VoIP Week in Review from TMCnet

By Johanne Torres

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

This week, the VoIP Minute Watch brought you news from Skype (News - Alert), XO Communications, GlobeTel and Alcatel (News - Alert).

 

VoIP software framework provider Trinity Convergence announced on Tuesday that it will license and deploy SPIRIT DSP’s voice processing software. The new partnership calls for Trinity to license SPIRIT’s low-MIPS higher-quality voice processing products running on ARM9 and MIPS processors into its VeriCall suite of embedded software frameworks.

 

Trinity VeriCall software is using SPIRIT vocoders since 2005. The Skype-protocol-based VoIP desktop phone uses the VeriCall framework from Trinity Convergence and SPIRIT vocoders running on the Intel (News - Alert) PXA270 processor. Trinity and SPIRIT have also recently signed a revenue-sharing sublicensing agreement, allowing Trinity to re-sell SPIRIT vocoders.

 

Skype and Dell announced on Wednesday that they have joined forces for faster VoIP calls. The companies agreed to ship Skype software with new Dell (News - Alert) XPS mobile systems, which include the XPS M1210 and XPS M2010.

 

The new deal calls for Dell to provide its customers with access to Skype's voice and video Internet calling software. According to the deal, Dell will pre-load Skype on the XPS 2010, a mobile entertainment system, which features a 20.1-inch high-definition display with integrated Web cam. The XPS 1210 can also be configured with Skype as part of an optional audio-video communications package also comprised of an integrated rotating Web cam, noise-isolation earbuds and mobile broadband capability.

 

VoIP conference call provider Vapps announced on Thursday that it agreed to offer free unlimited conference calling for up to 500 participants to Skype's 100 million registered users through Highspeedconferencing.com. Conference call participants using Highspeedconferencing.com may be subject to long-distance or national rate charges when using a landline phone. Skypers incur no fees for using this conference call service.

 

XO Communications announced on Wednesday the launch of XOptions Flex, its VoIP services bundle in Jacksonville, Florida. The move will make XOptions Flex available in eight markets across the sunshine state, including Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Tampa, and West Palm Beach. Today, more than 4,300 businesses nationwide have deployed XOptions Flex to take advantage of the cost-savings and flexibility of VoIP.

 

VoIP platform provider GlobeTel Communications launched on Wednesday a VoIP-based communications network for Brazilian iLigue.com.br. The portal now offers Brazilian telecom customers calling services locally and around the world.

 

VozBrasil.com, a VoIP network used by Brazilians living in the United States, was launched two weeks ago. iLigue is today being rolled out in conjunction with GlobeTel’s Brazilian partners, first in the northeastern region of Brazil, then continuously throughout the remainder of the country. The network enables Brazilian residents to obtain a telephone number in Brazil, the US or in any other country without the need for either broadband Internet access or special equipment.

 

French technology provider Alcatel announced on Thursday that Canadian telecom SaskTel has selected Alcatel's triple-play offering in order to enhance its Internet and entertainment services across the province of Saskatchewan. The new project is reportedly valued at CDN $35 million, and its deployment was set to begin in the second quarter of this year.

 

Also on Thursday, U.S. independent service provider Brazoria Telephone announced it tapped Alcatel to deploy an end-to-end IP network solution. The companies made the announcement on Thursday. The system will enable Brazoria to deliver new services to its customers, including high speed Internet, streaming video, online gaming, and eventually VoIP.

 

Alcatel also announced this week that it has made enhancements to its Triple-Play Service Delivery Architecture (TPSDA). The enhancements will accelerate IP network transformation and improve quality for broadband consumer services. The Alcatel IP portfolio has been selected by service providers such as AT&T (News - Alert), BT, TeliaSonera and China Telecom.

 

Alcatel announced new deals this week. SaskTel of Canada recently selected Alcatel’s triple-play system to enhance its Internet and entertainment services across Saskatchewan; a U.S.-based integrated communications provider, NTELOS will also deploy Alcatel's TPSDA for a triple-play trial in Virginia; and U.S. independent service provider Brazoria Telephone will deploy an end-to-end IP network system to deliver new services to its customers in Texas.

 

There you have it folks, another exciting week in the VoIP industry! Stay tuned and read the VoIP Minute Watch for the latest news…

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Johanne Torres is contributing editor for TMCnet and Internet Telephony magazine. To see more articles by Johanne Torres, please visit Johanne Torres' columnist page.