We continually try to keep you updated on the latest telecommunications trends and products. Most of all, we want to build a bond with you - our reader - that will last for years to come. Earning your trust is what we do here...saving you money is how we keep it.
The ability to produce quality videos from raw footage at increadibly rapid rates has rocketed the use of video for providing live coverage of trade shows and conventions. It is only appropriate that the NAB show, the National Association of Broadcasters should lead the way in this endeavor. This year’s NAB Show is still running; [...]
Hosted IP PBX is a network-based integrated service that allows you to replace premise-based Key or PBX systems, while integrating your voice and data services in one hassle-free, cost-effective solution. Hosted IP PBX is well suited for small- as well as medium-sized businesses with minimal IT resources and budget that want the features and functionality [...]
The process of communication has become easier with the addition of several new ways of communication over the past few years. Communication with others including friends and peers is an integral part of every person's daily routine. It holds the same importance for those who live with their family or even those who live in [...]
Getting within the internet marketer advertising company isn’t that tough now using the web at your disposable. It’s significantly simpler now in comparison towards the nights when individuals have to create use from the telephones along with other mediums of info just to have the newest updates about the way their plan is coming along. So [...]
The purpose of mobile phones has become quite uncontrolled in modern times. And one factor that has contributed significantly to this wide-spread use of mobiles has been the availability of cheap mobile phone deals. Cheap mobile phones are now available in the UK; phone users can avail of gorgeous mobile phone contracts and get to [...]
Are you a big live football fan? Are you looking for a method to be in a position to watch live football at all hours of the day and maybe even the night? Properly, there is really a fabulous new method to watch the many channels you desire, whenever you desire. Are you wondering what [...]
Are you looking for an reasonably priced method to watch live World Cup Football? Here is the answer! With SatelliteDirect you are able to watch all the tv you would like. All the channels would be yours for a single low payment. You could watch live World Cup Soccer from your house, or anyplace you’ve [...]
A number of online mobile phone retailers have set up their businesses in recent years to cater to the ever-growing claim for mobile phones and similar products. Have you ever noticed so many tempting mobile phone offers on the Internet? If not, just check out a selection of mobile phone deals being offered by the [...]
With every new day, an enhanced technology is being visible in mobile phones. The whole telecom sector has been revolutionized with innovations and technological advances. Many people feels that it is really easy to buy mobile phones as one can straight away got o local mobile phone dealer and buy any handset of his choice. [...]
Your beloved football team is a single win away from creating the playoffs and exactly where are you? You are out of town, no wait—you are out from the country. What are you going to do? You are going to miss the most important game of the season! All the true red, white and blue [...]
If you are a football fan, then you know there's nothing like kicking back and enjoying the big game. Several football fans wait all summer for the season to begin. They root on their teams with fantastic passion, hoping they can make it all the solution to the greatest game inside the globe. But how [...]
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There is literally no business that can survive without a fast means of communication. It follows that any type of business, whether it is a big scale or a small scale one, has a contact number. Today's technology has made possible several fast and cost-effective means of communication ranging from the e-mail up to the voice communication via the Internet.
Have you ever imagined your business that is out of reach? How will you hear from your clients? How will they give you updates? How will they tell you of their immediate concerns and how will you provide them with a response on the spot? Apart from the regular telephone system, you can further enhance business communication needs with the use of VoIP phone system.
What Matters in a Business
Regardless of the size of your business, it is necessary that you are able to come up with an uninterrupted voice communication. Every single business has a promise to the customers especially in line with providing the most efficient service. For your small business, using the proper VoIP compatible phone system proves to be excellent. It works compatibly with VoIP and hosts several other features that promote nothing but convenience.
A Corporate Image at a Pocket-Friendly Price
The reputation of a company matters a lot. This can thus be acquired by means of establishing a corporate image. With the acquisition of an efective phone system, your business will have a good image before the eyes of your clients. If the people know that you have a reliable service and fast communication solutions, the more that they will be prompted to invest and do business with you.
Other Concerns
Prior to having the VoIP, it is only necessary that you contact a reliable provider. You may make use of the Internet as your source. Be sure to download the software that comes from a reputable firm. You see, it is not difficult to install the VoIP phone into your workplace especially when there is already an existing Internet connection therein. You have to make yourself aware of the necessary equipment to employ plus the monthly charges that you should settle.
The Highlights of VoIP
Forget about the typical maintenance issues that come along with the regular telephone lines. With VoIP, you are able to enjoy more features all at a very affordable rate. The package includes the caller ID, call transfer, auto attendant, find me follow me call forwarding, voicemail, fax to email, and a lot others. Several calls can also be accommodated at the same time without prompting a busy tone that will only delay the communication. Routing is likewise very possible so the calls can be forwarded to the respective employees' own phone connections. Wherever the person is, the call can be directed to his mobile phone, home phone, or office phone. Thus, the location is not a problem because calling the individual is as easy as one, two, and three.
Since you are simply operating a small business, all that you must probably want to do is to save more on the telephone connection expenses. With the VoIP phone system, you save yourself from the hassles of paying for the extra fees when you do long distance calls. You get to enjoy the local rates even as you connect to a mobile phone or call another computer. Location is no longer a thing to worry about since everything has been made easier just for you!
Breaking news today from Verizon Wireless, who announced approximately 15 minutes ago that the first LTE 4G data call had been completed in Boston, MA, followed shortly thereafter by Seattle, WA. The calls, initiated by devices provided by LG and Samsung, involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, and web browsing. More importantly however, the voice element was successfully completed using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), a question that was initially raised due to LTE's challenges in regards to voice transmission.
