NexTone Communications, the leader in distributed and intelligent session management solutions for VoIP and other real-time IP services, announced the company has been named one of IT Week's Top 50 Technology Innovators of 2005. NexTone received the award based on its successful session management technology deployments for customers worldwide.

NexTone's session management technology delivers scalable control of real-time IP services such as VoIP and other digital media applications including instant messaging, chat, and video across the IP network. NexTone is the leading supplier of session management solutions with more than 370 carrier and enterprise customers worldwide. These NexTone-based production networks carry over 50 percent of all long-distance VoIP traffic in the world.

Cablevision's Optimum Online and Optimum Voice have been named the top high-speed Internet and VoIP services in the nation by the readers of PC Magazine in the publication's 18th Annual Reader Satisfaction Survey for Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and VoIP Digital Voice Service Providers, available on newsstands this month.

For the second year in a row, Optimum Online received the highest overall rating among all high-speed Internet providers in the nation, with top ratings in the categories of speed and reliability as well. Optimum Voice received the highest overall rating in the nation, as well as top scores in the categories of sound quality and connection reliability. As part of the survey, Optimum Online and Optimum Voice were also awarded PC Magazine 2005 Readers' Choice Awards -- the second year in a row Optimum Online received this coveted distinction.

Covad Communications Group, Inc., announced that
Covad was distinguished with three separate awards for its continued excellence in business-class VoIP. The Service Provider Awards were bestowed based on data collected from a variety of sources including TMC editorial staff, International Packet Communications Consortium (IPCC) executives, and the readers of INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine, and identified truly market-driving VoIP communications providers.

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i2Telecom International, Inc., a pioneer in ultra-portable Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) products and services, announced that it has been named a winner of the prestigious "VoIP Service Provider Award" at Technology Marketing Corporation INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference and EXPO Los Angeles 2005. TMC reports that the conference, attended by over 8,000 people last week at the Los Angeles Convention Center, was the best-attended VoIP conference ever held. The VoIP Service Provider awards are presented to companies selected by the industry's most objective editorial team based on the company's significance, originality and innovation.

"i2Telecom and their innovative VoiceStick, are recognized as true pioneers for their company's contribution to the significant growth of VoIP," said TMC president and conference chairman, Rich Tehrani. "Their innovation and commitment to quality attract serious prospects to their service offerings."

Veraz Networks, Inc. announced that Technology Marketing Corporation's INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine (www.itmag.com) has named the Veraz ControlSwitch as a recipient of an INTERNET TELEPHONY Excellence Award for 2005. INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine has been the VoIP Authority since 1998.

The Veraz ControlSwitch softswitch and service delivery platform, via its open and distributed architecture, enables services providers around the world to deploy VoIP-based networks and revenue-generating IP services. Whether migrating to an IP network, evolving towards IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or creating enhanced business models such as Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), Veraz customers benefit from a cost-effective way to build a service-rich VoIP network to attract new subscribers over any access network including wireless networks.

FierceVoIP announced its "Fierce 15" list of the top emerging VoIP companies of 2005. This year's winners include cutting-edge businesses from across the globe whose innovative technologies are redefining the VoIP industry. Some of the winning innovations include mobile solutions, breakthroughs in network monitoring, and an advance in internet phone services.

FierceVoIP, an internationally recognized email newsletter for the VoIP industry, evaluated hundreds of emerging IP telephony firms based on the quality of their technology and management teams and their potential for exciting new partnerships, additional funding, and IPOs.

The Fierce 15 celebrates the spirit of being "fierce" - championing innovation and creativity, even in the face of intense competition.