Cisco Cius, the first Android tablet aimed at enterprise customers will be launched by Verizon Wireless later this summer. According to Verizon, the company is combining the power of its 4G LTE network with the Cisco Cius to improve "Mobile Enterprise Collaboration."

Bandwidth.com, a privately held telecommunications company, announced that it has signed a commercial deal with the Verizon wireline companies under which the parties agree to terminate each other's VoIP traffic at a rate of $0.0007 per minute.

Skype is taking another step forward with Verizon and expanding the Skype mobile application onto a variety of Multimedia 3G phones with an app based on the BREW platform, including the LG enV TOUCH, LG Chocolate Touch and Samsung Reality.

Verizon Global Wholesale's VoIP minutes of use grew more than 200 percent in 2009, compared with the previous year. This trend continues a growth trajectory that began with the launch of Verizon's VoIP portfolio in 2000, as the company informed.

Verizon Business introduces Global Fixed Mobile Convergence, a new service that can significantly reduce mobile phone roaming charges for European workers who make and receive calls outside of their home service area.

The new service also offers a universal phone number with "find me/follow me" capabilities to reach employees on a wireline or mobile phone for immediate attention, reducing the number of voicemails and spurring productivity.

Using advanced software from MobileMax, Verizon Global Fixed Mobile Convergence determines cost-effective routing for mobile calls. The service dynamically directs calls to either Verizon's cloud-based global voice-over-IP communications platform, powered by Broadsoft, or to the customer's mobile network service if that is the more cost-effective option. This is particularly powerful in helping to contain roaming costs for workers placing and receiving calls outside of their network coverage area, or when making international calls from their home country.

Verizon Global FMC is available immediately to Verizon Business customers in nine European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. In addition, enterprises headquartered in the U.S. and Asia-Pacific can also take advantage of the offering for employees based in this initial service area.

The new enterprise solution works with an array of mobile devices across most GSM-based mobile operator networks located throughout the initial service area. As a result, new and existing companies can achieve cost-savings for international mobile calls without any additional capital investment and without changing mobile operators or company-issued handsets.

Verizon Global FMC will be integrated next month with the company's VoIP platform, enabling more advanced capabilities afforded by PBX office phone systems and cost savings opportunities for Verizon Global FMC customers who are also Verizon VoIP customers. By combining the power of voice over IP in a mobile, wireless environment, individuals will be able to activate the same familiar office phone features directly from their mobile handset.

Verizon Business' unified communications and mobility consultants can help businesses prepare for and employ Verizon Global FMC in the context of their overall UC&C and mobility strategies. The new service complements Verizon's comprehensive suite of unified communications and collaboration solutions, and is being integrated with Verizon Managed Mobility to simplify management of a multitude of global devices, expenses and applications across multiple carriers around the globe.

In a separate announcement Tuesday (May 11), the company introduced Enterprise Mobility as a Service, a cloud-based solution for businesses to more simply and cost-effectively manage and use mobile devices to access corporate resources.

Verizon Global Wholesale is now offering additional functionality for three of its product platforms -- SIP Gateway Service, Advanced Toll Free IP Termination and Carrier IP Termination Transport. This new functionality enables the product platforms to share a single, secure virtual private network connection called an IP Security (or IPSec) tunnel.

At the CTIA WIRELESS 2010 in Las Vegas, Verizon and Skype announced that Skype mobile is already available with nine Verizon 3G smartphones. Skype mobile uses the Verizon voice network for the wireless connection of the Skype-to-Skype calls.

Small- and medium-sized businesses are moving to VoIP and other IP communications with rapid speed, and Verizon has joined the movement by offering some specifically targeted VoIP and internet packages.

