VoIP News: July 2008

An industry expert has listed seven reasons why VoIP solutions are perfect for big businesses. Volume, multi-site operations and international operations are the first three reasons, as the reduced costs that VoIP provides allows for expansion in these areas, Richard Barrington of Vendor Guru claimed. "The move to VoIP business service is especially strong among large organisations, which are looking to capitalise on this service's numerous cost-saving options," he addedAside from saving money, he mentions that VoIP phones can deal with signal complexity by coordinating voice communications, are more flexible in terms of adding different types of equipment and can provide local phone numbers in different geographic locations.

A robot developed by BAE is helping the UK Border Agency find illegal immigrants trying to smuggle themselves into the country. The robot, called Hero, is currently on trial at Calais, Europe's busiest port. Resembling a briefcase on its side with a wheel at each corner, Hero can drive underneath cars and look at their underside with its camera, meaning border guards do not have to bend down themselves during searches.

VoIP solutions are increasing in Latin America with the low cost involved one of the major factors, according to analysis from Frost & Sullivan. The VoIP market had revenues of $72. 3 million (£36.

The recognition of VoIP phones as a viable alternative to traditional devices has received a boost as a new bill in the USA allows VoIP users to dial the 911 emergency telephone service. President George W Bush signed the New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008, which was brought into being after negotiations between the House of Representatives and the Senate. Both bodies had passed separate bills earlier in the year and Senator Daniel Inouye and Senator Ted Stevens authored a compromise.

Residents in Bournemouth are to begin receiving letters asking if they want to be hooked up to the new super-fast fibre optic broadband network. The town is the first in the UK to be getting the technology, which will see cables laid in the sewers at a cost of £30 million. Construction on the network will begin in September by H2O Networks and should take two years.