August 28, 2009

The New Avaya 4621SW IP Telephone Available

Filed under: VoIP — Tags: , , , , — admin @ 12:06 pm

The Avaya 4621SW is perfect for your classic business desk phone – but comes with the advantages of low cost VoIP calling through a 10/100 Base T Ethernet connection. It includes a separate auto-negotiation for each port and integrated switch for PC connection.

The Avaya 4261SW IP has a large graphic display (168 x 132 dots) and 3 fixed feature keys: Conference, Transfer and Redial. There is also 3 application feature buttons: Dial, Call Log and Web Browser. The phone comes with a headset jack and desk stand. There is multi-language support to enable global user application.

The main features of the Avaya 4261SW:

• Full duplex speaker phone with Auto Echo – Avaya IP office compatible
• 10/100 BaseT Ethernet with seperate auto-negotiation for each port
• Intergrated switch for PC connection – with phone over PC priority
• IP Address Assignment – DHCP Client or Statically Configured
• Support for Simple Network management Protocol (SNMP)
• Multiple language support built-in: English, French, Italian, Spanish & KataKana
• Downloadable firm-ware for true investment protection
• Infrared (IrDA) Port
• Large screen graphic display (168 x 132 dots)
• 24 Programmable DSS / call appearance / feature keys
• 4 application feature buttons along bottom of display Speed Dial, Call Log, Web Browser, Options
• 10 Fixed Feature Keys: Speaker, Mute, Hold, Volume Up, Volume Down, Headset, Conference, Drop, Transfer and Redial
• Microsoft NetMeeting compatible
• Call Log Application
• Special Speed Dial Application
• Web Browser (WML)
• LDAP Directory
• 8 Ring-tone options
• Message Waiting Indicator
• Hearing aid compatible
• Built-in Headset Jack
• Wall Mountable / Desk stand with 7 positions

Please note, this phone is only compatible with Avaya IP Office / Avaya Communication Manager, and is not suitable for home use.

Microsoft and JaJah Join Forces to Increase VoIP Communication

Filed under: VoIP — Tags: , , , , , , , — admin @ 10:45 am

JaJah, a Mountain View California based VoIP service provider, have joined partnership with Microsoft to launch a new IP service for enterprises. This allows business customers to make calls from computers and landlines over the internet, with an improved quality of the VoIP calls made via Office Communications Server 2007 R2.

The partnership means that JaJah will provide Microsoft with SIP trunking services – a technology that connects OCS 2007 R2 to carrier networks, and maintains phone calls arriving at their destination that are made from PCs, VoIP phones and mobile devices. These trunking services are now authorised to be compatible with OCS 2007 R2.

Ebrandz explains that: “a SIP trunk is a concurrent call that is routed over the IP backbone of a carrier using VoIP technology.” Companies using OCS 2007 R2 will not have to buy additional hardware and software to enable their voice calls, because of JaJah’s VoIP platform.

JaJah competes with other web-based calling platforms (e.g. Skype, RingCentral and Google Voice) but its aim is to give VoIP accessibility to technology companies, carriers and mobile operators. By pointing the server at JaJah’s IP address, businesses who buy OCS 2007 can start making calls instantly.

Businesses can start taking advantage of making high quality calls by using JaJah’s IP platform, meaning no infrastructure upgrade is necessary. Microsoft OCS users can now make low cost voice calls from their IP phones, computers or mobile phones to any device because of the new partnership with JaJah.

Trevor Healy, JaJah’s CEO said: “The JaJah qualification on Office Communications Server 2007 Release 2 is a clear indicator of the strength of JaJah’s platform and quality as a carrier-grade SIP solutions provider. Enterprises across the world can implement VoIP and unified communication easily and cost effectively with Microsoft and JaJah.”

Lots of small to medium businesses use JaJah’s phone platform to enable calls as it is similar to Skype but without the need for headsets, downloads, software or hardware. Users on Yahoo Messenger making calls are also using JaJah – from when they are registering to when they are paying.

Healy explains: “What this indicates is that when you make an internal call inside the enterprise, we will carry [the call] all the way to your destination. … But then also, if you want to connect to a mobile phone in France, we will handle all the routing and trafficking of that call to Orange in France.”

August 27, 2009

Desktop VoIP Phones Still Relevant in the Marketplace

Filed under: VoIP — Tags: , , — admin @ 11:38 am

Garrett Smith, a blogger from smithonvoip.com suggests desktop VoIP phones are still highly relevant.

In regard to a post by Dave Michels on pindropsoup.com, Smith discusses how personal and business communications have “become increasingly fragmented,” and that there is a wider choice in the present day of how to get hold of someone.

