voip

Rumor: T-Mobile to roll out 3G in New York today

Thu, 01 May 2008 06:59:57 -0400

According to a report from TmoNews.com, which claims it received a leaked memo from T-Mobile USA, the carrier is launching its 3G network in New York City tomorrow. The memo promises T-Mobile subscribers great call quality and more network availability but makes no mention of advanced features, applications or services. It has been known for some time that T-Mobile is more interested in the capacity enhancements it gains from 3G than some of the advanced services that its competitors are offering since it bills itself as a low-cost carrier.

T-Mobile aims to roll 3G out in at least 20 markets by the end of the year. Some of the cities include: Los Angeles, Detroit, San Diego, Austin, Las Vegas, Minneapolis and Miami.

A T-Mobile USA spokesperson would not comment on the rumored report but did disclose that the carrier would be announcing its 3G plans within a week. He also reminded us that the carrier would be announcing its quarterly earnings next Thursday. Hint, hint.--Brian Dolan

For more on T-Mobile USA's 3G plans:
- check out this report over at Engadget

Fring announced native VoIP application for iPhone

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 06:59:54 -0400

Israeli company Fring has introduced the first native, true VoIP application for the iPhone. The application doesn't require users to route their calls through an analog VoIP bridge, like previous iPhone VoIP apps have. Using either SkypeOut or SIP, users can call landline/mobile numbers and even IM using Skype, Google, ICQ, MSN, Twitter, AIM, and Yahoo. Of course, users will need a jailbroken iPhone to use the application, but given the fact that Apple has vowed not to shut down VoIP over WiFi apps, we should see a legitimate version of Fring after Firmware 2.0 lands in June.

For more on Fring:
- see this press release

Related articles:
- VoIP developers fire up for iPhone iPhone VoIP story
- Jajah developing VoIP for iPhone iPhone and Jajah story

Is 3 UK moving toward a bit-pipe model?

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 06:59:58 -0400

Kevin Russel, CEO of 3 UK, which has taken the open access model to heart by opening up its network to any application, has reset the company's business objectives by stating there will be less emphasis on developing mobile content and a greater focus on promoting mobile email, VoIP and IM services.

The Hutchison Whampoa-owned carrier made the headlines in 2006 when it announced the X-Series offering, a service that, among other things, included an 'all you can eat' data plan and came with Skype pre-installed on the subscribers' terminals. In October, 3 introduced the Skypephone that features a dedicated Skype button.

Since introducing a USB dongle, 3 says that data throughput on its HSDPA network increased sevenfold from October '07 to February '08, and mobile broadband would be a focus area. "But there are some bandwagons 3 is not big enough to jump on", Russell added. "We need to be a more focused company and not get distracted by services such as mobile TV." He also noted the company would continue to follow an own-brand handsets strategy, as this enabled it to offer more disruptive services such as Skype.

3's strategy should be watched carefully as many operators will embark on an open access model as they move into the 4G world. Is this the bit-pipe warning that Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin mentioned during his keynote at CTIA earlier this month? 3 isn't offering its own email, VoIP and IM services. It's allowing partners like Skype, Yahoo!, Microsoft and Google offer these services, possibly pushing 3 toward that bit-pipe model (for some reason the industry likes to use the phrase bit pipe instead of dumb pipe). 3's business model could ultimately turn into one where it is subsidizing devices, carrying data traffic and dealing with customer service.

3, however, says it would rather get a head start over larger competitors with email, VoIP and IM services than get distracted with developing content services. Meanwhile, many operators are talking about becoming "smart" pipes, a term I heard at FierceMarkets' 4G conference during the CTIA show. Sprint is embarking on such a strategy with its WiMAX network. It means operators leverage their assets, acting as both a content and access provider by controlling the customer experience. Third parties may be able to develop applications for the network, but the operator also partners with content providers to create optimized services. It also means the operator can charge based on function, not bits, and prioritize traffic on their networks.

It will be interesting to see how operators approach this open access world. We could very well see a no one-size fits all answer to this and everyone still making money.--Lynnette

T-Mobile rolls out Internet calling plans

Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:59:57 -0500

While T-Mobile is part of a group of operators embarking on a price war on the mobile voice side, the operator also upped the ante on its HotSpot@Home offering, rolling out Talk Forever Home Service in Seattle and Dallas for $10 per line per month for unlimited domestic calls. The router costs $49 and the service requires a broadband connection.

