Sangoma Technology Mail in Rebates

February 19, 2007 by Garrett Smith

Save up to $250 on Select Sangoma PCI Cards For Use With Asterisk and trixbox!

Sangoma is the leading provider of connectivity hardware and software products for Wide Area Network (WAN) and voice infrastructure. For a limited time we are offering Mail-In Rebates on select Sangoma PCI Cards, all Asterisk Interoperable.

Here Are the Details:

New Aastra IP Phones Have Arrived

February 15, 2007 by Garrett Smith

The latest line of Aastra IP Phones are finally available from VoIP Supply!

The newest Aastra IP Phones are loaded with new features and a completely new design. For more about the specific models, please click on the links below.

Look for more details about the exciting new phones as soon as they are made available.

To VoIP or Not to VoIP, That is the Questionā€¦

February 14, 2007 by Garrett Smith

As a salesperson, itā€™s ironic that I spend a lot of time convincing people not to use Voice over IP (VoIP). Itā€™s not that I donā€™t truly believe in the value of IP. Rather, I am a huge proponent for the ā€œappropriateā€ use of IP, where it makes business sense and offers an appreciable ROI for the user.

IP was engineered as a best-effort, data networking system with inherent disaster recovery capabilities that the PSTN lacks. Most user are, or should be, more concerned with total availability, reliability and quality of service.

The traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is comprised of a two-level, circuit switched hierarchy of Class 5 (Local) and Class 4 (Long Distance) switches.
The local loop, or ā€œsubscriber lineā€, is the physical circuit connecting the customer (user) to their telecommunications service provider network. In a traditional PSTN carrier network, this local loop is terminated in a circuit switch maintained by an ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier). The PSTN network for transporting phone calls has remained virtually unchanged, save for the introduction of electronic telephone exchanges in the mid 20th century.

To contrast, in a VoIP network the local loop is the same as the PSTN, but the transport mechanism underlying it is vastly different. IP communications transport backbones use an IP/MPLS infrastructure, technologies that were originally conceived for the transport of data, and have been adapted for voice transport.

If we state that the primary benefit of VoIP is cheaper telephone calls, which seems to be a popular statement these days, we are failing to illustrate the larger picture. The true promise of VoIP is that it should allow for the deployment of new services not possible on the traditional PSTN, and therein lies the true potential long term benefit for the majority of consumers and business users.

On the LAN side, the internal IP network that resides within most homes and offices today, VoIP offers significant business benefit and immediate ROI for most users. If you take a look at the basic feature set of practically any VoIP PBXā€¦.flexible auto attendant, voicemail/email integration, user call control, ā€œpresenceā€, support for remote workers, ease of administrationā€¦.these are real benefits that many businesses lack today that can have a dramatic positive impact.

On the WAN side, calls coming in going out, there is often little, if any justification for the use of VoIP. As carriers and service providers mature, and begin to offer innovative features and services not previously viable on the traditional PSTN, they will create the proper justification and true ROI for both consumers and business users, and fully deliver on the promise of VoIP.

Rhino R4FXO-EC New Analog PCI Card From Rhino!

Rhino Equipment Has Released Their New 4 Port FXO Card With Echo Cancellation
rhino r4fxo-ec

The Rhino R4FXO-EC is a next generation analog PCI card for use with Asterisk and other open source telephony platforms. The R4FXO-EC features an on-board control element and on-board Echo Cancellation Circuit. The on-board control element prevents PCI bus “bit banging” which allows for lower CPU power, while the on-board Echo Cancellation circuit provides echo protection to ensure crisp clean calls.

Rhino R4FXO-EC Features & Functionality

  • Asterisk soft PBX tested and ready
  • Zaptel-compliant open source Linux module source code
  • Proven Silicon Labs FXO DAA component – Si3050
  • Silicon Labs international line interface device – Si3019
  • Custom Rhino PCI interface chip means no excess CPU overhead
  • Four RJ11 jacks at card bracket
  • Field software upgradable
  • All major signaling modes supported
  • Loop start signaling for advanced features such as Caller ID and Distinctive Ring

Rhino R4FXO-EC Summary

The Rhino R4FXO-EC is an excellent alternative to analog PCI cards manufactured by Digium and Sangoma. With a price of $359.99, the R4FXO-EC is about $20USD cheaper than competiting cards, so for those of you on a tight budget it is certainly a available solution.

More from: Asterisk Garrett Smith

Asterisk 1.2.15 Released

February 13, 2007 by Garrett Smith

Asterisk 1.2.15 Has Been Released

The Asterisk development team is pleased to announce the release of open source PBX Asterisk 1.2.15.

This release contains a large number of bug fixes, and some significant improvements:

* Support for Zaptel-based transcoder hardware, initially the Digium TC400B 92/96 channel transcoder.
* Handling of voicemail subdirectories when using ODBC storage has been improved, so that messages can be forwarded properly.
* A problem with forwarding voicemails from folders other than the user’s INBOX has been fixed.
* The Zaptel channel driver can now support echo cancellers that provide 64ms or 128ms of echo cancellation per channel.

Click here to download Asterisk 1.2.15.

For more information about Asterisk Hardware, please visit the Asterisk Hardware section at VoIP Supply!

More from: Asterisk Garrett Smith

VoIP Supply Promotions

VoIP Supply is currently offering amazing savings on must have voip deals! Check out these deals below:

1. Free Ground Shipping on all Aastra IP Phones. Receive free ground shipping when you purchase any Aastra product.

2. Free Ground Shipping on the LInksys IPhone Family along with many other Linksys Products, including IP Phones, ATAā€™s and Gateways. The IPhone Family allows for stylish mobility while using voip. Whether you to need to connect to a hotspot at your local Starbucks or be able to roam around your home or office, the Linksys IPhone Family will be able to accommodate your needs. Shop VoIPSupply.com now to receive Free Ground Shipping on select Linksys Products!

