Vonage announces the grant of a virtual phone number patent. The patent -- No. 7,680,262 - titled "Method and Apparatus for Placing a Long Distance Call Based on a Virtual Phone Number," allows consumers to communicate to distant locations without incurring long distance or international calling charges. This is Vonage's second patent related to the use of virtual phone numbers. Vonage's first patent directed to the use of virtual phone numbers -- No. 7,386,111 -- was granted on June 10, 2008.

D2 Technologies has joined with GCT Semiconductor to deliver VoIP over WiMAX for mobile devices based on the Android and Linux operating systems. D2’s breakthrough mCUE converged communications client and its industry-leading vPort embedded VoIP engine power two reference designs incorporating GCT’s GDM7205, the world’s first mobile WiMAX IEEE 802.16e Wave 2-compliant chip solution. The combined solutions offer OEMs and ODMs a faster and more economical way to deliver a range of WiMAX mobile devices to market with broad VoIP and IP communications capabilities.

Skype announces it has selected tekVizion Labs as the independent and objective verification and testing service to run the Skype for SIP Interoperability Certification Program. In addition, Skype and tekVizion Labs together announced a number of third-party IP PBX and gateway solutions to have been newly awarded Skype for SIP interoperability certification.

Digium announced that Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania has won the Digium Extreme Phone Makeover contest. Boys and Girls Club will receive a Switchvox Unified Communications system, the full-featured and cost-effective VoIP solution designed for small- to mid-sized businesses, and Polycom SoundPoint IP phones for a complete system valued up to $10,000.

Voiceserve announces that in addition to its WIFI VoIP dialer for the Apple iPhone, Voiceserve's VoIP over data connection for iPhone/iPod has been authorized on the Apple Store. This important new addition to the company's Vippie Mobile software is one of the first cellular software packages in the market to work across all networks including 3G, edge and WiFi access. As with Voiceserve's Vippie Mobile Dialer for Symbian, Windows and Android phones, the Voipswitch iPhone dialer will offer all the cellular features to which users have become accustomed, including SMS text messaging, conference call, call waiting, voice mail, call forwarding as well as additional enhancements.

Sipera Systems unveils a series of enterprise UC application security breakthroughs at the VoiceCon Orlando conference next week. Sipera also announced its SLiC smartphone security solution has been designated a Best in VoiceCon award finalist.

Sipera, a VoiceCon Orlando Silver sponsor, will conduct multiple demonstrations and product overviews in Sipera's booth, #408, the Cisco Systems Partner Pavilion, booth #1111, and with Coleman, a Presidio Company, in booth #937.

You can watch videos live from VoiceCon Orlando, the only event that covers the most important issues in enterprise communications. We're sorry you couldn't join us; however you can still be a part of the excitement surrounding the event right from your desktop with VoiceCon TV.

You can watch live keynotes and summits from the conference.

Acme Packet announces HD Voice - Xtended Reach, a set of capabilities for its industry-leading Net-Net session border controllers family that bridge HD voice services and applications across IP network borders and ease the transition from standard definition to HD voice. Support for new HD coder/decoders on Acme Packet’s Net-Net 9200 platform delivers the transcoding and transrating flexibility needed by fixed and mobile service providers, as well as enterprises and contact centers, to leverage the new generation of codecs found in audio endpoints such as HD-capable mobile handsets, HD telepresence, and IP phones used in audio conferencing and contact center solutions. Additionally, new codec management functions for Acme Packet’s entire Net-Net SBC family control codec selection and session routing based on codec to optimize subscriber quality of experience.

Airband Communications launched a new suite of bundled services that gives small-to-midsize businesses enterprise-class voice and data services at costs well below what traditional providers can offer. The full set of products can address the voice and data needs of virtually every business in Airband markets. Business customers can choose from a variety of voice/data options including hosted VoIP service, VoIP lines that replace existing analog business lines and VoIP trunking service that replaces existing PRIs or SIP trunks.

The Acme Packet announces that 134 service providers in 43 countries are currently delivering SIP trunking services with its Net-Net session border controllers. This data is based upon an Acme Packet-conducted analysis of its more than 750 service provider customers worldwide. These service providers are currently in the early stages of their SIP trunking service delivery and they expect more significant enterprise adoption in 2010. This analysis and other industry data indicate SIP trunking is poised for substantial growth in 2010 as service providers look to meet enterprise demand for more cost-efficient means of delivering IP connections.

The SIP Forum and the IPv6 Forum have joined forces to drive the deployment and interoperability of SIP and IPv6 related technologies and services. Under terms of the partnership, the two organizations plan to collaborate on a number of initiatives to educate and co-promote the deployment and integration of these two next-generation protocols throughout the industry.

BroadVoice announces its support for the Android operating system, and immediate availability of the BroadVoice “AirDroid” VoIP application. This is the first individually customized VoIP application available for any smartphone platform. The BroadVoice AirDroid application will provide BroadVoice customers low cost domestic and international calling while on WiFi or 3G networks. Once downloaded and installed, the AirDroid application allows BroadVoice customers unlimited calling to 57 countries at one flat rate.

VoSKY announces that its PBX-to-Skype for SIP Gateway, the VoSKY SSG, is the industry’s first gateway to be certified as interoperable with Skype for SIP. Skype for SIP interoperability with the new VoSKY SSG will enable small- and medium-sized businesses to connect their legacy PBX and Key systems to Skype. This way, SMBs can maximize the functionality of their current communications system to reduce communications costs, while also enhancing their business communications by enabling over 520 million Skype registered users to call their organization for free over Skype.

Acme Packet will showcase its Net-Net session border controller solutions that deliver trusted, first-class unified communications for enterprise, contact center and government organizations March 22 – 25 at VoiceCon 2010, in Orlando, Fla. Acme Packet, a Best of VoiceCon award finalist, will be presenting, exhibiting and demonstrating its Net-Net product family at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in booth 1129 located in the Florida Exhibit Hall on the lower level.

AudioCodes is extending its product range for customers seeking access to the Microsoft Unified Communications environment with the introduction of AudioCodes' SIP Phone Support for Microsoft Unified Communications. AudioCodes' SPS allows economically affordable connections to Microsoft Office Communications Server via standard SIP IP Phones. A direct connection to Office Communications Server is supported both for currently installed phones and newer models, as well as connecting mobile phones using AudioCodes' Mobile Clients, utilizing AudioCodes' gateway technology.