U.K. provider Ring2 is now selling a voice conference-call service in the United States and trying to separate its offerings from competitors’ with software that lets customers control calls from their BlackBerries.
The way it works, when the first participant has called into the conference, the conference leader’s BlackBerry buzzes with a message that the first person has arrived. The caller then asks the leader if he wants to see who it is. If the leader clicks yes, the device shows the person’s name, and then adds names as other callers join. The leader can also add people via the Blackberry and mute lines.
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“This seems like a niche market, but it might be something that customers like,” says Kitty Weldon, an analyst with Current Analysis. The service would be best suited to companies that issue BlackBerries to their end users and for whom conferencing is a big part of doing business, she says. Ring2 says it hopes to attract law firms, financial institutions and consultants.
InterCall has similar remote conference control for BlackBerries, but other conference-call providers, such as AT&T, BT, Premier and Verizon, do not.
Ring2 claims only 30% of call leaders dial in from their own office where their computer is available, so the BlackBerry controller expands the locations from which they can exert control. The company claims customers use desktop control of conferences 2% of the time, but use of BlackBerry control is 60%.
The cost of Ring2 Conference Controller for BlackBerry is rolled into the standard fee for the provider’s conferencing service, which is typically eight to 16 cents per minute per caller on a conference. For a large enterprise with more use, that price can drop as low as three cents per minute.
When customers sign up for the service, they get controller clients from Ring2 that they distribute to their BlackBerry users via the corporate BlackBerry server. End users don’t have to do anything to install the software. Customers provide the BlackBerries.
Source:http://www.networkworld.com/
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Conference Calling Goes Global
Our lives have changed thanks to globalization. It has changed our ways of living. It has allowed us to avail of products and services that we could not have otherwise. It has opened our minds to what the rest of the world can offer. At the same time, it has also transformed our ways of doing business. Gone are the days when file cabinets and piles of paper dominated our offices. These days, a single computer can hold all our data. Any data that is required by us will only be a few mouse clicks away.
In a way, that reveals the new look of business. Convenience and speed have become necessities. Could that be a reason why many organizations are gradually choosing conference calls over the traditional business meetings? To begin with, business meetings usually involve a certain amount of delay. Even if the meeting starts on time, some amount of time will inevitably be lost while commuting to the meeting. That time might have been put to better use. Moreover, a good deal of time goes into preparing the conference room, inviting and assisting the delegates, and generally ensuring that there are no hiccups.
In addition to the waste of time, there are various kinds of costs linked with the traditional business meeting. Often enough, delegates have to be flown in from different places. This is more so these days, when the workforce is scattered across the world. Air fares and accommodation costs can adversely affect the company's budget.
Thus, more and more business organizations are looking to the conference call to have important discussions. This is especially important when the matter to be discussed is one of crucial importance and which cannot wait for a traditional business meeting. The "con call" as it is popularly referred to, provides a quick and efficient way to carry out discussions on a given matter. Moreover, the organization concerned then has to pay only for the conference call service, thus saving on larger costs like travel and hotel bills.
Also, conference calls need not be restricted to only domestic calls. International conference call services are easily available. Thus, one can simultaneously talk to someone from the same office building and someone living in a far-off land. These days, we have access to a variety of conference call service providers. The numbers of providers ensure that we will get good bargains.
Source:http://pr-gb.com/
In a way, that reveals the new look of business. Convenience and speed have become necessities. Could that be a reason why many organizations are gradually choosing conference calls over the traditional business meetings? To begin with, business meetings usually involve a certain amount of delay. Even if the meeting starts on time, some amount of time will inevitably be lost while commuting to the meeting. That time might have been put to better use. Moreover, a good deal of time goes into preparing the conference room, inviting and assisting the delegates, and generally ensuring that there are no hiccups.
In addition to the waste of time, there are various kinds of costs linked with the traditional business meeting. Often enough, delegates have to be flown in from different places. This is more so these days, when the workforce is scattered across the world. Air fares and accommodation costs can adversely affect the company's budget.
Thus, more and more business organizations are looking to the conference call to have important discussions. This is especially important when the matter to be discussed is one of crucial importance and which cannot wait for a traditional business meeting. The "con call" as it is popularly referred to, provides a quick and efficient way to carry out discussions on a given matter. Moreover, the organization concerned then has to pay only for the conference call service, thus saving on larger costs like travel and hotel bills.
Also, conference calls need not be restricted to only domestic calls. International conference call services are easily available. Thus, one can simultaneously talk to someone from the same office building and someone living in a far-off land. These days, we have access to a variety of conference call service providers. The numbers of providers ensure that we will get good bargains.
Source:http://pr-gb.com/
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Five Steps to Clearer Audio Conferences
At San Francisco's Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, our IT department received constant complaints from our users who tried to conduct audio or video conferences.
Our legal professionals were frustrated by poor audio, low volumes, or static instead of content. How did we resolve these issues?
We established five rules for successful audio conferences, which can apply to the audio portion of video conferences or webinars, as well as the traditional teleconference.
1. Turn off your BlackBerry.
BlackBerrys emit annoying radio frequency interference that is picked up by telephones, microphones and speakers.
They aren't the only guilty party: To some extent cell phones and all wireless devices could be considered co-defendants to this noise complaint.
But BlackBerrys, because they are much more likely to be transmitting information, are most problematic.
Of wireless protocols in use today, Global System for Mobile or GSM -- perhaps the most popular -- is probably the worst offender because of the way it uses the electromagnetic spectrum.
Your conference microphones work by translating sound waves into electromagnetic signals that are then sent to your conferencing system.
Meanwhile, your BlackBerry is sending out pulses of electromagnetism to communicate with its network. These pulses are essentially highjacking the electronics of your microphone and sending those pulses directly through the microphone to your conferencing system. You hear these electromagnetic pulses as that characteristic staccato of buzzes.
If you can't get people to turn off their BlackBerrys, consider investing in shielded microphones and cables.
Audio Technica U.S. Inc. makes a whole line of shielded boundary microphones. We've had great luck with the model U841A. Make sure your cables are also shielded or quad-style.
2. Avoid using a cell phone for audio conferences.
The quality of cell phone calls is poor and often filled with static. One cell phone on the call can create enough noise to ruin a conference for the other callers. If you absolutely have no other choice, please mute your cell phone during the call.
3. Don't use your office speakerphone.
High-end Polycom Inc. speakerphones and built-in conferencing systems offer duplex voice transmission.
This means that two people can talk at the same time without attenuating or diminishing the volume of one another. Although your office phone is capable of duplex voice transmission, your office speakerphone is not.
4. Mute your microphone when not talking.
Microphones will indiscriminately pick up the slightest of movement, breathing, rustling of papers or side conversations. In order for the group to hear the speaker, background noise must be kept to a minimum.