The new service runs on top of T-Mobile's existing HotSpot@Home offering, which enables converged WiFi and mobile-phone calling using one of four handset models that T-Mobile offers. Pricing was recently lowered for this service to $10 per month for unlimited domestic calling for up to four cell phones. Both HotSpot@Home and Talk Forever Home require a minimum $40 per month voice calling plan.

In an interview with Wi-Fi Net News, Joe Sims, vice president and general manager of T-Mobile's broadband products, said T-Mobile is looking to "address the remaining reasons people were reluctant to cut the cord."

To find out more about T-Mobile's new Talk Forever Home Service plan:
- read this piece from Wi-Fi Net News

Related articles:
T-Mobile may extend VoIP with Hotspot@Home Report
T-Mobile introduces unlimited calling over Wi-Fi Report

Sprint sues little guys over VoIP patents

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 06:59:55 -0500

Following up on its $80 million settlement from its Vonage lawsuit last year, Sprint is milking its 115 VoIP patents by suing NuVox Communications, Broadvox Holdings, Big River Telephone and Paetec Communications. The carrier claims the four companies are violating six of its patents and is seeking both damages and an injunction. Reportedly, Sprint did not try to negotiate a licensing agreement with any of the companies before filing the lawsuit. GigaOM quipped that Sprint may see patent litigation as an easier means to cashflow than its much needed corporate turnaround.

For more on the suits:
- read this report from GigaOM
- take a look at this release

Related articles:
Vonage faces Sprint suit Report
Sprint sues Vonage, others, over patents Report

Clearwire moves solidly into VoIP market

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 06:59:53 -0500

WiMAX operator Clearwire is ready to make its own foray into the VoIP market. After leasing the capability from carriers, Clearwire is now deploying equipment from Nortel that will make it VoIP-enabled. Calls placed to Clearwire customers will continue to reach customers' homes through a wireless connection that is converted to Ethernet once inside the home.

Clearwire will start pushing the new service to the voice customers it has through its carrier partnerships and then eventually look to expand the service to its entire customer base.

To read more about Clearwire's VoIP plans:
- read this article from Unstrung

Related articles:
Clearwire launches VoIP in Texas Report
Clearwire launches VoIP over WiMAX network Report

Femtocells: Are they really a good thing for vendors?

Mon, 17 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

So Ericsson says it doesn't see a mature market for 3G femtocells until 2009 and won't enter the market until then. (See story No. 2). Will it be missing out on the market if it waits that long? Major operators are chomping at the bit to deploy these router-sized mobile home base stations in 2008. Femtocells promise to enable operators to offer consumers high-speed data, VoIP and voice services to the home with reduced infrastructure costs and cheaper end-user prices.

Is that necessarily a good things for infrastructure vendors? As an article in Unstrung notes, femtocells threaten to commoditize the market for base stations, obviously not a good thing for vendors struggling with margins in the infrastructure business. That may be one reason why Ericsson is stalling. Nokia Siemens is also staying out of the business for now.

Vendors like Ericsson would prefer a femtocell market using GSM since the technology is commoditized already. The vendor is ready to go with a GSM femtocell as part of a home gateway that incorporates a WiFi access point, home router and DSL modem. But no operator has committed to using it yet.

I suspect that operators are keen on skipping 2G femtocell technology and opting for the 3G flavor since they stand to gain more revenues in terms of wireless data services and voice.

Still, a host of unanswered questions surrounding femtocells exist. The big ones are around business models and how to integrate femtocells in the network. There isn't a standard way yet. So Ericsson does have a good reason for saying the 3G femtocell market isn't mature yet.--Lynnette

SPOTLIGHT: Report: Big growth for VoIP over 3G in five years

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 06:59:52 -0500

Disruptive Analysis is forecasting significant growth for VoIP over 3G networks. The firm predicts the number of VoIPo3G users will grow from virtually zero this year to more than 250 million by 2012. The firm also believes operators themselves will be the catalyst for this growth. Article

