TransNexus, Inc. has released NexOSS version 3.2 which offers powerful automated Least Cost and Grade of Service Routing features. The new release enables VoIP carriers to quickly and easily build new wholesale VoIP products from hundreds of interconnect partners. By using both rates and Grade of Service parameters, service providers can create different products for VoIP peering, interconnect and SIP trunking which are based on both cost and quality parameters.
NexOSS also simplifies the provisioning of rates from different carriers. NexOSS can accept rate plans quoted in any format -- by NPA-NXX, by LATA and OCN, by LATA and Tiers or any other format. NexOSS uses the Telcordia LERG to normalize complex rate plans into a simple routing table with eight digit routing, or more, to ensure the best routing destination for every call.
Another unique feature of NexOSS is the ability to utilize the cost savings of Extended Local Calling (ELC) areas which are increasing offered by carriers. By optimizing Least Cost Routing for inter-state, intra-state and ELCs offered by multiple carriers, TransNexus customers often reduce their PSTN terminations fees by 25% or more.
Unlike other Least Cost Routing solutions, the TransNexus solution does not export a proprietary routing table to the service provider's softswitch or session border controller. Instead, the service provider's softswitch or session border controller queries the high performance TransNexus route server through a HTTP/XML interface using standard OSP messages. The function of the TransNexus route service is similar to the function of a Service Control Point (SCP) in an SS7 network and enables scaling of very large routing tables that are not limited by softswitch or session border controller hardware.
TransNexus will be exhibiting in Digium-Asterisk World at the VON conference in Boston, on October 30-31, 2007. Visitors to the TransNexus booth at VON can register for a free, in-depth Least Cost Routing analysis of their VoIP network. Let TransNexus identify hidden profits in your VoIP business with this risk free offer.
About TransNexus
TransNexus has been an innovator of commercial and open source VoIP Operations and Billing Support Systems (OSS/BSS) since 1997. Key features include Least Cost Routing, Grade of Service Routing, secure inter-domain peering, traffic analysis and control, multi-currency settlement, hourly profit reports and wholesale billing. New revenues from wholesale services such as VoIP interconnect, VoIP peering and SIP trunking combined with lower cost back-office operations provide service providers with an immediate increase in profits.
Saturday, October 27, 2007
VoIP service vulnerable to hack attacks
Internet phone service from Vonage Holdings is vulnerable to attacks by hackers, who are able to intercept calls to the company's subscribers, a security firm said on Wednesday.
Sipera Systems of Richardson, Texas, said it had informed Vonage of the problem more than a month ago, but the company had not responded to the warning.
Vonage spokesman Charles Sahner declined comment.
REUTERS
Sipera Systems of Richardson, Texas, said it had informed Vonage of the problem more than a month ago, but the company had not responded to the warning.
Vonage spokesman Charles Sahner declined comment.
REUTERS
Nortel Cable VoIP Solution Enables Videotron to Deliver New Videocalling Service
New Soft Phone Services Allow Users Unparalleled Communications Flexibility.
Nortel(1) announces that Videotron, a Quebec communications services operator providing telephony, Internet access, television and wireless services to residential and business customers, is now offering customers the ability to communicate anywhere, over any device with one of the first deployments of a new Soft Phone service that provides videocalling and customizable VoIP call routing functions with a new cable solution.
With its new Soft Phone and Personal Call Manager Services, Videotron is now able to provide customers the capability to make and receive multiple calls from a computer, as well as control and redirect incoming calls. With Personal Call Manager, customers take control of their communications with advanced call routing functions like simultaneously ringing to up to three devices, screening calls based on Caller ID and programmable Do Not Disturb periods. A Nortel product customized to Videotron's requirements, the Soft Phone features videotelephony, that enables users to communicate via a high-quality video link that presents streaming imagery smoothly, without the jerky quality normally associated with Internet video.
"The ability to set up high-quality and reliable videocalling is a powerful new way to communicate that allows people be understood more effectively," said Videotron's Senior Vice President of Engineering, Daniel Proulx. "In addition, being able to centralize communications with the Personal Call Manager is like having your own personal assistant to route your calls to you regardless of which device you are using. This solution allows us to deliver great value to our customers, providing communications of the future to subscribers today."
"As one of the first companies to offer videocalling with assured quality and the unparalleled ability to control how one communicates, Videotron is establishing itself as a pioneer in the communications field. Nortel's solution provides competitive differentiation for Videotron with an array of options for their customers that simplify the complexities of today's communications," said Tom Buttermore, general manager, Cable Solutions, Nortel. "Nortel's cable solutions are designed to be deployed easily, allowing our customers to start offering revenue- generating services quickly. And we back these solutions with a full complement of application and support services from our Global Services portfolio."
In addition to videocalling, Videotron offers customers greater control of their communications. Using the Personal Call Manager, Videotron customers can configure their telephone to meet their communication needs. For example, customers can combine their cell phone, home number, and work phone into a one-number service allowing them to choose when and where calls are received. Also, people can simultaneously direct calls to the device of their choice, be it a Soft Phone, mobile phone, business phone, home phone or voicemail. The service can also be accessed from any device connected to the Internet, offering the customer the ability to initiate calls from anywhere in the world.
Videotron is able to ensure the quality of video and VoIP through implementation of very strong Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities that preserve the integrity of the data stream. Defined by a standard known as PacketCable MultiMedia (PCMM), the QoS protocol is designed specifically to enable cable companies to offer a higher quality multimedia service over their networks. While ordinary traffic traverses the Internet in a best-effort fashion, Nortel and Camiant(2), the industry leading policy-control solution provider, have teamed up to ensure that Videotron's videocalling traffic is guaranteed the bandwidth to provide a high quality customer experience.
The solution is based on Nortel's leading Communications Server 2000, a carrier-class IP Multimedia softswitch with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) capabilities that enable fixed mobile convergence (FMC), advanced web services and Unified Communications (UC). According to Dell' Oro Group, Nortel is the worldwide leader in Carrier VoIP and has been for five years running (2002-2006).The Soft Phone is using the Multimedia PC Client a fully customizable SIP-based software solution.
Nortel also provided engineering, installation, project management and application services from the Nortel Global Services portfolio. This included customization of the Soft Phone client and Personal Call Manager with Videotron's branding, preferred 'look and feel,' and select functionality best suited to the Company's target audience. In addition, Nortel is providing on- going network maintenance services.
Nortel Cable Solutions deliver the infrastructure required for Multi Service Operators to support next-generation services quickly and simply.
About Videotron
Videotron Ltd. (www.videotron.com(2)), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access services, cable telephony and wireless telephone service. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico interactive television system and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of September 24, 2007, Videotron was serving 1,614,000 cable television customers in Quebec, including 717,000 illico subscribers. Videotron is the Quebec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 896,000 subscribers to its cable modem service as of September 24, 2007. As of that date, Videotron had activated 38,000 phones on its wireless telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to more than 570,000 Quebec households and organizations.
About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel. com/news.
Certain statements in this press release may contain words such as "could", "expects", "may", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "targets", "envisions", "seeks" and other similar language and are considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on Nortel's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which Nortel operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and the actual outcome may be materially different from those contemplated in forward-looking statements. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see Nortel's Annual Report on Form10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
(1)Nortel, the Nortel logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks.
(2)This is a 3rd party link as described in our Web linking practices.
Contact:
Contacts:
Nortel
Pat Cooper
(425) 450-7523
Email: pat.cooper@nortel.com
Website: http://www.nortel.com
Source: Nortel
Nortel(1) announces that Videotron, a Quebec communications services operator providing telephony, Internet access, television and wireless services to residential and business customers, is now offering customers the ability to communicate anywhere, over any device with one of the first deployments of a new Soft Phone service that provides videocalling and customizable VoIP call routing functions with a new cable solution.
With its new Soft Phone and Personal Call Manager Services, Videotron is now able to provide customers the capability to make and receive multiple calls from a computer, as well as control and redirect incoming calls. With Personal Call Manager, customers take control of their communications with advanced call routing functions like simultaneously ringing to up to three devices, screening calls based on Caller ID and programmable Do Not Disturb periods. A Nortel product customized to Videotron's requirements, the Soft Phone features videotelephony, that enables users to communicate via a high-quality video link that presents streaming imagery smoothly, without the jerky quality normally associated with Internet video.
"The ability to set up high-quality and reliable videocalling is a powerful new way to communicate that allows people be understood more effectively," said Videotron's Senior Vice President of Engineering, Daniel Proulx. "In addition, being able to centralize communications with the Personal Call Manager is like having your own personal assistant to route your calls to you regardless of which device you are using. This solution allows us to deliver great value to our customers, providing communications of the future to subscribers today."
"As one of the first companies to offer videocalling with assured quality and the unparalleled ability to control how one communicates, Videotron is establishing itself as a pioneer in the communications field. Nortel's solution provides competitive differentiation for Videotron with an array of options for their customers that simplify the complexities of today's communications," said Tom Buttermore, general manager, Cable Solutions, Nortel. "Nortel's cable solutions are designed to be deployed easily, allowing our customers to start offering revenue- generating services quickly. And we back these solutions with a full complement of application and support services from our Global Services portfolio."
In addition to videocalling, Videotron offers customers greater control of their communications. Using the Personal Call Manager, Videotron customers can configure their telephone to meet their communication needs. For example, customers can combine their cell phone, home number, and work phone into a one-number service allowing them to choose when and where calls are received. Also, people can simultaneously direct calls to the device of their choice, be it a Soft Phone, mobile phone, business phone, home phone or voicemail. The service can also be accessed from any device connected to the Internet, offering the customer the ability to initiate calls from anywhere in the world.
Videotron is able to ensure the quality of video and VoIP through implementation of very strong Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities that preserve the integrity of the data stream. Defined by a standard known as PacketCable MultiMedia (PCMM), the QoS protocol is designed specifically to enable cable companies to offer a higher quality multimedia service over their networks. While ordinary traffic traverses the Internet in a best-effort fashion, Nortel and Camiant(2), the industry leading policy-control solution provider, have teamed up to ensure that Videotron's videocalling traffic is guaranteed the bandwidth to provide a high quality customer experience.
The solution is based on Nortel's leading Communications Server 2000, a carrier-class IP Multimedia softswitch with Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) capabilities that enable fixed mobile convergence (FMC), advanced web services and Unified Communications (UC). According to Dell' Oro Group, Nortel is the worldwide leader in Carrier VoIP and has been for five years running (2002-2006).The Soft Phone is using the Multimedia PC Client a fully customizable SIP-based software solution.
Nortel also provided engineering, installation, project management and application services from the Nortel Global Services portfolio. This included customization of the Soft Phone client and Personal Call Manager with Videotron's branding, preferred 'look and feel,' and select functionality best suited to the Company's target audience. In addition, Nortel is providing on- going network maintenance services.
Nortel Cable Solutions deliver the infrastructure required for Multi Service Operators to support next-generation services quickly and simply.
About Videotron
Videotron Ltd. (www.videotron.com(2)), a wholly owned subsidiary of Quebecor Media Inc., is an integrated communications company engaged in cable television, interactive multimedia development, Internet access services, cable telephony and wireless telephone service. Videotron is a leader in new technologies with its illico interactive television system and its broadband network, which supports high-speed cable Internet access, analog and digital cable television, and other services. As of September 24, 2007, Videotron was serving 1,614,000 cable television customers in Quebec, including 717,000 illico subscribers. Videotron is the Quebec leader in high-speed Internet access, with 896,000 subscribers to its cable modem service as of September 24, 2007. As of that date, Videotron had activated 38,000 phones on its wireless telephone service and was providing cable telephone service to more than 570,000 Quebec households and organizations.
About Nortel
Nortel is a recognized leader in delivering communications capabilities that make the promise of Business Made Simple a reality for our customers. Our next-generation technologies, for both service provider and enterprise networks, support multimedia and business-critical applications. Nortel's technologies are designed to help eliminate today's barriers to efficiency, speed and performance by simplifying networks and connecting people to the information they need, when they need it. Nortel does business in more than 150 countries around the world. For more information, visit Nortel on the Web at www.nortel.com. For the latest Nortel news, visit www.nortel. com/news.
Certain statements in this press release may contain words such as "could", "expects", "may", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "targets", "envisions", "seeks" and other similar language and are considered forward-looking statements or information under applicable securities legislation. These statements are based on Nortel's current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the operating environment, economies and markets in which Nortel operates. These statements are subject to important assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict and the actual outcome may be materially different from those contemplated in forward-looking statements. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, see Nortel's Annual Report on Form10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other securities filings with the SEC. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Nortel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
(1)Nortel, the Nortel logo and the Globemark are trademarks of Nortel Networks.
(2)This is a 3rd party link as described in our Web linking practices.
