VoIP News: Triple Play Services

Virgin Media poised to spread triple play services into France

Despite experiencing difficulties in the UK, Virgin Media looks set to spread its triple play - broadband, TV and phone - service into France.

Earlier this year it was predicted by researchers at tech firm Booz Allen Hamilton that triple play would take-off in Europe this year, so it seems Virgin is keen to enter the competition.

According to the Times, Virgin Group is in discussions with France's biggest cable TV operator Numericle about re-branding its current 9-million subscriber service under the Virgin Media name.

This reportedly could lead to further expansion in other European markets.

Numericle currently offers broadband, phone and TV services, but the Virgin Mobile platform may well be merged into the offering if the tie-up goes through.

Virgin's mobile network launched in France in 2005 using Orange's network, but bundling it into the triple play deals could see user numbers boom.

Despite the possibility of an expansion in broadband services in France through a Virgin deal, users of voice over internet protocol (VoIP) may find their conversations are unreliable through Virgin broadband due to the firm's policy on traffic shaping which restricts the bandwidth available to heavy users at peak times.

Posted on: 2007-08-15, in: Triple Play Services

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Triple-play the future for broadband services?

Packaging television, voice communication and broadband together may be the future for providers, according to a comparison website.

Top 10 Broadband said it has observed a shift in the selling practices of broadband providers which has mirrored the desire of consumers for more features at cheaper prices.

Over 80 per cent of new broadband sign-ups through its site are now for all-in-one packages, which is a significant increase on the 67 per cent reported in January.

John Glover at Top 10 Broadband told MacWorld.com: "We have seen a paradigm shift in people's broadband buying habits since the beginning of the year as broadband packages become the default way to purchase broadband for your home.

"Broadband bundles now offer tremendous value with Virgin Media, BT and Sky leading the way in the bundled-broadband price war."

He added that users have noticed that by merging their mobile, home phone, broadband and TV costs into one deal they can save money.

And this is set to continue, according to Mr Glover, as he added: "The days of standalone broadband seem numbered. This could be great news for UK broadband users as pressure on Virgin Media and Sky will only lead to further price wars."

Posted on: 2007-08-08, in: Triple Play Services

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Stratus launches triple-play 'VoIP in a box'

VoIP hardware provider Stratus has launched a new VoIP server aimed at resellers to get a full triple-play system off the ground very quickly.

Described as "VoIP in a box" by Stratus' Richard Appleton, the new Ftservers have been upgraded with VoIP, internet and TV software known as Entice which is available as an open source platform.

Previously Entice (which stands for Emergent Network Telecommunications Infrastructure Control Environment) had only been available on Dell servers, but after Stratus bought out the developer Emergent it has been ported onto Stratus' Ftservers.

This allows the software to make use of the Ftservers' continuous processing capabilities, which allow numbers to be crunched all the time and let the system get up and running quickly.

So Entice on Ftservers brings communications providers the ability to launch triple-play networks swiftly, with Mr Appleton telling The Inquirer that a cable TV company in Mexico has been able to offer triple-play to its customer within six months.

Posted on: 2007-07-18, in: Triple Play Services

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T-Mobile introduces VoIP-capable phones

Telecoms network T-Mobile has launched a new service which combines Wi-Fi with its own mobile network in a move that will further sideline traditional landlines.

Two specially-adapted handsets are already available in the US - the Samsung t409 and the Nokia 6089 - and will be able to use the normal T-Mobile network to carry calls, but can switch to public Wi-Fi hotspots or the owner's home network if it is in range.

In this way it will reduce users' phone bills as it will use VoIP when connecting to Wi-Fi.

T-Mobile is also launching the accompanying HotSpot @Home broadband router, developed with partners D-Link and Linsys, which broadcasts a wireless signal that can be used by the new phones to switch over to VoIP when in range.

Review site Slashphone says: " What distinguishes the HotSpot @Home service is the network handover; calls originated while in a HotSpot will, once you've stepped out of range, seemlessly switch to T-Mobile GSM cellular, and - even more impressive - vice-versa.

"That means signal issues and patchy reception when at home should no longer be a problem: as long as you're in Wi-Fi range your domestic calls are not only free but carried over the broadband network."

Posted on: 2007-06-28, in: Triple Play Services

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Voice, data and video bundling can increase APRU

Through bundling services and expanding the overall broadband customer base, service providers can attain greater average revenue per user (ARPU) growth, according to research from In-Stat.

The analyst firm said that by enhancing existing voice, data and video services through IP Multimedia Subsystems (IMS), an intelligent, converged network will open up market opportunities for many new services and applications.

"Service providers need to acknowledge that internet content is permanently changing consumers' views on content value and pricing," said Keith Nissen, In-Stat analyst.

"With regard to converged applications, providers need to understand that consumers will not pay twice for the same content, or duplicative services. Consumers will not necessarily pay extra for convergence that does not offer greater convenience and value."

In-Stat said that future home networks will be a hybrid of wireless, Ethernet, telephone and coax cabling and home networking-related services in the US will generate up to $1.4 billion for service providers in 2007, growing to $3.5 billion in 2011.

Posted on: 2007-05-04, in: Broadband, Triple Play Services

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