CounterPath announces the latest version of its free SIP softphone, X-Lite 3.0, is now available as a free download for the Mac operating system.

X-Lite 3.0 is based on eyeBeam 1.5, CounterPath's carrier grade commercial SIP softphone client, and provides high quality audio/video capabilities, instant messaging and presence management in combination with zero-touch configuration, a comprehensive address book and more. Individual users looking for a feature-rich and easy-to-use softphone to use in conjunction with their existing VoIP service can download X-Lite 3.0 for Windows or Mac free of charge from CounterPath's website. The software has also proven to be beneficial to companies seeking to test SIP-based solutions within a corporate or service provider network.

Verso with regional partner Al-Futtaim Technologies and local partner Northtech have been selected by MyTel of Pakistan to provide the Verso MetroNet VoIP Overlay solution, including the Verso Back Office Solution, an integrated back office application that supports network administration, provisioning and billing, all riding over a WiMAX network infrastructure.

Verso offers providers entering the wireless WiMAX arena voice communications and services including VoIP, prepaid, IP Centrex and voicemail and more. The MetroNet VoIP Overlay solution, which runs over both wireless and WiMAX networks, integrates and packages a standard set of VoIP features and capabilities which includes Verso Clarent® Class-5 and Class-4 switching technologies, as well as other core capabilities and services including an optional VBO component that supports in the management of the solution.

One year after its launch, JAJAH has two million consumers that are now taking advantage of its free and low-cost calling options.

The company first introduced global web-activated telephony on March 27, 2006, offering free or low cost phone calls from everyday phones. There is no headset, equipment, contract, or monthly fee and registration is free at JAJAH.com. Calls to other registered JAJAH users are free and calls to unregistered members cost on average 3 cents per minute to U.S. and Europe.

Initially labeled as a Skype killer, the JAJAH service proves that there is a huge market for global Internet telephony that works for average people on regular and mobile phones, regardless of your calling plan.

According to data from In-Stat's market research US Residential VoIP Market Tracker service, more than 10.6 million US households now have at least one active VoIP user, up from approximately 9 million households at the end of Q3. The emergence of the cable operators as a dominant market force seems to have slowed the growth of the client-based VoIP market, with only Skype showing gains in this segment during the 4th Quarter.

fring is the first company to facilitate true mobile independence by enabling fring users to choose any SIP provider to make mobile VoIP calls to regular phones. For the first time, fring users can easily pick-and-choose between their favourite SIP-based VoIP networks, even without a SIP-enabled phone.

This pioneering development from fring benefits mobile users who are now free to communicate using hundreds of SIP providers to make SIP-to-SIP calls and SIP calls to regular landline and cellular phones. fring has also broken the technology barrier to enable fringsters to use SIP provider accounts even if their handset does not support SIP. fring is pre-programmed to recognise several SIP providers including GizmoProject, VoipCheap and VoipStunt, but users can easily configure many other providers through a simple guided process.

fring compatibility with SIP providers allows mobile users to save money by communicating through their operator’s data package, using their choice of VoIP provider rather than traditional more expensive “talk” airtime. Reduced calls charges are shared with family and friends who benefit from cheaper deals when calling fringsters on their SIP VoIP-in, or SkypeIn numbers.

IPTV and AT&T U-verse watcher, Alan Weinkrantz, will be broadcasting a series of interviews from last week's VON Spring 2007 (Voice on the Net and Video on the Net) conference in San Jose.

What you will see this week on this blog are interviews with some very amazing, very talented, very creative, and very purposeful artists / businesspeople who are creating their own channels on the Web with on-going, serialized content.

Sony Europe’s IT Peripherals division launchs two new headsets designed with comfort and mobility in mind. The DR-EX230DP is a compact in-ear headset with in-line microphone, which has three sizes of ear piece designed for ultimate comfort. The DR-G250DP is a lightweight neckband headset with a foldable strap mechanism and retractable pipe microphone. Each headset makes a perfect all-in-one solution whether the user is notebook or PC orientated.

The DR-G250DP offers an alternative design headset, with and an adjustable lightweight neckband for a precise and comfortable fit for long lasting wear. The fully retractable pipe microphone is ideal for online multi-player gaming, internet chat or VoIP calls. While the DR-G250DP features a noise cancelling microphone for speech recognition accuracy and maximum signal clarity. The strap folds and collapses for transport and the headset has a 3M cable and weighs just 75g.

PeerMe launches the beta version of its mobile software suite for Java-enabled mobile phones, which also includes Voice Bombs, which allow IM users to send audio clips up to 30 seconds in length as instant messages. People with unlimited data plans who are interested in beta testing this product can point their mobile phones to www.peerme.in/mobile.jad. PeerMe was recently named one of the “10 emerging wireless entertainment companies to watch in 2007” by IDC.

PeerMe uses VoIP technology to enable mobile phone users to communicate with each other from anywhere in the world to anywhere in the world for free. Instead of paying exorbitant rates for "peak hour" calls or overseas connections, users can make unlimited calls from their cell phones while only paying a small monthly fee to their wireless carriers.

Owners of Wi-Fi-equipped Nokia smartphones will be able to make free international calls from the USA to landlines in 40 countries throughout April, May and June. The announcement extends and enlarges Truphone’s current price promotion ending on March 31st, during which customers have been able to make free mobile VoIP calls across the USA and Canada.

“We’re delighted to be making it so attractive for people to try internet telephony on their mobile handset, instead of being tied to their computer,” said James Tagg, Truphone’s CEO. “The convenience of a normal, mass market cellular handset and free international calls is an unbeatable combination for the consumer.”

Countries to which any on-net Truphone user worldwide may now make free calls to landlines include China (landlines and mobiles), Mexico (Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey), Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg) and most European Union countries.