Contact:
Contacts:
Nortel
Pat Cooper
(425) 450-7523
Email: pat.cooper@nortel.com
Website: http://www.nortel.com
Source: Nortel
Global Crossing Expands VoIP Local Service to 16 Mexico Markets, Nearly 400 More U.S. Cities
Global Crossing , a leading global IP solutions provider, today announced it has once again broadened the scope and reach of its Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services for customers around the world by extending its Global Crossing VoIP Local Service(TM) to 16 major metropolitan cities in Mexico and nearly 400 additional cities in the United States. The addition of Mexico brings to 21 the total number of countries worldwide where the service is offered. In the U.S., the company expanded availability of VoIP Local Service to nearly 400 additional cities, including Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, and Tucson, bringing that total to more than 1,400 nationwide.
Initially, Global Crossing will be serving 16 metropolitan markets in Mexico with VoIP Local Service, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, Leon and Monterrey. Global Crossing VoIP Local Service also is available in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. A complementary offer, Global Crossing VoIP Outbound(TM), is available from 29 countries around the world and provides the consistency customers require from global services.
"Mexico is an important growth market for Global Crossing, and customers are clamoring for convenient, feature-rich local VoIP services," said Al DiGabriele, vice president of network applications services. "Global Crossing continues to expand the reach of this critical capability into key markets across the world. We'll continue to use our secure, reliable global IP network to support multinational customers -- and the carriers that serve them -- in need of these essential business applications."
"The geographic expansion of Global Crossing VoIP Local Service in the U.S. and Mexico further demonstrates Global Crossing's strong position as a global VoIP provider to both the carrier and enterprise market," stated Will Stofega, senior analyst at IDC. "We're still at the tip of the iceberg with the uptake of VoIP services in this market of projected double-digit growth."
IDC estimates 63 percent growth from 2005 to 2011 in IP trunking services in the U.S. market, which is indicative of the significant growth opportunities across the various categories of carrier and enterprise VoIP services.
Global Crossing VoIP Local Service is an inbound local service that provides nationwide Direct Inward Dialing/Direct Dial Inward functionality through a single IP interconnection. The service lets customers originate traffic on the public switched telephone network in different countries. Traffic is then converted to VoIP on Global Crossing's network and delivered to the customer's IP network. VoIP Local Service also can eliminate traditional time division multiplexing, private line and foreign exchange service fees by providing a single IP connection to serve multiple markets.
Global Crossing's global, fully meshed MPLS-based network ensures that VoIP calls are delivered with minimal latency, packet loss and jitter -- a consistent and predictable call quality not possible with voice services based on public Internet transport. More than 1.3 billion IP interconnected minutes per quarter are processed on Global Crossing's voice backbone network, or VoIP core. This represents a 73 percent year-over-year increase from the third quarter of 2006 to the same period in 2007. IP interconnected minutes now represent 21 percent of total minutes on Global Crossing's VoIP backbone.
ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING
Global Crossing (Nasdaq: GLBC - News) provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 390 cities in more than 30 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 600 cities in more than 60 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.
Global Crossing IP services are global in scale, linking the world's enterprises, governments and carriers with customers, employees and partners worldwide in a secure environment that is ideally suited for IP-based business applications, allowing e-commerce to thrive. The company offers a full range of data, voice and security products to approximately 40 percent of the Fortune 500, as well as 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs. Its Professional Services and Managed Solutions provide VoIP, security and network consulting and management services to support its Global Crossing IP VPN service and Global Crossing VoIP services. Global Crossing was the first -- and remains the only -- global communications provider with IPv6 natively deployed in both its private and public backbone networks.
Please visit www.globalcrossing.com or blogs.globalcrossing.com/ for more information about Global Crossing.
Statements in this press release about expected future events and financial results are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including risks referenced from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING:
Press Contacts
Kate Rankin
+ 1 973 937 0417
PR@globalcrossing.com
Fernanda Marques
Latin America
+ 55 11 3957 2042
LatAmPR@globalcrossing.com
Jo Graves
Europe
+ 44 (0) 1256 732378
EuropePR@globalcrossing.com
Analysts/Investors Contact
Suzanne Lipton
+ 1 800 836 0342
glbc@globalcrossing.com
GEN/PR1
Source: Global Crossing
Initially, Global Crossing will be serving 16 metropolitan markets in Mexico with VoIP Local Service, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla, Leon and Monterrey. Global Crossing VoIP Local Service also is available in Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States. A complementary offer, Global Crossing VoIP Outbound(TM), is available from 29 countries around the world and provides the consistency customers require from global services.
"Mexico is an important growth market for Global Crossing, and customers are clamoring for convenient, feature-rich local VoIP services," said Al DiGabriele, vice president of network applications services. "Global Crossing continues to expand the reach of this critical capability into key markets across the world. We'll continue to use our secure, reliable global IP network to support multinational customers -- and the carriers that serve them -- in need of these essential business applications."
"The geographic expansion of Global Crossing VoIP Local Service in the U.S. and Mexico further demonstrates Global Crossing's strong position as a global VoIP provider to both the carrier and enterprise market," stated Will Stofega, senior analyst at IDC. "We're still at the tip of the iceberg with the uptake of VoIP services in this market of projected double-digit growth."
IDC estimates 63 percent growth from 2005 to 2011 in IP trunking services in the U.S. market, which is indicative of the significant growth opportunities across the various categories of carrier and enterprise VoIP services.
Global Crossing VoIP Local Service is an inbound local service that provides nationwide Direct Inward Dialing/Direct Dial Inward functionality through a single IP interconnection. The service lets customers originate traffic on the public switched telephone network in different countries. Traffic is then converted to VoIP on Global Crossing's network and delivered to the customer's IP network. VoIP Local Service also can eliminate traditional time division multiplexing, private line and foreign exchange service fees by providing a single IP connection to serve multiple markets.
Global Crossing's global, fully meshed MPLS-based network ensures that VoIP calls are delivered with minimal latency, packet loss and jitter -- a consistent and predictable call quality not possible with voice services based on public Internet transport. More than 1.3 billion IP interconnected minutes per quarter are processed on Global Crossing's voice backbone network, or VoIP core. This represents a 73 percent year-over-year increase from the third quarter of 2006 to the same period in 2007. IP interconnected minutes now represent 21 percent of total minutes on Global Crossing's VoIP backbone.
ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING
Global Crossing (Nasdaq: GLBC - News) provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 390 cities in more than 30 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 600 cities in more than 60 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.
Global Crossing IP services are global in scale, linking the world's enterprises, governments and carriers with customers, employees and partners worldwide in a secure environment that is ideally suited for IP-based business applications, allowing e-commerce to thrive. The company offers a full range of data, voice and security products to approximately 40 percent of the Fortune 500, as well as 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs. Its Professional Services and Managed Solutions provide VoIP, security and network consulting and management services to support its Global Crossing IP VPN service and Global Crossing VoIP services. Global Crossing was the first -- and remains the only -- global communications provider with IPv6 natively deployed in both its private and public backbone networks.
Please visit www.globalcrossing.com or blogs.globalcrossing.com/ for more information about Global Crossing.
Statements in this press release about expected future events and financial results are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including risks referenced from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.
CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING:
Press Contacts
Kate Rankin
+ 1 973 937 0417
PR@globalcrossing.com
Fernanda Marques
Latin America
+ 55 11 3957 2042
LatAmPR@globalcrossing.com
Jo Graves
Europe
+ 44 (0) 1256 732378
EuropePR@globalcrossing.com
Analysts/Investors Contact
Suzanne Lipton
+ 1 800 836 0342
glbc@globalcrossing.com
GEN/PR1
Source: Global Crossing
World Phone intros post-paid VoIP plans in India
World Phone Internet Services Pvt. Ltd, Internet services provider, has launched post-paid VoIP plans for the first time in the country.
Aditya Ahluwalia, chairman, World Phone, said, "World Phone has been the preferred internet telephony services provider for many a corporate customers in India for over five years now. We, once again, intend to make an offer to those companies that are contemplating on cutting down their communications expenses."
These monthly plans are targeted towards Indian companies enabling them to make calls to the USA, UK, Australia and Canada. The plans are available at Rs 995 onwards, at less than 50 paisa per minute.
World Phone's new service will allow consumers to connect to their business contacts in USA, UK, Canada, Australia and many more countries for an affordable fixed monthly subscription on a post-paid format without using a computer.
Subscribers will get a World Phone VoIP adapter with an international virtual number, which if directly
Aditya Ahluwalia, chairman, World Phone, said, "World Phone has been the preferred internet telephony services provider for many a corporate customers in India for over five years now. We, once again, intend to make an offer to those companies that are contemplating on cutting down their communications expenses."
These monthly plans are targeted towards Indian companies enabling them to make calls to the USA, UK, Australia and Canada. The plans are available at Rs 995 onwards, at less than 50 paisa per minute.
World Phone's new service will allow consumers to connect to their business contacts in USA, UK, Canada, Australia and many more countries for an affordable fixed monthly subscription on a post-paid format without using a computer.
Subscribers will get a World Phone VoIP adapter with an international virtual number, which if directly
Book Excerpt: Securing VoIP Networks
In this book excerpt, the authors describe how to intrusion detection can help you handle VoIP issues.
Intrusion Detection and VoIP
Although intrusion detection techniques and products have matured during the last decade, the evolution of Internet multimedia applications, such as VoIP, has introduced a new opportunity for research in intrusion detection. There are two categories of intrusion detection systems (IDSs): signature based and anomaly based. Signature-based IDSs identify malicious activity by inspecting individual packets and matching a pattern to a known signature. Anomaly-based IDSs identify attacks by analyzing aggregate streams of network traffic and performing pattern matching based on predefined traffic heuristics (for example, if activity occurs within normal or abnormal parameters). Both approaches have strengths and weaknesses, but they are effective when used appropriately. One fundamental limitation of current IDS techniques is the orthogonal approach for inspecting and correlating network traffic to identify malicious activity. For example, a typical IDS system is configured to look for specific properties in a protocol (for example, UDP, TCP, HTTP) that match certain rules. In addition, the inspection can be extended to a specific application and analyze the contents of an application message (for example, Web application queries, SQL queries).
VoIP communications use a combination of protocols to relay signaling messages, and they can use dynamically allocated ports. In addition, different routes can be used for signaling or media traffic. These properties introduce challenges to the existing IDS systems. Although they can detect some of the VoIP-related attacks using current techniques, they cannot yet detect attacks such as call or session hijacking, call-flow manipulation, or media manipulation. For example, the Snort IDS uses signature-based techniques to detect malicious activity associated with SIP signaling (see Listing 8.1). These rules include detection for attacks such as SIP signaling flooding, port scanning against SIP ports, SYN floods, and others.
The IDS needs to be able to detect the following:
* DoS; through application resource exhaustion (for example, attacks against the signaling or key management protocols)
* Masquerading of signaling and media messages
* Detection of malformed messages
* Call-flow manipulation attacks (for example, message reordering, insertion, deletion)
* Access control and authorization attacks (for example, authentication replay attacks, application functionality violation attacks, bid-down attacks)
* Fraud
Therefore, in addition to using some of the existing IDS techniques, new methods need to be developed to identify attacks associated with Internet multimedia applications.
Event correlation is one technique that can be used in VoIP to aggregate events from multiple agents that reside on VoIP network elements, including phones, SIP proxies, gateways, and SBCs. Event correlation techniques rely on the characteristics of the network and transport layer, which is insufficient. Instead, correlation techniques need to be developed to incorporate characteristics from the protocols used to support multimedia applications. One research effort that attempts to address this issue is SpaceDive, in which a hierarchical approach to event correlation is used. 4
Another approach is based on protocol state machines. 5 This approach inspects the state transitions associated with the protocol state machines rather than the properties associated with the protocols and network traffic. The protocol state machine is developed from the protocol specification in which state and transition are clearly defined. Because VoIP communications are depended on protocol state transitions, any deviation from normal communication patterns can be flagged and analyzed for malicious activity.
Although these techniques are promising and help establish the direction, additional attention should be given to expedite research and product development to meet the forthcoming demand.
Intrusion Detection and VoIP
Although intrusion detection techniques and products have matured during the last decade, the evolution of Internet multimedia applications, such as VoIP, has introduced a new opportunity for research in intrusion detection. There are two categories of intrusion detection systems (IDSs): signature based and anomaly based. Signature-based IDSs identify malicious activity by inspecting individual packets and matching a pattern to a known signature. Anomaly-based IDSs identify attacks by analyzing aggregate streams of network traffic and performing pattern matching based on predefined traffic heuristics (for example, if activity occurs within normal or abnormal parameters). Both approaches have strengths and weaknesses, but they are effective when used appropriately. One fundamental limitation of current IDS techniques is the orthogonal approach for inspecting and correlating network traffic to identify malicious activity. For example, a typical IDS system is configured to look for specific properties in a protocol (for example, UDP, TCP, HTTP) that match certain rules. In addition, the inspection can be extended to a specific application and analyze the contents of an application message (for example, Web application queries, SQL queries).
