Knowing the Market

I’m at a total loss if I can’t connect to the internet; the thought of a day without internet access brings me out in a cold sweat. I had a bit of a dilemma last week; we’re moving house and everything’s going into boxes ready to be loaded, including my computer. It’ll be a couple of days before I get the chance to dig it out of it’s’ box, set it up and get access to the internet again. With panic ensuing, I decided to rid myself of this worry, with the purchase of a wireless dongle.

You can get mobile broadband through a wireless dongle, it’s just a small USB stick that plugs into your laptop and gives you broadband on the move. They’re great as long as you’re not intending to download loads of films or TV programmes. I’m quite impressed, it was the easiest thing to get connected, you just plug it in and it automatically plays the connection software and hey presto, you’re installed. This wireless dongle was much faster than I thought it would be, I’ve yet to notice a difference in speed.

If you think you might want occasional access to the internet whilst away from your home or desk, it’s a great option but I don’t think it’s suitable to use something like this all the time. It certainly delivered for me as a gap filer when I couldn’t get my usual internet access, it fed my needs. It’s also quite a nice small shiny looking thing.

It seems that nothing can stop the runaway success of Voice over IP. Driven by ever cheaper and faster broadband Internet telephony has become one of the fastest-growing applications on the net. But apart from cheap international calls, there are other factors which have contributed to this success story. There is clearly a trend toward more innovative and more mobile services and this looks likely to ensure that demand for VoIP continues to grow. It is estimated that there are already around four million VoIP UK users in the UK, not counting business subscriptions.
Key figures in the industry point to the emergence of ADSL broadband connections that do not require line rental for a standard phone line (naked ADSL), and number portability between conventional and IP phone services as the two key factors that will bring raise the profile of VoIP to new heights.

In fact the effect VoIP has had has been so pronounced that some have suggested that it may not be long before users can get rid of their traditional landline telephones completely in favour of a broadband phone.

Taking a more practical view, there are certain things that will need to be addressed before that can happen. In the United Kingdom Internet telephony providers like Vonage or VoIPTalk will have to scrutinise both security and ease of use, as well as continue to deliver a convenient and financially attractive service. They certainly offer cheap calls already but, what else do they need to do to ensure a safe future for VoIP?
As the Internet is a network open to everyone the VoIP traffic is no more immune from attack than any other data. Security is an issue for many users, particularly in the business community and the means to develop security for users would be a welcome step in securing the long-term future of VoIP.

The ease of use issue may not remain an obstacle to progress now that handsets that work on mobile networks and, via WiFi or Bluetooth links, over VoIP are now making an appearance in the shops. This raises the prospect of using cheap VoIP services at home, in the office or at a WiFi hotspot, but still retaining the flexibility of mobile coverage when out and about.

Some VoIP companies are now selling these handsets, and have set up joint arrangements with wireless hotspots so that their customers can make and receive calls when out and about without the need for a computer.

It’s likely that some of the restrictions of such handsets i.e. difficulties in hotspots that use web pages for authentication to be addressed in the near future.

The advance of newer networking technologies will further decrease the distance between fixed, mobile and VoIP services. Wireless broadband services, in particular WiMax, could create city-wide wireless hotspots, making it possible to make mobile VoIP calls in much wider areas.

The HTC TyTN is a qwerty style mobile phone which has been very popular since its launch in July 2006. As a entry level mobile phone the TyTN is fairly well featured compared alongside some of the more well known mobile handsets within this price band. The HTC TyTN is a good multi purpose handset that would be suitable for a very broad range of users.

The TyTN supports 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G HSDPA 850 / 1900 - US version . The TyTN is fitted with a 2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels, video, flash; secondary QCIF video call camera. For those that need access to the Internet on the move a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE), browser is included.To allow mobile Internet access a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE), browser is included. The HTC TyTN is equipped with Polyphonic (40 channels), MP3 ring tones along with a vibration alert . The HTC TyTN is has bluetooth, meaning compatibility with a range of modern mobile accessories really easy. The TyTN is 176 g, in weight. If the visual appearance handset is something you are interested in, you should be aware that the TyTN comes in, Silver and Black. This phone is nothing special. A TFT touchscreen, 65K colors display is fitted to this phone. The HTC TyTN is supplied with a Standard battery, Li-Ion 1350 mAh, battery. The HTC TyTN has a battery cell usage of 200 hours standby charge and talk time of 5:00. Additional features of the HTC TyTN include:

This is now quite an old phone, but still does a great job. If you can find one, being cleared as old stock you could steal yourself a really good buy.

