Reaching Santa through VoIP

Every year, my children write their letters to Santa, listing all the things they want to receive on Christmas day. When they’re done, they seal their letters in an envelope and lay it on a basket in the front porch. The basket always has a red ribbon with a ”magic bell” tied at its center. My wife and I tell them that when the wind blows, the bell rings, and Santa’s elves arrive to pick up the Santa...

VOIP and outsourcing

The shirt you wear, the Christmas ornaments hanging on your tree, even the toys your kids are playing with—all of them are made in Asia. Sure they’re from a well known brand, whose main offices are either in the US and Europe, but the fact is that they’re made in anonymous off shore factories. They call it “outsourcing”, which when you think about it, is a miracle of logistics and coordination. You’re...

Advances in medical diagnosis is being pushed by VoIP

Two doctors discuss a complicated neonatology case. The baby, born with multiple birth defects, needs an operation to survive. The local specialist is concerned with the odds of survival, given the patient’s age, delicate medical condition, and limited hands-on experience with the disease. So he calls in the world’s expert. They will co-manage the case, even if they are working in two different hospitals in two...

VoIP and the lost art of long phone conversations

Remember life before VoIP? Long distance calls were an expensive business, forcing people to talk at marathon speed just to squeeze in as much information as they could. It was practically an Olympic sport: the 100-second “dash” of “hi how are you how are the kids I’m okay here oh by the way my wife is pregnant (PAUSE FOR AIR)”. I remember having to stock up on phone cards, many of which were duds that...

Why “Santa” uses VOIP

After my brother’s divorce, they went through the painful process of custody arrangements for their three kids. This year he got them for Thanksgiving, and his wife got them for Christmas. A devoted Dad, it kills him not to be able to have them near him for the holidays. He had the gifts shipped weeks ago, but it’s not the same. “Wish I could see their faces when they open them,” he said. He doesn’t talk...

Juggling work and motherhood through VoIP

A few years ago my friend quit her job to start her own business. She wanted to spend more time with her family — she has three kids — and traded the 9-5 grind for a home business. From a small PC in her bedroom she runs a consultancy that earns pretty well. Plus she can work in her pajamas. Most of the work she can manage through emails and faxes. But there are the meetings, often involving people from all over...

Vonage Endorses New E911 Standard

Vonage, one of the the leading VoIP providers in the United States, recently announced that it is backing the National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA) new interim/migratory technical standard for VoIP E911. The release of this new i2 technical standard actually combines the new technology of VoIP and the existing e911 system interface. This standard enables VoIP providers to provide full E911 service through...

First Middle East telco launches double play service

ordan Telecom recently announced that it has successfully its commercial VOIPoDSL service called Livebox. This new project will provide the company’s residential DSL customers affordable, high quality double play (voice and data) service. Alcatel, as part of its partnership with Jordan Telecom, integrated and deployed the solution within the timetable set for the project. It was also responsible for the systems...

Sipgate initiates UK-wide VoIP coverage

Sipgate has recently announced the rollout of its enhanced VoIP service. The company can now provide 01 and 02 phone numbers from more than 600 along with its VoIP offering the covers practically the whole of the UK. About 40 remaining area codes in rural areas will be added in the next few weeks according to company information. Subscribers to broadband may decide to take advantage of a free VoIP line provided by...

Cisco gets into mesh networks

The vision of having a wide wireless broadband connectivity just moved a little closer to reality as Cisco announced that it has entered the mesh networks business with a centrally controlled mesh architecture and access points. A mesh network has two main capabilities that actually set it apart from the more “vanilla-flavoured” WiFi network. • Mesh operating system have routing algorithms that lets data find...