VoIP communications use a combination of protocols to relay signaling messages, and they can use dynamically allocated ports. In addition, different routes can be used for signaling or media traffic. These properties introduce challenges to the existing IDS systems. Although they can detect some of the VoIP-related attacks using current techniques, they cannot yet detect attacks such as call or session hijacking, call-flow manipulation, or media manipulation. For example, the Snort IDS uses signature-based techniques to detect malicious activity associated with SIP signaling (see Listing 8.1). These rules include detection for attacks such as SIP signaling flooding, port scanning against SIP ports, SYN floods, and others.
The IDS needs to be able to detect the following:
* DoS; through application resource exhaustion (for example, attacks against the signaling or key management protocols)
* Masquerading of signaling and media messages
* Detection of malformed messages
* Call-flow manipulation attacks (for example, message reordering, insertion, deletion)
* Access control and authorization attacks (for example, authentication replay attacks, application functionality violation attacks, bid-down attacks)
* Fraud
Therefore, in addition to using some of the existing IDS techniques, new methods need to be developed to identify attacks associated with Internet multimedia applications.
Event correlation is one technique that can be used in VoIP to aggregate events from multiple agents that reside on VoIP network elements, including phones, SIP proxies, gateways, and SBCs. Event correlation techniques rely on the characteristics of the network and transport layer, which is insufficient. Instead, correlation techniques need to be developed to incorporate characteristics from the protocols used to support multimedia applications. One research effort that attempts to address this issue is SpaceDive, in which a hierarchical approach to event correlation is used. 4
Another approach is based on protocol state machines. 5 This approach inspects the state transitions associated with the protocol state machines rather than the properties associated with the protocols and network traffic. The protocol state machine is developed from the protocol specification in which state and transition are clearly defined. Because VoIP communications are depended on protocol state transitions, any deviation from normal communication patterns can be flagged and analyzed for malicious activity.
Although these techniques are promising and help establish the direction, additional attention should be given to expedite research and product development to meet the forthcoming demand.
3 UK brings VoIP to cheapskates
3 UK has admitted that it's working on a Skype phone to bring VoIP connectivity to more of its mobile customers.
While the mobile operator would confirm the phone's existence, exact details are scarce, though industry rumours suggest the handset will be launched Monday and available in-store by Thursday.
The phone will be available on a £12 a month contract as well as pay as you go, and will feature a 2MB camera and MP3 player as well as video playback.
3 has been offering Skype for a while, on its X-Series range, but rather cleverly the connection isn't really end-to-end VoIP. The connection from the phone handset to 3 is over normal cellular lines; circuit-switched with guaranteed quality, it then switches to VoIP for the rest of the connection. This doesn't guarantee the quality of a Skype call, but it goes a long way to mitigating the problems of being mobile.
This also means the handset doesn't have to do all the complicated VoIP stuff - and this (we understand) is what 3 is planning to launch next week.
Sources close to the firms say calls to other Skype users will be free, though it's unlikely 3 will allow SkypeOut minutes to be used.
The full details are to be announced Monday, and today neither 3 nor Skype would confirm the finer points of the package.
While the mobile operator would confirm the phone's existence, exact details are scarce, though industry rumours suggest the handset will be launched Monday and available in-store by Thursday.
The phone will be available on a £12 a month contract as well as pay as you go, and will feature a 2MB camera and MP3 player as well as video playback.
3 has been offering Skype for a while, on its X-Series range, but rather cleverly the connection isn't really end-to-end VoIP. The connection from the phone handset to 3 is over normal cellular lines; circuit-switched with guaranteed quality, it then switches to VoIP for the rest of the connection. This doesn't guarantee the quality of a Skype call, but it goes a long way to mitigating the problems of being mobile.
This also means the handset doesn't have to do all the complicated VoIP stuff - and this (we understand) is what 3 is planning to launch next week.
Sources close to the firms say calls to other Skype users will be free, though it's unlikely 3 will allow SkypeOut minutes to be used.
The full details are to be announced Monday, and today neither 3 nor Skype would confirm the finer points of the package.
Travelers leave cell phones behind
Travelers want to go green and stay clean in the next year -- and they don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, according to an annual survey of travel trends.
TripAdvisor, a travel Web site, surveyed more than 2,500 travelers globally, finding the top trends were concerns about germs, the growth of green tourism, and opposition to cell phone use on planes.
It also found emerging hotspots for vacations in 2008 were Jerba in Tunisia, Makandi Bay in Egypt and Phangnga in Thailand.
"The major trends we're observing are that travelers value cleanliness above all else and are becoming more environmentally conscious," Michele Perry, spokeswoman for TripAdvisor, said in a statement.
The survey found 80 percent of respondents were concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling.
Airplanes were deemed the most germy, according to 28 percent of those polled, with public transportation next, followed by restaurants, hotels, and airports.
In keeping with the germaphobia, 55 percent of travelers said they tend to wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling with 27 percent of Americans -- up from 22 percent in 2005 -- taking disinfectant, cleaning supplies, shower shoes, pillows, towels or linens, when going on a trip.
Nearly half -- or 45 percent -- of travelers said their worst experience at a hotel was a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets but 17 percent said they encountered vermin.
Travelers are going greener, with 26 percent planning to be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in the coming year, with plans ranging from biking to hiking.
They clearly don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, with 78 percent of travelers believing that mobile phones should not be allowed on flights.
The survey found that 53 percent of travelers said it takes less than a day to unwind on vacation while 35 percent take 1-2 days to relax.
Travelers will average about three vacations in the coming year with beaches getting hotter as 64 percent plan to vacation at a sandy spot this year, compared to 59 percent last year.
Using a system that looks at various criteria such as search activity and postings, TripAdvisor predicts the rising stars in travel.
It said the top three emerging world hotspots for travel are Jerba, Tunisia, Makandi Bay, Egypt and Phangnga, Thailand.
Rounding out the top 10 are Kovalam in India, Sabaudai in Italy, Asilah in Morocco, Ko Phangan in Thailand, La Plagne in France, Yangshuo in China, and Kotor, Montenegro.
TripAdvisor, a travel Web site, surveyed more than 2,500 travelers globally, finding the top trends were concerns about germs, the growth of green tourism, and opposition to cell phone use on planes.
It also found emerging hotspots for vacations in 2008 were Jerba in Tunisia, Makandi Bay in Egypt and Phangnga in Thailand.
"The major trends we're observing are that travelers value cleanliness above all else and are becoming more environmentally conscious," Michele Perry, spokeswoman for TripAdvisor, said in a statement.
The survey found 80 percent of respondents were concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling.
Airplanes were deemed the most germy, according to 28 percent of those polled, with public transportation next, followed by restaurants, hotels, and airports.
In keeping with the germaphobia, 55 percent of travelers said they tend to wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling with 27 percent of Americans -- up from 22 percent in 2005 -- taking disinfectant, cleaning supplies, shower shoes, pillows, towels or linens, when going on a trip.
Nearly half -- or 45 percent -- of travelers said their worst experience at a hotel was a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets but 17 percent said they encountered vermin.
Travelers are going greener, with 26 percent planning to be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in the coming year, with plans ranging from biking to hiking.
They clearly don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, with 78 percent of travelers believing that mobile phones should not be allowed on flights.
The survey found that 53 percent of travelers said it takes less than a day to unwind on vacation while 35 percent take 1-2 days to relax.
Travelers will average about three vacations in the coming year with beaches getting hotter as 64 percent plan to vacation at a sandy spot this year, compared to 59 percent last year.
Using a system that looks at various criteria such as search activity and postings, TripAdvisor predicts the rising stars in travel.
It said the top three emerging world hotspots for travel are Jerba, Tunisia, Makandi Bay, Egypt and Phangnga, Thailand.
Rounding out the top 10 are Kovalam in India, Sabaudai in Italy, Asilah in Morocco, Ko Phangan in Thailand, La Plagne in France, Yangshuo in China, and Kotor, Montenegro.
Ailing Motorola Phone Unit Shows Signs of Progress
Motorola's mobile-phone business recorded a $138 million loss in the third quarter, with handset revenues declining by 36 percent to $4.5 billion in comparison with the year-earlier period. Nevertheless, Motorola executives remain upbeat about the ailing unit's prospects for returning to profitability, noting that substantial progress has been made during the quarter.
"The third quarter was about execution, doing what we said we were going to do," said Motorola CEO Ed Zander. "In mobile devices we began to move in the right direction: We increased unit sales and gross market percentage while lowering operating expenses."
Zander also said he was pleased with sales of Motorola's new Razr2 handset right out of the gate. "We sold 900,000 units in about 80 days," he noted.
Chasing Profitability, Not Share
Motorola, which said it shipped 37.2 million handsets in the quarter, failed to live up to the channel sell-in expectations of Gartner research director Carolina Milanesi, who had been "expecting Motorola to come in at around 39 million." However, Motorola's estimated 13 percent share of the global handset market precisely matched Milanesi's forecast.
Motorola's global market share has slipped by 5.5 percent so far this year, according to Gartner's own research. With respect to sales into the channel, the U.S. handset-maker remains far behind Samsung, which maintained its No. 2 position globally by moving 42.6 million handsets in the third quarter.
Zander told analysts that Motorola has no interest in chasing market share at the expense of profits. "Our strategy is profitable growth and product portfolio enhancement in parallel," Zander said. "As we do that -- and get the flow-through and leverage of the model as well as continue to expand the product portfolio into segments in which traditionally we have been limited in playing -- those two things in combination should allow us to grow market share over time."
When it comes to channel sell-through to end-users, the chasm separating Samsung and Motorola might not be nearly as wide as the channel sell-in numbers suggest. "Samsung might have built up a bit more inventory this quarter," as was the case in the first two quarters of this year, Milanesi noted.
By contrast, Motorola's channel inventory levels continued to improve, essentially returning "to levels that we would consider normal," noted Greg Brown, Motorola's chief operating officer. "And if you went back to March, I would say they were down substantially -- both in weeks and actual amount of units -- which would mean that our sell-through picked up," Brown explained.
Targeting the High-End
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Motorola executives noted that the global handset market remains strong. "From a demand perspective, obviously we see the industry growing by double digits," Zander said. "For the fourth quarter, we expect to see sequential improvements in both the top and bottom line for mobile devices," Brown added.
In emerging markets, Motorola expects to continue to compete with its current product lineup and intends to become considerably more aggressive as the company introduces low-cost solutions down the line. Zander referred to Motorola's intent to introduce "a richer experience multimedia phone" to target a market in which Motorola hasn't played historically.
"In the next year we expect to bring in the rich multimedia products that we need at the high end," Zander said. Motorola's recent deal to obtain a 50 percent interest in UIQ Technology, which develops open user interfaces for mobile phones, is a step in this direction, he said.
"The third quarter was about execution, doing what we said we were going to do," said Motorola CEO Ed Zander. "In mobile devices we began to move in the right direction: We increased unit sales and gross market percentage while lowering operating expenses."
Zander also said he was pleased with sales of Motorola's new Razr2 handset right out of the gate. "We sold 900,000 units in about 80 days," he noted.
Chasing Profitability, Not Share
Motorola, which said it shipped 37.2 million handsets in the quarter, failed to live up to the channel sell-in expectations of Gartner research director Carolina Milanesi, who had been "expecting Motorola to come in at around 39 million." However, Motorola's estimated 13 percent share of the global handset market precisely matched Milanesi's forecast.
Motorola's global market share has slipped by 5.5 percent so far this year, according to Gartner's own research. With respect to sales into the channel, the U.S. handset-maker remains far behind Samsung, which maintained its No. 2 position globally by moving 42.6 million handsets in the third quarter.
Zander told analysts that Motorola has no interest in chasing market share at the expense of profits. "Our strategy is profitable growth and product portfolio enhancement in parallel," Zander said. "As we do that -- and get the flow-through and leverage of the model as well as continue to expand the product portfolio into segments in which traditionally we have been limited in playing -- those two things in combination should allow us to grow market share over time."
When it comes to channel sell-through to end-users, the chasm separating Samsung and Motorola might not be nearly as wide as the channel sell-in numbers suggest. "Samsung might have built up a bit more inventory this quarter," as was the case in the first two quarters of this year, Milanesi noted.
By contrast, Motorola's channel inventory levels continued to improve, essentially returning "to levels that we would consider normal," noted Greg Brown, Motorola's chief operating officer. "And if you went back to March, I would say they were down substantially -- both in weeks and actual amount of units -- which would mean that our sell-through picked up," Brown explained.
Targeting the High-End
Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, Motorola executives noted that the global handset market remains strong. "From a demand perspective, obviously we see the industry growing by double digits," Zander said. "For the fourth quarter, we expect to see sequential improvements in both the top and bottom line for mobile devices," Brown added.
In emerging markets, Motorola expects to continue to compete with its current product lineup and intends to become considerably more aggressive as the company introduces low-cost solutions down the line. Zander referred to Motorola's intent to introduce "a richer experience multimedia phone" to target a market in which Motorola hasn't played historically.
"In the next year we expect to bring in the rich multimedia products that we need at the high end," Zander said. Motorola's recent deal to obtain a 50 percent interest in UIQ Technology, which develops open user interfaces for mobile phones, is a step in this direction, he said.