Verizon's Global Wholesale division is offering three new packages to wholesales with the first being a combination of Verizon's SIP Gateway Service with its router hardware which will give wholesale customers an easy way to get SMBs into the VoIP game fast. Verizon has also launched the Internet Dedicated T1 which will combine discounted services with hardware--a 30 or more user connection for transmitting high-volume email, files, and web hosting. Heavy data users will benefit from Verizon's third offering called Internet Dedicated Ethernet which will provide discounted ethernet bundled with a Samsung iBG1000.

"By creating new VoIP and Internet packages that include both services and hardware, we're giving our wholesale customers new ways to support their small- and medium-sized business customers in a time when every nickel and every efficiency counts toward success," said Quintin Lew, senior vice president of marketing for Verizon Global Wholesale in a release. "Our goal continues to be to arm our wholesale customers with the tools that help them to help small and medium-sized businesses succeed."

For more:
- read the release

Related articles
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Verizon launches local calling solution for call center users

Verizon is offering three new VoIP and Internet packages available through the Verizon Global Wholesale division. The offers are designed to respond to the rapid growth of VoI in the small and medium business realm and the resulting demand for powerful high-speed Internet connections. In addition, the offers support Verizon Global Wholesale customers' marketing efforts to small and medium sized businesses.

NEC IP PBX and SIP Gateway Solution

The first new package combines Verizon's SIP Gateway Service with associated router hardware. SIP Gateway Service transports VoIP traffic between packet-based IP networks and the traditional telephone network, allowing Verizon Global Wholesale's customers to give small and medium-sized businesses a quick and easy way to get into the VoIP world.

In addition to providing access to Verizon's expansive IP local network and its telephone number inventory, wholesale customers can offer small and medium-sized businesses a new NEC UNIVERGE SV8100 IP PBX and its associated installation and maintenance bundle at a discount, simplifying the setup and lowering the cost of entry into the IP market. This enables small and medium-sized businesses to work with a single vendor, receive one bill, and gain access to a feature-rich VoIP solution that delivers cost reductions and the promise of increased productivity.

Both the SIP connection and the NEC UNIVERGE SV8100 PBX are priced at a discount with this new simple, feature-rich package. The service and hardware discounts expire on June 30.

Internet Dedicated T1 Package

The second new package, Internet Dedicated T1, also combines discounted service and hardware. It provides a high-capacity connection for 30 or more users and is designed for transmitting high-volume e-mail traffic, transferring large files, or hosting Web sites from virtually anywhere.

The package, based on T1 technology, combines 24 channels of broadband signal into a 1.544 megabit per second (Mbps) service, with customer equipment available to enable the service. Quality of service assurance is offered as an option, at an additional cost. QoS is important for businesses that consolidate voice, video and key business applications onto a converged IP network.

The equipment offered in this package is either a Samsung Ubigate iBG 1000 for data-only applications or a model 1003 for data and voice services combined. The discounts on service and equipment expire on March 31, 2011.

For small and medium-sized businesses with a larger appetite for Internet access, a third new promotional offer features Internet access with an Ethernet connection at either 5 Mbps or 10 Mbps. This Internet Dedicated Ethernet service is discounted and bundled with a Samsung iBG1000 router, the cost of which is credited back over the initial year of service.

Targeted at businesses that intend to consolidate voice, video and key business applications onto a converged IP network, this offer delivers a single-vendor solution that end-user customers can leverage to fit their business model. The Ethernet service discount and the monthly credit offer for the cost of the router are scheduled to expire on March 31, 2011.

Skype and Verizon Wireless announce a strategic relationship that will bring Skype to Verizon Wireless smartphones in March. The new Skype mobile product enhances Verizon Wireless' smartphones for users who have data plans by offering a new way to call around the globe, while also giving hundreds of millions of Skype users around the world the opportunity to communicate with friends, family and business colleagues in the United States using Verizon Wireless.

The two companies have created an exclusive, easy-to-use Skype mobile offering for 3G smartphones. Verizon Wireless 3G smartphone users with data plans can use Skype mobile to:

• make and receive unlimited Skype-to-Skype voice calls to any Skype user around the globe on America's most reliable wireless network;
• call international phone numbers at competitive Skype Out calling rates;
• send and receive instant messages to other Skype users; and
• remain always connected with the ability to see friends' online presence.

