VoIP News: May 2008

Billion unveils new 3G router

A new gadget that can help consumers share their 3G mobile broadband connection via a wireless network has been released by Billion.

The BiPAC 7402GXL 3G router can create multiple connections when it is linked to USB modems offered by the likes of Orange, O2, 3, T-Mobile, and Vodafone.

The device is capable of offering flexible, high-speed access to the internet when users are not at home or the office. It can also function as a back up for conventional ADSL landline services in case the connection fails.

Edward Kung, managing director of Billion UK, said: "This is the ideal product for the latest boom in 3G broadband – and Billion is enabling consumers to maximise their connection easily and flexibly. The BiPAC 7402GXL is a very useful gadget for home and business users at an unbeatable price!"

The router is on sale now from around £75 plus VAT.

Posted on: 2008-05-30, in: Broadband

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Demand for broadband set to soar

Subscriber levels for broadband services across the globe will rise by almost 50 per cent over the next five years, according to a new study.

Research by Strategy Analytics claims that the number of people signed up for broadband will reach 415 million by the end of 2008 before rocketing to 621 million by 2012.

Strong demand in the Latin America and Asia Pacific markets is expected to drive this global expansion, with the two regions expected to account for half of worldwide subscribers by the end of this period.

This growth will push annual broadband service revenues to $190 billion by 2012, up from the $130 billion forecast this year.

Ben Piper, director of the Strategy Analytics Broadband Network Strategies service, claimed that new technologies will be adopted as part of this trend.

"Fibre and WiMax will increasingly displace traditional broadband access technologies, such as DSL and cable.

"This phenomenon is punctuated by the Asia Pacific region, where WiMax is expected to grow from 4.8 million subscriptions in 2008 to 23 million by 2012."

Posted on: 2008-05-30, in: Broadband

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Tesco turns to VoIP

Supermarket giant Tesco has signed a £100 million outsourcing contract with Cable & Wireless (C&W) that will help reduce telecommunications costs by improving network efficiency.

The five-year deal will see C&W create an integrated network that encompasses 1,800 sites owned by Tesco across 14 countries.

As part of the contract, C&W will deliver a VoIP solution designed to help the retail firm achieve savings of around £10 million per year.

Nick Folkes, IT director for UK infrastructure and operations at Tesco, told silicon.com: "Not only will we get savings from converging the voice and data we will also be bringing the separate global networks together. We are radically altering the capacity of the data network. It will open up a new set of opportunities for us."

Tesco recently launched a trial with Australian telecoms provider Freshtel that will give customers the chance to make free VoIP calls to their fellow shoppers.

Posted on: 2008-05-29, in: General VoIP

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Cellular modem sales rocket

An increasing number of consumers are turning to cellular modems as they seek to take advantage of the flexibility offered by wireless mobile broadband, according to a new study.

Data published by ABI Research suggests that advances in 3G network coverage led to an annual 300 per cent rise in the sales of PC Cards, Express Cards, USB modems, embedded modems and 3G/Wi-Fi routers last year.

Growing demand for the technology is expected to push shipments of cellular modems past 200 million units by 2013.

"2007 saw cellular modems established as an important connectivity technology for operators and mobile customers," said ABI principal analyst Dan Shey.

A recent report by Dutch communications analyst firm Telecompaper claims that the mobile broadband market could expand three fold by 2012.

It also suggests that overall demand for cellular modems will achieve a compound annual growth rate of 32 per cent over the next five years.

Posted on: 2008-05-29, in: Broadband

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Broadband take up accelerates

Consumers are flocking to broadband services as they seek to take advantage of reduced costs and higher speeds, according to new data.

Figures published by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that broadband accounted for 91.6 per cent of all UK internet connections in March, which represents an eight per cent rise on the corresponding numbers for last year.

Conversely demand for slower dial-up connections continued to decline and they now account for only 8.4 per cent of the market.

Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: "There is really little reason to hold onto an outdated dial-up connection these days. The broadband market has become so competitive that broadband is now as cheap, if not cheaper than its old-fashioned counterpart."

Recent research by YouGov suggests that consumers are often paying over the odds for broadband because they fail to understand bandwidth.

The poll found 78 per cent of broadband users fail to keep a track of how close they are to exceeding their download limit, while a further 27 per cent of users do not even know what usage allowance they signed up for.

Posted on: 2008-05-28, in: Broadband

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