Packnet Blog

A detailed analysis of the current use of internet-enabled communications, including internet protocol (IP) telephony and business VoIP (voice over internet protocol), is to be undertaken in Northern Ireland.

The survey, to be carried out by the University of Ulster, will not only look closely at the degree to which such technologies are used, but will also seek to find out how these technologies are rated in terms of function and application by those who use them on a regular basis.

Major UK telecommunications provider, BT, has said that it intends speeding up its programme of nationwide fibre-optic cable installation, in a move likely to result in up to two-thirds of the country gaining access to superfast broadband a year ahead of schedule.

520 additional engineers will be deployed in order to help ensure that the new target of two-thirds completion is met by 2014 rather than the original target of 2015.

Top manufacturer of business VoIP (voice over internet protocol) handsets, Yealink, has used its annual distributors’ conference to celebrate its first decade in business.

During the conference, several of Yealink’s noted achievements over the past 10 years were reflected on, with successful case histories being highlighted by the company’s many distributors from around the world.

North Somerset Council has announced that it is to organise its much-anticipate high speed broadband outlay in the area on the basis of the findings of a detailed questionnaire to local households and businesses.

The council has been granted government assistance to provide high speed broadband for the North Somerset area.

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has cited the provision of high speed broadband services for business as one of the crucial ingredients for generating economic growth across Europe.

The EIB says that the provision of superfast broadband and its adoption by businesses will greatly help expand trade and develop markets in the continent.

A new report by analysts, Infonetics Research, has forecasted that take-up of business VoIP will soar over the next few years; and to a degree far higher than the research company had previously predicted.

According to Infonetics, the market for VoIP (voice over internet protocol) as a whole is already on course to end the year showing a 17% increase in growth; with the business sector putting in a particularly strong performance.

According to a recent small survey by the popular technology magazine website PCadvisor.co.uk, the majority of UK businesses are still yet to unify their communication services.

There were a total of 29 business managers and 22 IT managers who responded to the mid October 2011 poll, which asked them to comment on how unified their communications were. Covering all aspects, such as email, fax, instant messaging, video conferencing and voice services, the findings have made for interesting reading.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has been with us for a number of years now, with most consumers recognising the name Skype. Today, largely due to the familiarity such home systems have provided though, the technology is increasingly used in the business world.

With many more benefits to be had from integrated communications in addition to voice systems, the future looks incredibly bright for its application. Many small businesses are particularly seeing the benefits, with reduced overheads leading the charge.

This year’s SIPit29 event will take place in Monte Carlo this week on October 24 – 28. The event, hosted by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and sponsored by the SIP Forum, brings together professionals in the IP telephony and communications industry from across the world.

On this years agenda is likely to be extended discussions with regards to the ever increasing importance of IPv6 interoperability to the industry, and the end users of their providers. Also up for discussion will be the technicalities of SIP trunking and security, and how these can best be delivered to customers.

The revenue from EMEA IP telephony continues to grow, despite a marginal set back following the global recession of 2008. By 2015, it is expected that sales will pass the £5.1bn mark, representing a Compound Annual Growth Rate of nearly 12%.

These findings come as part of a new study conducted by IDC, which also highlighted the need that many companies have in replacing their out dated voice platforms.