5. Locate the microphone, speak clearly into it and keep everything else away from it.
In order to be heard, you must be within three feet of the microphone and speak directly into it. You must also keep rustling papers, tapping pencils -- as well as noisy laptops and projectors -- as far away from the microphone as possible.
High-end conference rooms often have the microphones built into the table top, which makes their location easy to ignore or cover with papers or lunch.
Source:http://www.law.com/jsp/
Our legal professionals were frustrated by poor audio, low volumes, or static instead of content. How did we resolve these issues?
We established five rules for successful audio conferences, which can apply to the audio portion of video conferences or webinars, as well as the traditional teleconference.
1. Turn off your BlackBerry.
BlackBerrys emit annoying radio frequency interference that is picked up by telephones, microphones and speakers.
They aren't the only guilty party: To some extent cell phones and all wireless devices could be considered co-defendants to this noise complaint.
But BlackBerrys, because they are much more likely to be transmitting information, are most problematic.
Of wireless protocols in use today, Global System for Mobile or GSM -- perhaps the most popular -- is probably the worst offender because of the way it uses the electromagnetic spectrum.
Your conference microphones work by translating sound waves into electromagnetic signals that are then sent to your conferencing system.
Meanwhile, your BlackBerry is sending out pulses of electromagnetism to communicate with its network. These pulses are essentially highjacking the electronics of your microphone and sending those pulses directly through the microphone to your conferencing system. You hear these electromagnetic pulses as that characteristic staccato of buzzes.
If you can't get people to turn off their BlackBerrys, consider investing in shielded microphones and cables.
Audio Technica U.S. Inc. makes a whole line of shielded boundary microphones. We've had great luck with the model U841A. Make sure your cables are also shielded or quad-style.
2. Avoid using a cell phone for audio conferences.
The quality of cell phone calls is poor and often filled with static. One cell phone on the call can create enough noise to ruin a conference for the other callers. If you absolutely have no other choice, please mute your cell phone during the call.
3. Don't use your office speakerphone.
High-end Polycom Inc. speakerphones and built-in conferencing systems offer duplex voice transmission.
This means that two people can talk at the same time without attenuating or diminishing the volume of one another. Although your office phone is capable of duplex voice transmission, your office speakerphone is not.
4. Mute your microphone when not talking.
Microphones will indiscriminately pick up the slightest of movement, breathing, rustling of papers or side conversations. In order for the group to hear the speaker, background noise must be kept to a minimum.
5. Locate the microphone, speak clearly into it and keep everything else away from it.
In order to be heard, you must be within three feet of the microphone and speak directly into it. You must also keep rustling papers, tapping pencils -- as well as noisy laptops and projectors -- as far away from the microphone as possible.
High-end conference rooms often have the microphones built into the table top, which makes their location easy to ignore or cover with papers or lunch.
Source:http://www.law.com/jsp/
Monday, September 17, 2007
Low-Cost Conference Calls Get Easier To Setup And Cheaper To Pay For: JaJah Conference Calls
The new service allows for the setup, scheduling and delivery of low-cost conference calls with up to ten different participants. As for JaJah standard calls, the whole setup to initiate a conference is done on the web, with any type of computer and through a very simple and easy-to-use one-page interface.
Keep in mind that JaJah, does NOT require you to use any headset, microphone or other special software or device to hook to your computer. You simply fill in the numbers/names of the people you want to call and JaJah does the rest by transferring all that info the public telephone network and ringing you and your contacts phones at the moment you initiate your call.
JAJAH Conference Calling is a new powerful feature now accessible on top of the excellent web-based JaJah calling service. The new feature allows you to schedule and initiate very-low-cost conference calls in a very straightforward and easy-to-use online set up.
The service is open to anyone, individuals, small businesses and large companies and it takes next to no time at all to get started on it.
JAJAH Conference Calls make conference calls easier than they've ever been - and cheaper (of course).
You can add up to ten participants to a single call and for frequent conference calls with the same participants, you can set up groups in your JAJAH address book.
Missing a conference call is also a thing of the past because JAJAH actively rings the participants to start the conference. And you can schedule them ahead of time and send yourself a text message reminder shortly before the call begins.
How does it work?
Simple. Instead of just entering the one number you want to reach, click "Set up conference call" to enter additional numbers or contacts. You can add up to 10 participants to your conference. The new JAJAH Conference Calls feature also allows the scheduling of conference calls, and – as an option – the ability to send a text message reminder to the conference call invitees shortly before the start of the call.
Another very useful feature called "Groups" allows the easy recording of individual contacts into a group as to facilitate calling multiple people on a frequent or systematic basis.
None of the conference call attendees you are inviting will need to register or pay for anything. Only one, the conference call initiator has to pay for the cost of the call.
All conference calls costs are completely transparent to you as the exact cost for any conference call you may want to initiate is updated in real-time as you add new invitees to the call invitees list next to the "Call" button.
Here an example of the costs: You are in Montreal, Canada (Zone 1). You want to talk to your friends in France, Belgium (Zone 2) and Guinea (Zone 4). With JAJAH, talking to your friends at the same time will cost you no more than 24 Cents (US) per minute. Compared to other major conference calling providers you may save up to 95% on a single conference call.
source:http://www.masternewmedia.org/
Keep in mind that JaJah, does NOT require you to use any headset, microphone or other special software or device to hook to your computer. You simply fill in the numbers/names of the people you want to call and JaJah does the rest by transferring all that info the public telephone network and ringing you and your contacts phones at the moment you initiate your call.
JAJAH Conference Calling is a new powerful feature now accessible on top of the excellent web-based JaJah calling service. The new feature allows you to schedule and initiate very-low-cost conference calls in a very straightforward and easy-to-use online set up.
The service is open to anyone, individuals, small businesses and large companies and it takes next to no time at all to get started on it.
JAJAH Conference Calls make conference calls easier than they've ever been - and cheaper (of course).
You can add up to ten participants to a single call and for frequent conference calls with the same participants, you can set up groups in your JAJAH address book.
Missing a conference call is also a thing of the past because JAJAH actively rings the participants to start the conference. And you can schedule them ahead of time and send yourself a text message reminder shortly before the call begins.
How does it work?
Simple. Instead of just entering the one number you want to reach, click "Set up conference call" to enter additional numbers or contacts. You can add up to 10 participants to your conference. The new JAJAH Conference Calls feature also allows the scheduling of conference calls, and – as an option – the ability to send a text message reminder to the conference call invitees shortly before the start of the call.
Another very useful feature called "Groups" allows the easy recording of individual contacts into a group as to facilitate calling multiple people on a frequent or systematic basis.
