Here are some interesting items floating through the news today -

Nortel Introduces New Softswitch for Small, Medium Service Providers
By Tara Seals
Posted on: 06/05/2006
Nortel Networks has announced the Nortel Communication Server 1500 (CS 1500), a second-generation VoIP softswitch.

The CS 1500 will allow small and medium-sized wireline service providers to meet growing subscriber demand for both local and long-distance voice and next-generation services. It also positions greenfield service providers to offer advanced services and lays the foundation for future IMS-based multimedia services.

Nortel has also introduced new global services to help small and medium-sized service providers deploy new IP-based services more quickly and optimize network efficiency and security.

Nortel continues to play not just in VoIP, but in important space - the SMB marketplace.

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NexTone Introduces Dynamic Policy Management for VoIP and IMS Services in Carrier Networks
GLOBALCOMM 2006
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 5, 2006--

New NexTone Functionality Enables Dynamic Updates to Session Policies for Carriers to Optimize Service Quality, Availability, and Capacity Over Interconnected IP and IMS Networks

NexTone Communications(R), the leader in intelligent and scalable session management for IP and IMS network interconnects, today announced a new capability of its IntelliConnect(TM) System that automates policy-driven session management across IP and IMS networks. Called Dynamic Policy Management(TM), this new functionality allows operators to automatically control interconnects used by real-time sessions, to optimize service quality, availability, and network capacity, and free operators to tackle more complex issues of IP and IMS service delivery.

Management tools are curcila to service delivery organizations. Here's yet another foray into IP and IMS management tools

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XO Diagrams VoIP Services With Acme Packet Session Border Controllers
Net-Net SBCs Support XO's Wholesale VoIP Services

CHICAGO, IL -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 06/05/2006 -- GLOBALCOMM -- Acme Packet®, the leader in session border control solutions, today announced that XO Communications has deployed Acme Packet's Net-Net® session border controllers (SBCs) to support its wholesale service provider VoIP customers.

XO's wholesale VoIP services enable service providers to originate and terminate customers' voice calls nationwide through a single connection to the XO IP network -- thereby helping wholesale customers reduce costs in markets where they offer service, enter new markets more quickly and more efficiently manage voice traffic on a nationwide basis.

XO get's overlooked far too often. They're a quiet company that do a lot in VoIP space. Here's an example/

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Microsoft Acquires Missing Pieces
By Mary Jo Foley
June 5, 2006
News Analysis: Microsoft is spending big bucks on technology it could potentially develop in-house with its huge stash of R&D dollars.
For IT vendors, technology comes in two flavors: homegrown and brought into the portfolio from the outside. In Microsoft's case, we usually consider most of its efforts "homegrown"—with "home" being the R&D conducted around the globe in the company's many labs and offices. Still, Microsoft has a wallet fat with cash and has been on a buying spree over the past 12 months.

At the annual Microsoft VC Summit, held May 11 in Mountain View, Calif., just a short drive from the Silicon Valley's venture row, Redmond product teams presented the company's vision and strategies to analysts.

Redmond's strategy on acquisitions and where MS spends moeny is something all the entrepreneurs watch.

Technorati Tags: Nortel, NexTone, Ploicy Management, carrier networks, XO Communications, Microsfot