VOIP

AT&T to Allow VoIP Applications on its 3G Network

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 6, 2009 - 10:18am.
Dallas - AT&T (NYSE: T) announced on Tuesday that it has "taken the steps necessary so that Apple (NASD: AAPL) can enable VoIP application on iPhone to run on AT&T's wireless network." Previously, such applications were only enabled for use over Wi-Fi connections. The move will allow Internet-based phone services like Skype, and potentially Google Voice (NASD: GOOG), to work on the iPhone over AT&T's 3G network.

Vonage Says Apple Approves VoIP iPhone Application

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 2, 2009 - 12:01pm.
Holmdel, N.J. - Vonage (NYSE: VG), a provider of Internet-based telephone service, announced that Apple (NASD: AAPL) has approved its mobile application for the iPhone and iPod touch. The company hasn't released the application yet, stating that it is currently conducting a beta test, and that general availability will be announced at a later date. Vonage also did not state whether its application would allow iPhone owners to use AT&T's 3G network to make Internet-based calls, or, like Skype's iPhone application, be limited to Wi-Fi connections.

tags: Mobile | Apple | VOIP | Skype | Vonage | iPhone |

Apple Explains Google Voice Application 'Rejection' to FCC

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 24, 2009 - 9:04am.
Washington - Apple (NASD: AAPL) told the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which is investigating the company's rejection of a Google (NASD: GOOG) Voice application for the iPhone, that it has not yet in fact rejected the app, but believes that Google Voice "alter[s]the iPhone's distinctive user experience by replacing the iPhone's core mobile telephone functionality and Apple user interface with its own user interface for telephone calls, text messaging and voicemail." Google Voice allows a user to set a single phone number to handle all calls, and redirects them to home, office or mobile lines; it also provides cheap long distance rates, and free SMS messaging.

Mobile Video Firm Droplet Technology Acquires Sipcall

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 5, 2008 - 12:37pm.

Menlo Park, Calif. - Droplet Technology, a developer of mobile video technology, said on Friday that it has acquired Sipcall, a developer of mobile Voice-over-IP (VoIP) services for consumers.

Comcast Inks Network Management Accord With Vonage

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 9, 2008 - 10:34am.

Philadelphia - Comcast (NASD: CMCSA), the nation's largest cable TV provider and a provider of broadband service to nearly 13 million customers, announced on Wednesday a collaborative agreement with VoIP provider Vonage, "to ensure that network management techniques are chosen that effectively balance the need to avoid network congestion with the need to ensure that over-the-top VoIP services like Vonage work well for consumers."

tags: Law | Policy | P2P | Comcast | VOIP | Vonage | Free Press |

Nimbuzz Lands $15 Million for Mobile VoIP, IM Application

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 2, 2008 - 7:00am.

London - Nimbuzz, a provider of VoIP and IM services for mobile devices and social networks, announced on Wednesday that it has raised a $15 million second round of funding, led by Naspers/MIH with participation from previous backer Mangrove Capital Partners.

Internet Phone Service Jaxtr Raises $10 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on June 24, 2008 - 9:06am.

Palo Alto, Calif. - Jaxtr, a provider of Internet phone services for social networks and blogs, said on Tuesday that it has raised $10 million in its second round of funding, led by new investor Lehman Brothers Venture Partners.

Nimbuzz Introduces Free Mobile VoIP, IM for Social Networks

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 13, 2008 - 11:27am.

London - Nimbuzz on Tuesday introduced its free mobile VoIP and instant messaging service, which enables free calls, instant messaging and group chat on over 500 supported handsets across services including Skype, Yahoo, AIM, Google Talk, MSN and 23 social networks including Facebook and MySpace. Available now as a beta in the U.K., the service works on Nokia Symbian Series 60 devices connected to a 3G or Wi-Fi network, and also offers a hybrid VoIP for GPRS/EDGE, allowing users to make international mobile calls at local dial-in cost.

Fring Enables Mobile VoIP Over WiFi on "Opened" iPhones

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 15, 2008 - 12:30pm.

London - Fring on Tuesday said it has launched what it says is the first application that allows owners of "opened" Apple iPhones to conduct VoIP voice and chat conversations over a WiFi connection. Fring users can conduct free mobile calls over WiFi, as well as communicate with contacts from Skype, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ, Twitter, Yahoo and AIM. Fring was developed in conjunction with the Holon Institute of Technology in Israel; a full release version of the technology is due later this year.

tags: Mobile | Apple | VOIP | iPhone | Fring |

Jaxtr Raises $6.4 Million for Blog, Social Net VoIP Service

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 10, 2008 - 6:13am.