None of the conference call attendees you are inviting will need to register or pay for anything. Only one, the conference call initiator has to pay for the cost of the call.
All conference calls costs are completely transparent to you as the exact cost for any conference call you may want to initiate is updated in real-time as you add new invitees to the call invitees list next to the "Call" button.
Here an example of the costs: You are in Montreal, Canada (Zone 1). You want to talk to your friends in France, Belgium (Zone 2) and Guinea (Zone 4). With JAJAH, talking to your friends at the same time will cost you no more than 24 Cents (US) per minute. Compared to other major conference calling providers you may save up to 95% on a single conference call.
source:http://www.masternewmedia.org/
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
FVC launches Polycom's CX range of IP phones with end-to-end support for Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007
The Polycom product family includes the CX100, a portable Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 speakerphone peripheral, the CX200 speakerphone and handset, the CX400 cordless desktop handset, and the CX700 executive IP telephone.
Office Communications Server 2007 delivers streamlined communications for users, helping them find and communicate with the right person, right now, from the applications they use most. Without expensive infrastructure and network upgrades, customers can leverage streamlined communications, including software-powered VoIP, Web conferencing and enterprise instant messaging, while maintaining the operational control required.
said K.S. Parag, regional director, FVC. 'Our solutions are designed to bring the richness of the PC together with the familiarity and advanced voice capabilities of the desktop telephone, so users can easily locate and engage with customers, partners and co-workers within a secure and productive environment."
"Polycom's CX solutions for Office Communications Server 2007 enable a flexible, engaging and person-centric communications experience with high definition quality sound, PC integration, buddy list call initiation, and cordless design," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of Voice at Polycom.
The Polycom CX100 Speakerphone is a peripheral device for Office Communicator 2007 that connects via USB to a laptop or desktop PC without the need to install additional drivers. Polycom is supporting the Office Communications Server 2007 public beta with the CX100 Speakerphone that can be ordered through www.microsoft.com/uc, after downloading the public beta.
The highly portable Polycom CX100 enables hands-free, high fidelity, high definition audio and greater group collaboration through robust, ad hoc conference calls that can be initiated from a laptop located in any conference room, office, or remote location such as a hotel room. The CX100 delivers a mobile high definition voice quality experience, which offers more than four times the clarity of the speakerphone capability found on traditional business phones, and has the flexibility to be used in individual or group communication sessions.
The CX100 closely integrates with Office Communicator 2007 and enables one-touch control of answering or hanging up a call, controlling the volume, and enabling mute directly from buttons on the device.
In addition to the CX100 Speakerphone, other Polycom high definition telephone devices that integrate with Office Communications Server 2007 in development are:
• The Polycom CX200 Desktop Phone is an USB peripheral for Office Communicator 2007 that will provide a full duplex speakerphone and handset and a large enhanced presence status indicator.
• The Polycom CX400 Cordless Phone is a wireless handset with a small base station that connects via USB and includes display capabilities with presence, a 30-foot wireless reception range, and 10-hour talk time.
• The Polycom CX700 IP Phone for executive desktops delivers a presence and directory enabled phone with a color touch screen, USB and Ethernet ports, and a biometric/fingerprint reader.
Source:http://www.ameinfo.com/131946.html
Office Communications Server 2007 delivers streamlined communications for users, helping them find and communicate with the right person, right now, from the applications they use most. Without expensive infrastructure and network upgrades, customers can leverage streamlined communications, including software-powered VoIP, Web conferencing and enterprise instant messaging, while maintaining the operational control required.
said K.S. Parag, regional director, FVC. 'Our solutions are designed to bring the richness of the PC together with the familiarity and advanced voice capabilities of the desktop telephone, so users can easily locate and engage with customers, partners and co-workers within a secure and productive environment."
"Polycom's CX solutions for Office Communications Server 2007 enable a flexible, engaging and person-centric communications experience with high definition quality sound, PC integration, buddy list call initiation, and cordless design," said Sunil Bhalla, senior vice president and general manager of Voice at Polycom.
The Polycom CX100 Speakerphone is a peripheral device for Office Communicator 2007 that connects via USB to a laptop or desktop PC without the need to install additional drivers. Polycom is supporting the Office Communications Server 2007 public beta with the CX100 Speakerphone that can be ordered through www.microsoft.com/uc, after downloading the public beta.
The highly portable Polycom CX100 enables hands-free, high fidelity, high definition audio and greater group collaboration through robust, ad hoc conference calls that can be initiated from a laptop located in any conference room, office, or remote location such as a hotel room. The CX100 delivers a mobile high definition voice quality experience, which offers more than four times the clarity of the speakerphone capability found on traditional business phones, and has the flexibility to be used in individual or group communication sessions.
The CX100 closely integrates with Office Communicator 2007 and enables one-touch control of answering or hanging up a call, controlling the volume, and enabling mute directly from buttons on the device.
In addition to the CX100 Speakerphone, other Polycom high definition telephone devices that integrate with Office Communications Server 2007 in development are:
• The Polycom CX200 Desktop Phone is an USB peripheral for Office Communicator 2007 that will provide a full duplex speakerphone and handset and a large enhanced presence status indicator.
• The Polycom CX400 Cordless Phone is a wireless handset with a small base station that connects via USB and includes display capabilities with presence, a 30-foot wireless reception range, and 10-hour talk time.
• The Polycom CX700 IP Phone for executive desktops delivers a presence and directory enabled phone with a color touch screen, USB and Ethernet ports, and a biometric/fingerprint reader.
Source:http://www.ameinfo.com/131946.html
Monday, September 10, 2007
Making your Business Conference Calling Effective and Useful
For a business to reach out to their client base, form connections with their satellite operations, and maintain communication levels exceeding that of emails and memos, they must reach those in their professional network by phone. Business conference calling can be done through a number of services, offering low rates, discounted toll free numbers to call in order to connect with everyone else on the call, and a myriad of added services that bolster the effectiveness of business conference calling.
If you are working for a medium to large size business, then you understand the complexities of managing time, resources, and money. The employees may work several hours from your office and need constant support and contact with your department. A business conference calling plan tailored to your specific needs can help you to stay in constant contact with those you are overseeing. For effective conference calls to become a reality, a business must first find the plan that works for them. There are several questions you must answer to find a suitable plan.
1.Do you know how many minutes/hours you will need for conference calls per month?
2.Looking at those numbers, does it make sense to purchase a monthly subscription plan, reducing your per minute charge for your business conference calling?
3.For effective conference calls, have you considered recording the sessions for transcription later?
4.Do you require a toll free number or will a toll number be sufficient?
Once you have the answers to these questions related to your business conference calling requirements, you can begin searching to find the perfect match for your business. The internet offers a wide array of business conference calling plans to match your company's usage and requirements. Once you have chosen the package right for your business, it is only a matter of holding effective conference calls.