Pyramid spells out WiMAX revenue model for Sprint - Chart

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 09:19:24 -0500

Revenue Stream	Description
Data subscription	Traditional flat-fee monthly subscription similar to DSL and cable,and bundled with VoIP subscription
VoIP subscription	A flat fee for unlimited domestic calling for fixed service. If mobile VoIP, operator charges similar to traditional mobile voice plans. Bundled with data subscription
Ad hoc	Users pay per unit of time for unlimited usage.
Multimedia	A monthly subscription for a multimedia device, limited to specific equipment service partners and media web sites.
Equipment	Sales of PC cards and WiMAX-embedded devices by Sprint.
Wholesale	Lease of bandwidth or end-to-end network services for rebranding by a virtual operator, similar to an MVNO model.
Advertising	Revenue from companies such as google in exchange for information that they can use to match their advertising to a subscriber’s interest.
Source: Pyramid Research

U.K.'s 3 and Skype introduce 3 Skypephone

Thu, 01 Nov 2007 07:59:56 -0400

As expected, 3 Group in the U.K. and Skype introduced an inexpensive, co-branded VoIP device called 3 Skypephone. 3 has already been offering Skype service through its X-series mobile Internet services. The new device uses Qualcomm's BREW platform and comes pre-loaded with the Skype application to make Skype calls as straightforward as possible for users. According to analyst Ben Wood with CCS Insight, said the quality of the VoIP calls are surprisingly good--a key factor for any mobile operator even considering mobile VoIP. The VoIP session is initiated on 3's network and delivered to a gateway where they connect to the Skype network so the calls don't travel over the Internet end-to-end.

The phone costs $103 with a prepaid plan when users spend at least $21 per month and is free for contract customers. Skype-to-skype calls and instant messages are free. The 3 Skypephone will become available in 3's markets in the U.K., Australia, Austria, Denmark, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Macao, and Sweden. Skype wants to offer it to other carriers. Will they be interested? And does this change the handset game?

For more about the 3 Skypephone:
- read this article from Unstrung

Related article:
3 Mobile and Skype collaborate on VoIP phone

Vonage-Verizon patent drama over

Mon, 29 Oct 2007 07:59:57 -0400

VoIP operator Vonage announced a deal with Verizon to settle a dispute over several VoIP patents, including those associated with the use of WiFi networks for Internet calling. The settlement, announced late last week, depends on an appeals court's ruling on Vonage's petition for another hearing regarding two of the patents in dispute. If Vonage wins a rehearing for either of those patents, it will pay Verizon $80 million. If not, the company agrees to pay $120 million, including $2.5 million to select charities. And who said patent fights are all about greed?

For more about Vonage's settlement with Verizon:
- read this article from Wireless Week

Huawei, NextWave work on WiMAX interoperability

Mon, 01 Oct 2007 06:59:54 -0400

Chinese vendor Huawei Technologies has begun interoperability testing of NextWaveBroadband's mobile WiMAX chipsets with Huawei's WiMAX infrastructure equipment. NextWave also announced it is testing Huawei's commercial WiMAX equipment at its trial network facility in Henderson, Nevada. NextWave is testing handover, mobility, and enhanced services such as Voice-over-IP (VoIP) and video streaming.

To read more about NextWave's relationship with Huawei:
- take a look at this press release

Related Articles:
NextWave spells out plans for WiMAX chips. Article
NextWave shipping NW1000 Series WiMAX chipset. Article
NextWave to acquire IPWireless. Press Release
Huawei to deploy WiMAX commercial network for Saudi Telecom. Article

Motorola demos WiMAX handoffs in Windy City

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:59:56 -0400

Motorola teamed with Sprint yesterday to showcase the operator's Xohm WiMAX service in Chicago. During a cruise along the Chicago River, a group of media and analysts were able to experience live handoffs of WiMAX applications such as VoIP calls, video streaming and MobiTV. Later, the group saw a similar demo while driving at speeds beyond 50 miles per hour.

Barry West, Sprint CTO and president of the Xohm Business Unit, said the company is on schedule to begin Xohm pre-commercial service in Chicago by year-end with commercial service there and in other markets beginning in April 2008. The media event was held in conjunction with WiMAX World USA conference, which is taking place in Chicago this week.

Motorola also announced it is working with Primus Canada and Mipps to trial WiMAX IEEE 802.16e in Toronto. The trial involves Motorola's wi4 WiMAX solution. Mipps acquired 3.5 GHz licensed spectrum covering Toronto as well as similar spectrum in most major cities across Canada. Mipps is building the WiMAX network infrastructure in Toronto and the companies will collaborate and share knowledge and expertise gained throughout the trial.

