Digium announces the immediate availability of Switchvox Free Edition. The new product includes the telephony features of the widely used Switchvox SOHO edition and can be downloaded and installed in minutes on existing hardware. The release underscores Digium’s commitment to delivering full-featured telephony systems at low price points to allow organizations around the world to benefit from the Asterisk open source movement and flexibility of VoIP.

EQO Communications releases a native Windows Mobile beta version of its mobile VoIP, text and IM application. EQO is a free mobile application that lets users call anywhere in the world for rates as low as 2.3 cents USD/minute and also features inexpensive international text messages and free access to popular instant messaging services, including MSN, AIM, Yahoo!, Google Talk, ICQ and Jabber. By developing a Windows Mobile native version of EQO, Windows Mobile smartphone users can enjoy a faster and more responsive mobile VoIP experience.

Global IP Solutions releases its VoIP softphone, REX, a comprehensive communication tool which provides new features such as multi-party instant messaging, advanced presence capabilities, voicemail and a comprehensible user interface.

The REX softphone possesses all the features of an IP-PBX telephone, while delivering additional benefits of mobility, flexibility, presence and IM; essential communication features in today's business environment. Current customers will be able to upgrade their existing softphone to this latest version. In addition, REX can be rebranded and re-skinned to reflect the customers' existing offerings.

For more information and a demonstration of REX visit GIPS booth 808 at the Fall VON tradeshow in Boston October 30 - 31st.

8x8, originator of the Packet8 VoIP and video communication services for business and residential customers announce that it has been issued U.S. Patent No. 7,289,491 for an arrangement and method of Internet telephony. The patent issued from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on October 30, 2007.

The invention covered by the patent relates generally to an arrangement which includes a telephone and an interface unit which interfaces the telephone to both a standard switched telephone communications network and an Internet communications network.

Since its establishment in 1987, 8x8 has been awarded seventy (70) United States patents covering a variety of voice and video communications and storage technologies.

Wired magazine tested and compared eight VoIP services for their Winter 2008 Test issue, Lingo emerged as “Editors’ Pick” for its cost, features and quality. Lingo was tested and compared with Packet8, AT&T, Comcast, SIPphone, Skype, Verizon, and Vonage – and beat them all.

“We are delighted to be chosen as 'Editors’ Pick' among VoIP service providers by a respected magazine such as Wired,” said Srinath Narayan, Vice President of Consumer Markets for Lingo. “Their selection of Lingo validates what we always knew we offered – a product with a wide range of features, high quality, and a very attractive price.”

Reignmaker Communications says customers will have clear calling when using its newly launched SIP Trunking services. And they are backing up their claim with a 60-day no-risk guarantee -- the industry's strongest satisfaction guarantee. Reignmaker Communications has partnered with Edgewater Networks, utilizing the company's EdgeView VoIP Support System and EdgeMarc network appliances as mandatory components to Reignmaker Communications SIP Trunking.

Voxalot announces the commercial launch of VoxConnect, a Web Services API for Web site operators, widget creators and application developers who wish to easily embed new Voice 2.0 calling features into their online services and applications. The API gives enterprises use of all of the Voxalot core telephony functions that are currently available to consumers. It requires very little knowledge of telephony for developers, and no special telecom equipment for end-users.

By leveraging Voxalot's advanced telephony functions within their online applications, site operators can customize and monetize different telephony applications for their members. Examples of such applications are limited only by developers' own inventiveness, and include anonymous calling for dating and social networking sites, click-to-call yellow-page directories, voicemail, as well as user-configured find-me/follow-me settings, which direct calls to reach members wherever they are.

AT&T expands the availability of AT&T Voice Over IP Connect Service (AVOICS). AVOICS is the flagship wholesale VoIP offer for U.S. service providers that want IP-based connectivity to AT&T's global IP network for long distance call termination. For more than 10 years, AT&T has provided wholesale VoIP solutions, which address the U.S. domestic and international termination needs of service providers with a variety of connectivity options.

AVOICS provides unbranded and unbundled transport over the AT&T network, as well as termination of international and U.S. domestic traffic. Customers connect to the service via AT&T's Managed Internet Service/Multiprotocol Label Switching-Private Network Transport service, which provides class-of-service voice quality, key security elements and advanced network reliability. AVOICS is highly scalable and accepts U.S.-originated domestic outbound (1+) calls and international outbound (011+) calls by using SIP signaling.

Tpad has launched a new softphone service that lets all first time users make their first call to landlines and mobiles for free. The popular VoIP provider has launched the new softphone in order to compete with other internet telephony companies such as Skype. To take advantage of the free call, users have to create a free Tpad account and download the free Tpad Softphone or use any VoIP Device (ATA / IP Phone / WiFi Mobile).