This evolution has in turn limited the possible growth for desktop VoIP phones. However, desktop VoIP phones are not being wiped out. As Smith states, desktop VoIP phones are still the most appropriate enabler of business VoIP calling.

He indicates this is because the phone call is “an experience,” and one that is tied directly to a desktop VoIP phone. Desktop VoIP phones will face competition – although these new competitors still have to change prosumer habits, a task not easy to do.

To maintain their power as the preferred medium of enabling a call, desktop VoIP phones will need to evolve. As manufacturers are continually creating new and developing existing products, this is sure to happen.
Smith agrees with Michels on the fact that people love their mobile phones as they are becoming rapidly more relevant to users. So it is suggested that some partnership between the mobile phone and desktop phone that meets the needs of the prosumer is likely.

Overall, Smith agrees that the “evolutionary fragmentation of communications will limit the potential growth of the desktop VoIP phone over time.” But, that this is apparent in all other forms of communications too due to technology advancing and continual evolution. The market winner will be the product that is most relevant to the user – and currently that is the desktop VoIP phone.

VoIP to Come to iPhone on AT&T 3G Network?

Filed under: VoIP — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 11:22 am

It is known that Apple and AT&T have an agreement to block VoIP applications from using AT&T’s mobile network. However an article on zdnet states VoIP apps using WiFi are fine.

The Apple and AT&T agreement is stated in a letter sent to the FCC by AT&T. The letter clarifies that AT&T and Apple agree that Apple will not enable the iPhone to uses AT&T’s wireless service (2G, 3G and WiFi) to make VoIP calls without accessing consent from AT&T.

It is suggested that without this agreement the price of the iPhone would have been greater than it is. AT&T frequently review their capability and feature policies, and are said to take a “fresh look” at the possibility of authorising VoIP capabilities on the AT&T 3G network for the iPhone. For more information head to phonesreview.

New Small Business VoIP Phone Series from Cisco

Filed under: VoIP — Tags: , , , — admin @ 11:07 am

Cisco Systems are releasing five new VoIP phones targeted at the small medium business sector. The new SPA5XX models are part of the Cisco Small Business Series, and are the next generation in desktop VoIP phone technology for Cisco.

Developing further from the successful Linksys SPA9XX series, the SPA5XX series are designed to meet the VoIP consumers changing needs. All five phones in the series include:

  1. Dual switched ethernet ports with IEEE 802.3af Power Over Ethernet (PoE) support
  2. Full-duplex speakerphone, Message Waiting Indicator Light, 4-way navigation key, and 12 button dial pad, dedicated illuminated buttons for Volume, Hold, Menu settings and Voicemail access
  3. G.722 Wideband Audio codec support
  4. Optional line expansion through the NEW Cisco SPA500S attendant console
  5. Auto-provisioning via TFTP, HTTP or HTTPS
  6. Support for both SIP and Cisco’s SPCP (Smart Phone Control Protocol)

To help you decide which model would suit your business, here is a summary of each:

Cisco SPA501G – the entry level model with a basic grey scale LCD screen and single line appearance. Suitable for waiting areas and break rooms.

Cisco SPA502G – this model features a higher resolution grey scale LCD screen and two line appearances. Suitable for the average business user.

Cisco SPA504G – this has four line appearances and the middle model out of the series. Suitable for any associate, manager or executive.

Cisco SPA508G – a step up, this model has eight line appearances and the ability to add up to two Cisco SPA500S sidecars. Suitable for a secretary, assistant or someone that needs to handle multiple calls at one time.

Cisco SPA509G – the final model features a twelve line appearance that is also designed for secretaries and assistants. It can be used with a maximum of two SPA500S sidecars – allowing 76 line appearances.
The availability of the SPA5XX series is September 2nd 2009 but pre-orders are accepted already. Want to learn a bit more about the series, head here.

New VoIP Phone Released by Astra

Filed under: VoIP — Tags: , , — admin @ 10:56 am

The Aastra 312W is the latest in the line of new WiFi VoIP phones to be released in 2009.

Targeted at consumers and prosumers the 312W supports 802.11 b/g wireless network connections, a high resolution colour screen and a memory card to store contacts. The 312W is SIP based.

Aastra are a top quality brand and one of the global communications leaders. The Aastra 57i CT desktop/cordless VoIP phone combination is one of the most popular phones on the market. Not forgetting their inventive SIP DECT solution either.

The 312W is set to cause a lot of interest, despite the $349.99 US price tag. In time this number may fall however. But, if you’re looking for a WiFi VoIP Phone the Aastra 312W is a definite consideration.

Read more here.

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