Phone Browser Software : Opera Link Syncs Mobile Browser to Desktop
Opera Software announced its latest innovation on Thursday -- Opera Link. The Norwegian company is promising its new technology will let users instantly access their bookmarks, Speed Dial, and personal bar wherever they are, whatever Opera browser they use, and whatever device they use it on.
"We refuse to believe people should compromise their experience when they access the Web from different devices," Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner said in a statement. "With Opera Link, we give them a consistent experience uniquely suited to the way they want to use the Web."
Opera Link forms a key cornerstone of two beta products released this week: Opera 9.5 and the newest beta of Opera Mini 4. There is also a Web interface for users of any browser at my.opera.com. The Opera Web remains free and is available for use with Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs.
Opera Link Praised
Wireless analysts are bullish on Opera's innovation. "The Web provides a key platform for mobilizing content across a wide range of devices, and Web browsers remain the primary portal to that content," said Tony Cripps, a senior analyst at Ovum. "Tighter functional integration between browsers running on different devices is a natural and important extension that will further benefit the user experience of the Web when away from the PC."
Although consumers can synchronize their mobile phone bookmarks to their desktop browser using one of many products available today -- including the built-in synchronization capabilities of most major mobile phone operating systems -- analysts said the Opera Link is a welcome addition.
"If you frequently visit some arcane URL, the last thing you want to do is try to type that in using the keypad on your mobile phone," said Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg. "Of course, it's not just about bookmarks. It's about bookmarks, text files, and other data that is an integral part of a consumer's digital life. This is the first step."
Opera's Continual Moves
Clearly, the market for mobile browsers is getting more crowded. Nokia is making strides with its mobile browser, and Mozilla recently announced plans to port Firefox to mobile phones. The open-source developer is planning to launch its mobile browser in 2008.
However, Opera is making inroads with leading smartphone operators and handset manufacturers, including Sony Ericsson, Motorola, HTC, KDDI, and Kyocera. Opera announced this week that its mobile browser will be shipped as the "PC Site Viewer" on seven new mobile phones on KDDI's featured 2007 autumn/winter series. KDDI is Japan's leading 3G operator.
"From Opera's perspective, this is a real key move," Gartenberg said. "Consumers create hundreds of bookmarks and links. No one wants to keep rebuilding that every single time they switch mobile devices."
Opera also announced that Opera Widgets will be shipped on Toshiba W56T, Sony Ericsson W54S, and Sanyo W54SA handsets from KDDI. Opera's Widget technology is designed to help users improve and personalize their browsing experience. This is the first time Opera Widgets have shipped on a mobile phone.
"We refuse to believe people should compromise their experience when they access the Web from different devices," Opera CEO Jon von Tetzchner said in a statement. "With Opera Link, we give them a consistent experience uniquely suited to the way they want to use the Web."
Opera Link forms a key cornerstone of two beta products released this week: Opera 9.5 and the newest beta of Opera Mini 4. There is also a Web interface for users of any browser at my.opera.com. The Opera Web remains free and is available for use with Windows, Mac, and Linux PCs.
Opera Link Praised
Wireless analysts are bullish on Opera's innovation. "The Web provides a key platform for mobilizing content across a wide range of devices, and Web browsers remain the primary portal to that content," said Tony Cripps, a senior analyst at Ovum. "Tighter functional integration between browsers running on different devices is a natural and important extension that will further benefit the user experience of the Web when away from the PC."
Although consumers can synchronize their mobile phone bookmarks to their desktop browser using one of many products available today -- including the built-in synchronization capabilities of most major mobile phone operating systems -- analysts said the Opera Link is a welcome addition.
"If you frequently visit some arcane URL, the last thing you want to do is try to type that in using the keypad on your mobile phone," said Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg. "Of course, it's not just about bookmarks. It's about bookmarks, text files, and other data that is an integral part of a consumer's digital life. This is the first step."
Opera's Continual Moves
Clearly, the market for mobile browsers is getting more crowded. Nokia is making strides with its mobile browser, and Mozilla recently announced plans to port Firefox to mobile phones. The open-source developer is planning to launch its mobile browser in 2008.
However, Opera is making inroads with leading smartphone operators and handset manufacturers, including Sony Ericsson, Motorola, HTC, KDDI, and Kyocera. Opera announced this week that its mobile browser will be shipped as the "PC Site Viewer" on seven new mobile phones on KDDI's featured 2007 autumn/winter series. KDDI is Japan's leading 3G operator.
"From Opera's perspective, this is a real key move," Gartenberg said. "Consumers create hundreds of bookmarks and links. No one wants to keep rebuilding that every single time they switch mobile devices."
Opera also announced that Opera Widgets will be shipped on Toshiba W56T, Sony Ericsson W54S, and Sanyo W54SA handsets from KDDI. Opera's Widget technology is designed to help users improve and personalize their browsing experience. This is the first time Opera Widgets have shipped on a mobile phone.
Telecommunication 'War' : DoCoMo profits slip amid Japan's mobile war
Japan's largest mobile telephone operator, NTT DoCoMo Inc., said Friday its net profit fell by more than 20 percent in the first half of its business year amid a price war.
NTT DoCoMo, the pioneer of third-generation mobile phone services, slightly revised down its sales forecast for the full year as it intends to introduce new discount plans to entice customers.
The company, a unit of telecom giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., has been the big loser of Japan's introduction a year ago of "number portability," which lets customers switch carriers without changing numbers.
"Since the launch last year of number portability, our business environment has continued to be challenging," NTT DoCoMo president Masao Nakamura told a press conference.
In the first half to September, NTT DoCoMo said its net profit slipped 20.4 percent from a year earlier to 246.5 billion yen (2.16 billion dollars).
Operating profit slid 21 percent to 408.5 billion yen and revenue was down 2.4 percent at 2.3 trillion yen.
NTT DoCoMo said the year-on-year fall in operating earnings was mainly due to an accounting change, but that it forecast tough times ahead.
A recent survey showed that Softbank Corp., which bought the troubled Japanese operations of Britain's Vodafone last year, beat NTT DoCoMo and second-place KDDI Corp. in winning new subscribers for the fifth straight month in September.
NTT DoCoMo said it would introduce new discount plans for customers in the third quarter and also continue spending to boost infrastructure.
The company cut its revenue forecast for the full year by 1.3 percent to 4.67 trillion yen, which would represent a fall of some 2.5 percent from the previous financial year.
"The competition in the Japanese cellular phone market is expected to become increasingly fierce in the future," a company statement said.
NTT DoCoMo said it still expected its net profits for the year to increase by just over four percent to 476 billion yen and operating profit to inch up 0.8 percent to 780 billion yen.
Total operating costs rose 2.7 percent in the first half as NTT DoCoMo spent more on marketing and infrastructure.
But even as it tried to bring more customers to its third-generation service, the company said it suffered another slip in the most recent quarter in the amount of revenue generated by each subscriber.
NTT DoCoMo, the pioneer of third-generation mobile phone services, slightly revised down its sales forecast for the full year as it intends to introduce new discount plans to entice customers.
The company, a unit of telecom giant Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp., has been the big loser of Japan's introduction a year ago of "number portability," which lets customers switch carriers without changing numbers.
"Since the launch last year of number portability, our business environment has continued to be challenging," NTT DoCoMo president Masao Nakamura told a press conference.
In the first half to September, NTT DoCoMo said its net profit slipped 20.4 percent from a year earlier to 246.5 billion yen (2.16 billion dollars).
Operating profit slid 21 percent to 408.5 billion yen and revenue was down 2.4 percent at 2.3 trillion yen.
NTT DoCoMo said the year-on-year fall in operating earnings was mainly due to an accounting change, but that it forecast tough times ahead.
A recent survey showed that Softbank Corp., which bought the troubled Japanese operations of Britain's Vodafone last year, beat NTT DoCoMo and second-place KDDI Corp. in winning new subscribers for the fifth straight month in September.
NTT DoCoMo said it would introduce new discount plans for customers in the third quarter and also continue spending to boost infrastructure.
The company cut its revenue forecast for the full year by 1.3 percent to 4.67 trillion yen, which would represent a fall of some 2.5 percent from the previous financial year.
"The competition in the Japanese cellular phone market is expected to become increasingly fierce in the future," a company statement said.
NTT DoCoMo said it still expected its net profits for the year to increase by just over four percent to 476 billion yen and operating profit to inch up 0.8 percent to 780 billion yen.
Total operating costs rose 2.7 percent in the first half as NTT DoCoMo spent more on marketing and infrastructure.
But even as it tried to bring more customers to its third-generation service, the company said it suffered another slip in the most recent quarter in the amount of revenue generated by each subscriber.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Vodafone CEO Eyes Growth In India, China And Even The U.S.
Arun Sarin's quest to overhaul Vodafone's wireless empire is far from over.
With Vodafone's U.S. stock up nearly 30% in 2007 and near six-year highs, though, Sarin and shareholders already have reaped rewards for what he's done so far.
Sarin, named chief executive in 2003 as Vodafone's business model faltered, has invested $28 billion to expand into emerging markets including India, Turkey and Africa. At the same time, he's exited slow-growth markets in Japan, Belgium and Switzerland.
The 52-year-old head of the U.K. wireless carrier also aims to make Vodafone a bigger player in China. And Sarin has hopes of growing Vodafone's business in the U.S., where it owns 45% of Verizon Wireless and where, he says, he would love to own all or some of the 55% held by Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News), if the opportunity arose.
Sarin's main strategy is to increase Vodafone's presence in countries that are driving regional economic growth and gain a majority stake in the right companies.
Vodafone has had minority shares of a sizable number of companies, and that has been its Achilles' heel, analysts say. But Sarin has hammered out deals that give Vodafone majority stakes in wireless firms in India, South Africa and Romania.
With Vodafone's U.S. stock up nearly 30% in 2007 and near six-year highs, though, Sarin and shareholders already have reaped rewards for what he's done so far.
Sarin, named chief executive in 2003 as Vodafone's business model faltered, has invested $28 billion to expand into emerging markets including India, Turkey and Africa. At the same time, he's exited slow-growth markets in Japan, Belgium and Switzerland.
The 52-year-old head of the U.K. wireless carrier also aims to make Vodafone a bigger player in China. And Sarin has hopes of growing Vodafone's business in the U.S., where it owns 45% of Verizon Wireless and where, he says, he would love to own all or some of the 55% held by Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News), if the opportunity arose.
Sarin's main strategy is to increase Vodafone's presence in countries that are driving regional economic growth and gain a majority stake in the right companies.
Vodafone has had minority shares of a sizable number of companies, and that has been its Achilles' heel, analysts say. But Sarin has hammered out deals that give Vodafone majority stakes in wireless firms in India, South Africa and Romania.
New Mobile Tarifs in Japan Telecommunication Service
As a mature market, Japan's mobile telecoms sector is no stranger to disruptive pricing. The entry of Softbank, which acquired Vodafone's domestic operations last year, helped dent the country's notoriously high calling charges. Now operators are preparing for a potentially bigger upset to pricing: one that would reverse Japan's traditional model of high tariffs and low handset costs.
The telecoms regulator is proposing the shift to improve transparency and eliminate the effective subsidy by long-term handset users of more fickle subscribers. Operators are taking pre-emptive action. KDDI Corp, the second biggest operator, is expected to unveil its new pricing model this week, with industry giant NTT DoCoMo (NYSE:DCM) following suit later in the year. According to local reports, the operators plan to slash calling charges by around 20-30 per cent.
Should shareholders head for the exits? Lower pricing plans typically hurt profitability. Recent discounts are expected to shave Y40bn and Y20bn off this year's revenues at, respectively, DoCoMo and KDDI. Both the dominant players' share prices are already well below peaks reached earlier in the year.
It is, however, too early to say how much damage will be wreaked. For one thing, higher handset charges will offset at least some of the lost revenues from calls. Handset subsidies typically absorb around a third of Japanese mobile operators' operating expenses, compared with under one-fifth in Europe, according to HSBC. In addition to reduced subsidies, operators will also have more incentive to reduce handset costs, for example through more standardised models. Better still, higher handset charges should help lock in more subscribers for longer periods - nearly one-fifth of all users now replace their handsets within two years. Buying patterns will also play a part: much will depend on what proportion of subscribers choose to switch payment plans. It would be jumping the gun to bail out of mobile operators now: the only glaring sell are Japan's long-suffering handset manufacturers.
The telecoms regulator is proposing the shift to improve transparency and eliminate the effective subsidy by long-term handset users of more fickle subscribers. Operators are taking pre-emptive action. KDDI Corp, the second biggest operator, is expected to unveil its new pricing model this week, with industry giant NTT DoCoMo (NYSE:DCM) following suit later in the year. According to local reports, the operators plan to slash calling charges by around 20-30 per cent.
Should shareholders head for the exits? Lower pricing plans typically hurt profitability. Recent discounts are expected to shave Y40bn and Y20bn off this year's revenues at, respectively, DoCoMo and KDDI. Both the dominant players' share prices are already well below peaks reached earlier in the year.