Chris Morris, General Manager for Tpad, said: "We have been listening to the feedback from our customers and as a result we have redesigned both our website and Softphone. The Tpad website is now easier to navigate and our new softphone is even simpler to use to make low cost international calls"

Morris continued: "In celebration of this achievement we are going to add 20 cents (USD) to all first time users' accounts for a limited period. For example, this will let them make a free 20 minute call to any normal phone or mobile in the US using Tpad's ultra low call rates. Of course calls between Tpad users are 100% free all the time"

deltathree will be offering Canadian inbound phone numbers, otherwise known as direct inward dialing (DID) numbers, to its reseller, service provider and direct-to-consumer clients. deltathree's ability to provide 9-1-1 services in Canada was made possible by its long-standing partnership with Intrado, the core provider of North America's 9-1-1 emergency communications network. Per the regulations of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, all VoIP subscribers in the country with the ability to make and receive calls must be equipped with 9-1-1 service. Therefore, with this new 9-1-1 capability deltathree is able to expand its inbound calling offers to include Canada.

Reigncom parent company of mp3 player manufacturer iRiver has licensed TeamSpirit 3.0 Voice&Video Engine Mobile to guarantee the brilliant voice and video performance in the new iRiver Unit2 portable media player. TeamSpirit 3.0 Voice&Video Engine Mobile will run in Unit2, the new iRiver portable media player. The new-generation device is invented to deliver home users convergence of multiple features: the device will incorporate voice over IP phone, voice and video over IP conferencing terminal, DVD player, TV tuner, WiFi access point, will support an SD slot and USB connectivity, and will handle voice and video over IP calls and conferencing, music, movies, photos, eBooks, and WiFi streaming.

TV Worldwide has been selected by Pulvermedia to partner in creating and launching VON TV, a state-of-the-art, community based Internet TV channel for the IP Communications Industry. As part of the initial launch for VON TV, TV Worldwide will showcase the channel during webcast coverage of the Fall VON Show in Boston, October 29 - November 1 including extensive coverage of the show's Video on the Net conference. The new VON TV channel will host live and taped webcasts, archived event footage and other IP industry video programming. Charter VON TV sponsors include Reef Point Systems, a leader in fixed-line and mobile connectivity solutions.

As part of the initial launch for VON TV, TV Worldwide will showcase the channel during webcast coverage of the Fall VON Show in Boston, October 29 - November 1 including extensive coverage of the show's Video on the Net conference. The new VON TV channel will host live and taped webcasts, archived event footage and other IP industry video programming. Charter VON TV sponsors include Reef Point Systems, a leader in fixed-line and mobile connectivity solutions.

iSkoot partnered with Hutchison 3 Group and Skype to release the White Phone – the first ever Skype-dedicated mobile handset, powered by iSkoot’s mobile Skype solution. This unique device is the first mobile handset to offer fully-integrated VoIP technology on a cellular phone which gives customers push-of-a-button access to their online Skype accounts. Users will be able to enjoy unlimited Skype calls and Skype chat directly from the handset for a monthly subscription fee.

The White Phone will be available on Skype’s website, www.skype.com and in stores throughout the U.K. in December 2007, followed by other major markets, such as Italy and Australia. There are over 2.5 million Skype users in the UK to date. Until now, most Skype calls could only be made directly from a computer with internet access.

iSkoot software allows users to view their buddy lists, make and receive Internet calls, and enjoy instant messaging using nearly any mobile handset. The iSkoot thin-client software utilizes the existing mobile circuit switched network, empowering users to enjoy mobile VoIP calling via the voice network for superior quality voice calls.

Skype and 3 have launched a new affordable handset that lets you make free Skype to Skype calls and send free Skype instant messages from your mobile phone to other Skype users no matter where they are. The 3 Skypephone is a fully-featured 3G Internet phone with Skype built-in. In addition to Skype calls the phone makes conventional calls and can be used to access 3's broad range of other internet services.

3 Skypephone functionality:

With 3G, a 2-megapixel camera, mp3 player, mobile TV and internet, 3 Skypephone keeps you occupied even when you run out of things to say. Plus, it's small and shiny, and comes in black or white, with blue or pink trim. 3 Skypephone also includes:

• Fully integrated Skype functionality with contacts, call logs and presence.
• Access to Java and 3D games and two preloaded games
• 2.0 Megapixel camera
• Internet browsing
• Bluetooth
• Weight: 86g
• Size: 100 x 44 x 13.6mm
• Battery Standby: 320 Hours
• Battery Talk Time: 270 Minutes
• Battery Video Talk Time: 170 Minutes
• Screen Size: 2.0” QCIF (176 x 220)
• Colour: 262K
• Internal Memory: 16MB
• External Memory: expandable to 1GB microSD

Packet8 has signed a deal with CompUSA to offer the Packet8 Virtual Office small business phone system, now in use by over 9,000 U.S. based companies, and the Packet8 Tango Video Terminal Adapter. Beginning this month, customers who shop at any of CompUSA's 103 stores nationwide will be able to purchase the Packet8 Virtual Office hosted iPBX retail package for just $79.99 (after $50 mail-in rebate) per extension and the Packet8 Tango VTA for $99.99 (after $100 mail-in rebate).

Packet8 Virtual Office lets small and medium-sized businesses implement a distributed, hosted iPBX telephony solution for a fraction of the cost of traditional business phone system alternatives such as premise-based Private Branch Exchanges, Key Systems or Centrex. In addition to complete PBX functionality, Virtual Office service plans provide unlimited local and long distance calling in the U.S., Canada and eight additional countries for a flat-rate of only $49.99 a month, as well as lower-priced metered plans and international calling at highly competitive rates.