Tariffs to some paid-for numbers may have changed from the previous promotional period. Truphone’s full tariff document is available at www.truphone.com.

Sipera VIPER Lab discloses nine threat advisories for WiFi/dual mode telephones from vendors including RIM, HTC, Samsung, Dell and D-Link. These threat advisories are in addition to the new SIP vulnerabilities published by Sipera VIPER Lab.

Sipera proactively identifies VoIP threats through its Sipera VIPER Lab, which is comprised of experienced VoIP application developers, architects, and engineers, operating 24/7/365 from Richardson, Texas, and Hyderabad, India. Every day, the dedicated VIPER Lab researchers identify new vulnerabilities and potential exploits in VoIP protocols, VoIP equipment and phones. They also scan web sites, blogs, discussion groups, and media outlets for evidence of known, suspected and new VoIP vulnerabilities and attacks.

These vulnerabilities are posted at http://www.sipera.com/viper as a service to Sipera's customers and the general public. Sipera VIPER Lab follows a disclosure policy which notifies equipment vendors, in advance, of the potential vulnerabilities and works with each of these vendors to publish a response/fix or identify other solutions to these security issues.

Although adoption of VoIP by businesses is widespread across the United States, a study released by Network Instruments found that network engineers often lack the appropriate tools to successfully manage and troubleshoot VoIP performance problems. According to the study, nearly half of the organizations surveyed have implemented the technology, and 32 percent of these organizations lacked the ability to monitor VoIP performance.

In an analysis of surveys from 273 network engineers across the United States, the study found that:

• Nearly 50 percent were concerned with their ability to monitor the quality of VoIP service
• 41 percent were unsure of their network's ability to handle the extra bandwidth consumption from VoIP calls
• 36 percent were concerned with the reliability of their VoIP application during periods of heavy use

Lingo has set a new industry low calling rate by slashing the costs to call India to a mere 7.7 cents a minute, including calls placed to mobile phones.

Potential Lingo customers can take advantage of the new low rate of 7.7 cents per minute to India, no matter which calling plan they purchase. Unlike competitors’ offerings, Lingo customers don’t have to wait a full year or apply for service credits to enjoy the reduced calling rate of 7.7 cents per minute to India. Existing Lingo customers have already had their India calling rates reduced to 7.7 cents per minute.

“We are delighted to provide Lingo customers with a lower rate of 7.7 cents per minute to India, which represents a savings of over 50% compared to some of our competition,” said Srinath Narayan, Vice President of Lingo, Inc.

India represents a popular calling destination for Lingo’s broadband phone customers. By reducing the India rate to 7.7 cents per minute, Lingo provides U.S. residents the ability to connect conveniently and inexpensively with their families, friends and colleagues in India.

Lingo broadband phone service is offered by Primus Telecommunications, Inc., which has served the Indian and South Asian community in the U.S. for more than a decade by offering value-priced, high-quality long distance services. Customers can learn more about the service and sign up online at Lingo.com , or by calling 1-866-546-4603.

Vonage reaffirmed its confidence in prevailing on appeal and in continuing to meet the needs and expectations of its over 2.2 million subscriber lines despite a ruling March 23 in Verizon's favor and a disproportionately-negative reaction from the market.

"To paraphrase Mark Twain, the rumors of Vonage's death have been greatly exaggerated," said Mike Snyder, Vonage's chief executive officer. "Friday's events represented one small step in what is sure to be a long legal battle.

"The fact is we've been preparing for this verdict and the possibility of an injunction for months," Snyder added. "For the market to react the way it did to the recent rulings shows an unfortunate lack of understanding of the judicial/appellate system, a lack of appreciation of Vonage's resourcefulness, or, perhaps, both. Anyone who's counting Vonage out is making a huge mistake."

YapOn provider of mobile VoIP solutions announces the launch of two new service offerings; 'Text to Talk', an offering that provides mobile subscribers across the globe, regardless of carrier, the ability to access the most competitive long-distance rates directly from their mobile device; and 'Quick Connect', which enables YapOn subscribers to initiate long-distance calls (landline and mobile) via YapOn's web interface.

'Text to Talk' and Quick Connect empower YapOn subscribers with access to the most competitive long-distance rates, worldwide, coupled with the freedom of mobility. You no longer need to be chained to a computer or fixed line in order to make long-distance calls economically" said Ken Rozinsky, Chief Technology Officer of YapOn.

YapOn customers have access to both 'Text to Talk' and Quick Connect, and with both service offerings, there is no requirement to change mobile providers, no requirement to purchase additional hardware or software, no need for a mobile data plan, no need for a high bandwidth connection, and no contract commitment. All of YapOn's offerings are based on a pay as you go model, where subscribers are not required to maintain minimum volumes and only pay for what they use.

As part of their official launch, YapOn is offering all new subscribers a 30-Day Free Trial to start yapping for free.

To learn more about YapOn, or to sign up, please visit http://www.yapon.net

I'm always checking VoIP bloggers websites for the latest and greatest news to bring to my readers attention. Today while looking at Jeff Pulver's blog it appears he's rolled out the red carpet and taken up the roll of paparazzi at Spring VON 2007. He's provided us with many pictures of attendee's and a great inside look of the event.

While over looking these pictures I couldn't help myself when I ran across a Patrick Dempsey look-a-like. I don't know this gentleman’s name and I hope he doesn't mind me drawing the similarity. You decide 'does he or doesn't he' look like Patrick Dempsey of Grey's Anatomy?

In other VoIP speedlinking news:

• Courts Rule In Favor of VoIP
• The biggest VoIP security threats - and how to stop them
• Microsoft Response Point - VoIP for Business
• Using VOIP in the real world
• Metro-scale Wi-Fi VoIP Phone in beta unveiled by EarthLink