Technology Marketing Corporation has released the preliminary conference program and keynote schedule for its upcoming INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & Expo West 2007. The conference and trade show is being held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, Calif. September 10-12, 2007.

The entire program schedule can be viewed at the event’s Web site, http://www.itexpo.com.

This year’s expansive program features specific tracks focusing on the needs of Service Providers, Enterprises, Government Agencies, SMBs, and Resellers. Each educational track was hand-selected from hundreds of proposals submitted by IP communications experts around the world.

8x8 provider of Packet8 broadband VoIP and videophone communications services, announces that it has been awarded an additional VoIP U.S. Patent (No. 7,218,721) for a communication routing system utilizing a broadband data network. The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on May 15, 2007.

Claim 1, the first of sixteen allowed claims, of the patent entitled "Virtual Telephone Extension," reads:

• A communication routing system having a plurality of local and remote communication devices communicatively coupled through local and remote PSTNs, respectively, the system comprising: a user-programmable database associating each of a plurality of user identifiers with a device identifier, each device identifier corresponding to one of the communication devices; a call-routing switch arrangement coupled to one of the PSTNs through a portal communication device having a portal identifier and responsive to a received call designating a destination user identifier, the call routing switch arrangement adapted to use the user-programmable database to route the received call via the other of the PSTNs to a destination communication device.

XO Communications announces that XOptions Flex now supports more than 10,000 business customers in more than fifty-five major metropolitan markets across the United States.

XOptions Flex has rapidly grown to be one of the most widely deployed VoIP services bundle for small and medium-sized businesses and large enterprises with remote offices. As an integrated IP services solution, XOptions Flex offers businesses all the benefits of IP with enhanced features, functionality and value for voice, Internet access and web hosting services all in one simple package.

I was just doing a little catching up around the VoIP blogosphere and came across many great articles. So without further a due let's get to the good stuff and let VoIP Monitor keep you in the loop.

Fellow writer and friend Garrett Smith shares his insight on why the Skype - WalMart Deal Will Be a Flop.

Chris Hansen save the UK! SkypeJournal.com writes on, UK: Paedophiles use Skype to find and pursue likely targets. I think they meant Pedophiles, but I'd call them much worse.

VoIP Guide writes about a Jaduka hack to make free calls anywhere in the world in Best VOIP Solution for Free Calls.

I wanted to write on this article last week after I came across it over the Google newswire, however I simply ran out of time. The good news is voip-weblog.com has a great write up about it at Don't fall into the trap of VoIP Pyramid Scheme.

TheVOIPGirl shares Fring, Talkster, Nimbuzz and Barablu Reviewed.

And what would a VoIP blogosphere update be without the latest from Tom Keating? Well it just wouldn't as much fun, simple as that. Tom has a reminder of what summer fun used to be with a Slip 'n Slide and now the NEW Banzai Falls Twin Blast Rapids Waterslide. I couldn't help but think back to all the old neighborhood friends who broke bones on the WHAM-O Slip 'n Slide. Ahhh memories...

Raketu is dramatically reducing its VoIP RakOut dial out calling rates by up to 66 percent. The promotional offer, which starts today and runs through June 30, 2007, makes Raketu the least expensive provider of dial out calling globally. Additionally, RakOut prepaid customers will now be able to call their friends and family free to locations in Japan and Hong Kong, along with the over 40 countries around the world already supported by Raketu’s free calling program.

Raketu runs over any Internet connection from broadband to dial-up service. Anyone with Internet access, a Windows PC, and a headset can start using Raketu immediately. Raketu uses a unique peer-to-peer (p2p) technology, which allows the highest quality VoIP calling and highest call-completion in the industry. Unlike similar p2p communications providers, Raketu does not use Supernodes, so does not have the security risk and performance problems associated with other services.

Sipera VIPER Lab disclosed six threat advisories, and potential solutions, for SIP-based VoIP phones from Aastra, Polycom and Snom. These threat advisories are in addition to the WiFi/dual-mode phone and general SIP vulnerabilities published earlier this spring by Sipera VIPER Lab.

The major threat advisories that affect these SIP phones include:

• An improper error handling vulnerability in Aastra 9112i SIP phones, which may allow remote attackers to cause denial of service.
• A format string vulnerability in Aastra 9112i SIP phones, which may allow remote attackers to cause denial of service.
• A buffer overflow vulnerability in Polycom SoundPoint IP 601 SIP phones, which may allow remote attackers to cause denial of service.
• A vulnerability in HTTP service of Polycom SoundPoint IP 601 SIP phones, which may allow attackers to remotely reboot the phone.
• An information leak vulnerability in Snom-320 SIP phones, which may allow remote access to users' private call records.
• A weak authentication vulnerability in Snom-320 SIP phones, which may allow a remote attacker to misuse the phone, causing multiple enterprise phones to ring simultaneously, or initiating costly toll calls on behalf of unsuspecting users.

360networks is continuing with its aggressive expansion of its VoIP360 service offerings by adding 28 new Qwest rate centers in the state of Arizona. This brings the total number of rate centers offered to 565. 360networks plans on adding more than 600 new rate centers to its network over the next year, bringing the total number of available rate centers to over 1,000.