Palo Alto, Calif. - Jaxtr, a provider of Internet telephony services for social networks, blogs and other sites, has raised around $6.4 million in a second round of venture financing, PEHub.com reported, citing a regulatory filing.

Multimedia Home Phone Developer OpenPeak Gets $30 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on November 14, 2007 - 9:03am.

Boca Raton, Fla. - OpenPeak, the developer of a touch-screen interface and software merging telephony, Internet content and digital media on a reinvented "home phone," announced that it has raised $30 million in its third round of venture capital financing, led by RRE Ventures and Castletop Capital.

MySpace, Skype to Offer Free Internet Phone Calls to Users

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on October 17, 2007 - 11:51am.

Los Angeles - News Corp.'s MySpace online social network announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Skype, the Internet telephone service owned by eBay, to enable MySpace's 110 million users and Skype's 220 million users to call each other for free using Skype.

Pudding Media VoIP Service to Monitor Calls for Ad Targeting

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 24, 2007 - 1:04pm.

New York - Pudding Media on Monday introduced a new Internet phone service, which will monitor the content of its users' calls in order to serve them ads related their conversations, The New York Times reported. In exchange for giving up this privacy, Pudding Media offers calls without any toll charges. The service utilizes voice recognition software to analyze conversations and serve ads to a subscriber's computer screen while they are on the call; the company said it does not store recordings or log content of calls, and only serves ads pertinent to each individual call.

Social Network VoIP Provider Jaxtr Lands $10 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 28, 2007 - 12:58pm.

Palo Alto, Calif. - Jaxtr, a provider of Internet phone services for social networks and blogs, said on Tuesday that it has raised $10 million in its first round of funding, led by August Capital.

DirecTV, Current Group Team on Powerline Broadband, Voice Services

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 15, 2007 - 1:14pm.

El Segundo, Calif. - Satellite TV provider DirecTV on Wednesday announced a partnership with Current Group to offer high-speed Internet and voice services over existing electric power lines to DirecTV subscribers.

Deutsche Telekom to Back Internet Phone Service Jajah

Authored by dmw on May 29, 2007 - 1:14pm.
San Francisco - Deutsche Telekom AG said it is backing Web telephone-calling start-up Jajah, adding a technology that undercuts rates for the German telecommunication company’s long-distance and mobile phone businesses, Reuters reported.  It is the first time a major phone company has supported a new generation Internet calling service, which let consumers make telephone calls over the Web, bypassing conventional voice networks. Jajah's service allows consumers to make long-distance calls for the cost of a local call, and calls between any two registered Jajah users are free.

Sony, BT to Offer Voice, Video Calling for PSP in Europe

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 23, 2007 - 2:15pm.

London - Sony Computer Entertainment Europe has announced plans to add the ability to place VoIP calls, video calls and voice messages to its PSP handheld game system, initially in the U.K., with plans to extend the service into Europe.

tags: Games | Mobile | Video | Sony | PSP | VOIP | BT | Cellphones |

Vonage CEO Michael Snyder Resigns

Authored by Scott Goldberg on April 12, 2007 - 6:57am.
Vonage CEO Michael Snyder So this is what Vonage meant when it said a Thursday conference call would reveal how the company planned to work around Verizon’s patents?  Still, today’s announcement that CEO Michael Snyder is resigning comes as little surprise.  On Monday a judge barred the company from adding new customers, causing the stock to fall 11% to its all-time low of $2.88.  This followed a ruling last month by a Virginia jury that ordered Vonage to pay Verizon $58 million, plus royalties on future sales, for violating three of its patents.

Vonage Shares Fall to New Low on Latest Ruling

Authored by Scott Goldberg on April 9, 2007 - 1:36pm.
New YorkAfter a judge said today that Vonage Holdings Corp., the internet phone company, could not add new customers because of its copyright infringement on Verizon Communications Inc., shares fell 11% to $2.88, a new low.  The price marks an 83% decline since the IPO less than a year ago.
tags: Law | Verizon | VOIP | Vonage |

Federal Judge Issues Permanent Injunction Against Vonage; Shares Plunge

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on March 23, 2007 - 11:19am.

Holmdel, N.J. - A federal judge has issued a permanent injunction against Internet telephone service Vonage, in connection with a patent infringement lawsuit filed against the company by Verizon.

tags: Law | Lawsuits | Verizon | Patents | VOIP | Vonage |