Effective conference calls are achieved by strong leadership, focused discussions, and by having an agenda. A conference call can go awry when those leading the discussion lose focus, talk incessantly about one particular to the topic, or crowd the microphone time, eliminating others from the conversation. Effective conference calls should utilize the resources (people and money) to their advantage, bringing everyone together to brainstorm, listen and become informed on a topic, or just to talk about the business needs for them can be an effective conference calls.
By finding the right business conference calling plan, hosts can utilize the tools at their disposal to make it as easy to join and participate on the call as possible. Effective conference calls happen when those conducting the calls can do so without interference of dropped calls or other annoyances. The right service can promote effective conference calls, as much as the right leadership and personnel.
Source:http://www.articleinsert.com/
If you are working for a medium to large size business, then you understand the complexities of managing time, resources, and money. The employees may work several hours from your office and need constant support and contact with your department. A business conference calling plan tailored to your specific needs can help you to stay in constant contact with those you are overseeing. For effective conference calls to become a reality, a business must first find the plan that works for them. There are several questions you must answer to find a suitable plan.
1.Do you know how many minutes/hours you will need for conference calls per month?
2.Looking at those numbers, does it make sense to purchase a monthly subscription plan, reducing your per minute charge for your business conference calling?
3.For effective conference calls, have you considered recording the sessions for transcription later?
4.Do you require a toll free number or will a toll number be sufficient?
Once you have the answers to these questions related to your business conference calling requirements, you can begin searching to find the perfect match for your business. The internet offers a wide array of business conference calling plans to match your company's usage and requirements. Once you have chosen the package right for your business, it is only a matter of holding effective conference calls.
Effective conference calls are achieved by strong leadership, focused discussions, and by having an agenda. A conference call can go awry when those leading the discussion lose focus, talk incessantly about one particular to the topic, or crowd the microphone time, eliminating others from the conversation. Effective conference calls should utilize the resources (people and money) to their advantage, bringing everyone together to brainstorm, listen and become informed on a topic, or just to talk about the business needs for them can be an effective conference calls.
By finding the right business conference calling plan, hosts can utilize the tools at their disposal to make it as easy to join and participate on the call as possible. Effective conference calls happen when those conducting the calls can do so without interference of dropped calls or other annoyances. The right service can promote effective conference calls, as much as the right leadership and personnel.
Source:http://www.articleinsert.com/
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Conference Call Solutions and Service Providers
Tech savvy corporations and business people are increasingly taking advantage of conference call services that are improving all the time.
Conference calls can be arranged quickly. It may involve just 3 or 4 persons with an audio only link; or it may involve 1000s of persons with audio, video and data links.
The advantages of virtual conference calling are many. Just to name a few:
- Quick to arrange
- Value for money
- Saves travel costs
- Saves Hotel costs
- Saves conference room hire costs
- Reduces administration - try getting a group of 5 from 5 countries to attend a conference at one physical location. Then try the same conference on a virtual basis. Once you have arranged a couple of virtual conference calls, it becomes a snip.
- Cuts out non-productive time: e.g., waiting at airports or for trains, etc. Once the virtual conference call is over, you can get back immediately to the task in hand.
Virtual conferences can be highly interactive: you can include document sharing and board sharing (brainstorm ideas on one virtual page). With a larger audience, you can also include instant polling ("show of hands").
Some of the things you should look our for when sourcing conference call facilities:
- Compare set up fees, if any
- Is there any monthly or weekly "retainer" charge
- Is there a "connection" charge?
- Do you pay only for the seconds and minutes that you use?
- What are the per second or per minute rates?
- Do you pay for each caller who joins the conference call or do they pay individually?
- Can you take advantage of local rate calls?
- Can you offer "free" calls to your invitees?
- Can you access the service 24/7 if your conference calls are international (when different time zones come into play)?
- Is the support responsive and friendly?
- Is there any user experience feedback?
- Do you need to book the conference call well in advance?
- Can you cancel the call without penalties?
- Is there a "welcome" operator or area to introduce participants as they join the conference?
- Can you obtain transcripts or recordings of the conference?
Plan your conference call and have a set agenda. Ensure that all participants are aware of the agenda. Appoint one or more moderators to ensure that the proceedings run smoothly and within time for all Conference Calls.
Always follow up the actions that come out of the conference call.
Enjoy your conference call, share, benefit and prosper!
Source:http://www.ccallinfo.com/
Hands on with the first NZ hacked iPhone
Imagine two people walking into your office on a relatively slow news day. One is the Pope, and the other is carrying the first hacked iPhone that works on the Vodafone network. It's pretty clear who you’d want to talk to first.
John Ballinger, director of IT company Bluespark, received the iPhone as a gift from one of his clients, Vivienne. The phone was purchased in the US and found its way to John’s desk a few days later, he then proceeded to take apart and unlock the phone in a few hours.
"I was so excited when I made the first call and sent the first text message," says Ballinger. ”It took me over an hour just to take the phone apart, it is so beautifully built and no space is wasted. I used an online how-to guide, but I never realised how incredibly small the components were."
Ballinger says he needed help with the hack, but no soldering iron was required.
"You need these incredibly small needles to perform the hack. I brought some normal needles with me, and they were way too big and blunt, which gives you an idea of how small the components are."
Using a Norwegian based how-to guide, Ballinger managed to unlock the phone by installing certain software and performing a work-around on the hardware.
We quickly got our hands on the iPhone and had a play with the different features. We confirmed that everything worked, including trying conference calling and texting. We also had a play with the brilliant camera feature of the phone, and I for one was surprised at how easy the touch screen was to use.
While the iPhone operates happily on Vodafone’s network, there are certain features that have not been hacked yet. GPRS, the email client and the voicemail inbox have yet to get the treatment. The iPhone also does not natively support 3G.
Source:http://blogs.pcworld.co.nz/pcworld/products/
Monday, September 3, 2007
Benifits of Conference Calling Services
conference call facilities to all those who want to perform an audio or web conference at a short notice. The clients can avail their services for a definite fee - that may vary from service provider to provider - and the users in turn are offered the best of services and support all through the session. The costs of a session are generally affordable, especially when compared with the expenses of a business travel and hotel accommodations, but may vary from one provider to the other. But, irrespective of the service provider, at the end of the day, the user may find that conference call services are the most cost effective way to arrange a trans-continental business meeting.
The conference call services – as offered by the conference call service providers – vary from simple audio conferencing to web conferencing, and each comes with different schemes and special offers. Audio conference call services or audio conference calls are for those who want to communicate things verbally, the same way as one does in a round table meeting, without any visual data exchange. On the other hand, web conference calling involves not only talking, but the participants can also see each other and share a document or parts of a document online if wished so. Audio conference call services are usually charged on a per minute basis while online conference calls levies a fee on a per seat per month basis. It may be $100-150 for a web conference session on an average and $60 for audio conferencing. Concessional rates may be offered to those who are using these conference call services quite frequently.
