SohoStar, a local innovator in the telecommunications industry, announced the launch of its version of the highly coveted converged voice, video and data services for both consumer and business: SohoStar Digital Dialtone. This particular rendering of convergence goes far beyond what is generally available on the market and is substantially less expensive -- good news in light of the rising cost of gasoline creating high costs for commuters.

AccessLine Communications, a leading provider of hosted VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services, announced the New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine market launch for the new retail version of SmartVoice Service -- the company's hosted VoIP service that delivers the benefits of advanced business telephone service at a fraction of the cost. Specifically designed and built for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs), SmartVoice Service offers as much as 50 percent savings over traditional business phone service rates. Combining local, long distance, and toll free phone service with no need for the purchase of any phone equipment, AccessLine's SmartVoice Service delivers savings while making it easy for customers to transition from their current legacy phone service.

Telefinity Dash911, a recognized provider of E911 emergency calling services for VoIP providers announced that it has signed a contract to be a Gold Sponsor at the October IT Expo show in San Diego, CA. The VoIP-centric technology show has grown to become a premier technology expo and will run October 11 to 13, 2006.

As an IT Expo Gold Sponsor, Dash911 will be showcasing its latest products and services developed to help VoIP providers succeed in complying with the FCC mandate that all subscribers to VoIP telephone services must have access to E911 emergency services. Dash911 President Gregory Giagnocavo will also be a keynote speaker on the subject of VoIP technology marketing.

Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., a leading provider of traditional and next-generation voice communications services, announced it is now serving customers across its expanded network in Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colorado.

Hank Carabelli, Pac-West president and CEO, commented, "With the additions of Washington, D.C. and Denver, our infrastructure now covers approximately 18.5% of the total U.S. population, on track to cover over 50% of the U.S. population in the second half of 2006. Washington, D.C. represents our first east coast market. Denver is not only a key market for our service provider customers, but a key region for attracting talent as we grow our network and services. With the addition of these markets, we are providing an even broader solution for our service provider customers."

SpectraLink Corp., the leader in workplace wireless telephony, and Meru Networks, the global innovation leader in wireless infrastructure for the All-Wireless Enterprise, announced that they have completed field verification of compatibility between SpectraLink's NetLink Wireless Telephones and Meru's Wireless LAN System. Verification of compatibility was done at multiple customer sites including PGT Industries, the leading U.S. manufacturer and supplier of residential impact-resistant windowsand doors.

Voice 2.0 pioneers TelEvolution and iotum announce that they have entered into an agreement to provide iotum's advanced telecommunications services on the PhoneGnome platform. The partnership of PhoneGnome and iotum enables PhoneGnome owners access to intelligent features such as prioritization of calls based on the caller and user activity. The partnership with iotum enables PhoneGnome owners to receive the calls they want, avoid the calls they don't want, on the device they want to use.

A VOIP phone system is a real necessity, with gas prices soaring and commutes increasing. The phones can free people to work from home with no loss in productivity and no down time.

A VOIP phone system stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol and enables any office to become virtual. With high-speed internet access available almost everywhere and VOIP technology, it becomes possible to answer a phone from anywhere. All VOIP phone system features can be accessed from intercom, to dialing out from your system lines and transferring calls. VOIP phones enable transparent communications to and from remote locations. Some VOIP Phone Systems, like the Avaya IP Office, even allow for Soft Phones that can be loaded onto your PC. With a wireless USB headset you can work from home or go down to your local Starbucks and connect back to the office.

Pac-West Telecomm, Inc., a leading provider of traditional and next- generation voice communications services, announced the availability of its East Coast SuperPOP to support its nationwide expansion plan. The first phase of expansion will enable service providers to provide communications services to more than 50% of the U.S. population in 2006. Pac-West is leveraging Switch and Data's comprehensive marketplace of providers in the New York Metropolitan Area to take advantage of the density of networks and existing VoIP service providers.

Polycom, Inc., the world's leading provider of unified collaborative communications solutions, and Skype, the global Internet communications company, today announced an agreement to deliver integrated, high-quality communications solutions for businesses who use Skype. Skype estimates that business customers make up 30 percent of its more than 100 million registered users.

The first joint product from this alliance is the Polycom Communicator, a Skype Certified, co-branded USB speakerphone that leverages Polycom's renowned Acoustic Clarity Technology to deliver hands- free, natural, two-way voice communication for Skype voice and video conversations, without echoes or feedback. The Polycom Communicator complements the new Skype for Business offering, providing an affordable and portable personal speakerphone solution that delivers business-quality, high- fidelity wideband voice communications for individuals or small groups. It delivers a best-in-class user experience with outstanding voice quality, integration with Skype software, and portability. In addition to the core speakerphone capabilities, the Polycom Communicator also offers high-quality audio output for playing music, games, etc. from a laptop or desktop PC.

US LEC Corp., a full-service provider of IP, data and voice solutions to businesses and enterprise organizations throughout the Eastern United States, announced the launch of its Dynamic T integrated VoIP and Internet solution to the West Palm Beach, Fla. market and surrounding areas. Complementing the January introduction of Dynamic T in Miami, the business- class VoIP service is now available to businesses throughout Southeast Florida. In addition to Miami and West Palm Beach, Dynamic T is also available in the cities of Boynton Beach, Coral Springs, Deerfield, Delray Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Fort Pierce, Hollywood, Jupiter, Pompano and Vero Beach.

CMP Media released the results of the Interop 2006 pre-show survey, indicating that a significant percentage of IT professionals have already implemented or have plans to implement VoIP, video and unified communications, along with wireless networks, showing sharp growth in the adoption of converged technologies. This study also identified the top areas that attendees will be researching and possibly buying while at Interop Las Vegas 2006: wireless technologies (65%), closely followed by security (63%) and management (55%). In addition, almost half (47%) have integrated or plan to integrate VoIP together with an 802.11 wireless network, along with 67% for VoIP-only implementation. The research further revealed that 79% of enterprises are using video for conferencing purposes or meetings, and 58% are either using or plan to use unified communications. A follow-up survey will be conducted after the conclusion of Interop Las Vegas 2006, currently taking place until May 5 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

The Galveston County Emergency Communication District (GCECD) recently implemented the first IP-enabled Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in the state of Texas. All eight PSAPs and the 21 dispatchers in the GCECD service area, along with the La Marque Police Department, the Galveston Police Department and Galveston County Sheriff Department, are utilizing the new IP-enabled Enhanced 911 call- handling solution, which brings a variety of benefits, including integration with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), automatic crash notification, on- demand conferencing, group paging capabilities, remote log-in and encryption of all 911 calls for increased privacy.