Initially, Skype mobile will be available on millions of best-selling Verizon Wireless 3G smartphones with data plans, including the BlackBerry Storm 9530, Storm2 9550, Curve 8330, Curve 8530, 8830 World Edition and Tour 9630 smartphones, as well as DROID by Motorola, DROID ERIS by HTC and Motorola DEVOUR.

John Stratton, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Verizon Wireless, said, "Skype mobile on Verizon Wireless changes the game. For Verizon Wireless' more than 90 million customers, Skype mobile adds great value because we're effectively giving customers with smartphones and data plans the option to extend their unlimited calling community to hundreds of millions of Skype users around the globe. And you're not limited to using a single type of phone; we'll have nine smartphones ready right at launch in March."

Josh Silverman, chief executive officer of Skype, noted, "People want to take their Skype conversations with them wherever they go, whether it's on a PC, TV or increasingly mobile phones. Verizon Wireless will give U.S. consumers the best Skype experience on mobile phones and will truly change the way people call their friends and family internationally."

The new offering, Verizon VoIP Inbound with Local Originations, provides a local phone number with call manager functionality traditionally used for toll-free phone numbers.

Communications market research firm Infonetics Research launched a new North America Business VoIP Services Leadership Matrix that analyzes and ranks the top service providers in the VoIP business services market.

"In the aggressive North American business VoIP services market, Verizon Business stands out as the market leader in both IP Centrex and IP connectivity services. Still, in this highly competitive market, a number of providers, such as New Global Telecom and Cbeyond, are finding success in offering compelling solutions for businesses," said Diane Myers, Infonetics Research's Directing Analyst for Service Provider VoIP and IMS.

MATRIX REPORT HIGHLIGHTS

• Verizon Business scores highest in Infonetics' leadership matrix for IP Centrex services and IP connectivity services due largely to its strong financial stability
• New Global Telecom ranks second overall for IP Centrex services, with the largest number of IP Centrex subscribers in North America and an outstanding market strategy
• In the IP connectivity services market, closely following Verizon Business, are Cbeyond and Paetec
• Other service providers in the leadership matrix rankings: 8x8, Alteva Networks, AT&T, BroadView Networks, BroadVOX, Comcast, Covad, Global Crossing, iCore Networks, Level 3, Time Warner Telecom, and XO

REPORT SYNOPSIS

The VoIP service provider leadership matrix is a new addition to Infonetics' VoIP and UC Services and Subscribers biannual market share and forecast report; all subscribers to this report have access to the leadership matrix.

The leadership matrix ranks the top 10 IP Centrex service providers and top 9 IP connectivity providers in North America based on criteria critical to determining market leadership, including number of IP Centrex subscribers and/or installed base of IP connectivity lines/trunks, financial stability, market strategy, service capabilities, and support options.

In addition to the new service provider leadership matrix, Infonetics' VoIP and UC services and subscribers report provides worldwide and regional market size, forecasts through 2013, and analysis of residential and SOHO VoIP services, business VoIP and UC services, and residential/SOHO VoIP subscribers. Business voice services are tracked by hosted IP Centrex, hosted UC, managed IP PBX, and IP connectivity (voice VPN/IP access, SIP trunking, and IP integrated access).

Businesses and government agencies will immediately be able to take advantage of the latest certifications of Verizon Business' VoIP and contact center services with Avaya's complete line of equipment and software.

The two companies have completed certifications of Verizon IP Contact Center suite of services and Verizon IP Trunking with Avaya Communication Manager 5.1.1/SES 5.1.1 and Avaya Communication Manager Branch to enable the most current capabilities of both companies across Verizon Business' complete suite of VoIP and Contact Center Services.