The communication domain is a fast changing one and hence it is only a matter of time before newer and better technologies emerge and replace the existing ones. In other words, web and audio conferencing, as it exists now, may be substituted by newer technologies in the near future. But until that happens, business will continue to rely on conference call services for their mass business communication, as a cheaper alternative for the costlier business travels, since conference call services are easy, cheap, and effective.
Source:http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-18-2006-96545.asp
The conference call services – as offered by the conference call service providers – vary from simple audio conferencing to web conferencing, and each comes with different schemes and special offers. Audio conference call services or audio conference calls are for those who want to communicate things verbally, the same way as one does in a round table meeting, without any visual data exchange. On the other hand, web conference calling involves not only talking, but the participants can also see each other and share a document or parts of a document online if wished so. Audio conference call services are usually charged on a per minute basis while online conference calls levies a fee on a per seat per month basis. It may be $100-150 for a web conference session on an average and $60 for audio conferencing. Concessional rates may be offered to those who are using these conference call services quite frequently.
The communication domain is a fast changing one and hence it is only a matter of time before newer and better technologies emerge and replace the existing ones. In other words, web and audio conferencing, as it exists now, may be substituted by newer technologies in the near future. But until that happens, business will continue to rely on conference call services for their mass business communication, as a cheaper alternative for the costlier business travels, since conference call services are easy, cheap, and effective.
Source:http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-18-2006-96545.asp
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Lypp’s Free-n-Easy Conference Calling
New group calling service set to launch a private beta in September. There are a lot of conference calling services out there already, not least among them being the full blown meeting applications (GoToMeeting, WebEx). However, Lypp wants to make initiating a conference call dead simple (download free) over IM, SMS, and email. The service will be free at the time of launch (each user will get 500 minutes of free calling, no per-min charges, no monthly fees).
IM will be the first mode for initiating conference calls. Users will associate an IM ID with their service and add Lypp as a friend. You’ll then be able to initiate a call by sending a command to that IM buddy, such as call [number, number, number]. Lypp will call your phone and those of your friends, connecting you all in a conference call. Most likely the calls are initiated and tied together over a VOIP bridge. Typing in my friends numbers instead of just selecting contacts on a downloaded application seems like it could get annoying, though.
They’re keeping it simple for launch, but have plans for an API, advanced in-call controls, recording, and possible location based. The API will integrate with calendaring, address books, and other complementary applications.
Source:http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/22/
IM will be the first mode for initiating conference calls. Users will associate an IM ID with their service and add Lypp as a friend. You’ll then be able to initiate a call by sending a command to that IM buddy, such as call [number, number, number]. Lypp will call your phone and those of your friends, connecting you all in a conference call. Most likely the calls are initiated and tied together over a VOIP bridge. Typing in my friends numbers instead of just selecting contacts on a downloaded application seems like it could get annoying, though.
They’re keeping it simple for launch, but have plans for an API, advanced in-call controls, recording, and possible location based. The API will integrate with calendaring, address books, and other complementary applications.
Source:http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/22/
Friday, August 10, 2007
One Voice Launches MobileVoice Landline in Mexico
One Voice Technologies has announced the availability of One Voice’s MobileVoice Landline service in Mexico.The service has been offered to select subscribers of Teléfonos del Noroeste, S.A. de C.V. (TELNOR), a subsidiary of Teléfonos de México, S.A.B. de C.V. (TELMEX) TELNOR will offer a package of services under the brand IRIS that will include: Voice Dialing, Group Conference Calling and Conference Calling, along with Reading and Sending E-mail.
CEO of One Voice Technologies expressed his company’s excitement at the availability of IRIS and their strong relationship with TELNOR.
Weber explained that with IRIS users can simply pick up their phone and tell the system to call someone, read-send e-mail or make group calls to friends, family or business colleagues.
One Voice Technologies made news last week when the company, LTB Audio Systems, signed a strategic partnership to offer One Voice’s Media Center Communicator, voice recognition for Windows Vista Media Center, with LTB Audio’s new Q-Bean, a digital wireless device which offers everything from digital CD-quality streaming audio to a built-in microphone for voice control of Windows Vista Media Center and wireless Skype (News - Alert) phone calling.
One Voice Technologies, located in La Jolla, Calif.,. develops fourth-generation voice solutions for the telecom and interactive multimedia markets. Their Intelligent Voice solutions employ revolutionary, patented technology that allows people to send messages (E-mail, SMS, Instant Messaging and paging), purchase products, get information and control devices - all by using their voice.
Source:http://www.tmcnet.com
CEO of One Voice Technologies expressed his company’s excitement at the availability of IRIS and their strong relationship with TELNOR.
Weber explained that with IRIS users can simply pick up their phone and tell the system to call someone, read-send e-mail or make group calls to friends, family or business colleagues.
One Voice Technologies made news last week when the company, LTB Audio Systems, signed a strategic partnership to offer One Voice’s Media Center Communicator, voice recognition for Windows Vista Media Center, with LTB Audio’s new Q-Bean, a digital wireless device which offers everything from digital CD-quality streaming audio to a built-in microphone for voice control of Windows Vista Media Center and wireless Skype (News - Alert) phone calling.
One Voice Technologies, located in La Jolla, Calif.,. develops fourth-generation voice solutions for the telecom and interactive multimedia markets. Their Intelligent Voice solutions employ revolutionary, patented technology that allows people to send messages (E-mail, SMS, Instant Messaging and paging), purchase products, get information and control devices - all by using their voice.
Source:http://www.tmcnet.com
Monday, August 6, 2007
Skype's free VoIP conference software brings new possibilities
Conference calling is an easy and effective way to be in contact with your colleagues who are far away and close by. Voice over IP makes this mode of communication even easier -- and it saves money. Skype is one downloadable program that helps you do this and what's more, you can do it at no cost. Free VoIP conference software from Skype can make conference calling so simple.
Skype's free VoIP software allows you to hold conference calls with up to five people. All you need is the free download and a headset, and you can enjoy crisp, clear communication through your Internet connection. Skype is a secure way to make calls, so you can hold a conference with your coworkers with the peace of mind that what you're sharing stays confidential.
As long as the computer you want to reach has Skype installed, the calling service remains free. There are other plans available that allow dialing in and out to telephones for a small price. A PC Magazine review asserts that the Skype calling interface is as easy to use as a standard instant messaging service.
