voip

Features and functions are crammed into media players and phones like commuters on a Tokyo subway, so we're a little surprised that there aren't more convergence products like this one on the market. The Rimax Mystic--an all-in-one MP3-video-radio gadget with up to 2GB of storage for photos and other data--can also be used as a VoIP handset when its USB cable is plugged into the computer. At this rate, maybe the next version will mop your floors too.

(Photo: RMXdirect)

Qwest Communications Chief Executive Officer Richard Notebaert just doesn??t know when to give up.

Earlier this week, MCI accepted Verizon??s new and improved acquisition offer for the third time. Notebaert graciously said he was pulling out of the three-month bidding war. But now, the Denver Post is reporting that he may still try to pursue a deal with MCI. The paper reports he has not ruled out the option of a hostile takeover by the shareholders.

In dating circles, Notebaert could be labeled a stalker. The guy just doesn??t take "no" for an answer.

Here … Read more

SBC is going to get "naked." An SBC spokesman confirmed comments made by the company's chief financial officer at an investor conference this week that SBC is planning to trial "naked" DSL. He said testing will begin this summer in select locations, and the service will be rolled out more widely later this year. A story will be posted on News.com shortly that discusses "naked" DSL in more depth.

SBC Communications is working the regulatory circuit as it tries to avoid complying with federal and local regulations on its next-generation services.

On Thursday, the FCC rejected the Baby Bell??s request to have its voice over Internet Protocol, or VoIP, service freed of traditional phone regulation, reports Reuters. The FCC rejected the request based on procedural issues, but it could take up the issue again at a later date, said Reuters.

SBC is also looking to be exempt from regulation on its proposed Internet Protocol TV service. The company has been publicly pushing its stance, saying that its new … Read more

Soon customers of BellSouth??s DSL service will be able to chat face to face with their friends and family over the Internet. The regional phone company announced yesterday that it is trialing a video chat service that allows customers with a Webcam and microphone to chat through the BellSouth instant-messaging client.

Call me old fashioned, but I think I??d rather stick with the kind of IM where no one has to know that I am sitting at my computer in my pajamas.

SBC Communications is going to start testing 'naked' DSL, according to Dave Burstein in his latest DSL Prime newsletter. CFO Rich Lindner supposedly told analysts at a conference that he "expects [SBC] will do trials of naked DSL, especially bundled with wireless."

SBC hasn't yet confirmed these comments. And the company isn't saying yet when testing is likley to begin or when the service might eventually be available.

'Naked' DSL has become a hot topic, especially in light of the recenty proposed mega mergers between SBC and AT&T and Verizon and MCI. Consumer advocates … Read more

Could the third time be a charm for Verizon?

MCI has once again accepted Verizon??s offer to buy the troubled long distance carrier. On Monday, Verizon said it would increase its bid for MCI to at least $26 a share, bringing the total price tag to $8.4 billion. Even though this price is still lower than Qwest??s latest offer, MCI??s board has once again agreed to go with Verizon??s offer. Qwest??s most recent offer is valued at round $9.74 billion.

This is the third time the board has accepted Verizon??s offer to … Read more

Carlos Slim Helu is slick.

The Mexican telecommunications magnate, who is the largest shareholder in MCI, has managed to sell his minority stake in the company to Verizon for a price that??s 11 percent above what Verizon plans to pay the rest of the company??s shareholders.

And while everyone else will take their money mostly in stock, Slim will walk away with cash. Verizon also threw in another little perk. In one year, it will give Slim an adjustment based on appreciation of its stock price. In the end the price tag could exceed $27 per share, well … Read more

Philadelphia officially released its business plan for "Wireless Philadelphia" on Thursday. The city-wide Wi-Fi network will use utility poles to mount wireless gear to provide service to city residents at about $16 to $20 a month.

The city plans to use a cooperative wholesale model, similar to one that has been proposed by UTOPIA, a consortium of 11 cities building a broadband fiber network in Utah. Under this model, the city will create a non-profit organization that will contract out to private organizations that will build the network. The non-profit organization will get its funding through foundation grants … Read more