The training program will support an expanded global Verizon-Avaya enterprise resale relationship, the continued introduction of the most current certified offers, and Verizon's status as a Platinum Avaya Partner and Platinum DevConnect Partner.

IP Contact Centers Cost-Effectively Speed Call Resolution

Verizon Business and Avaya have enabled one of the industry's first pure end-to-end SIP-based contact center solutions through the powerful combination of Verizon Business' leading contact center and VoIP portfolios and Avaya's advanced equipment. As a result, organizations can immediately benefit from upgrading an existing contact center to IP, or setting up a new center, to reduce their total cost of ownership and increase their return on assets.

The Verizon IP Contact Center suite incorporates Verizon VoIP Inbound Toll Free and IP Intelligent Voice Routing services working in tandem with Avaya Intelligent Communications (User-to-User Information, Network Call Redirection and Avaya Agent Deskphone 16CC-Communication Manager5.x and SIP Enablement Services 5.x).

Global VoIP Fuels Enterprise Operations

Verizon Business and Avaya continue to help companies transition to VoIP for enhanced enterprise communications and business operations.

Verizon IP Trunking, compliant with Avaya Communication Manager 5.1.1 and Avaya Communication Manager Branch, provides direct SIP connectivity into an IP PBX, eliminating the need for gateway equipment at the customer's premises.

IP Trunking helps businesses simplify network design and control costs resulting in lower operating overhead, power consumption and maintenance costs. It also delivers features such as BEST (Burstable Enterprise Shared Trunks) which enable customers to share local and long distance trunks across their enterprise providing unprecedented business efficiencies. IP Trunking is available in United States and 10 European countries: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Students, teachers and parents in the Sherman Independent School District in North Texas are leveraging the power of advanced communications in and out of the classroom, using new services from Verizon Business. The services will be provided under a new agreement that expands the company?s decade-long relationship with the district, which is located about 60 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, near the Oklahoma border. The Sherman ISD serves about 6,100 students at 12 locations.

Verizon Business is currently completing the installation of a new VoIP platform and is deploying wireless LANS for each school campus to expand the district?s communications capability and reach. The new services are provided via the district?s existing high-capacity Ethernet network, which also carries the district?s Internet, data and voice services.

In addition to the new VoIP and wireless capabilities, Verizon Business expanded the district?s existing Ethernet capabilities, enabling it to use its data network for a wide range of administrative and educational functions including processing cafeteria transactions, tracking library books, and distance-learning activities in the classroom. The wireless-access points being installed provide students and teachers with greater flexibility by enabling them to access the network, using laptops on district campuses.

Some of the new services and network expansion are made possible through the federal E-rate program. The program, created as part of the federal Telecommunications Act of 1996 and managed through the Schools and Libraries Division of the Universal Service Administrative Company, provides assistance for eligible schools and libraries to obtain affordable telecommunications services and Internet access. Verizon Business is one of the nation?s leading participants in the program, with more than 10 years of E-rate experience in working with K-12 clients nationwide.

Consumers looking to cut costs without sacrificing satisfaction for Internet, television, and telephone service should consider bundling with Verizon FiOS or AT&T U-verse. In Consumer Reports' latest survey of major telecom providers and bundled services, featured in the February issue, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse, whose networks are fiber-optic based, were the most consistently satisfying providers for their Internet, television, and telephone services.

Because Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse are not available everywhere, many consumers must consider other options for Internet, phone and TV services. The article also includes Ratings of these three services, which are typically bundled, from various providers.

In areas where telco-delivered service is not available, a highly-rated cable company is the next-best choice for many households. Consumers may not have an option when choosing a cable provider because a majority of homes only have one cable company available in their area. According to Consumer Reports' survey, better cable companies include Cox, Cablevision and the smaller Bright House and Wow, which are fine alternatives to fiber-optic service providers for all three services in areas that they are available and also offer Internet and telephone services.