Because Skype's VoIP conference calling is free, you won't need to sign a contract or make a commitment. It's a great way to try using VoIP in your business communication because there isn't a financial risk. All you need is an Internet connection -- a faster connection makes for a better call -- and a headset to make secure, convenient conference calls that can help cut down on face-to-face meetings and improve productivity.
Source:http://www.web-conferencing-zone.com/
Skype's free VoIP software allows you to hold conference calls with up to five people. All you need is the free download and a headset, and you can enjoy crisp, clear communication through your Internet connection. Skype is a secure way to make calls, so you can hold a conference with your coworkers with the peace of mind that what you're sharing stays confidential.
As long as the computer you want to reach has Skype installed, the calling service remains free. There are other plans available that allow dialing in and out to telephones for a small price. A PC Magazine review asserts that the Skype calling interface is as easy to use as a standard instant messaging service.
Because Skype's VoIP conference calling is free, you won't need to sign a contract or make a commitment. It's a great way to try using VoIP in your business communication because there isn't a financial risk. All you need is an Internet connection -- a faster connection makes for a better call -- and a headset to make secure, convenient conference calls that can help cut down on face-to-face meetings and improve productivity.
Source:http://www.web-conferencing-zone.com/
Friday, August 3, 2007
Cheap conference calls - Flat rate conference call services and more
Cheap conference calls – as the first term suggests – is the relatively cheaper version of conference call services. For all those who want to perform an audio conference calling or web conference calling at a short notice, and that within a limited budget, this is the right choice. It does the balancing act between reliable service and cost per minute. In the following paragraphs, we’ll see the advantages and pricing of flat rate conference call services, discounted conference calling rates, and how the company manages to offer such a concession in a realistic domain.
The biggest advantage with cheap conference calls is that the clients do not have to make advanced reservations. Instead, he/she can avail the service by calling a toll-free number and other participants can join the conversation using a secret entry code, which the organizer of the conference provides to the participants. Further, in order to make use of discounted conference calling rates, one need not have to own any costly infrastructure. But one can manage the entire session with a normal telephone with conference features, whatever is the strength of the conference. Then there is added advantage if the customer buys bulk minutes; the service provider charges only lesser cents per minute if the customer buys more minutes.
Flat rate conference calls, on the other hand, charges a flat rate per month irrespective of the number of minutes of used. Such a scheme is suitable for those customers who consistently spend over $155 (say) a month on conference calls. The more calls they make, more they save.
You may wonder how the vendors are able to offer conference facilities at such cheaper rates. But the thing is that not all vendors are offering such services. Only those who have their own conference call bridges and phone infrastructure provides discounted conference calling rates and flat rate conference calls, and they could manage it as they do not have to pay for any over head, which is generally charged over the customer bill by most non-discount players.
Cheap conference calls are comparatively cheaper. But it is advisable to check the exact rates and conditions with the service provider before start availing the facility. The rates may vary from one vendor to another.
Source:http://www.buzzle.com
The biggest advantage with cheap conference calls is that the clients do not have to make advanced reservations. Instead, he/she can avail the service by calling a toll-free number and other participants can join the conversation using a secret entry code, which the organizer of the conference provides to the participants. Further, in order to make use of discounted conference calling rates, one need not have to own any costly infrastructure. But one can manage the entire session with a normal telephone with conference features, whatever is the strength of the conference. Then there is added advantage if the customer buys bulk minutes; the service provider charges only lesser cents per minute if the customer buys more minutes.
Flat rate conference calls, on the other hand, charges a flat rate per month irrespective of the number of minutes of used. Such a scheme is suitable for those customers who consistently spend over $155 (say) a month on conference calls. The more calls they make, more they save.
You may wonder how the vendors are able to offer conference facilities at such cheaper rates. But the thing is that not all vendors are offering such services. Only those who have their own conference call bridges and phone infrastructure provides discounted conference calling rates and flat rate conference calls, and they could manage it as they do not have to pay for any over head, which is generally charged over the customer bill by most non-discount players.
Cheap conference calls are comparatively cheaper. But it is advisable to check the exact rates and conditions with the service provider before start availing the facility. The rates may vary from one vendor to another.
Source:http://www.buzzle.com
Thursday, August 2, 2007
Tell Me More: Conference Call Bridge
Getting people together from different locations for a conference call doesn't have to be a painstaking process. You can use a conference call bridge to allow several individuals across multiple conference sites to share information and video in real time.
For companies doing more than six hours of conference calls per month, a conference call bridge can reduce hefty toll charges. Purchasing a bridge for your business is expensive, around $10,000 to $20,000 for the equipment and hundreds to thousands of dollars per phone line. You can request a separate recording device for archiving conferences for future playback, or use your own in-house recording equipment.
You can rent a bridge from a Conference Calling service provider to help alleviate the costs, but only if you use conference calls sparingly. Whether you buy or purchase, your participants are responsible for long distance charges on their end.
There are two ways to connect using a conference call bridge: dial-in and dial-out. Dial-in provides codes for you and your guests. You simply provide participants with the date, time, and access codes to join the conference call. With dial-out, you have additional flexibility to invite participants to join at the last minute. With both options, all participants are muted and can't communicate with each other. Your visitors wait until everybody has connected to the bridge and then you indicate when you begin.
Source:http://www.buyerzone.com/
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Affordable Conference Call – How You Should Plan To Get Most Out of It
Advancement of internet and VoIP, made affordable conference call a realty. Due to low cost, all kinds of conference calling like audio, video are fast becoming popular in our daily social or professional life.
Here you will get information on how low cost audio, video conference call has really reduces monthly household and business phone bill. You will find simple advises on how to select conference call providers.
Affordable conference call made communication simple and cheap with guaranteed quality of services. Now conference calls are within budget to small business owners as well as family with tight budget. Affordability of conference call made it popular amongst students' community and for amongst senior people whose children or other family members are staying abroad.
Organization can buy costly equipment to be installed in their own premises, which provide maximum security or can use equipment on lease and pay as they use.
Why conference call made high impact on daily life?
1. Quick support to customer is the most important parameters for any enterprise. Just imagine, while there was no conference calling facility, people need to travel to customer place to support or for any sales discussion but now using a simple audio conference call , same can be achieved within an hour time.
2. Sometimes corporate requires brainstorming session to address a particular challenge. Earlier, it used to take a lot of time, as people need to travel from different parts of the world to attend the meeting. This includes travel cost and time. Now, the same can be achieved using a dedicated video conference call. If there are no stringent security requirements, it can be achieved easily with web based conference calling functionality like netmeeting.
3. Biggest benefits of low cost conference calling are working managers need not to worry for the expense incurred. Due to low cost, employees are now empowered to take quick decision to use different conference call equipments.