3. Vocalocity, a leading VoIP service provider, is so confident in their service they are giving it away. For a limited time Vocalocity is offering 500 Free Minutes on select IP Phones. Once you receive the phone all you have to do is plug it in and dial! Also, these phones come unlocked, so if you unhappy with the service let your rep at Vocalocity know when your trial is up and you are free to choose another carrier! Why not try it, itā€™s free!

4. $100.00 Mail-In Rebate on the Polycom IP 4000! For a limited time when you buy ten Polycom IP Phones and one IP 4000 you will save $100 by mail on your order! (all phones must be on the same invoice)

These promotions end March 31st, so visit VoIPSupply.com today to take advantage of these offers!

Apiotek VP-0002 Super-Slim VoIP Phone

February 12, 2007 by Garrett Smith

The Apiotek VP-0002 is the World’s Slimest VoIP Phone
At only 7.5×36.5x123mm, the Apiotek VP-0002 VoIP phone is world slimest VoIP phone. Offering a stylish metal design and compatible with Skype (and other soft clients like Gizmo Project, GoogleTalk, and Yahoo!), this usb phone looks to break into the ultra-competitive usb phone marketplace by catering to those looking for a “less-clunky” alternative.

The Apiotek Skyphone weights just 69 grams, and with only display LED’s (what did you want a clor screen?), this usb phone is extremly basic. With a price of $39.99, it is worth the purchase, if for no other reason then to own the world’s slimest VoIP phone!

Boingo Enables Wordlwide Mobile VoIP

Boingo Launches Wordlwide Wi-Fi Service For Mobile Phones and Devices

Boingo Mobile, the latest offering from Boingo Wireless allows users to connect to Boingo hotspots around the world for only $7.95 per month. Enabled through a free software download, Boingo Mobile works with all Window Mobile 5.0-based smartphones, Wi-Fi VoIP Phones, PDA’s, and Pocket PC devices. The service is easy to set up and delivers instant connectivity at tens of thousands of hot spots in more than 60 countries around the globe including France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Although the service is currently only available on one Wi-Fi VoIP phone, the Belkin Wi-Fi phone for Skype, Boingo Mobile is a solid step in the right direction for not only Mobile VoIP, but for dual mode calling. The ability to have one phone, that can make both VoIP and cellular calls, is the future. For the past few months there has been a tremendous buzz in the VoIP hardware space surrounding Wi-Fi and dual mode VoIP phones and it now seems that service providers are finally ready to start cashing in.

TRENDnet TVP-SP4BK ClearSky Bluetooth Conference Phone

February 9, 2007 by Garrett Smith

TRENDnet Bluetooth Conference Phone For Skype

The TRENDnet TVP-SP4BK is the latest in an emerging sector of conferencing solutions for soft client (especially Skype) users. The TRENDnet TVP-SP4BK ClearSky Bluetooth Conference Phone features advanced echo cancellation technology and superior noise suppression design provides a business quality conferencing experience. This Bluetooth Class I device can easily hold conference calls wirelessly up to 100 meters away (not sure why you would want to be that far away…).

TRENDnet TVP-SP4BK Conference Phone Features

  • Compliant with Bluetooth v2.0 Specification with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) support
  • Backward compatible with Bluetooth v1.1 and v1.2 devices
  • Compliant with Class I Bluetooth Operations
  • Advanced acoustic echo cancellation technology and Superior noise suppression
  • Support Full-Speed Bluetooth operation with Full Piconet support
  • Support Graphical LCD display with status Indicators
  • Headset support for voice communication such as Skype, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo Messenger
  • Full Skype support allows users to use Skype features directly from the phone (such as SkypeInā„¢ calls, SkypeOutā„¢, Status change, Conference Call and etc.)
  • Compatible with Windows 2000/XP Operating Systems
  • Multi-Language LCD User Interface Support (English, French, German, Spanish & Italian)
  • ClearSky Long Range Support up to 100 meters (328 ft.) (depends on the environment)
  • 2-Year Warranty

TRENDnet ClearSky Conference Phone First Impressions

The LCD display and control panel makes the TRENDnet ClearSky stand above many of it’s peers, especially my favorite conferencing phone the IP EVO Xing. The TRENDnet has a retail price of $160, and can be found “on the streets” at $144.99. At this price, it is an outstanding value, especially because of the range of the device (which crushes some of the wireless phones out there). Overall if you are looking for a conferencing unit to use with Skye, GoogleTalk, or Gizmo Project, I would highly recommend the TRENDnet TVP-SP4BK ClearSky Bluetooth VoIP conference phone.

Small Business IP PBX Solutions Correction

Everyone Makes a Mistake…Mine Just Happened To Be On My First Post

Last week in my first post, Small Business IP PBX Solutions, I detailed a recent implementation of the Linksys SPA-9000 by one of my customers. During the write-up I failed to included the seat license upgrade for the SPA-9000.

Marc from Aretta Communications made the following observation (and correction) about my blog on the LVS-9000 last week.

ā€œVery nice post on the LVS-9000 on the blog! I had a quick question for you. In your example under pricing you mentioned $400 for the Linksys box, but they were using 6 phones. I thought you had to pay the $300 extra to upgrade the SIP license from 4 to 16 phones, so shouldnā€™t that price also be in there?ā€

Marc is correct. There is an additional license fee to upgrade the SPA-9000 from 4 to 16 users (in my example, we used 2 additional IP phones) the cost for the additional license is $300.

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