The company's VoIP360 service offerings allow local service providers to offer over 90% of the Arizona population (5,397,989*) VoIP services.

New World Telecommunications celebrates the worldwide launch of talk2hk, a new-generation VoIP service.

With an authentic Hong Kong fixed line number talk2hk enables customers to enjoy unlimited calls with their friends, families and business associates in Hong Kong at a flat, low monthly charge of US$12. Apart from unlimited calls to and from Hong Kong, customers can also interact with business partners and friends all over the world at very competitive IDD rates. For instance, calls to China and other countries only cost as little as US $0.02.

VoipReview.org announces the top ten VoIP phone service providers as rated by actual customers. According to the Web site, the top-rated VoIP providers are: BroadVoice, Cordia, JoiPhone , Lingo, Sunrocket, VelocityTel, ViaTalk , Voip.com, VoIP Your Life and Vonics Digital. VoipReview.org, which features more than 4,000 user VoIP reviews on 163 VoIP providers, based the list on the highest-rated providers meeting a required minimum number of reviews.

"The user ratings and reviews are among the most popular features on our Web site. People rely on these VoIP reviews to get a true perspective on the quality and service each provider offers," said Eric Laughlin, chief executive officer of VoipReview.org. "The reviews are an excellent tool for newcomers to the world of VoIP who are looking for basic information as well as long-time users who might be looking to switch VoIP providers. Regardless of what stage of the purchasing process consumers are in, they can look to fellow shoppers to help find the VoIP provider that best meets their needs."

Skype is teaming up with Wal-Mart to address the growing popularity and demand for Internet communications among U.S. consumers. Starting today, Wal-Mart is offering Skype Certified hardware in the Internet and voice communications area of 1,800 of its stores throughout the country, providing more opportunity and accessibility for people looking for affordable calling options. This partnership gives shoppers immediate hands-on access to headsets, webcams and handsets designed to work with Skype, as well as the first pre-paid cards for Skype available in the U.S.

The addition of Skype Internet communications products to Wal-Mart stores comes at a time when VoIP adoption among U.S. households is growing rapidly. According to the Telecommunications Industry Association, 9.9% of all landlines in the U.S. were VoIP lines in 2006, and this will rise to 34.1% by 2010. In addition, Skype is the number one software-based VoIP application in the U.S. by market share, according to a March 2007 report by In-Stat.

Voxbone announced Version 2.0 of its API, called VoxAPI, along with a contest in which the winner will receive $10,000 for the best application built with it.

Using the latest version of VoxAPI, customers can view Voxbone’s coverage, order DID numbers, configure the routing and forwarding of DID numbers, and manage the capacity allocated to DID numbers --- all through a machine-machine interface in real time. As a result, customers are able to completely automate their transactions and lower their operational costs while maintaining high-quality service.

VoxAPI also allows Voxbone to automate its interactions with carrier customers to ensure accuracy, provide faster customer service and lower operational costs in order to remain highly competitive.

Mainland China is expected to increase output of VoIP phones by 34 percent in 2007 to more than 29 million units, spurred by growing domestic and global demand, according to Global Sources' China Sourcing Report: VoIP Phones.

"China's VoIP phone industry is poised for continuous growth, with both production and exports forecast to grow," said publisher of the report, Mark A. Saunderson. "Manufacturers are developing product lines and raising output capacity."

The report indicates mainland China's exports of VoIP phones are expected to reach 21 million units in 2007 -- up 26 percent from 2006.

DigitalFX announces that it has made a $700,000 investment in Fusion Telecommunications that is furthering DigitalFX's global expansion efforts and creating the first of many synergistic relationships that, among other benefits, combine Fusion's superior VoIP with DigitalFX's superior streaming video and online digital communication capabilities.

DigitalFX offers its flagship product called "The Studio" to individuals, enterprises, and social networks giving them the ability to easily create, upload and manage all their digital assets online, including live web casts, streaming videos, email correspondence, including video email, pod casts, music, pictures, and more.

Is the end in sight for mobile phone networks vying to get the edge over competitors with that extra few free minutes or handful of texts? If mobilephonesontheweb.com have anything to do with it, it soon could be.

This month Orange released their Unlimited tariffs for sale through independent retailers such as mobilephonesontheweb.com. Previously only available in Orange stores, and without the additional benefits of purchasing from an independent web retailer, the Unlimited tariffs look set to offer a market-beating proposition to customers who want to use their phone as much as they like and know exactly what the bill will be at the end of each month.

JAJAH has received funding from Intel Capital. Intel Capital has invested an undisclosed amount as the lead investor in JAJAH's Series C round. The funds will be used to accelerate the development of next generation communication solutions on a global scale.

Additionally, a business agreement was made with Intel Corporation that includes business and marketing components. Intel will provide JAJAH access to their extensive community of product dealers, OEM customers and developers, to further their reach into global development communities. As an Intel Capital portfolio company, Jajah will also be able to participate in Intel Capital's IP Access Program, which will give Jajah access to Intel's extensive VoIP patent portfolio.