Broadview Networks, based in Rye Brook, NY, have been awarded the title of best company in the “VoIP Service Provider Awards” run by Internet Telephony Managazine. Broadview were selected because of their wide set of features, ease of use and customer service.

“We are honored to receive recognition for our Broadspeed Office Suite service from a well regarded industry source such as Internet Telephony. Our patented operational systems and processes, coupled with our extensive facilities-based Integrated Voice and Data product offerings and leading-edge VoIP service platform, enable us to provide a unique service quality guarantee on our network,” stated chief technology officer and chief information officer of Broadview Networks, Ken Shulman.

Rumours are circulating that Yahoo will finally launch a direct competitor to VoIP providers Vonage and Skype.

Currently Yahoo Instant Messenger is capable of making VoIP calls between two computers, but cannot make a call to a traditional landline telephone. The rumoured VoIP service from Yahoo would allow users to make calls to landline and cell phones, as well as VoIP enabled computers. Calls through the proposed Yahoo VoIP service would also be significantly cheaper than using fixed landline or cell phones. Voicemail would come with Yahoo’s VoIP service gratis, but users would need to buy a phone number priced at $30 (cheaper than Skype) in order to receive incoming calls.

Recently Yahoo and MSN inked a deal that would allow their respective instant messenging application to talk to eachother.

Thus, one of the major UK telecoms providers, has warned that the architecture of some consumer oriented VoIP products. The warning is levelled against those consumer targeted VoIP solutions that use a peer-to-peer model where calls are routed through a distributed network of computers. Thus warn that the transfer of data and voice is therefore against the user’s consent.

Applications, like Skype, are built using a proprietary peer-to-peer architecture. However, these programs are often designed in such a way to circumvent firewalls by masquerading as an internet browser. Thus warn that using a consumer oriented peer-to-peer program in a corporate environment can make it difficult to audit and control packet transfers.

Thus also warn that these peer-to-peer applications are bandwidth-intensive, which can become a costly drain on finances while slowing down the transfer of data within a corporate network. They recommend that companies test and certify any peer-to-peer VoIP application before allowing employees to install and use on their workstations.

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International have recently revealed their position with regards the “IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act of 2005 (S 1063),” that had been passed bt the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on the 2nd of November.

It is the position of APCO International that portions of the Act would actually require the FCC to waive several regulations pertaining to E911 emergency calls issued in it’s recently published VoIP order. APCO International are concerned that the Act would allow effectively VoIP providers to continuing their efforts to add new subscribers in areas that are do not currently offer enhanced E911 capabilities.

“We believe that the FCC’s ability to enforce existing rules is in the best interest of the public’s safety,” read the statement from APCO International.

AT&T have won a 3-year networking contract worth $1.8m from Littelfuse Inc., who are ranked as one of the premier manufacturers of electrical component and specialized circuit protection products. As part of the contract, AT&T will build a worldwide Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) based on AT&T’s Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) platform. Littelfuse will use the network to support and develop their day-to-day work.

AT&T’s MPLS platform will also form the base for Littelfuse’s planned move from traditional landline telephone system to VoIP. Littelfuse intend to connect 17 manufacturing and administrative facilities throughout the United States, South America, Asia and Europe using the integrated voice and data service. This modern system is meant to improve Littelfuse’s customer service while reducing the cost of internal and external voice and data communications.

“With AT&T, we have more than just a supplier, we have a business ally that we know we can rely on to help protect our bottom line. That enables us to meet our commitment to our customers and our shareholders to find cost-effective, reliable solutions,” stated Jan LaHayne, CIO for Littelfuse.”