industry by launching the nation's first WiMAX network? Given the size of Google's war chest, it certainly could--the only question that remains is whether or not the company is interested in playing the role of carrier.

For more on the rumor:
- see this TMCnet editorial

New Nokia 810 Internet tablet

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Nokia has announced a new Internet tablet, the successor to the N800. The new tablet takes the "web on the go" features of the N800 and adds capabilities for VoIP, GPS, and Web 2.0 multi-media browsing. On the heels of new cell phones like the iPhone-competitor N95, the N810 positions Nokia as a provider with a very broad wireless device line. Now, about that Internet tablet with a 3G cell phone built in...

For more on the new Nokia N810:
- check out DailyTechRag's photos and hands-on impressions of the device

CIO looking for network skills

Mon, 24 Sep 2007 06:59:56 -0400

CIOs have a lot of things on their minds, and recruiting talented staff members is near the top of the list. Finding expertise in specialized areas ranging from security to VoIP is a critical piece of the overall technology management job. According to a new Robert Half Technology study, fourteen percent of CIOs say they're looking to hire new staff in the fourth quarter--and networking skills are at the top of their list of needs.

For more on CIO hiring plans:
- read the job skills report at eWeek

Sky-high WiFi from American Airlines

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 06:59:57 -0400

The FCC has said "yes" to in-flight WiFi and now American Airlines is ready to start testing mobile broadband in the air. The trial, on transcontinental 767 airplanes, will allow travelers to surf the web and work through email while jetting across oceans for a price, which, while not set, is described as being "just a little more" than the neighborhood Starbucks. One application that won't work is VoIP--the provider will block any IP-based attempts to get around the cell-phone ban. Whether that's a bummer or a blessing is up to you.

For more on the coming high-altitude WiFi:
- see this press release
- read the report at CIO-Today

EmComm wants RoIP

Sun, 08 Jul 2007 20:01:37 -0400

You've had time to get used to VoIP--are you ready for RoIP (Radio over Internet Protocol)? A national alliance of emergency responders, acting under the name Comcare, wants to see RoIP used as an emergency communication channel for first responders in police, fire, and EMT departments. The idea of radio using VoIP principles isn't new, but there is a new sense of urgency for emergency responders to have fail-safe communications systems. With the increasing integration of VoIP and e911 systems, the Internet is becoming a must for complete emergency communications plans.

For more on RoIP for emergency communications:
- read the complete article at Wireless Week

QUICKLINKS: iPhones close to sell out; First reviews for iPhones; Much more...

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 20:01:35 -0400

> iPhones close to sell out article

> First reviews for iPhones article

> Wireless VoIP book review article

> Mobile WiMax network coming to Northeast article

QUICKLINKS: Mobile vendors want more open source; Free S60 VoIP;

Sun, 22 Apr 2007 20:01:35 -0400

Mobile vendors want more open source article

Free S60 VoIP article

Beijing's Olympic wireless article

10 things we need in mobile handsets

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 20:01:36 -0400

What do we need in our next mobile handsets? You could roll the whole list up in "phones that work better," but it's more helpful to have some way to define "better." Since the discussion is on a phone in the future (even if it's the near future), not all the items on the list are available now--but that doesn't mean they wouldn't help make for a killer mobile platform. What are some of the things that would help move us toward an ultimate mobile platform?

1. Linux or Mac OS X
2. Large Screen
5. Faster-than Bluetooth (more secure, too)
7. Super-powerful processor
10. Dual-mode handsets

There are 5 more qualities, and some refinements mentioned for many, but put them all together and you could have the beginning of a beautiful specification.

For the rest of the 10 things list:
- Read the complete article at VoIP Now

AT&T network spending at $750M in 2007

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:01:36 -0400

AT&T has announced that spending on its global network will increase by 89 percent over investments in 2006, to $750 million dollars. Spending on enhanced enterprise features and improvements to allow better VoIP performance will be at the top of the factors driving the investments. AT&T will also seek to expand its basic capabilities in international markets in a bid to return to profitability from a 2006 loss.

For more on AT&T's planned investments:
- read the article at eWeek