It is, however, too early to say how much damage will be wreaked. For one thing, higher handset charges will offset at least some of the lost revenues from calls. Handset subsidies typically absorb around a third of Japanese mobile operators' operating expenses, compared with under one-fifth in Europe, according to HSBC. In addition to reduced subsidies, operators will also have more incentive to reduce handset costs, for example through more standardised models. Better still, higher handset charges should help lock in more subscribers for longer periods - nearly one-fifth of all users now replace their handsets within two years. Buying patterns will also play a part: much will depend on what proportion of subscribers choose to switch payment plans. It would be jumping the gun to bail out of mobile operators now: the only glaring sell are Japan's long-suffering handset manufacturers.
Telular Continues to Build Strong Team for Telecom Wireless Executive
Telular Corporation, the premier provider of fixed cellular technology today announced the appointment of Shawn Welsh as Vice President of Product Marketing and Business Development. Mr. Welsh comes to Telular from Motorola (NYSE:MOT - News) and Mesh Networks where Shawn led Product Marketing and the engagement team that culminated in Motorola acquiring Mesh Networks. He will report to Mike Boyle, president and chief executive officer of Telular.
"Shawn is a proven leader and he will play an important role in marketing and business development as we enter an exciting era for Telular and focus on expanding our business opportunities," stated Mike Boyle, president and chief executive officer of Telular. "The Company continues to invest in building the wireless terminals segment and developing additional event monitoring applications in such areas as agricultural markets and enterprise continuity. We have set a strong foundation for Telular and are developing a portfolio of product applications and recurring services in our Telguard and terminals business that will be the growth engine for our company for years to come." Boyle concluded.
"Shawn is a proven leader and he will play an important role in marketing and business development as we enter an exciting era for Telular and focus on expanding our business opportunities," stated Mike Boyle, president and chief executive officer of Telular. "The Company continues to invest in building the wireless terminals segment and developing additional event monitoring applications in such areas as agricultural markets and enterprise continuity. We have set a strong foundation for Telular and are developing a portfolio of product applications and recurring services in our Telguard and terminals business that will be the growth engine for our company for years to come." Boyle concluded.
Cbeyond Launch at Automation Alley in Troy
Cbeyond®, Inc., a leading IP-based managed services provider to small businesses, today announced it has expanded its service offering into Detroit and expects to bring nearly 100 jobs to the area by the end of its first year. To celebrate launching its services in Detroit, the company will host a breakfast this morning from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. EDT at Automation Alley in Troy, Michigan.
Cbeyond's launch event will bring together more than 100 small business leaders and local officials. James C. Epolito, chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is scheduled to speak on the importance of the growing small business community. Additional speakers include Cbeyond Chairman and CEO Jim Geiger, Farmington Hills Mayor Vicki Barnett, Senior Vice President of Service Provider Channels for Cisco Bob Gault and Deputy County Executive for Oakland County Dennis Toffolo.
"In Michigan's growing small business sector, it is important that we continue to attract companies that will foster small business growth," said Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. "Companies like Cbeyond not only create important jobs, they also help Detroit-based companies do business, allowing for growth and healthy competition within our business community."
Cbeyond's arrival in Detroit provides a new option for small businesses looking for big business communications tools that are affordable and easy to use. With more than 31,000 small business customers across the United States, Cbeyond offers Detroit small businesses a base package called BeyondVoice®, which is an integrated package of local and long distance voice, broadband Internet and mobile services. Additionally, customers can choose from a variety of productivity-enhancing applications such as BlackBerry®, web hosting, data backup and file-sharing to create a solution that meets their communications and IT needs.
"Detroit is the eleventh largest small business market in the United States with over 51,000 small businesses, and we built Cbeyond from the ground up to serve such small businesses exclusively," said Geiger. "This fact combined with the pro-competitive regulatory climate in Michigan made Detroit a great fit for Cbeyond. Our productivity-enhancing applications will help fuel Detroit's thriving small business community."
Celebrating its entry into the Detroit market, Cbeyond and network provider Cisco opened registration of a co-sponsored Small Business Communications Make-Over contest for small businesses in metro Detroit earlier this week. Registration for the Small Business Communications Make-Over is open to companies located in the greater Detroit area with five to 200 employees from October 1 through November 30, 2007. To register, companies can visit www.smallbusinessmakeover.net, fill out a short registration form and submit an essay of up to 1,000 words on why their company should win.
"Cisco is excited to work with Cbeyond in the Detroit area," said Gault. "Today's announcement builds on Cisco and Cbeyond's long history of leveraging teamwork and innovation to provide industry-leading solutions to small businesses."
Cbeyond's Detroit area office is located at 27555 Farmington Road, Suite 100 in Farmington Hills. Cbeyond is currently recruiting sales associates and field services technicians. Those interested in employment opportunities with Cbeyond should visit www.cbeyond.net and go to the "Careers" page under the "About Cbeyond" tab.
Cbeyond's launch event will bring together more than 100 small business leaders and local officials. James C. Epolito, chief executive officer of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is scheduled to speak on the importance of the growing small business community. Additional speakers include Cbeyond Chairman and CEO Jim Geiger, Farmington Hills Mayor Vicki Barnett, Senior Vice President of Service Provider Channels for Cisco Bob Gault and Deputy County Executive for Oakland County Dennis Toffolo.
"In Michigan's growing small business sector, it is important that we continue to attract companies that will foster small business growth," said Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm. "Companies like Cbeyond not only create important jobs, they also help Detroit-based companies do business, allowing for growth and healthy competition within our business community."
Cbeyond's arrival in Detroit provides a new option for small businesses looking for big business communications tools that are affordable and easy to use. With more than 31,000 small business customers across the United States, Cbeyond offers Detroit small businesses a base package called BeyondVoice®, which is an integrated package of local and long distance voice, broadband Internet and mobile services. Additionally, customers can choose from a variety of productivity-enhancing applications such as BlackBerry®, web hosting, data backup and file-sharing to create a solution that meets their communications and IT needs.
"Detroit is the eleventh largest small business market in the United States with over 51,000 small businesses, and we built Cbeyond from the ground up to serve such small businesses exclusively," said Geiger. "This fact combined with the pro-competitive regulatory climate in Michigan made Detroit a great fit for Cbeyond. Our productivity-enhancing applications will help fuel Detroit's thriving small business community."
Celebrating its entry into the Detroit market, Cbeyond and network provider Cisco opened registration of a co-sponsored Small Business Communications Make-Over contest for small businesses in metro Detroit earlier this week. Registration for the Small Business Communications Make-Over is open to companies located in the greater Detroit area with five to 200 employees from October 1 through November 30, 2007. To register, companies can visit www.smallbusinessmakeover.net, fill out a short registration form and submit an essay of up to 1,000 words on why their company should win.
"Cisco is excited to work with Cbeyond in the Detroit area," said Gault. "Today's announcement builds on Cisco and Cbeyond's long history of leveraging teamwork and innovation to provide industry-leading solutions to small businesses."
Cbeyond's Detroit area office is located at 27555 Farmington Road, Suite 100 in Farmington Hills. Cbeyond is currently recruiting sales associates and field services technicians. Those interested in employment opportunities with Cbeyond should visit www.cbeyond.net and go to the "Careers" page under the "About Cbeyond" tab.
University of Oklahoma Research Completes Full Color 3D SVD Technology
3DIcon Corporation, a development-stage communications technology company, announced today that its research team at the University of Oklahoma (OU) has successfully demonstrated and delivered Phase I of 3DIcon's Swept Volume Display (SVD) technology. The research team at OU has succeeded in rendering full color, 3-dimensional, 360-degree volumetric images, which was the goal of Phase I of their research.
"We are extremely pleased with this technology demonstration and the overall progress of our research. We have successfully laid the groundwork for the launch of Phase II of our research, which we believe will result in full-blown 3D technology that could be leveraged for creation of products across various platforms in a number of different industries," stated Martin Keating, CEO of 3DIcon. "We believe we are developing a unique technology, owing to our use of LEDs, which lends itself to large format as well as outdoor displays for a broad range of commercial applications. We intend to provide further details of the 3D SVD technology, including photographs of the technology demonstration, on our website in the coming weeks."
"The OU team has managed to deliver a tremendous technological feat in a very short time frame. This kind of progress from concept stage to demonstration prototype would normally be multiple years in the making, but the team has delivered it in about 18 months of development time," added Vivek Bhaman, president and COO of 3DIcon.
Phase I has taken 3DIcon's visionary 3D SVD technology from concept phase into a fully functioning technology demonstration.
Phase II will involve further increasing the SVD's rpm to optimal levels, which we believe will minimize visible flicker, improve image quality, and add image opacity. We believe that such enhancements will ultimately lead to a solid-appearing 3D image. Upon completion of Phase II, the OU team will work on continuous improvements to the product to remain competitive and ahead of the technology curve.
Dr. Monte Tull, who oversees SVD development for 3DIcon at the University of Oklahoma stated, "We are very pleased with the technological achievements on the 3DIcon SVD which we believe will make this technology very flexible and functional for commercial applications. The functionalities that we have built into it include scalable design for larger or smaller displays, automated 3D image preparation and importation software, variable clock image display control, support for image compression and decompression, and internal image display modification and transition capabilities."
3DIcon's 3D SVD technology is one of several technologies that are currently being developed under its Sponsored Research Agreement with OU.
"We are extremely pleased with this technology demonstration and the overall progress of our research. We have successfully laid the groundwork for the launch of Phase II of our research, which we believe will result in full-blown 3D technology that could be leveraged for creation of products across various platforms in a number of different industries," stated Martin Keating, CEO of 3DIcon. "We believe we are developing a unique technology, owing to our use of LEDs, which lends itself to large format as well as outdoor displays for a broad range of commercial applications. We intend to provide further details of the 3D SVD technology, including photographs of the technology demonstration, on our website in the coming weeks."
"The OU team has managed to deliver a tremendous technological feat in a very short time frame. This kind of progress from concept stage to demonstration prototype would normally be multiple years in the making, but the team has delivered it in about 18 months of development time," added Vivek Bhaman, president and COO of 3DIcon.
Phase I has taken 3DIcon's visionary 3D SVD technology from concept phase into a fully functioning technology demonstration.
Phase II will involve further increasing the SVD's rpm to optimal levels, which we believe will minimize visible flicker, improve image quality, and add image opacity. We believe that such enhancements will ultimately lead to a solid-appearing 3D image. Upon completion of Phase II, the OU team will work on continuous improvements to the product to remain competitive and ahead of the technology curve.
Dr. Monte Tull, who oversees SVD development for 3DIcon at the University of Oklahoma stated, "We are very pleased with the technological achievements on the 3DIcon SVD which we believe will make this technology very flexible and functional for commercial applications. The functionalities that we have built into it include scalable design for larger or smaller displays, automated 3D image preparation and importation software, variable clock image display control, support for image compression and decompression, and internal image display modification and transition capabilities."
3DIcon's 3D SVD technology is one of several technologies that are currently being developed under its Sponsored Research Agreement with OU.
VoIP Assessment Service to Ensure LAN Readiness
Digital Hands, a global provider of remote call center support for desktops, laptops, servers, networks, and PDAs, today announced the launch of VoIPWorks, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) assessment, readiness, and support service suite. VoIPWorks includes an unbiased assessment that simulates traffic over local area networks to let service providers and their customers discover issues prior to implementations.
One of the biggest challenges VARs and other providers face as they add VoIP installations to their solutions mix is lack of expertise in assessing their customer's local area network (LAN) and the lack of the technical staff needed to correct problems. Technology research authority Gartner maintains that 85% of today's router-based data networks are not ready for successful VoIP deployment and that through 2008, 75% of enterprises that fail to perform pre-implementation analysis of their networks will not achieve a successful VoIP implementation. The lack of proactive visibility to the network and associated hidden issues result in increased costs for provider and customer, compromised VoIP service quality, business interruptions, and a poor service experience.
"Gartner's assertion resonates with what we hear from our customers and partners all the time," said Charlotte Baker, chief executive officer of Digital Hands. "We developed VoIPWorks to help service providers address LAN readiness issues. It offers them the advantage of foresight prior to installation and access to beneficial resources they will need in order to prepare the customer's LAN for a successful installation."
While VoIPWorks produces a maximum benefit when used prior to implementation, it also comes to the rescue of providers struggling with existing, troublesome VoIP implementations.
"We can diagnose the source of the trouble remotely, prescribe what needs to be done, and we will either fix it or tell the customer how to do it themselves," Baker continued. "This saves the provider the expense of hiring on LAN specialists or bringing in other providers to share the job which ultimately can invite competition and lengthen the sales cycle."
When a VoiP provider contacts Digital Hands to schedule a VoIP assessment, a Digital Hands technician deploys the Digital Hands agent directly on to their customer's network. Traffic is simulated to mimic the desired number of simultaneous calls that can be made while maintaining a high level of quality. Digital Hands compiles the results and delivers a report to the service provider in a format that is easily interpreted and designed to be understood by sales representatives and their customers.