If you find it too time consuming looking for the best deal on a HTC TyTN, after all there are many phone sites and network providers to choose from. To pick up the best deal have a go at using a comparison site .

Samsung really put their backs into the design of the Samsung G600 creating a real design classic. With the G600 Samsung have produced a mobile phone which is reasonably well featured for a entry level mobile phone. The overall design of this handset is less than we have come to expect from Samsung.

The G600 is compatible with 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 . A 5 MP, 2592х1944 pixels, autofocus, image stabiliser, video(VGA@15fps), flash is integrated into this phone camera. For those that need access to the Internet on the move a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML(NetFront v3.4), browser is included.To allow mobile Internet access a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML(NetFront v3.4), browser is included. The Samsung G600 has a battery cell duration of 300 hours reserve time and talk time of 1:30. A Li-Ion 880 mAh, battery cell is that is supplied with the Samsung G600. Polyphonic (64 channels), MP3 ring-tones are enabled on the Samsung G600 along with a vibrating alert. The Samsung G600 comes equipped with bluetooth, making a great deal of devices compatible. Getting on to the display the handset is equipped with a 2.2 inch screen, which is a pretty average size display if you look at what else you can get for the price. The display is a TFT, 16M colors. If colour is important you may like to know that this mobile phone is only available in Black. The phone is pretty light weighing in at 104 g. Size-wise the Samsung G600 is neat and compact. The G600 also features a few extras, for example:

Even though this is a pretty recent model, more advanced rivals have already been released. Because of this it is quite easy to get a fantastic bargain on the G600. The best place by far to shop for a mobile phone currently is on the Internet. Purchasing online can save you a significant amount of money, it is even possible to get a one year free line rental offer on the Samsung G600 , which may never cost anything to run.

Launched in March 2007 the Nokia E61i has been a very popular Bar style mobile handset. Like other comparable models from Nokia the design is quite contemporary and would be appealing to a very broad range of customers. With this mobile handset Nokia have produced something which is quite well featured for the price.

Mobile phones are now a basic essential that many users to not attempt to hunt for the best deals despite the money they could save. Because they can so easily pick up a phone in a high street store, or perhaps even a superstore at an affordable price that it hardly seems worth putting in a little more effort looking for a bargain. The point these users do not realise is that the good deals are largely offered via websites, where big discounts can be found without even leaving the house. By using a cell phone comparison site is not only the easiest but is also the most cost effective means of finding a mobile phone.

The Nokia E61i is equipped with Polyphonic, Monophonic, MP3, True Tones ring tones plus a vibrating tone . The battery fitted to the E61i is a Standard battery, Li-Po 1500 mAh (BP-4L). On to battery life the Nokia E61i has 9:00 talk time and 400 hours standby time. In terms of the the display the mobile phone is fitted with a 2.8 inch screen, which is a good sized display considering what else you can get for the price. A TFT, 16M colors display is fitted to this mobile phone. The handset is pretty light weighing in at 150 g. Compared to competing handsets currently available the Nokia E61i is quite compact, easily fitting into one pocket. If colour is important you may like to know that the E61i is available in, Silver and Mocca. The E61i is compatible with 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 and 3G UMTS 2100 . A 2 MP, 1600×1200 pixels, video(CIF) camera is integrated into the E61i camera. For those that need access to the Internet on the move a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser is included.To allow mobile Internet access a WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML browser is included. The Nokia E61i comes equipped with bluetooth, for convenient compatibility with a number of devices. This mobile phone also has a few extra features, for example. , MP3/AAC/MPEG4 player, PIM including calendar, to-do list and printing, Integrated handsfree, Java MIDP 2.0, Voice command/dial, Office applications, Blackberry connectivity and Push to talk

Although this is a fairly new model, the Nokia E61i faces many rival products. This means that it is relatively easy to find some great bargains on this mobile phone.

VoIP consists of 2 major technologies….

Making Calls Over the Internet–Residential

This is the most common use of VoIP. It is also called VoIP lines or trunks. If you have a high speed internet connection, like cable modem, DSL, or T1, you can use your high speed connection to make phone calls on the internet. There are many companies like Vonage, Lingo, and VoiceWing (Verizon) that offer VoIP lines. Cable companies also offer VoIP lines, but only if you have their cable modem service. So, to boil it down, instead of getting your dial tone from Verizon over the traditional phone network, you get your dial done from your internet company.

