A large number of VoIP analysis tools rely on definitive but somewhat generic measurements- packet loss, latency and jitter, to name three.

But now we are seeing tools that offer far more sophisticated measuring and evaluation capabilities.

ACQUA-IP Compact VoIP-Speech Quality Test System is one of them. From Germany-based HEAD Acoustics, This is a dual-channel analyzer that can measure such criteria as frequency response in both the sending and receiving direction, echo attenuation under single talk conditions, and sending and receiving loudness ratings.

Even more interesting, ACQUA-IP cam measure one-way speech transmission quality in either the sending and receiving direction. The analyzer does this by means of TOSQA (Telecommunications Onjective Speech Quality Assessment), a technology that can objectively model the results of listening tests. They provide a result that could be expected if the recorded speech were subjectively rated by test persons.

TOSQA allows the assessment of terminals as part of the transmission path because it is validated for both acoustical and electrical interfaces as well as wideband measurements.

Lots of calculations, but in a cool spectrographic and 3-D display, too.

Here. Look:

Pricing varies widely, and is available only on request.

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I’m posting this from the Sands Exhibition Center, which is the Consumer Electronics Show’s overflow exhibition and conference facility here in Las Vegas.

Just had demos of the new softphone from NetZero Voice, as well as Packet 8’s new softphone.

Unlike more familar softphones such as Skype - these softphones are, in a word, pretty. The dialpad, especially on NetZero Voice, is far larger than Skype’s ugly product, with large keys that are easy to read.

I even talked to a NetZero tech manager about this. Since very few of their existing customers also are already set up with VoIP, and their demos tend to skew toward older users with less technical experience (and I might add, maybe a bit less visual acuity, having a big honking interface with easy-to-read buttons is far from an arbitrary choice. It’s knowing who your customers are - or who you hope they are.

Then, you design products that will appeal to them. Simple navigation, clearly marked control icons and keys, numbers and letters that can be read by those for whom small, busy print and a cluttered, feature-rich bunch of icons are a challenge to read.

Sounds like Marketing 101, people. And it is. Amazingly, though, not all companies know this. Corporate cultures that foster innovative technology at the risk of going over people’s heads- and eyes- deserve to be flogged in this blog.

But when a company gets it right - like NetZero Voice has done with their softphone, then they will be praised.

Which is what you have just read.

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Just a little while ago at the Consumer Electronics Show in LV, wireless broadband chip maker Broadcom announced what it’s terming the first Wi-Fi video phone chipsets for desktop video IP phones.

In plain English, thie shipsets will make these phones more powerful, enabling more cool applications. But since I know that some of you come here for the specs, well, then, here are the deets straight from Broadcom:

This chipset includes the BCM1161 mobile VoIP processor; the BCM4318E AirForce One Single-Chip 802.11b/g WLAN solution; and the BCM2702 VideoCore multimedia processor. The chipset also includes Broadcom’s VoIP, video, and Wi-Fi software integrated into a single software package for the design of full-featured Wi-Fi video phone handheld and desktop products.

The Wi-Fi video phone chipset provides key features required for high-quality video and voice communication products. This includes support for high-resolution video communication standards including H.264 and H.263, video rates of up to 30 frames per second, and QCIF to CIF full-duplex video resolutions for sharp, smooth digital video that is interoperable with other devices and applications. It also includes an integrated display controller that is capable of supporting a range of LCD displays, as well as PAL/NTSC TV-Out. The BCM4318E WLAN device supports WMM (a wireless quality of service protocol that gives priority to voice and video packets), WPA(TM)/WPA2 security, Broadcom’s SecureEasySetup(TM) software, which provides device configuration with the touch of a button, and Broadcom’s BroadRange technology for improved wireless range and coverage.

Broadcom says its Wi-Fi PhonexChange software integrates video with minimized end-to-end communications delays and exceptional video/voice synchronization for a high-quality video experience. A full-duplex speakerphone with high-fidelity voice for natural and clear communications is supported. The software also provides consumers with much more than video communications, supporting access to a range of software multimedia features that include image capture and display, video recording and playback, and music player capabilities.

The solution is currently in production, and the platform is being displayed here at CES.

Broadcom notes that reference designs being shared with trusted partners - marketing jargon for collaborative efforts with video IP phone manufacturers that are either showing an interest and/or want to take those expressions of interest to the next level.

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Microsoft is working with Philips on the development of a wireless household phone.

The phone will be able to make VoIP calls using Microsoft’s Instant Messenger and its “Windows Live Call” service.

No more specifics @ this point, but I am at the Consumer Electronics Show, in the words of the former Cat Stevens, “on the road to find out.”

But even though deets remain elusive at this juncture, I have to think this is pretty big news. Once more, we’re seeing evidence of an under-reported but simply undeniable trend toward IM utilities shedding their legacy limitations and becoming softphones.