Beyond remote LAN assessments, Digital Hands can assist the provider in making the modifications to their customer's LAN when configurations are not optimal for supporting VoIP implementation. Digital Hands' help desk technicians have both telephony and LAN expertise and are able to address end users' questions quickly, professionally, and cost-effectively -- offering service providers relief from Tier 1 call center triage, Tier 2 call center resolution and emergency escalation calls. The VoIPWorks service menu is designed to enable VoIP providers speed to market by taking care of two key areas that are ripe for outsourcing in VoIP: reallocating mundane tasks where the provider lacks economies of scale and supplementing specialty labor to avoid capital outlay for systems, training, and resources that are not core to ongoing business operations.
One of the biggest challenges VARs and other providers face as they add VoIP installations to their solutions mix is lack of expertise in assessing their customer's local area network (LAN) and the lack of the technical staff needed to correct problems. Technology research authority Gartner maintains that 85% of today's router-based data networks are not ready for successful VoIP deployment and that through 2008, 75% of enterprises that fail to perform pre-implementation analysis of their networks will not achieve a successful VoIP implementation. The lack of proactive visibility to the network and associated hidden issues result in increased costs for provider and customer, compromised VoIP service quality, business interruptions, and a poor service experience.
"Gartner's assertion resonates with what we hear from our customers and partners all the time," said Charlotte Baker, chief executive officer of Digital Hands. "We developed VoIPWorks to help service providers address LAN readiness issues. It offers them the advantage of foresight prior to installation and access to beneficial resources they will need in order to prepare the customer's LAN for a successful installation."
While VoIPWorks produces a maximum benefit when used prior to implementation, it also comes to the rescue of providers struggling with existing, troublesome VoIP implementations.
"We can diagnose the source of the trouble remotely, prescribe what needs to be done, and we will either fix it or tell the customer how to do it themselves," Baker continued. "This saves the provider the expense of hiring on LAN specialists or bringing in other providers to share the job which ultimately can invite competition and lengthen the sales cycle."
When a VoiP provider contacts Digital Hands to schedule a VoIP assessment, a Digital Hands technician deploys the Digital Hands agent directly on to their customer's network. Traffic is simulated to mimic the desired number of simultaneous calls that can be made while maintaining a high level of quality. Digital Hands compiles the results and delivers a report to the service provider in a format that is easily interpreted and designed to be understood by sales representatives and their customers.
Beyond remote LAN assessments, Digital Hands can assist the provider in making the modifications to their customer's LAN when configurations are not optimal for supporting VoIP implementation. Digital Hands' help desk technicians have both telephony and LAN expertise and are able to address end users' questions quickly, professionally, and cost-effectively -- offering service providers relief from Tier 1 call center triage, Tier 2 call center resolution and emergency escalation calls. The VoIPWorks service menu is designed to enable VoIP providers speed to market by taking care of two key areas that are ripe for outsourcing in VoIP: reallocating mundane tasks where the provider lacks economies of scale and supplementing specialty labor to avoid capital outlay for systems, training, and resources that are not core to ongoing business operations.
Voice Vision, Inc. Partners with Propper Entertainment to Promote Video Phones
Voice Vision, Inc., the premiere video phone carrier and VoIP service provider has signed an agreement with Propper Entertainment, a leading production and promotions firm, to develop corporate wholesale agreements and develop customized content to its video phone subscribers.
Propper Entertainment will advise on the marketing, promotion and licensing of the video phone line of products to major retailers, hotel chains and entertainment firms. Furthermore, Propper Entertainment will assist in the development of customized content from its collection of media to include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gallagher, Surfrider Foundation, Carrot Top, BB King’s Restaurant and Grill in Las Vegas and more. By providing its’ subscribers with unique and customized content, Voice Vision is fulfilling its’ promise to customers to provide them with an immersive experience through its’ offering.
“Content is King,” said Steve Harrison, President of Voice Vision. “Propper Entertainment brings to the table a wealth of experience, relationships, and exclusive content. We expect to be able to leverage this capability for all of our customers.”
Many small to midsized businesses are using video phones to increase revenues and to lower costs. In addition, residential users are using video phones to connect to their loved ones that are located across great distances. Many analysts are pointing to VoIP service as the next explosive growth area of the Internet.
“We are honored to be involved with a cutting edge company like Voice Vision and feel that this technology will make business flow more efficiently and bring families closer together from anywhere in the world with affordable video conferencing.” said Gary Propper, of Propper Entertainment.
Propper Entertainment will advise on the marketing, promotion and licensing of the video phone line of products to major retailers, hotel chains and entertainment firms. Furthermore, Propper Entertainment will assist in the development of customized content from its collection of media to include Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Gallagher, Surfrider Foundation, Carrot Top, BB King’s Restaurant and Grill in Las Vegas and more. By providing its’ subscribers with unique and customized content, Voice Vision is fulfilling its’ promise to customers to provide them with an immersive experience through its’ offering.
“Content is King,” said Steve Harrison, President of Voice Vision. “Propper Entertainment brings to the table a wealth of experience, relationships, and exclusive content. We expect to be able to leverage this capability for all of our customers.”
Many small to midsized businesses are using video phones to increase revenues and to lower costs. In addition, residential users are using video phones to connect to their loved ones that are located across great distances. Many analysts are pointing to VoIP service as the next explosive growth area of the Internet.
“We are honored to be involved with a cutting edge company like Voice Vision and feel that this technology will make business flow more efficiently and bring families closer together from anywhere in the world with affordable video conferencing.” said Gary Propper, of Propper Entertainment.
Nokia Buys Navteq In Bid To Broaden Web Data Offerings
Mobile phone giant Nokia will acquire Navteq, the world's top seller of mapping software, for $8.1billion, $78 a share, in a broad expansion into data services.
More than half of Navteq's sales come from makers of in-car navigation systems and personal navigation devices such as those made by Garmin.
But Nokia said the real growth opportunity -- and a key reason for its acquisition -- lies in so-called location-based services, which use a person's position to fetch more useful information and advertising.
Nokia phones with Navteq's software could let users find nearby restaurants, hotels and stores with a few clicks on the handset.
"While there is a lot of growth ahead in Navteq's core market, we think that's just the tip of the iceberg," said Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo in a conference call. "The combination of Nokia and Navteq create a strong global leader in this fast-growing market."
According to research firm In-Stat, the number of mobile phones with mapping and navigation services could exceed 42 million units worldwide by 2012.
The navigation software market is dominated by Navteq and TomTom, which acquired Navteq rival TeleAtlas for $2.5 billion in July. TomTom also is the No. 2 maker of navigation devices, just behind Garmin.
With Navteq as the only other mapping software player in the market, its acquisition was considered inevitable.
That helps explain why Navteq shares rose more than 60% after TomTom bought TeleAtlas. Navteq fell 2% Monday to close at 76.45, suggesting investors were not expecting a higher bid.
Nokia shares ended the day up 3 cents, to 37.96.
With Nokia now a possible competitor, Garmin shares fell 10%.
"The portable navigation device market is strong right now," said Jack Gold, analyst at J. Gold Associates. "But long term, the market will shift from a standalone device market to a more multipurpose device market."
It is similar to what happened to the handheld computer market pioneered by Palm, he said. Stand-alone handhelds are virtually gone, subsumed by smart phones that combine wireless and handheld organizer features.
Navteq, with a market value of $7.5 billion, had sales last year of $581.6 million, up 17% from the year before.
Nokia uses Navteq's digital mapping services, as do Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News), Yahoo (NasdaqGS:YHOO - News), Microsoft's (NasdaqGS:MSFT - News) MSN and MapQuest. The technology also is widely used in in-car navigation systems and by Garmin.
Nokia has shifted focus to navigation in recent months. It also launched a restructuring in August that pushed Nokia's wireless data services up the ladder.
So it could not have allowed Navteq to fall into another company's hands, said Mark McKechie, an analyst at American Technology Research.
"The purchase price may seem rich relative to Nokia's trading multiples, but it's a small strategic price for Nokia to pay to drive its GPS business going forward," McKechie said.
H.P. Jin, chief executive of Tele-Nav, which provides GPS navigation services to many large cellular carriers, called Nokia's buy a defensive move.
"It was only matter of time before someone was going to take over Navteq," he said. "And if it was acquired by a competitor, they couldn't control the price or availability."
Analysts say it is too early to know what the deal means for Google, Yahoo, MSN and other customers.
Nokia said Navteq's current core business will operate as an independent subsidiary. But Nokia will also tightly integrate Navteq's mapping services into its emerging Web-based services.
"It's a great acquisition for Nokia," said Shiv Bakhshi, research analyst at IDC. "Some people say Nokia paid too much for it, but as a strategic acquisition it's a very good action."
In August, Nokia announced it would launch Web-based services to dish up music, games, maps and other services. Analysts said Nokia was reinventing itself as not merely a hardware maker but also as a provider of Web services.
More than half of Navteq's sales come from makers of in-car navigation systems and personal navigation devices such as those made by Garmin.
But Nokia said the real growth opportunity -- and a key reason for its acquisition -- lies in so-called location-based services, which use a person's position to fetch more useful information and advertising.
Nokia phones with Navteq's software could let users find nearby restaurants, hotels and stores with a few clicks on the handset.
"While there is a lot of growth ahead in Navteq's core market, we think that's just the tip of the iceberg," said Nokia CEO Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo in a conference call. "The combination of Nokia and Navteq create a strong global leader in this fast-growing market."
According to research firm In-Stat, the number of mobile phones with mapping and navigation services could exceed 42 million units worldwide by 2012.
The navigation software market is dominated by Navteq and TomTom, which acquired Navteq rival TeleAtlas for $2.5 billion in July. TomTom also is the No. 2 maker of navigation devices, just behind Garmin.
With Navteq as the only other mapping software player in the market, its acquisition was considered inevitable.
That helps explain why Navteq shares rose more than 60% after TomTom bought TeleAtlas. Navteq fell 2% Monday to close at 76.45, suggesting investors were not expecting a higher bid.
Nokia shares ended the day up 3 cents, to 37.96.
With Nokia now a possible competitor, Garmin shares fell 10%.
"The portable navigation device market is strong right now," said Jack Gold, analyst at J. Gold Associates. "But long term, the market will shift from a standalone device market to a more multipurpose device market."
It is similar to what happened to the handheld computer market pioneered by Palm, he said. Stand-alone handhelds are virtually gone, subsumed by smart phones that combine wireless and handheld organizer features.
Navteq, with a market value of $7.5 billion, had sales last year of $581.6 million, up 17% from the year before.
Nokia uses Navteq's digital mapping services, as do Google (NasdaqGS:GOOG - News), Yahoo (NasdaqGS:YHOO - News), Microsoft's (NasdaqGS:MSFT - News) MSN and MapQuest. The technology also is widely used in in-car navigation systems and by Garmin.
Nokia has shifted focus to navigation in recent months. It also launched a restructuring in August that pushed Nokia's wireless data services up the ladder.
So it could not have allowed Navteq to fall into another company's hands, said Mark McKechie, an analyst at American Technology Research.
"The purchase price may seem rich relative to Nokia's trading multiples, but it's a small strategic price for Nokia to pay to drive its GPS business going forward," McKechie said.
H.P. Jin, chief executive of Tele-Nav, which provides GPS navigation services to many large cellular carriers, called Nokia's buy a defensive move.
"It was only matter of time before someone was going to take over Navteq," he said. "And if it was acquired by a competitor, they couldn't control the price or availability."
Analysts say it is too early to know what the deal means for Google, Yahoo, MSN and other customers.
Nokia said Navteq's current core business will operate as an independent subsidiary. But Nokia will also tightly integrate Navteq's mapping services into its emerging Web-based services.
"It's a great acquisition for Nokia," said Shiv Bakhshi, research analyst at IDC. "Some people say Nokia paid too much for it, but as a strategic acquisition it's a very good action."
In August, Nokia announced it would launch Web-based services to dish up music, games, maps and other services. Analysts said Nokia was reinventing itself as not merely a hardware maker but also as a provider of Web services.
Mobile VoIP waits on 4G networks
Mobile VoIP services have yet to make their mark on the telecoms market, despite the availability of suitable technology.
Barriers to adoption might leave services languishing, at least until the rollout of next-generation mobile networks by carriers, according to panelists at a debate on the topic at the NetEvents summit in Malta last week.
Emir Halilovic, programme manager of networking and infrastructure at analysts IDC, said VoIP remains predominantly a fixed-line market. Multimedia revenues in the mobile arena are growing quickly, but from a very small base.
"Mobile applications are a very, very small slice of that whole market. Still, there is a great promise in both [mobile VoIP and multi-media] because the ecosystem elements are all there, although it's still not fully functional."
Connecting existing GSM or 3G Radio Access Networks to VoIP systems would bring the cost and feature benefits of VoIP to all those handsets. VoIP on mobile networks also offers spectrum usage benefits to operators.
