A Canadian VoIP service provider called Vbuzzer has challenged Skype’s proprietary approach to the development of their client software. It is Vbuzzer’s stance that their open and standarized VoIP protocol is a better solution for users looking to make VoIP calls.
Vbuzzer believe that by taking a proprietary route, Skype are leaving their customers open to security holes, viruses, inferior call quality and system-crippling memory leaks.
SunRocket is one of the fastest growing VoIP providers in the United States, and they have just announced a new consumer oriented VoIP service priced at $9.95 per month.
SunRocket, one of the nation’s fastest-growing Internet phone service providers, today announced that it has once again revolutionized the way consumers buy residential phone service with a breakthrough $9.95 per month offering that includes enhanced 911 service, free calling features such as call waiting, caller ID and three-way calling, 200 minutes of global calling and unlimited inbound and SunRocket to SunRocket Internet phone calling.
Time Warner, AOL’s parent company, have announced that they now have over 1 million paying subscribers using their cable VoIP services. 75% of subscribers also purchased cable and broadband internet services from Time Warner.
Time Warner have a “triple play” strategy where they aim to offer high speed broadband internet connections, TV and VoIP telephony in an integrated package. This strategy is seen as their best way to fend off a similar trend of convergence as TV networks move to expand their reach by offering TV shows through the internet.
Recent developments such as multiple television networks inking deals with Apple to distribute their shows through iTunes illustrate how tough competition will be for Time Warner and other telecom companies.
In the runup to the electronics annual CES bash in Las Vegas, Vonage have announced that they will be making free calls available to all CES attendees. The free calls will be made available from Vonage’s 13 phone booths operating at locations throughout CES.
It is believed that Vonage will announce several new products featuring tight integration with Vonage at CES.
Logitech and Skype have recently inked a deal that will see Logitech, a leading computer accessories manufacturer, begin to offer Skype-certified headsets.
The new video feature in Skype 2.0 (currently video is Windows-only) has been tested and certified for use with Logitech’s series of QuickCam webcams and PC headsets. According to a press release, Logitech and Skype “worked closely with Skype on usability and performance, to ensure people experience fully synchronized, high-quality video and audio communications over the Internet.”
Both companies will jointly market Skype Video and Logitech’s compatible webcams and headset through a worldwide campaign. As part of the deal Skype will also offer the headsets for sale through it’s online store.