If television service is a priority and fiber-optic service isn't available, satellite service may be a fine option. Consumer Reports suggests opting for a bundle that includes DirecTV. It scored higher than all the major cable companies and Dish Network, the other major provider of satellite service, for TV picture, sound and channel selection. It is also offered in hybrid bundles along with DSL Internet and landline phone service from some telephone providers.

Bundling Prices Decline

Intense competition for cable and satellite customers between AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS high-speed fiber providers has driven down rates for Internet, phone and TV service and is likely the reason that companies allow these savings to continue past the promotional period. In the past year, bundles of the three services have dropped in price by up to 20 percent, to as low as $80 a month.

Bundling makes sense for many households, especially for those consumers who are served by one of the fiber carriers or one of the better cable companies. Consumer Reports' latest survey found that subscribers were very satisfied with Internet, phone and TV from the best telecom providers. However, bundling doesn't come without some problems. The survey revealed a high incidence of complaints about billing, and fees with some providers' triple-play packages. Despite its high marks overall, Verizon FiOS was below average for customer service to its triple-play customers. Cable companies that bundle services had fewer customer-service problems overall.

How to Choose

• Check alternatives. Only a small percentage of homes have two cable companies to choose from; most only have one. Satellite is more widely available, provided a home has an unobstructed view of the horizon to the southwest. DSL is widely available in urban and suburban neighborhoods. While fiber-optic service, such as Verizon FiOS and U-verse from AT&T, is spreading fast, it is still only available in about 8.5 million homes in about one-third of the states.
• Weight the case for bundling. With most providers, signing up for more services equals more savings. Bundles allow for integrated services, such as display of callers' phone numbers on the TV screen, which is offered with some phone/cable packages. Triple-play offers often come sweetened with more extras, such as free installation. Consumers may also be guaranteed low rates for a longer period of time with triple-play than when subscribing to services one at a time.
• Don't rule out a la carte. Taking fewer than three services from any one provider allows flexibility. Spreading service among a few carriers also eliminates the possibility that a network or equipment failure will knock out all telecom services. Although bundles usually ensure maximum savings, Consumer Reports found at least one instance where the cost of the service taken individually was actually lower than when it was part of a package.
• Consider phone safety. Cable VoIP and fiber phone service require a battery back-up to use during power outages. These battery backups may be provided or have to be purchased for an additional fee. Additionally, if an outage lasts longer than the battery backup, consumers may be left without a phone for the remainder of the outage. Emergency 911 service varies among technologies. Consumer Reports recommends supplementing VoIP service with basic landline service for use in 911 calls.
• Fine-tune by other attributes. Consumer Reports Ratings reveal that providers differ in more than their customers' overall satisfaction. Consumers should determine which TV providers carry programming they desire. Keep in mind that fiber and satellite usually have a termination fee but cable does not.

How to Get the Best Price

• Check rates, then check again. Consumers should scour the provider's Web site for the best deals, and ask a customer rep if the price quoted is the company's absolute best offer. Consider checking again. Consumer Reports found that rates could change, seemingly by the representative who took the call.
• Negotiate. It can pay off, particularly in areas where there's competition between a cable provider and a traditional telephone company, and when a promotional rate is expiring. Ask for a reduced price or free extras, such as installation or a premium channel at no cost.
• Ask for sample bills. Before finalizing a deal, ask for a summary of all charges for the first and subsequent months. Confirm that the figures include all taxes and fees, and one-time expenses such as a charge to keep an existing phone number. Try to get all the information in writing. Check the figures later against the actual bills.
• Fine-tune extras. As a rule, consumers shouldn't pay more for higher-speed Internet service unless they are doing a lot of downloading or sharing of lengthy videos or other very large files. Most VoIP and fiber-based phone plans include caller ID, answering service, and unlimited local and long-distance calling in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, and sometimes other countries. Check that these features don't disappear or that the bill doesn't increase once the promotional period ends.

The complete report and Ratings are available in the February 2009 issue of Consumer Reports.