But the technology competes against offering comparable services over Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi-based services require new multimode handsets, client software, and significant investments in upgrading existing wireless networks. Since providers are doing all these things already this is not the show-stopper it might seem. Ingrained user behaviour is more of a problem.
Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, said the market for conventional voice calls remains healthy. "Ordinary GSM cellular is not going to go away any time soon, particularly for the 60 to 70 per cent of mobile subscribers who are prepaid customers and more particularly for those who don't have access to broadband.
"Although Wi-Fi and dual-mode devices are becoming available in wider numbers they are not used by many people for VoIP. There's some traction in enterprise which has been pretty slow coming. Certainly we're not going to see double-digit percentages of the global subscriber base using VoIP on wireless LANs.
"I'm a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn't penetrate into building, so it's pretty much useless for the majority of calls."
Bubley was far more positive about the use of 3.5 and 4G networks as a platform for VoIP, saying the "next generation of mobile networks are designed for VoIP".
Those with a favourable flat-rate tarriff can run VoIP over a 3G connection, providing they don't run foul of their terms and conditions - but this will remain out of the ordinary for the next few years. VoIP on wireless networks is constrained by quality of service and coverage issues.
"I think through that in five years you will have more people using Voice-over-3G network than using it with Wi-Fi. But both of those numbers will remain dwarfed by people just using circuit-to-cellular," Bubley added.
Michael Coci, product marketing director at wireless switch vendor Trapeze Networks, said putting extra traffic onto wireless LANs was a viable strategy, at least for enterprises. "In the enterprise environment you have a much deeper amount of control over the RF environment, over the handset, over the quality of service. And in the environment it's absolutely a viable, and in fact, ultimately for a better solution than Voice-over-3G."
IDC's Halilovic concluded: "It's is our firm belief that all voice will be eventually be transferred over IP. Whether it is going to be in our lifetimes, is open to debate."
Barriers to adoption might leave services languishing, at least until the rollout of next-generation mobile networks by carriers, according to panelists at a debate on the topic at the NetEvents summit in Malta last week.
Emir Halilovic, programme manager of networking and infrastructure at analysts IDC, said VoIP remains predominantly a fixed-line market. Multimedia revenues in the mobile arena are growing quickly, but from a very small base.
"Mobile applications are a very, very small slice of that whole market. Still, there is a great promise in both [mobile VoIP and multi-media] because the ecosystem elements are all there, although it's still not fully functional."
Connecting existing GSM or 3G Radio Access Networks to VoIP systems would bring the cost and feature benefits of VoIP to all those handsets. VoIP on mobile networks also offers spectrum usage benefits to operators.
But the technology competes against offering comparable services over Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi-based services require new multimode handsets, client software, and significant investments in upgrading existing wireless networks. Since providers are doing all these things already this is not the show-stopper it might seem. Ingrained user behaviour is more of a problem.
Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, said the market for conventional voice calls remains healthy. "Ordinary GSM cellular is not going to go away any time soon, particularly for the 60 to 70 per cent of mobile subscribers who are prepaid customers and more particularly for those who don't have access to broadband.
"Although Wi-Fi and dual-mode devices are becoming available in wider numbers they are not used by many people for VoIP. There's some traction in enterprise which has been pretty slow coming. Certainly we're not going to see double-digit percentages of the global subscriber base using VoIP on wireless LANs.
"I'm a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn't penetrate into building, so it's pretty much useless for the majority of calls."
Bubley was far more positive about the use of 3.5 and 4G networks as a platform for VoIP, saying the "next generation of mobile networks are designed for VoIP".
Those with a favourable flat-rate tarriff can run VoIP over a 3G connection, providing they don't run foul of their terms and conditions - but this will remain out of the ordinary for the next few years. VoIP on wireless networks is constrained by quality of service and coverage issues.
"I think through that in five years you will have more people using Voice-over-3G network than using it with Wi-Fi. But both of those numbers will remain dwarfed by people just using circuit-to-cellular," Bubley added.
Michael Coci, product marketing director at wireless switch vendor Trapeze Networks, said putting extra traffic onto wireless LANs was a viable strategy, at least for enterprises. "In the enterprise environment you have a much deeper amount of control over the RF environment, over the handset, over the quality of service. And in the environment it's absolutely a viable, and in fact, ultimately for a better solution than Voice-over-3G."
IDC's Halilovic concluded: "It's is our firm belief that all voice will be eventually be transferred over IP. Whether it is going to be in our lifetimes, is open to debate."
Mobile VoIP waits on 4G networks
Mobile VoIP services have yet to make their mark on the telecoms market, despite the availability of suitable technology.
Barriers to adoption might leave services languishing, at least until the rollout of next-generation mobile networks by carriers, according to panelists at a debate on the topic at the NetEvents summit in Malta last week.
Emir Halilovic, programme manager of networking and infrastructure at analysts IDC, said VoIP remains predominantly a fixed-line market. Multimedia revenues in the mobile arena are growing quickly, but from a very small base.
"Mobile applications are a very, very small slice of that whole market. Still, there is a great promise in both [mobile VoIP and multi-media] because the ecosystem elements are all there, although it's still not fully functional."
Connecting existing GSM or 3G Radio Access Networks to VoIP systems would bring the cost and feature benefits of VoIP to all those handsets. VoIP on mobile networks also offers spectrum usage benefits to operators.
But the technology competes against offering comparable services over Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi-based services require new multimode handsets, client software, and significant investments in upgrading existing wireless networks. Since providers are doing all these things already this is not the show-stopper it might seem. Ingrained user behaviour is more of a problem.
Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, said the market for conventional voice calls remains healthy. "Ordinary GSM cellular is not going to go away any time soon, particularly for the 60 to 70 per cent of mobile subscribers who are prepaid customers and more particularly for those who don't have access to broadband.
"Although Wi-Fi and dual-mode devices are becoming available in wider numbers they are not used by many people for VoIP. There's some traction in enterprise which has been pretty slow coming. Certainly we're not going to see double-digit percentages of the global subscriber base using VoIP on wireless LANs.
"I'm a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn't penetrate into building, so it's pretty much useless for the majority of calls."
Bubley was far more positive about the use of 3.5 and 4G networks as a platform for VoIP, saying the "next generation of mobile networks are designed for VoIP".
Those with a favourable flat-rate tarriff can run VoIP over a 3G connection, providing they don't run foul of their terms and conditions - but this will remain out of the ordinary for the next few years. VoIP on wireless networks is constrained by quality of service and coverage issues.
"I think through that in five years you will have more people using Voice-over-3G network than using it with Wi-Fi. But both of those numbers will remain dwarfed by people just using circuit-to-cellular," Bubley added.
Michael Coci, product marketing director at wireless switch vendor Trapeze Networks, said putting extra traffic onto wireless LANs was a viable strategy, at least for enterprises. "In the enterprise environment you have a much deeper amount of control over the RF environment, over the handset, over the quality of service. And in the environment it's absolutely a viable, and in fact, ultimately for a better solution than Voice-over-3G."
IDC's Halilovic concluded: "It's is our firm belief that all voice will be eventually be transferred over IP. Whether it is going to be in our lifetimes, is open to debate."
Barriers to adoption might leave services languishing, at least until the rollout of next-generation mobile networks by carriers, according to panelists at a debate on the topic at the NetEvents summit in Malta last week.
Emir Halilovic, programme manager of networking and infrastructure at analysts IDC, said VoIP remains predominantly a fixed-line market. Multimedia revenues in the mobile arena are growing quickly, but from a very small base.
"Mobile applications are a very, very small slice of that whole market. Still, there is a great promise in both [mobile VoIP and multi-media] because the ecosystem elements are all there, although it's still not fully functional."
Connecting existing GSM or 3G Radio Access Networks to VoIP systems would bring the cost and feature benefits of VoIP to all those handsets. VoIP on mobile networks also offers spectrum usage benefits to operators.
But the technology competes against offering comparable services over Wi-Fi networks. Wi-Fi-based services require new multimode handsets, client software, and significant investments in upgrading existing wireless networks. Since providers are doing all these things already this is not the show-stopper it might seem. Ingrained user behaviour is more of a problem.
Dean Bubley, founder of Disruptive Analysis, said the market for conventional voice calls remains healthy. "Ordinary GSM cellular is not going to go away any time soon, particularly for the 60 to 70 per cent of mobile subscribers who are prepaid customers and more particularly for those who don't have access to broadband.
"Although Wi-Fi and dual-mode devices are becoming available in wider numbers they are not used by many people for VoIP. There's some traction in enterprise which has been pretty slow coming. Certainly we're not going to see double-digit percentages of the global subscriber base using VoIP on wireless LANs.
"I'm a huge disbeliever in metro Wi-Fi for VoIP simply because the external Wi-Fi doesn't penetrate into building, so it's pretty much useless for the majority of calls."
Bubley was far more positive about the use of 3.5 and 4G networks as a platform for VoIP, saying the "next generation of mobile networks are designed for VoIP".
Those with a favourable flat-rate tarriff can run VoIP over a 3G connection, providing they don't run foul of their terms and conditions - but this will remain out of the ordinary for the next few years. VoIP on wireless networks is constrained by quality of service and coverage issues.
"I think through that in five years you will have more people using Voice-over-3G network than using it with Wi-Fi. But both of those numbers will remain dwarfed by people just using circuit-to-cellular," Bubley added.
Michael Coci, product marketing director at wireless switch vendor Trapeze Networks, said putting extra traffic onto wireless LANs was a viable strategy, at least for enterprises. "In the enterprise environment you have a much deeper amount of control over the RF environment, over the handset, over the quality of service. And in the environment it's absolutely a viable, and in fact, ultimately for a better solution than Voice-over-3G."
IDC's Halilovic concluded: "It's is our firm belief that all voice will be eventually be transferred over IP. Whether it is going to be in our lifetimes, is open to debate."
Siemens and Verizon Business Ease the Way for Companies Transitioning to VoIP
Life just got easier for communications managers contemplating the move to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP).
Verizon Business has certified that the Siemens HiPath 4000 IP Communications Solution interoperates with Verizon's IP Trunking Services, part of Verizon's comprehensive VoIP portfolio.
Bringing together these two standards-based offerings will enable Verizon Business customers to leverage their existing IP PBX system investments and more easily transition to VoIP. For example, the new combined capability will help customers more simply and efficiently integrate local and long-distance access, manage calls and seamlessly extend collaboration applications across the corporate network. The IP PBX platform also enables features such as audio conferencing and "find me-follow me" capabilities. In addition, the new combination eliminates the need for legacy infrastructure and associated management, helping customers take advantage of the rich feature functionality of VoIP.
"As more customers make the leap to VoIP technology, we want to make sure we provide them with as much choice and flexibility as possible," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Business. "By offering a wide range of options, including the Siemens HiPath 4000, we are delivering what customers may require as they transition to VoIP."
The HiPath 4000, an IP PBX based on Siemens' Open Communications architecture and applications, integrates communications across multiple protocols, networks and devices, enabling customers to more flexibly use multi-vendor networks and tailor their communications infrastructure to better meet business requirements. The HiPath 4000 will help Verizon Business customers manage information availability and access, and facilitate collaboration to help speed decision making and improve productivity.
"Verizon Business' certification of Siemens HiPath 4000 underscores the value we bring to customers who want to better meet business needs through a more flexible deployment of top-of-the-line, interoperable IP technology," said Dana Rasmussen, president, Siemens Communications Inc. "Siemens' IP communications solutions help businesses in an effort to control costs and provide greater flexibility, scalability and manageability with higher levels of security and performance."
Verizon Business works closely with customers to provide end-to-end support for their VoIP platforms, including solution design, deployment and maintenance. Customers can also tap into a host of professional services, including network architecture, network vulnerability and VoIP security assessments, enabling them to take advantage of all the features and capabilities available through VoIP.
Verizon Business IP Trunking Services provide a direct connection between an IP PBX deployed on a customer site and the Verizon Business global IP network, helping to eliminate the need to connect to the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN). It also enables organizations to consolidate voice and data services over a single network. IP trunking services support a wide range IP PBX features, providing continuity for employees and reducing the need for retraining during the transition to VoIP.
Verizon Business has certified that the Siemens HiPath 4000 IP Communications Solution interoperates with Verizon's IP Trunking Services, part of Verizon's comprehensive VoIP portfolio.
Bringing together these two standards-based offerings will enable Verizon Business customers to leverage their existing IP PBX system investments and more easily transition to VoIP. For example, the new combined capability will help customers more simply and efficiently integrate local and long-distance access, manage calls and seamlessly extend collaboration applications across the corporate network. The IP PBX platform also enables features such as audio conferencing and "find me-follow me" capabilities. In addition, the new combination eliminates the need for legacy infrastructure and associated management, helping customers take advantage of the rich feature functionality of VoIP.
"As more customers make the leap to VoIP technology, we want to make sure we provide them with as much choice and flexibility as possible," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, Verizon Business. "By offering a wide range of options, including the Siemens HiPath 4000, we are delivering what customers may require as they transition to VoIP."