4. People who are traveling can remain in touch with their near ones at home. Inmates of a family can all join in a conference call to greet somebody or to have a simple chat. Affordable net based conference call makes all these possible. Some people also use conference calls for social reasons.
5. Audio and video conferences are extremely helpful for patients as they can consult specialist doctors without any hassles of traveling. There are occasions, where doctors from different parts of the country supervise a critical operation using video conference facility.
How you can also take advantage of conference call in your family life
You should educate your family members to use yahoo netmeeting, instant massager or google talk. You can easily keep contact with them, chat with them and even can physically see them from your laptop sitting in hotel room or airport.
Many conference call service providers are willing and able to create customized affordable plans for small businesses houses. You just have to take the time to shop around for the best phone rates, and the type of service plan that best suits your individual business needs.
Source:http://www.buzzle.com/
Friday, July 27, 2007
The Best Service For Your Audio and Video Conference Call
There are a great deal advantages to incorporating audio and video conference calls into your daily business communication strategy. Audio and viedo Conferencing One of those advantages encompass making truly that your staff receives the same data, that the data is delivered in real time, that your customers are kept apprised of strategies that affect their bottom line, etc. Conference Call Hosting One convenient way of accomplishing these communication objectives is through an audio and video
conference calling.
When selecting your provider to be responsible for these audio and video conference calls it is significant to take into consideration a number of factors. In addition it is significant that you keep in mind the pricing of this service.
Factors In Choosing Your Audio Conference Call Provider
One of the key factors in choosing your audio conference call provider is to determine what your teleconferencing needs are. Dial In Conference Call These needs can be based on whether you be forced to have an international teleconferencing line set up, lot of minutes you estimate that will be needed for teleconferencing purposes, the number of individuals that can be on the call at any given time, whether you wish to utilize facilitator services, etc.
Another critical component in selecting your audio conference call provider is to investigate the varied companies that offer conferencing call services. Team Collaboration Particular attention should be given to the technological equipment that they utilize. Their equipment ought to provide the proper bandwidth for performance, thinkable use of fiber optics for clarity, noise reduction, optimal use of switching equipment, etc. Since communication is a critical component in the successful operation of any business, an meaningful factor to contemplate, before selecting your audio conference call provider, is their level of providing service which is of the highest superiority. For example, if you are in the midst of an important teleconference call with a customer and other staff members and the call is "dropped," this could have serious consequences.
Therefore, it is significant to do determine the quality of service that the audio conference call company provides. Ordinarily when you contact the provider they will provide letters of endorsement from satisfied customers. Premiere Conference You can accept these letters at face value or you can and also ask if it would be acceptable to contact these companies to ask secondary questions.
source:http://www.conferencecallconnections.com/
Monday, July 23, 2007
Automated VideoConferencing - ACT Teleconferencing Launches ReadyConnect Video in the UK
DENVER, COLO. - ACT Teleconferencing, Inc. a worldwide provider of audio, video and web-based conferencing products, today announced the introduction of ReadyConnect Video, a cutting-edge reservationless videoconferencing technology, to its UK customers. On Wednesday 17th May, ACT's senior management is meeting with its UK clients to demonstrate ReadyConnect Video at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, in London.
The UK event is a continuation of the global road show that originated in Asia Pacific. The Company successfully launched ReadyConnect Video in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia in March. Throughout the summer, the Company will introduce this innovative videoconferencing product at events throughout the U.S. and Canada.
"We are very excited about introducing ReadyConnect Video to our UK customers. After receiving a positive response from our customers in Asia Pac, we look forward to introducing the product to our clients over here," said ACT President and Chief Executive Officer Gene Warren. "This product is a natural extension of our global platform and existing audio and video conferencing products."
An automated service, ReadyConnect Video eliminates the need for advance scheduling and the heavy technical support required by traditional videoconferencing. The product is available 24-hours, offers a user-friendly interface, and the ability to archive and stream presentations. To host a videoconference call with slides, users merely log on to the Internet-it is that simple! Participants without videoconferencing equipment can join a conference Call via the telephone or the Internet.
About ACT Teleconferencing
Established in 1990, ACT Teleconferencing, Inc. is a leading independent worldwide provider of audio, video and web-based conferencing products and services to corporations, educational organizations, and governments worldwide. ACT is the only conferencing company with integrated global audio and videoconferencing platforms that provide uniform international services, customized uniform billing, managed services, and local language services. The Company's headquarters are located in Denver, Colorado, with operations in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S., and virtual locations in Japan, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Poland and South Africa.
Source:http://www.newsaboutav.com/ACTTeleconferencingReadyConnectVideo.html
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Where Talk is Cheap
There are a number of vendors that offer free conference calling for calls made in and between the USA and Canada. The limits
generally are on the number of participants and the time frame.Some vendors limit the conference calls to 50 participants,
while most allow up to 100 to attend. Time frames are generallyone to three hours, with one hour being the usual. Where the
cost comes in with these free USA and Canada free conferencecalling meetings is not with the vendor, but rather with the
phone carriers. There is no toll free number to dial in withthese free conference calling vendors so you may incur a long
distance charge when you call within the USA or Canada.
Some vendors allow you to reserve your free conference calling within the USA and Canada, while others only offer audio
conferencing that is reservationless. Let’s look at one vendor offering USA or Canada free conference calling.
If you’re wondering what the catch is with this free conference calling with this and other vendors, and you don’t think it
could possibly be free, think again. Just as with other free “come-ons” in any other industry or market, free is an
enticement. This vendor, like the others, offers the free conferencing calling in the USA and Canada in hopes that you’ll
purchase some upgrades such as digital recordings, operator assistance for question and answer sessions and surveys as well
as reports. They also make additional money selling conference call toll free numbers and contracts with larger corporations.
Another additional fee is for a greater number of participants.One vendor who looked at allows up to 50 participants with its
audio only free conference calling in USA and Canada. The number used to call in is a toll call for long distance participants.
Should a client wish to invite additional participants the prices are $75 per month for dial in codes for up to 100
participants, $100 a month if you’d like to invite up to 200,and $150 a month for a conference call among 500 participants.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
From iPhone Hype to iPhone VoIP
As iPhone Atlas reports (how quickly an iPhone-blog community is springing up) when Talkety calls you, it asks you to enter a verification code, probably to prevent the service from being used for VoIP spam. iPhone Atlas also notes good voice quality on Talkety calls but also some latency.
A Few More Features
Talkety has several other features that aim to attract both Apple and Windows users:
1. A Talkety Firefox extension allows users to call phone numbers they find on Web sites by right-clicking (or Ctrl-clicking, for Mac users) the number and selecting Talkety from the resulting pop-up menu. The only drawback here is that you must set Firefox to allow pop-ups.
