I'm back at the helm after a nice long weekend on the beach. Thought I'd start the week off with some of the more interesting news stories of the last few days.

In Red Herring I noted this story

UK Goes Mobile VoIP Crazy
Three services debut in Britain allowing users to make VoIP calls from their mobiles.
September 5, 2006

The United Kingdom seems to have suddenly woken up to the fact that consumers might just want mobile access to VoIP networks.

At least three new services have just launched in the U.K. this week: Rok Viper, AQL for Nokia E series phones, and Mobiboo.

Potentially the biggest splash is going to be made by Rok Entertainment, currently best known for its 2.5 G mobile TV offering. The company has decided to offer completely free calls—from mobile phone to mobile phone—using VoIP technology

Taking a leaf out of Skype’s book, the calls will be totally free if both parties are using Viper software. Calls to existing PSTN (public switched telephone network) landlines may be made available for a few pence per minute.

We're seeing more and more stories lately about mobile VoIP. While some industry leaders seem to wonder if we want VoIP and all the other network features we might get on our PDAs, it's clear that mobility is becoming increasingly popular.

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NetIQ VoIP Security Solution From Attachmate Named 2006 Readers' Choice Award Winner by Windows IT Pro

HOUSTON, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- September 05, 2006 -- The NetIQ® VoIP Security Solution from Attachmate was named a winner in the VoIP Solution category of the 2006 Windows IT Pro Readers' Choice Awards. Kim Paulsen, Group Publisher of Penton Media's Windows IT Pro, announced the winners of the fifth-annual contest September 1, 2006.

"The 2006 Windows IT Pro Readers' Choice Awards continue our tradition of honoring products that our readers tell us are most worthy of recognition," said Paulsen. "These are the hardware, software, and services that measure up where it counts most -- in the businesses, agencies, and institutions that rely on them to deliver what they promise."

Readers were asked to vote on their product preferences in 12 broad technology categories. More than 5,200 readers chose the best among more than 750 products and services.

While they're no longer the sponsors of our VoIP Community, it's nice to see NetIQ meeting with continued success and recognition in the VoIP space. Their VoIP Security and Management solutions remains among the strongest in the industry.

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UK Nokia users given free "taster" of WiFi-carried VoIP
A leading telecoms and mobile messaging provider – is inviting Nokia Eseries users to sample free peer-to-peer wi-fi calling over its mobile VoIP network. With free connection and set-up, those taking advantage of the offer will be able to make calls over wi-fi internet from the same handset and mobile number as their existing GSM service. To connect to aql, Nokia Eseries users simply need to text ‘nokia’ to aql short code 64446 and their phone will be configured automatically.

This is perhaps a pointer back to the first story in some ways. Nokia has really been pressing ahead with VoIP service on mobile devices with their recent release.

Other stories
Monday is mobile VoIP day
UK Nokia users given free "taster" of WiFi-carried VoIP
aql Invites Nokia Smart Phone Users To Sample Free Wi-fi Calls
Nokia Upgrades N80 Web Phone
Nokia and SingTel to Launch Dual-Mode Telephony
Nokia's N80 Phone Adds Enhanced Internet Features

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CRTC reaffirms VoIP decision - itWorldCanada.com
The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) admitted competition in the local phone service market was heating up faster than forecast but said it was sticking with an earlier decision that gave Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers an advantage over incumbent phone companies.

The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) Friday admitted competition in the local phone service market was heating up faster than forecast but said it was sticking with an earlier decision that gave Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) providers an advantage over incumbent phone companies.

In May 2005, the CRTC issued a ruling saying that large telephone companies could not undercut smaller and fledgling phone companies by offering lower prices.

The telecommunications watchdog also said it would regulate VoIP service the same way it regulates companies such as Bell Canada and Telus. This meant that incumbents cannot offer Internet-based phone services below cost while new companies can set prices as low as they want.

Ongoing press about VoIP regulation in Canada.

Other stories
Telus and Bell Fail to Phase CRTC on VoIP Regulation

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Once You Go VoIP, You Never Go Back!
This Amazing Technology Has Many Benefits for Consumers and Businesses Today
With the current explosion of VoIP all over the world, it is not surprising that many people in the U.S. are now jumping on the VoIP bandwagon. The technology works by routing voice conversations over the Internet via IP networks. The voice data does not use circuit switch transmission lines of the past, but instead uses packet switched networks that do the same thing, but cheaper and more efficiently.

This amazing technology has many benefits for consumers and businesses today. Take a look at these top benefits and decide if you want to switch to VoIP today!

An article on the growing populartiy of VoIP in the consumer market.

Other stories
The VoIP Insurgency
Tell Your Phone Company to VoIP Off!

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DirecTV testing VoIP
Alright, so by now you've probably been inundated with offers from either your local telco or cable company to sign up for one of those "triple play" pacakges bundling together phone, TV, and broadband service, right? Well, the big service providers have been pushing these bundles as a way to lockdown subscribers, and now there's a possibility that DirecTV might start offering VoIP service to its customers as a way to keep pace with the competition. DirecTV has already partnered with Verizon, Qwest, and BellSouth to offer these kinds of bundles, but CNET reports that they've launched a joint-venture with Hicks Holdings called DirecPath that is going to be test-marketing VoIP service. DirecTV is careful to say that this doesn't mean they're definitely adding VoIP to their line up, just that it's an option they're considering for future bundles.

DirecTV and their DirecPC offering provide a great deal of Internet connectivity, paricularly in rural communities where DSL or cable may not be available. I used DirecPC for several years when I lived in rural Vermont. Partnering for VoIP services demonstrates their ongoing commitment to service delivery.

Other stories
DIRECTV Parent Company Tests Waters with Consumer VoIP Pilot ...
DirecTV Testing VoIP Phone Service



Technorati Tags: VoIP, mobile VoIP, NetIQ, Nokia, CTRC, DirecTV