VoIP Week in Review from TMCnet

By Johanne Torres

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

This week, the VoIP Minute Watch brought you news from Microsoft (News - Alert), AT&T (News - Alert), Lucent and Verizon (News - Alert).

 

Headset manufacturer Plantronics introduced on Monday the Plantronics Voyager 510-USB, a Bluetooth headset system for VoIP connections, which supports the integration and use of call management capabilities to be featured in the new Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 and Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007.

 

The new device will support the enhanced instant messaging (IM) capabilities of Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 by enabling users to instantly place hands-free VoIP calls through a PC. The Voyager 510-USB features the Voyager 510 headset and includes a plug-and-play Bluetooth USB adapter for an easier setup and use.

 

Also on Monday, Polycom (News - Alert) announced that it will develop and market business-class UC SIP voice end-points to include desktop devices that integrate the presence awareness, instant messaging (IM), and new telephony and VoIP capabilities of Microsoft's new unified communications platform. The move will enable users to quickly find and communicate with customers, partners and co-workers within a more secure environment.

 

Polycom made compatible the Polycom VSX video systems, its SoundStation and SoundPoint IP phones, and the V2IU network address and firewall traversal system with the Microsoft Office Live Communications Server 2005 and Microsoft Office Communicator 2005. The move will allow users to have presence and buddy lists on the Polycom VSX video systems and the SoundStation and SoundPoint phones to simplify rich media calling.

 

On Monday, AT&T announced it plans to expand its AT&T U-verse services, the telecom giant's television and high speed Internet offering, in the city of San Antonio, Texas. Customers will be able to choose from four TV packages and 3 Internet packages to customize their entertainment experience. Current AT&T U-verse bundles range in price from $69 to $124 per month; depending on the selected programming and Internet package (other monthly charges apply).

 

AT&T announced on Tuesday that it inked a deal with Connecticut-based Heating Oil Partners, an East Coast and northeastern regional heating oil and home comfort systems distributor, to provide a set of voice, data, and networking services. The new deal called for AT&T to consolidate, through standardized platforms, the telecom services of Heat Oil Partners' 28 distributor locations across six states. The AT&T system will integrate Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology which prioritizes network traffic and enables uninterrupted communications and business continuity. The system will allow Heating Oil Partners to upgrade its legacy networking technologies, such as ATM and Frame Relay, therefore creating added network redundancy and security.

 

AT&T Government Solutions announced on Wednesday that it scored a contract from the Department of Defense to aid its staff and manage a network operations center in Kuwait which will serve military commanders in Asia and Africa.

 

The new contract, valued at $22.7 million, called for AT&T, along with ITT Industries to manage the Theater Network Operations and Security Center (TNOSC), which acts as a hub to ensure reliable and secure command and control communications for military commanders in the region. The TNOSC will also provide the Army's link to the Global Information Grid (GIG), the next generation network platform for the Department of Defense.

 

Lucent Technologies (News - Alert) and Dynavar Corporation, a Lucent Sales Business Partner, announced on Tuesday a new contract with upstate New York-based Westelcom to deploy Lucent’s integrated switching platform to migrate its network from a traditional Class 4 and Class 5 switch-based infrastructure to an IMS-ready softswitch-based IP network.

 

The Lucent Compact Switch will enable Westelcom to deliver tandem switching and VoIP services customers in Westelcom's upstate New York coverage area. Lucent’s VoIP system will also enable the company to eventually migrate toward a facilities-based platform. Dynavar will provide the network engineering, integration and deployment services for the installation. Lucent Worldwide Services will provide maintenance.

 

Verizon Wireless announced this week that it tapped Lucent Technologies to deploy the company's CDMA2000 1xEV-DO Revision A (Rev. A) technology into its nationwide network. Lucent's Rev. A system, consisting of incremental hardware and software upgrades to Verizon Wireless' existing Lucent-supplied base stations, will enable Verizon Wireless to introduce a set of new services such as enhanced push-to-talk, messaging, and VoIP.

 

Verizon Business also made news this week when it introduced the Verizon Business Managed Wireless LAN (WLAN) Service, a new managed service to enable large corporate and government customers to use wireless technology to extend the reach of local area networks (LANs) within office buildings, factories and other locations.

 

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's columnist page.