TMCnet News
Fusion Acquires Proprietary SIP Peer-to-Peer TechnologyTMCnet VoIP Minute Watch Columnist
VoIP technology service provider Fusion Telecommunications International Inc. announced on Tuesday that it acquired proprietary intellectual property that will allow Directed Peer-to-Peer Internet phone connections between Session Initiated Protocol (SIP)-enabled devices without having to route the calls through a network of third-party computers, as typically occurs in a peer-to-peer environment.
"This technology will give Fusion the opportunity to expand its existing suite of paid service offerings and participate in the growing peer-to-peer telephony market through its efonica brand, including the free call segment now dominated by Skype," said Fusion's president and chief operating officer Matthew Rosen. The technology incorporates an approach that builds upon worldwide accepted VoIP standards and integrates with Fusion's carrier-class network and back-office infrastructure. Fusion's service offerings do not require a computer to work. Customers will be able to make calls between any combination of computers, Internet connected telephones, wireless devices, and other SIP-enabled hardware. When placing a call using Fusion's Directed SIP Peer-to-Peer (DSP) technology, customers automatically access a central registry for authentication, enhancing security when compared to many peer-to-peer alternatives. A routing engine then facilitates a connection directly between calling parties without having to go through another user's computer or calling device, as is required in other peer-to-peer models. Connections can be accomplished from any location worldwide and typically occur in a fraction of a second.
"It is widely believed that SIP is quickly becoming the de facto VoIP standard for communication between VoIP hardware devices such as ATAs, IP phones, wi-fi phones, and many new mobile and wireless devices," said Dr. Joel Maloff, Fusion's chief technology officer. "Utilizing SIP as its standard gives Fusion the ability to provide services to the large and growing population of consumers buying SIP-enabled devices. Additionally, most VoIP hardware manufacturers are rapidly deploying new advanced SIP devices that will work with Fusion's service offerings. Fusion's technological strategy will allow us to continue capitalizing on the growing popularity of SIP throughout the VoIP industry, while leveraging the significant cost advantages of peer-to-peer."
Fusion made news back in November when it announced that it entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of iFreedom Communications International Holdings Limited, which markets monthly recurring International VoIP service plans. The purchase price was reported to be $500,000 in cash going towards retiring certain liabilities of iFreedom and 1,100,000 shares of stock, of which 750,000 shares holding in escrow and subject to a performance based earn out. The transaction was anticipated to close prior to the end of the first quarter of 2006, subject to certain conditions.
Under the terms of the agreement, Fusion was to acquire iFreedom's customer base and operations in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The assets also included a call center in the Philippines, complementary sales and support staff, and licenses in both Malaysia and the Philippines.
Fusion Telecommunications International Inc.
-----
Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne Torres' columnist page.
|