The HiPath 4000, an IP PBX based on Siemens' Open Communications architecture and applications, integrates communications across multiple protocols, networks and devices, enabling customers to more flexibly use multi-vendor networks and tailor their communications infrastructure to better meet business requirements. The HiPath 4000 will help Verizon Business customers manage information availability and access, and facilitate collaboration to help speed decision making and improve productivity.
"Verizon Business' certification of Siemens HiPath 4000 underscores the value we bring to customers who want to better meet business needs through a more flexible deployment of top-of-the-line, interoperable IP technology," said Dana Rasmussen, president, Siemens Communications Inc. "Siemens' IP communications solutions help businesses in an effort to control costs and provide greater flexibility, scalability and manageability with higher levels of security and performance."
Verizon Business works closely with customers to provide end-to-end support for their VoIP platforms, including solution design, deployment and maintenance. Customers can also tap into a host of professional services, including network architecture, network vulnerability and VoIP security assessments, enabling them to take advantage of all the features and capabilities available through VoIP.
Verizon Business IP Trunking Services provide a direct connection between an IP PBX deployed on a customer site and the Verizon Business global IP network, helping to eliminate the need to connect to the traditional public switched telephone network (PSTN). It also enables organizations to consolidate voice and data services over a single network. IP trunking services support a wide range IP PBX features, providing continuity for employees and reducing the need for retraining during the transition to VoIP.
HTC Expands Popular Touch Smartphone Line
HTC, the largest manufacturer of mobile phones using Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform, announced on Monday four new models in its popular Touch line -- the Touch Dual, the Shift, the S730, and the P6500.
This is "an impressive lineup" of new models, said Sean Ryan, an analyst with industry research firm IDC. He added that HTC is one of the four top mobile device innovators, along with Apple, Nokia, and Research In Motion, and pointed out that although HTC is the maker of the most Windows Mobile phones, the company is just starting to get its own brand well known.
Original Sold Over 800,000
The original HTC Touch, launched on July 22, has reportedly sold over 800,000 units. A new Touch, the Touch Dual, will be sold this month by France Telecom's Orange in the UK, France, Romania, Poland, and Switzerland. It features a slide-out keypad and gesture-recognition technology.
The gesture-recognition feature, called TouchFlo, is also present in the original Touch model. It allows users to zoom and rotate images with only one hand and to use "enhanced finger scrolling" to browse Web pages, contact lists, and similar documents. The Touch Dual will have fast cellular connectivity, through HSDPA, which HTC and others describe as 3.5G.
Some observers are comparing the new Touch phones to Apple's iPhone, which is launching next month in Europe. The Touch Dual has a faster cellular data connection, compared to the iPhone's EDGE, and it has a physical keypad in addition to a gesture-recognition interface.
IDC's Ryan noted that those who want the unique iPhone want that device in particular and "won't comparison shop." However, he said, if someone wants a touch interface, faster cellular data connectivity, or a different carrier than the one iPhone is offering in a given country, the Touch Dual could be a viable choice.
P6500, Shift, and S730
Among the other three, new Touch models, the P6500 is most being positioned as a business device. HTC said in a statement that it is "ideal" for vertical sectors, such as logistics companies, hospitals, and police forces.
The P6500 has a fingerprint scanner, which can be used for security by the device's owner, or, one assumes, for police work. It also has a barcode scanner, which potentially could be relevant to a wide range of industries, as well as GPS, HSDPA connectivity, two external SD cards slots, and a business card reader. If it is lost or stolen, a "remote wipe capability" lets the user wipe its data from afar.
The Shift, meanwhile, is a mobile computer that is notable as one of the first, small mobile devices to offer Microsoft Vista, and it is also the first device to offer HTC's SnapVue technology. SnapVue allows a user to view e-mails, calendar, SMS messages, and contacts without fully booting up.
The fourth new model, the S730 handset, also offers high-speed HSDPA, as well as a sliding Qwerty keyboard and Windows Mobile 6.
This is "an impressive lineup" of new models, said Sean Ryan, an analyst with industry research firm IDC. He added that HTC is one of the four top mobile device innovators, along with Apple, Nokia, and Research In Motion, and pointed out that although HTC is the maker of the most Windows Mobile phones, the company is just starting to get its own brand well known.
Original Sold Over 800,000
The original HTC Touch, launched on July 22, has reportedly sold over 800,000 units. A new Touch, the Touch Dual, will be sold this month by France Telecom's Orange in the UK, France, Romania, Poland, and Switzerland. It features a slide-out keypad and gesture-recognition technology.
The gesture-recognition feature, called TouchFlo, is also present in the original Touch model. It allows users to zoom and rotate images with only one hand and to use "enhanced finger scrolling" to browse Web pages, contact lists, and similar documents. The Touch Dual will have fast cellular connectivity, through HSDPA, which HTC and others describe as 3.5G.
Some observers are comparing the new Touch phones to Apple's iPhone, which is launching next month in Europe. The Touch Dual has a faster cellular data connection, compared to the iPhone's EDGE, and it has a physical keypad in addition to a gesture-recognition interface.
IDC's Ryan noted that those who want the unique iPhone want that device in particular and "won't comparison shop." However, he said, if someone wants a touch interface, faster cellular data connectivity, or a different carrier than the one iPhone is offering in a given country, the Touch Dual could be a viable choice.
P6500, Shift, and S730
Among the other three, new Touch models, the P6500 is most being positioned as a business device. HTC said in a statement that it is "ideal" for vertical sectors, such as logistics companies, hospitals, and police forces.
The P6500 has a fingerprint scanner, which can be used for security by the device's owner, or, one assumes, for police work. It also has a barcode scanner, which potentially could be relevant to a wide range of industries, as well as GPS, HSDPA connectivity, two external SD cards slots, and a business card reader. If it is lost or stolen, a "remote wipe capability" lets the user wipe its data from afar.
The Shift, meanwhile, is a mobile computer that is notable as one of the first, small mobile devices to offer Microsoft Vista, and it is also the first device to offer HTC's SnapVue technology. SnapVue allows a user to view e-mails, calendar, SMS messages, and contacts without fully booting up.
The fourth new model, the S730 handset, also offers high-speed HSDPA, as well as a sliding Qwerty keyboard and Windows Mobile 6.
Next-Gen Wireless USB Will Include Touch-and-Go
The Wireless USB Promoter Gorup said this week that version 1.1 of the Wireless USB specification will include "touch and go" capabilities used by Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
Put simply, the spec will allow devices to be brought into close proximity with the host, allowing them to be instantly associated, without the need for manual setup.
The Wireless USB specification, version 1.0, is slowly rolling out as part of wireless devices. Both IOGEAR and Icron have announced their own Wireless USB hubs, although both are pricey: $395, in the case of the Icron hub.
The 1.1 spec will be finalized in the first half of 2008. Typically, products based upon a new specification revision require an additional six months or so before they're brought to market.
In addition, the new spec will provide frequencies of above 6 GHz, and include provisions to enhance power efficiency for better battery life. The NFC protocols that the spec will support have been used in wireless payment applications, where a smartcard or a mobile phone is brought close to a receiver, and an encrypted data transmission is performed.
Wireless USB is, as the name suggests, a wireless version of the wired USB protocol, running over an ultrawideband radio. The specification is led by Intel, with many of the competing products shifting to trying to run high-def video and audio data between CE components.
"The Wireless USB 1.1 Specification builds on the key features – speed, ease of use, and security – that have made the 1.0 specification so successful," said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president. "The Wireless USB Promoter Group will define new features that make a great specification even better to improve product offerings for manufacturers and ultimately enhance the end-user experience."
Put simply, the spec will allow devices to be brought into close proximity with the host, allowing them to be instantly associated, without the need for manual setup.
The Wireless USB specification, version 1.0, is slowly rolling out as part of wireless devices. Both IOGEAR and Icron have announced their own Wireless USB hubs, although both are pricey: $395, in the case of the Icron hub.
The 1.1 spec will be finalized in the first half of 2008. Typically, products based upon a new specification revision require an additional six months or so before they're brought to market.
In addition, the new spec will provide frequencies of above 6 GHz, and include provisions to enhance power efficiency for better battery life. The NFC protocols that the spec will support have been used in wireless payment applications, where a smartcard or a mobile phone is brought close to a receiver, and an encrypted data transmission is performed.
Wireless USB is, as the name suggests, a wireless version of the wired USB protocol, running over an ultrawideband radio. The specification is led by Intel, with many of the competing products shifting to trying to run high-def video and audio data between CE components.
"The Wireless USB 1.1 Specification builds on the key features – speed, ease of use, and security – that have made the 1.0 specification so successful," said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF president. "The Wireless USB Promoter Group will define new features that make a great specification even better to improve product offerings for manufacturers and ultimately enhance the end-user experience."
Samsung takes wraps off its iPhone rival Serenata
Samsung Electronics and audio product maker Bang & Olufsen on Tuesday unveiled their latest joint music-mobile phone, Serenata, which holds 4GB of songs and has a number of other music features similar to the iPhone.
The handsets will go on sale in Europe by the end of the month, said Anthony Lee, a spokesman at Samsung. Pricing has not yet been determined.
The handset doesn't look much like a mobile phone; the top half is dominated by a navigation wheel, and the designers having dispensed with buttons. The 2.26-inch LCD touch screen is below the navigation wheel, in the place where the buttons are found on conventional mobile phones.
The navigation wheel is intended to be used one-handed. All primary functions on the phone are controlled by the navigation wheel, including searching menus, dialing, writing, and accessing music lists, the companies said. The touch screen is secondary.
A button on the handset switches it quickly from music to phone mode, and the screen changes from red to blue to make sure the user knows exactly what mode the handset is in.
The handset has a built-in speaker and bass system, and can play amplified music for up to five hours through the speaker or for around 13 hours through a headset before requiring a battery charge, the companies said in a news release.
The amount of song storage space is a major difference between Serenata and the iPhone. Apple has already said it will only sell 8GB iPhones in the future, once it sells out of the 4GB version.
Samsung believes the 4GB on Serenata, capacity for about 1,000 songs, is enough for most users, said Lee. There is no way to increase the memory capacity of the handset, he added.
The phone will work with GSM networks in the 900,1800, and 1900 MHz bands, and with HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) services on 3G networks. Users can send e-mail SMS text messages from the handset, and store up to 1,000 phone numbers in its address book. The phone allows users to create to-do lists and write in calendars, and it has enough battery power for three hours of talk time.
Serenata is an update to the Serene music-mobile phone the two companies put out two years ago.
The handsets will go on sale in Europe by the end of the month, said Anthony Lee, a spokesman at Samsung. Pricing has not yet been determined.
The handset doesn't look much like a mobile phone; the top half is dominated by a navigation wheel, and the designers having dispensed with buttons. The 2.26-inch LCD touch screen is below the navigation wheel, in the place where the buttons are found on conventional mobile phones.
The navigation wheel is intended to be used one-handed. All primary functions on the phone are controlled by the navigation wheel, including searching menus, dialing, writing, and accessing music lists, the companies said. The touch screen is secondary.
A button on the handset switches it quickly from music to phone mode, and the screen changes from red to blue to make sure the user knows exactly what mode the handset is in.
The handset has a built-in speaker and bass system, and can play amplified music for up to five hours through the speaker or for around 13 hours through a headset before requiring a battery charge, the companies said in a news release.
The amount of song storage space is a major difference between Serenata and the iPhone. Apple has already said it will only sell 8GB iPhones in the future, once it sells out of the 4GB version.
Samsung believes the 4GB on Serenata, capacity for about 1,000 songs, is enough for most users, said Lee. There is no way to increase the memory capacity of the handset, he added.
The phone will work with GSM networks in the 900,1800, and 1900 MHz bands, and with HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) services on 3G networks. Users can send e-mail SMS text messages from the handset, and store up to 1,000 phone numbers in its address book. The phone allows users to create to-do lists and write in calendars, and it has enough battery power for three hours of talk time.
Serenata is an update to the Serene music-mobile phone the two companies put out two years ago.
Nokia signs video deals with CNN
The world's top cellphone maker Nokia has signed partnership deals with seven companies including CNN and Sony Pictures to bring video content to its top-of-the-range multimedia phones.
"Consumer desire to watch Internet videos on mobile devices is growing all the time and we want to help users discover and access the best content in the simplest way possible," Harri Mannisto, director at Nokia's multimedia unit, said on Tuesday.
Nokia said it would also bring video content from India's IBN news channel and videos from Jamba, RooftopComedy, ROK and Versaly Entertainment to its N95 models.
It has previously signed similar deals with Google's YouTube and Reuters.
"Consumer desire to watch Internet videos on mobile devices is growing all the time and we want to help users discover and access the best content in the simplest way possible," Harri Mannisto, director at Nokia's multimedia unit, said on Tuesday.
Nokia said it would also bring video content from India's IBN news channel and videos from Jamba, RooftopComedy, ROK and Versaly Entertainment to its N95 models.
It has previously signed similar deals with Google's YouTube and Reuters.
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