For more on the WiMAX demo:
- see this press release
To read more about the trial in Canada:
- read this press release

See these related stories:
Sprint outlines 'Xohm' WiMAX plans. Article
Xohm Steals the Spotlight. Editorial
Sprint details WiMAX, PTT and femtocell plans. Article

SPOTLIGHT: Truphone demos VoIP over iPhone

Thu, 27 Sep 2007 06:59:52 -0400

Truphone demonstrated how iPhone customers can install and use its calling software over WiFi networks to place VoIP calls. Chief executive officer James Tagg made a VoIP call in front of an audience at the DEMOfall 07 show in San Diego. Article

WiMAX Watch: Motorola's 802.16e solution

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 20:01:38 -0400

Motorola, a leading industry proponent of the IEEE 802.16e WiMAX standard, unveiled the first of its MOTOwi4 WiMAX solutions at CTIA Wireless 2006. Using a suite of infrastructure and subscriber products, Motorola demonstrated IP telephony over its MOTOwi4 WiMAX platform. Motorola's first MOTOwi4 WiMAX system focuses on delivering low-cost fixed and nomadic services in underserved markets and developing countries, and it uses the 3.5 GHz spectrum available in most countries. The 802.16e WiMAX standard is typically associated with mobility, but it is also a more robust wireless access technology than 802.16-2004 and is thus well suited for fixed deployments. Motorola offers another advantage to operators: By using a common core network, Motorola makes it possible for operators to use a complementary combination of licensed spectrum and unlicensed spectrum to cover new territories with broadband service and IP telephony.

Dan Coombes, senior vice president and general manager of Wireless Broadband Networks and CTO for Motorola Networks, correctly points out that "While WiMAX has been touted for its ability to deliver advanced applications, there is a significant market need to provide basic connectivity." The MOTOwi4 WiMAX system demonstrated at CTIA is an "ultra-light AP," a highly integrated AP different from a traditional floor mounted cellular-style base station. It can be mounted virtually anywhere. The product displayed is now shipping in limited quantities to preselected and qualified operators. The MOTOwi4 WiMAX portfolio includes the ultra-light AP solution and other 802.16e products designed to be WiMAX Forum-interoperable. The MOTOwi4 platform includes WiMAX, Canopy solutions, Mesh, Broadband over Powerline and Backhaul solutions for private and public networks.

For more on Motorola's MOTOwi4 WiMAX system:
- see this company's press release
- and Eric Griffith's wi-fiplanet report

PLUS: CETECOM, Spain, has introduced new conformance test systems for WiMAX. The MINT family of test solutions comprises radio conformance tester (MINT T2110), protocol conformance tester (MINT T2230) and protocol analyzer tool (MINT T2240). Article

ALSO: ADC and Aperto Networks have partnered to market, sell and install carrier-grade WiMAX broadband systems and solutions for potential service-provider buyers on a global basis. Aperto will supply its range of WiMAX Forum-certified product lines, including base stations, service platforms, and software portfolios, to ADC so the latter can exploit WiMAX market opportunities among voice, data and multimedia service-provider customers. We note that currently Aperto only has one WiMAX-certified product, so the agreement must be aiming at future products yet to be submitted for WiMAX Forum certification (so far only only 14 products have been WiMAX-certified). Report

FINALLY: Infonetics Research says that, from an almost non-existent market in 2004, worldwide WiMAX revenue surged 759 percent in 2005, reaching $142.3 million. TelecomWeb rightly points out that it is not clear what products Infonetics counted, since there were no WiMAX-certified products last year. We assume that the research group considered products meeting the IEEE 802.16 standard on which ETSI HiperMAN is based (WiMAX is a brand name for products which meet the European HiperMAN implementation of the IEEE standards). Infonetics also forecast that the worldwide WiMAX equipment market will continue expanding rapidly with a five-year compound annual growth rate of about 139 percent between 2005 and 2009, when it says the market may reach $1.6 billion. Report

Swedish company shows smallest WiFi chip set

Tue, 21 Feb 2006 19:01:35 -0500

Swedish chip maker Nanoradio has released a new WiFi chip set which, with a total die size of only 20 mm2, must be the smallest, lowest-power WiFi chip set available today. The NRX700 is available for evaluation by key customers. Production quantities are estimated to be available in the third quarter of this year. This is a very good time to come out with a small, power-modest WiFi chip set. There are two trends in the market which require smaller WiFi chips: IP telephony is going mobile and mobile phones are being transformed into media devices. The company is also positioning itself to meet the growing demand for WiFi in headsets and other audio devices.