Now here’s where I contradict some of my silicon and dead-tree media colleagues. Every time a big portal eases their IM utility closer to VoIP functionality, they all say “Skype-killer.”

No. Initiatives such as the Microsoft-Philips wireless household phone is a competitive strike against full-fledged VoIP services from the traditional telcos as well as the VoIP specialists such as Vonage and Packet 8. And since the traditional telcos have quadruple-play options at their disposal - as well as the perception of an FCC not willing to stand up right now and tell these companies they cannot impose surcharges on pure-play VoIP, it is the pure-plays that are being hit from both sides.

And the fact that the pure play VoIPs are going portable as well, further underscores my contention who Microsoft-Philips is really going after here.

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It’s nice to see I’m not the only one feeling the way I do about Vonage and to some extent, Skype.

Bryan Richards, in a very critical story over at VoIP Magazine takes Vonage to task and lays the smack down on Skype to boot.

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I’m a big believer that it’s when, not if, that we will see Mobile VoIP and true Mobile IP phones very soon.

I’ve talked previously about the phones coming from Kyocera that will work with both 3G and WiFi networks that Boingo will be deploying. Skype is also making noises like they will be in that camp soon, as I expect Yahoo and AOL. It’s too logical and a needed extension for all.

Where Mobile Meets VoIP

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Are you sensing a trend? Not only are other bloggers writing it, they’re all pointing to the signs of the VoIP to Mobile and Mobile to VoIP convergence occuring. This is a bandwagon I have been on for some time and really feel like eurovoip writes here that this is the year it starts to grab hold.

Much of the noise around this will come out of the upcoming 3GSM Conference in Barcelona, Spain in February and then get propelled at CeBIT in Germany in March. CeBIT makes CES look like a walk in the park. It’s more days. Has more booths and the meetings never seem to end. Then CTIA will come along here in the USA and the chatter will get louder, but remember, when it comes to advances in mobile the USA carriers are never first with anything, other than Sprint at promising. I actually think the last first from a USA mobile carrier was Nextel with Direct Connect. Anyway, VoIP to Mobile and Mobile to VoIP will start to take shape really soon here via the MVNO’s. I expect Helio to be one of the first in that space with a dedicated marketing effort around that, along with the smart folks at Boingo.

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Linksys’ Sipura team has developed a very cool IP-PBX that will support 4-16 stations per box. I got to see it a few weeks back, but protected the embargo, waiting for the press release to move.

Linksys developed this new PBX based on the smarts from Sipura who came over in the 2005 acquisition. Like PhoneGnome, it’s based on that SIPURA ATA technology, but with a lot of multi-line new and cool technology wrapped around it.

In many ways the concept reminded me of the Merlin system that AT&T rolled out right after divestiture back in the 80s as that took business away from the Bell’s Centrex platform. Well with this new system Linksys is looking to take business away from telcos current PBX business by moving it all to IP. That’s smart.

To sell it, Linksys has lined up VARs around the world (1000 or so at last count) and plans of working with them to deliver and install the equipment. That could be one of two Achilles heals with it though. Since most on premise networks in small business are running DSL, and with the bandwidth of DSL lines on average 256k on the upload, once you get past two or three simultaneous calls, add in a big file upload or download there comes the need for more bandwidth. And there comes the second rub in my mind.

While the VAR’s may be good at installs, VoIP is a different animal, so Linksys will have to really train and manage that channel the way parent CISCO does their reseller network. If Linksys can do that, they they have a winner. But if the VAR’s don’t work the way Cisco’s do, then this really neat and market needed device may not get the traction it needs.

Bottom line is I think Linksys’ team has something that will sell well, be it through the VARs or even CDW, Staples or Office Max. The IP-PBX’s launch is well timed and sorely needed. But since Linksys is not selling the end user’s overall experience that the VARs create, they will need to make sure they have that potential land-mine in check. Based on my meeting and what I heard, I think they will, but like all things VoIP, time will tell.

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An all in one cordless phone, router and telephone adapter from Uniden has been added to Vonage offerings.

If anything these ongoing releases of VoIP products shows that Vonage, and other VoIP players, are an attractive target for the consumer electronics manufacturers in a bigger way each year.

This market will only be getting bigger and more crowded, and in my opinion, more confusing.

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CHELMSFORD, Mass., Jan. 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sonus Networks (Nasdaq: SONS), a leading supplier of service provider voice over IP (VoIP) infrastructure solutions, and Vonage Network, a subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp. and the leading provider of broadband telephone services to residential customers in the U.S., announced today that Vonage Network has selected the Sonus Network architecture to support the increasing growth in its subscriber base. Vonage has deployed Sonus solutions including the GSX9000(TM), PSX(TM) Call Routing Server, SGX(TM) Signaling Gateway, and the Sonus Insight(TM) Management System in New York and Los Angeles and is expanding deployment into additional major markets throughout the United States. In future phases of the network expansion, Vonage plans to broaden the network to international locations.

Read more

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