Any phone system made (even an old one) can take advantage of VoIP lines. You do not need an IP based (IP PBX) or even IP compatible phone system. This is one of the biggest misconcetions about VoIP.

The advantage of VoIP lines are:

Lower Bills. Usually you pay a flat monthly rate and all your calls in the USA and Canada are free
You can take your number with you. If you move around the corner or across the country with VoIP you can keep your existing phone number even if you move to a different area code.

Multiple area codes. You can get phone numbers from different area codes or even overseas numbers.

Portability. You can move the VoIP router with you and take your service easily with you. You can even set it up to use your laptop with a virtual soft-phone and a WiFi connections to make calls from anywhere you can get high speed internet access.

Features. VoIP lines come with Caller ID, Call Forwarding, and lots of other great features.
The problems with VoIP lines are:

Quality is not as good as traditional phone service, but it’s close and getting better all the time.
Set up can be very challenging, especially if you are planning on using your own router.

Depending on how fast your internet connection is, it may be possible to make several calls at the same time over the internet. However, the more calls you make at once the slower your internet connection will be and the poorer the sound quality of your calls will be.

Faxes, modem, and alarm systems don’t work well over VoIP lines. Sometimes they won’t work at all.
If you need a lot of lines, you may need more then one high speed connection, so the cost of the high speed internet connection may outweigh the savings.

There are some minor technical issue using VoIP lines and Automated Attendants and Voice Mail systems.
If your internet access goes down, all your phone lines go down too.

VoIP lines normally don’t work if the power does out, but you can set up back up batteries.

Right now the Government does not tax VoIP service. If that changes VoIP may not be price effective anymore.
Making Calls Over the Internet–Business

Business class VoIP works in much the same way as for residential VoIP with one major difference. With business class VoIP a T1 is usually delivered to your office that provides both VoIP voice lines and Internet service. This means that your VoIP provider and your ISP are the same company This distinction is very important once you need more then 3 or 4 lines. Since your Internet connection is coming from the VoIP phone company problems such as latency, jitter, and static are greatly reduced.

Basically, your call has to travel a shorter distance. With residential, your call goes from Verizon DSL or Comcast Cable, to Vonage, to the person your calling. That’s 3 steps or hops and problems can occur anywhere along with way. With business class VoIP, the 1st 2 hops are the same provider so things work better and you can get more calls on the same Internet connection.

Business class VoIP also has the advantage of being dynamically allocated. This means that when fewer people are on the phones, the Internet speed is faster. Voice always gets priority, so phone lines are always available. Packages are available from 5 to 105 lines or more and may come with unlimited calling or a large allotment of included minutes.

Business service is far more important then residential, so it’s vital that you choose the right carrier. There are several major carriers like Verizon and Sprint and many smaller national carrier that you’ve probably never heard of. There are even more regional carriers that only service a small area and even more resellers that just package someone else’s service. Let the experts at Teleco http://www.teleco4.com help you navigate through the maze of carriers and offers.

Connection Remote Workers or Remote Offices….Voice over IP Stations.

This is the 2nd major use of VoIP. You can “connect” to your office phone system from anywhere there is a high speed internet connection. Using a special VoIP telephone or a Laptop “soft phone” you can work from home or a hotel and it’s just like being in your office. You have access to all your phone system features including the intercom, paging, all outside lines, voice mail, and even your extension can ring on your VoIP phone. Best of all, you don’t lose the use of your computer. 1 high speed internet connection can run your VoIP phone and your PC at the same time.

With this same technology, you can link multiple office together into one seamless phone system. You can even share lines or the one voice mail system. You can even run your entire phone system over your office LAN or WAN without separate voice wiring (often called Pure IP or IP Based telephone systems), though that is very expensive and complicated and is best suited for very large companies with full time IT staffs.

Voice over IP is very exciting and more and more people are using it everyday. Let the experts at Teleco http://www.teleco4.com help you understand if VoIP is right for you. Voice over IP is available on both the NEC IPK and Toshiba CTX digital telephone systems.

Andrew Taub
10+ Years in Sales, Service, and Technical Programming of PBX and Key Business Telephone Systems