VoIP Week in Review from TMCnet

By Johanne Torres

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

This week, the VoIP Minute Watch brought you news from GIPS, Skype (News - Alert), Verizon (News - Alert), 8x8, Vonage, Covad (News - Alert) and Global Crossing.

 

Voice processing technology provider Global IP Sound (GIPS) announced on Monday that it extended its partnership with Skype to enable hardware manufacturers to offer Skype-compatible IP phones. The new hardware systems will use GIPS' Voice Engine Embedded. Skype has licensed GIPS products in the past including VoiceEngine PC in the summer of 2003.

 

Verizon Business introduced on Tuesday a set of new IP-based capabilities for its contact center services and VoIP suite to help businesses integrate VoIP features into customer-service operations. The new capabilities are IP Tollfree Service, IP IVR (an interactive voice- response system for contact center services) and new IP Trunking options, all featuring interoperability with Avaya (News - Alert) enterprise communications software.

 

Also on Tuesday, voice and video over IP service provider 8x8 introduced a new annual residential VoIP service plan priced at $199. Dubbed the Freedom Annual plan, the service offers unlimited U.S. and Canada calling, Packet8's advanced calling features and a free Packet8-enabled 5.8 GHz Uniden Cordless Phone System. The phone's retail price is $79.99 and the offer includes an $80 rebate.

 

VoIP-based calling services provider Vonage and networking technology manufacturer D-Link launched on Wednesday the VWR, a Wireless-B/G Broadband Router with 2 phone ports bundled with Vonage's service. The new device is currently available online for $59.99, after a $40 instant rebate.

 

D-Link VWR is four devices in a box. It includes a Wireless-B/G Access Point; a built-in 4-port switch to connect wired Ethernet devices; a router function so the entire network can securely share a single cable or DSL Internet connection, and two standard telephone jacks, allowing for multiple phone lines. Bundled with Vonage's Internet telephony service, it offers customers the hardware and all needed to begin talking.

 

The news followed Vonage's announcement on Monday about it having over 85 percent of its subscriber lines in the U.S. currently equipped with Enhanced 911 (E911), a feature that associates a physical address with the calling party's telephone number automatically. The service provider has since turned on E911 at more than 500 locally-run emergency call centers across the U.S., bringing the total number of calling centers with emergency 911 to over 5400.

 

Voice and data communications provider Covad Communications announced Thursday it struck a deal with Venture Group Enterprises (VGE), a telecom marketing agency. The partnership will enable VGE's network of distribution partners to sell Covad's VoIP and broadband systems to small businesses.

 

"Covad's partnership validates the solid channels we provide. Covad now has access to more than 300 master agents and more than 6000 sales agents through VGE," said VGE's president Doug Turpin in a statement. "Covad's national network, portfolio of business-class voice and data solutions, professional, technical and sales expertise, and singular focus on the small business customer all combine to make Covad a leader in the industry."

 

Global Crossing's subsidiary GC Acquisitions UK Limited ("GC Acquisitions UK") announced Friday that it made a cash offer to acquire all of the issued and to-be-issued shares of telecom network provider Fibernet Group, which are valued at approximately $96.1 million.

 

According to the company's news release, Fibernet shareholders would receive approximately $1.48 per share in cash at closing of the transaction if the offer is accepted. "The directors' shares combined with the institutional shares represent approximately 39 percent of Fibernet's outstanding shares," noted the release.

 

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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