For more on Nanoradio's chipset:
- see this press release

SPOTLIGHT: Switch to VoWLAN? Not so fast

Tue, 31 Jan 2006 19:01:33 -0500

The past two decades have seen a revolution in telephony, infusing new meaning into the concept "any time, anywhere" connectivity. Businesses know they can increase productivity and improve customer service with mobile voice communications within their facilities, and most companies have long used cellular phones to deliver this capability. As WLANs have solved most of their security and QoS problems and begun to take hold in the corporate sector, enterprises have started to explore VoWLAN as an alternative to cellular telephone coverage. The thinking is that an in-house mobile wireless infrastructure gives enterprises more control over their own destiny, integrates wired and wireless telephony in the same IP infrastructure, reduces calling charges and also addresses the problem of highly variable cell phone coverage inside some buildings. So should enterprises replace their cellular telephony contracts and move wholesale to IP telephony? Not so fast. Analysis

Metric: VoWLAN use to triple by 2007

Tue, 25 Oct 2005 20:01:35 -0400

Use of VoWLAN will triple by 2007, according to a new study by London-based Infonetics Research. Currently about 10 percent of organizations have VoWLAN, and this number will increase to 31 percent in the next two years. The growing availability of VoIP handsets will provide the main impetus for this growth. A few weeks ago the Economist predicted that IP telephony will bring about the end of traditional telephony. Infonetics' Richard Webb agrees: "The traditional model of time- and distance-based pricing for voice calls is being eroded by VoIP, and as VoIP goes wireless, it presents an opportunity for enterprise users and a challenge for operators." He adds: "Whilst increasing employee mobility and productivity are currently the top reasons for deploying WLANs, voice over WLAN is a growing driver and is potentially disruptive."

Among the study's other findings:

During the next three years, 57 percent of small, 62 percent of medium, and 72 percent of large organizations in North America will use VoWLAN by 2009
The leading barriers to WLAN adoption are security and privacy concerns
Intranet or VPN access and Internet access for guests top the list of applications implemented over WLANs
Wired LAN backup and Asset and RFID tracking are already seen as promising applications
44 percent of survey respondents deploy and manage their APs separately, without the use of WLAN switches; by 2007, as centralized control architectures is adopted, the number of WLAN switch ports deployed grows significantly

For more on Infonetics latest study:
- see Infonetics press release

ALSO: An optimal blend of OFDM and CDMA technologies, implemented across local and wide area networks, will drive growth of wireless data and content for enterprises and consumers. This is one of the conclusions of a new study by Rysavy Research and Datacomm Research. Report

Availability of dual-mode handsets key to VoIP success

Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:01:36 -0400

The key to VoIP success in the mass consumer market will be the availability of cellular/WiFi IP phones, concludes a recent In-Stat study. The widespread adoption of VoIP in both business and consumer markets will depend on whether wireless VoIP handsets are available. Dual-mode cellular/WiFi handsets will be the key driver to mass consumer adoption of VoIP, and control of these end-point devices is key to capturing the mobile market. "Wireless high-speed broadband access, unified messaging, video, and dual-network cellular/WiFi services are making the mobile triple play a consumer market reality," said In-Stat's Keith Nissen. "The key to successfully capturing the market for these next-generation personalized services is control of the end-point device."

In-Stat predicts that more than 66 million cellular/WiFi handsets will be in operation by 2009. The reports also finds that:

Worldwide, consumer VoIP subscribers using wireless IP phones will grow from the current 2 percent to 73 percent in 2009;
Owing to the push by mobile carriers without wireline operations, Europe will initially be the largest market for dual-mode smartphones;
Mass production of dual-mode sets is not scheduled until 2007, but more than 80 percent of businesses have an interest in the technology.

For more on the "Wireless IP Phones Drive Future VoIP Markets" study:
- see In-Stat's press release

PLUS: Strong switch sales boost the WLAN equipment market. Report

SPOTLIGHT: DoD's vote of confidence in VoIP

Tue, 07 Jun 2005 20:01:33 -0400

The Defense Department has decided to use VoIP, a major boost for a technology which, although increasingly popular, is still battling the preception that its reliability and security are not yet as good as they could, and should, be. Gartner's Bob Hafner says, "When you have a big-name public adoption, there is a strong message sent about security and reliability." Story