VoIP News: September 2010

More people are beginning to use their mobile broadband connections for portable VoIP solutions, although video streaming is still the number-one use of bandwidth. That is according to Allot Communications' latest Mobile Trends report, which indicates that the use of mobile instant messaging and VoIP services grew by 84 per cent in the past year. As the second fastest-growing traffic type, VoIP and IM was found to account for three per cent of bandwidth, as mobile broadband usage surged by 68 per cent.

Businesses in Shetland will have greater access to VoIP services following the rollout of fibre-optic broadband internet connections to the remote Scottish archipelago. European funding has been allocated to the creation of a fibre-optic network across the Shetland. Vastly improved broadband connections are expected as a result of the scheme, which could help small and medium-sized businesses to cut their costs by using VoIP services.

Companies of all sizes can benefit from the introduction of VoIP services, it has been claimed. Businesses who deploy VoIP solutions can often achieve cost savings as call charges are often lower than traditional phone operators, while minimal infrastructure is required to facilitate the technology. Cyril Rocke, president and chief executive of Philippine-based firm VoiceOne Asia, claimed both small and large firms can gain an edge over their competitors with VoIP.

A Venezuelan man has been sentenced to ten years in prison after stealing VoIP service minutes and selling them on for a profit. Twenty-seven year old Edwin Andres Pena hacked into US VoIP networks and then sold over ten million minutes of unauthorised internet calls to unsuspecting customers. The telecommunications companies who were affected by the attack lost services worth more than $1.

The quality of VoIP solutions in the US could improve following the decision to free up television airwaves for super-fast Wi-Fi. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the US regulatory body, has voted in favour of opening up the vacant spectrum between channels for next-generation mobile broadband. These "white spaces" are ideal for wireless internet networks as signals are stronger, faster and more reliable.