2. Apple users will enjoy a dashboard widget that enables fast Talkety calling even with no browser open, while Windows users will appreciate an Outlook plug-in that serves a similar function: letting users make calls directly from their Outlook contact list.
3. Talkety has several other features, including the ability to import from and synchronize addresses with Apple’s Address Book and other vCard-based systems.
You Must Pay
Note that Talkety’s consumer and business accounts both cost money. For example, consumer-account users get 30 free minutes for starters, then have to pay for calls at Talkety’s rates . But in exchange for parting with some money, you are getting mobile-to-mobile VoIP on phones that have Web browsers — and for much less than the cost of either landline or mobile calls.
While regular Talkety accounts only let users make conference call with two other people, a Talkety Pro account for business users expands the conference-calling service ability up to 50 people at once. A Talkety Pro account costs a minimum of €10/month — yes, that’s euros, don’t be intimidated — which translates to about $13.60 per month right now. That price includes up to 500 minutes of what Talkety calls 'International Flatrate,' which allows you to call more than 20 countries, regardless of where you are located, for a flat per-minute rate. Those rates can range from a low of $0.0164 per minute to call within Germany to $0.0363 per minute to call Iceland, with only Turkey coming in higher at $0.0519 per minute.
The advantage here is not the rate, which is low enough, but the fact that Talkety increases the transparency of international-call pricing. In addition, the company is happy to invoice you each month rather than demanding you have money in a Talkety account, in the extraordinary case that your phone calls take longer than you expect.
Talkety is trying to be the first service on the block to promote iPhone-friendly VoIP. If you have a new iPhone, it couldn’t hurt to try Talkety VoIP on it, and potentially make calls for quite a bit less than Ma Bell charges.
Source:http://www.voip-news.com
A Few More Features
Talkety has several other features that aim to attract both Apple and Windows users:
1. A Talkety Firefox extension allows users to call phone numbers they find on Web sites by right-clicking (or Ctrl-clicking, for Mac users) the number and selecting Talkety from the resulting pop-up menu. The only drawback here is that you must set Firefox to allow pop-ups.
2. Apple users will enjoy a dashboard widget that enables fast Talkety calling even with no browser open, while Windows users will appreciate an Outlook plug-in that serves a similar function: letting users make calls directly from their Outlook contact list.
3. Talkety has several other features, including the ability to import from and synchronize addresses with Apple’s Address Book and other vCard-based systems.
You Must Pay
Note that Talkety’s consumer and business accounts both cost money. For example, consumer-account users get 30 free minutes for starters, then have to pay for calls at Talkety’s rates . But in exchange for parting with some money, you are getting mobile-to-mobile VoIP on phones that have Web browsers — and for much less than the cost of either landline or mobile calls.
While regular Talkety accounts only let users make conference call with two other people, a Talkety Pro account for business users expands the conference-calling service ability up to 50 people at once. A Talkety Pro account costs a minimum of €10/month — yes, that’s euros, don’t be intimidated — which translates to about $13.60 per month right now. That price includes up to 500 minutes of what Talkety calls 'International Flatrate,' which allows you to call more than 20 countries, regardless of where you are located, for a flat per-minute rate. Those rates can range from a low of $0.0164 per minute to call within Germany to $0.0363 per minute to call Iceland, with only Turkey coming in higher at $0.0519 per minute.
The advantage here is not the rate, which is low enough, but the fact that Talkety increases the transparency of international-call pricing. In addition, the company is happy to invoice you each month rather than demanding you have money in a Talkety account, in the extraordinary case that your phone calls take longer than you expect.
Talkety is trying to be the first service on the block to promote iPhone-friendly VoIP. If you have a new iPhone, it couldn’t hurt to try Talkety VoIP on it, and potentially make calls for quite a bit less than Ma Bell charges.
Source:http://www.voip-news.com
Monday, July 16, 2007
FCC Referees Dispute Over Free Conference Calling
Large telecom carriers complained that free conferencing and similar voice services are a scam that take advantage of a loophole in long-distance price regulations. Small providers of the services complained that the carriers have no right to block their customers' calls.
Late Thursday, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission stepped into the dispute, giving both sides something to cheer about.
The FCC ruled that large carriers cannot resort to the "self-help" measure of blocking calls without its permission. But the agency also said it was suspending the termination fees charged by 39 rural carriers due to "substantial questions raised" about the legality of the long-distance termination fees they collect.
The dispute began early this year, when AT&T Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc. and Sprint Nextel Corp. filed lawsuits against two rural local exchange carriers (LECs) and 10 chat-line service operators in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa. In March, complained that the three telecom carriers were blocking customers from calling its service.
Conference calling gives its customers free voice conferencing services when they dial a long-distance number provided by the company.
Here's how it works: Under legacy telecom regulations, telecom carriers must pay termination fees when their customers make a long-distance call to a telephone number controlled by a local exchange carrier (LEC). The termination fees vary greatly, from about US$0.01 to $0.13 per minute, with rural LECs generally collecting higher fees.
Conference Calling and similar businesses make money by sending long-distance traffic to LECs with relatively high termination fees and splitting the termination fees with the LECs. Customers calling the service generally have to pay long-distance fees.
Other businesses using the same model include free voice mail services, sex chat lines and services that forward international calls.
AT&T, in an April letter to the FCC, complained that these "traffic-pumping arrangements ... are scams, pure and simple." One rural Iowa LEC changed its termination fees and went from charging AT&T about $2,000 a month to more than $2 million in a single month, wrote James Cicconi, AT&T's senior executive vice president for external and legislative affairs.
"The end result is millions of calls to the advertised phone numbers, millions of dollars in monthly access charge billings, and enormous windfalls both to the ... LEC and the calling service provider, all funded by and their customers, the vast majority of whom never call and want nothing to do with these services," Cicconi wrote.
Alex Cory, CEO of FreeConference parent company Global Conference Partners, said some abuse of termination fees may exist, but his company isn't one of the abusers. FreeConference uses large LECs that generally have termination fees in the $0.03 to $0.04 range, while carriers like AT&T collect close to $0.08 per minute for a long-distance call, he said.
Even with the termination fees LEC partners collect, the long-distance carriers still make money, he said. "Essentially, this is a revenue-sharing business," Cory said. "I continue to be bewildered that the major carriers aren't interested in business models profitable to them."
The major carriers have complained because Conference Calling offers a cheaper service than their own conferencing products, Cory said. "They were looking to shut down competition," he said.
Conference Calling complained to the FCC that AT&T and other carriers were violating the agency's common carrier rules by blocking calls from its customers. FreeConference filed a lawsuit against AT&T in March, but later withdrew it when after it said AT&T stopped blocking its calls. FreeConference continues to have problems with quality of service on telephone networks operated by major carriers, Cory said.
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