wVoIP

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

Voice choices

Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:01:38 -0400

When it comes to making wireless voice available to your users, it hasn't taken long to go from few choices to many. Of course, none of the choices are shipping today, but the industry is obviously (and very publicly) working out the details of delivering full wireless unified communications suites delivered through systems that allow users to seamlessly roam from network to network, through cell and WiFi coverage. The details of the choice vary depending on your point of view--whether you begin from the cellular network, from a functioning IP PBX, or from a hybrid of the two--but it's important to know the details of the systems the vendors are preparing so you're prepared when the products are ready.

For more on wireless voice choices:
- read the article at Network World

Divitas builds a bridge

Sun, 25 Feb 2007 19:01:37 -0500

Communicating on both WiFi and 3GSM networks is one thing--doing it as you pass calls seamlessly between the two is something else entirely. Divitas has released the Divitas Mobile Convergence Platform, a system that the company says will work with cell phones, WiFi-phones, dual-mode phones and softphones, to form a single unified telephone system. The product is aimed at enterprise customers that want to expand the management of their PBX beyond the confines of the traditional phone. With a price of $5,495 (including a 10-user license) the new Divitas platform should offer many companies the opportunity to test that theory.

For more on the new product:
- read the article at eWeek

Fring brings VoIP to 3GSM phones

Mon, 19 Feb 2007 19:01:37 -0500

A former co-general manager of instant messenger company ICQ has formed a new company, Fring, to deliver VoIP services on 3GSM phones. The Fring service, based on the Skype API, is currently available on any 3GSM phone--as long as the phone is a Nokia Series 60 device. Fring says that it plans to have software available for other devices, including Windows Mobile phones, in the future. The service allows users to have address books based on Skype, to call Skype and other VoIP services and to call land-line phones through Skype Out. One huge question mark in Fring's plans: carriers' willingness to let an application cut them out of call-based revenues.

For more on Fring's future:
- read the article at Network World

Checking fixed/mobile convergence security

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:01:36 -0500

Fixed/Mobile Convergence is coming, but sliding calls between the cellular network and a WiFi network can leave security holes open and just waiting to be exploited. To that end, Check Point Software Technologies has announced the VPN-1 MASS (Multi-Access Security Solution). This new device protects the hand-off between cellular and WiFi networks, and will also work with 3G InterWorking WLAN. While initially aimed at the carrier market, Check Point sees this sort of product moving into the enterprise as well, as companies begin to use multi-network phones for their communications infrastructure.

For more on the VPN-1 MASS:
- see this article at Wi-Fi Planet

Remote workers still imperil enterprise security

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:01:36 -0500

A survey sponsored by Cisco and conducted by InsightExpress has found that poor judgment and bad practices by users are defeating the intent of security hardware and software, leaving enterprise systems and data at risk when remote devices are used to access corporate data. According to the study, sophisticated hacking tools aren't required to gain illicit access to data when users are willing to attach to unknown access points and ignore security warnings when establishing network connections.

For more on this:
- check out this article at eWeek

How to manage a huge VoIP deployment

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 19:01:38 -0500

Everyone's eager to grab Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), but most enterprises are taking measured steps. However, at least one enterprise isn't going that route. Bank of America is trading in 460 PBXs for a centralized VoIP system that will eventually boast 180,000 IP phones for the bank's 6,000 US branches and box office locations. Right now about 20,000 VoIP phones are in place as the organization works at what its IT leader describes as "a steady pace." 800 locations have already been converted and 50 back-end facilities have been completed. The strategy involves using a "T-minus schedule" in terms of making the cut-over to the new network system. Any prep work is done during standard outage windows and then training is rolled out to users before any phones are switched on.

As the tech leader explains, in deploying such a vast VoIP system it's just not a matter of changing what's in the back room. Such a huge technology effort impacts each and every staffer and that's why communication and strong training efforts are required. Another critical lesson learned is knowing how the current system is used for so that any new system will meet requirements and expectations. Article

Learning from a troubled VoIP deployment

Sun, 03 Dec 2006 19:01:38 -0500

The best insight any tech leader can get is from those who have jumped into uncertain waters and have lived to share their story. That's exactly what Bobby Badugu, the VP of IT for Gold's Gym, does in an article over at NetworkWorld on his company's move to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). If you're looking for a nice, safe fairy tale you may not want to read about the project as there are a number of scary aspects to what Badugu experienced in his quest to upgrade his network. While he got off to a good start--conducting due diligence to determine if VoIP was the right choice--hurdles appeared in several project areas such implementation, the issue of service-level agreements (SLAs) and the assessment to identify potential problems. To put it simply, if he were to do it all over again there are a few things he'd do differently. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 19:01:39 -0500

Network convergence inches closer to reality

For years the talk within the wireless and mobility sector has been focused on convergence: providing users the ability to move from traditional PBX networks to cellular service to--one day--emerging WiFi and Voice over Internet Protocol systems. It seemed like an extremely daunting evolution given the hurdles facing just WiFi and VoIP. Those hurdles run the gamut from integration headaches to security concerns. But if recent announcements from network service providers are to be believed, most, though not all, of those hurdles have been cleared. Take the news that Aruba Networks is aiming to unify WiFi and cellular over VoIP networks. While it's not going to happen overnight--the vendor expects it will take at about a year and a half to plug interoperability aspects into each aspect of the converged service--it is a promising venture and worthy of keeping an eye on. -Judy

How to lay down a cost effective mobile strategy

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 20:01:38 -0400

According to a leading research firm, the price of not taking a strong, strategic and unified approach to melding mobile and wireless technologies into today's enterprises could end up quite expensive on several fronts. First, integration is a key step to smooths sharing of data and communications. Second, a lack of good middleware--a Multi-Channel Gateway (MAG)--to make that integration happen could end up doubling the cost of a mobile system that doesn't tie to a MAG. As Gartner Research analysts explain, the focus has to be on building a centralized company-wide architectures and avoiding a piecemeal approach to tying in the wireless aspect. Article