VoIP News: March 2009

Mobilebroadband via dongle is booming after leading mobile operator 3 announced that it has sold over one million of the devices. The mobile provider revealed that it has sold the internet devices to customers in the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Italy, Denmark and Austria. As easily transportable wireless 3G internet devices, the dongles have proved popular by enabling mobilebroadband internet access almost anywhere in the world.

The global mobilebroadband industry has the potential to be worth almost £100 billion by 2014, new research suggests. According to a study published by analysis firm Ovum, the market for 3G internet services could grow to $137billion (£94 billion) over the next five-year period. In this time, the firm expects the number of mobilebroadband subscribers to exceed two billion around the world, including 286 million accessing the service via dongle or laptop-embedded SIM.

Small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) in the US state of Texas have been enjoying the benefits of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), according to reports. Austin-based service provider Starview has introduced session initiation protocol (SIP) into its suite of business-focused IP communications solutions. This has meant that businesses in Texas are now able to experience the efficiency and cost cutting benefits of converged voice and data communications.

Virgin Media has signalled plans to offer broadband at speeds of between 100 to 150Mbps within the next few years, according to reports. British Telecom (BT) has already pledged to complete its planned network roll-out by 2012 to offer speeds of up to 60Mbps for some UK households. Neil Berkett, Virgin Media's chief executive, told BBC News that its fibre-to-the-cabinet network roll-out could provide speeds of up to 200Mbps.

VoiceCon Orlando is soon to get underway in the US with a range of events focussed on technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). The event runs from March 30th to April 2nd at Gaylord Palms in Orlando, Florida. A range of industry experts will attend the conference to give talks and seminars, while a variety of global organisations will unveil new products and services during the event.