Each of the cities have 10 LTE 4G cell sites up and running, and were chosen by network planners due to their "geographic configuration of suburban and urban areas as well as the areas’ high-technology population." Verizon Wireless is scheduled to commercially launch their LTE 4G network in 30 markets in 2010, followed by a rapid push for full nationwide coverage by 2013.
VERIZON WIRELESS COMPLETES SUCCESSFUL LTE 4G DATA CALLS IN BOSTON AND SEATTLE
Trials Include First Field-Level Tests Integrating Network Vendors’ 4G Technology Over 700 MHz Spectrum
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. – Verizon Wireless today completed its first successful Long Term Evolution (LTE) fourth generation (4G) data call in Boston based on the 3GPP Release 8 standard; the company also announced today that it had earlier completed the first LTE 4G data call based on the 3GPP Release 8 standard in Seattle. The successful data calls involved streaming video, file uploads and downloads, and Web browsing. Significantly, Verizon Wireless has successfully made data calls using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) to enable voice transmissions over the LTE 4G network.
In collaboration with its network infrastructure providers, the wireless leader’s successful completion of the data calls over its 700 MHz spectrum in Boston and Seattle marks the next step in its deployment for building its LTE 4G wireless network, which is being built on the 3GPP Release 8 standard. In both locations, the data calls were executed on commercial infrastructure platforms.
Technology partners helping to enable data calls in these initial markets include Alcatel-Lucent (Boston) and Ericsson (Seattle) for base station/radio access network, LG and Samsung for trial devices, and Starent Networks and Nokia Siemens Networks for network equipment. Devices from LG and Samsung will soon be supplemented by devices from ST-Ericsson, Motorola and Qualcomm.
Tony Melone, senior vice president and chief technical officer at Verizon Wireless, said, “Verizon Wireless, with outstanding cooperation from our partner suppliers, is fully committed to harnessing the power of LTE over our 700 MHz spectrum. This combination of state-of-the-art technology and prime spectrum will soon make a ubiquitous, highly mobile, super-fast broadband experience a reality for customers. This significant milestone in our LTE 4G network testing, exemplified by the first data calls in Boston and Seattle, further validates our early support and decision to select LTE as the standard for our next-generation wireless broadband network.”
Boston and Seattle each now have 10 LTE 4G cell sites up and running on the 700 MHz spectrum. These LTE 4G markets were selected by network planners due to their geographic configuration of suburban and urban areas as well as the areas’ high-technology population. The trials will help Verizon Wireless and its LTE 4G network partners understand issues that include how to best prepare cell sites and how to add the new technology to the network.
Verizon Wireless expects to commercially launch its LTE 4G network in up to 30 markets in 2010, covering 100 million people. In subsequent years, an equally aggressive growth plan will result in full nationwide coverage in 2013.
For more information about Verizon Wireless’ LTE 4G network, visit www.verizonwireless.com/lte.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation’s most reliable and largest wireless voice and data network, serving 87.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with more than 87,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, visit www.verizonwireless.com. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Buying an unlocked camera cell phone has many benefits. Besides the most obvious (cost savings), one of the best benefits to purchasing cheap unlocked cellular phones instead of locked cellularphones is the fact that you will have more control over the network communications service that you use. When you buy locked cell phone online, you are restricted to either using the network communications service that offers the type of mobilephones you may want or using one of the wirelessphones supported on your network communications service. With cheap unlocked cellular phones, you get the best of both worlds - the phone you want on the network you want for far less.
Although, in searching for cheap unlocked cellular phones...you'll still need to find one that will work on whatever network communications service you want to use. However, cheap unlocked cellular phones often work on any of a few networks, which gives you more options. You also are not limited by the limited selection available at your cellular service phone providers local store as you can purchase any of the cellularphones made for their network communications service, even if it is no longer commercially available it can still be activated. People choose cellularphones based largely on personal preferences and choosing from a wider selection of cheap unlocked cellular phones will help ensure you get the best cell phone buy with all the features you want.
If you decide to acquire one of the many cheap unlocked cellular phones, take some time to figure out which network communications service you want to use. Consider how you plan to use the phone and look for the best combination of coverage and price. For example, if you plan to do a lot of internet browsing with your new unlocked camera cell phone, look for the carrier with the current lowest prices on their data plans, assuming they have adequate coverage in your area.
Once you know what network communications service you want to operate on, you need to find out what technology your network uses to communicate. There are a few different kinds of network communications service technologies. I'm sure you've heard them, even if you don't know what they mean - GSM, CDMA, and TDMA are the most common. The various kinds of networks have their relative advantages. All will perform well in major cities. However, if you live in or plan to use your phone a lot in rural areas, you may be better off with a CDMA or TDMA network that Verizon mobile phones and Sprint-Nextel phones use. On the other hand, people that do a lot of international travel are better with a GSM communications network as these phones come with SIM cards that can easily be swapped out to allow the cellularphone to work on international networks and avoid roaming charges.
Once you know what kind of network communications service you need, find cellularphones that works on that type of network and choose the one that suits you. A by side cell phone comparison can really be helpful when trying to weed through the different
When the guy who stole an iPhone, and then emailed a pic of himself with it, got caught, there was no doubt it was a colossal mistake. In fact, I pretty much have to invoke A Fish Called Wanda here: Calling that dude stupid would be an insult to stupid people.
Now here’s another entry in “Dumb Thieves Exposed” file. This one, though, is a blunder so perfect in its ridiculous precision and timing that it almost surely has to be divine intervention at work.
The headline says it all: “Mobile Phone in Kid's Pocket Calls Police as He Brags of Burglaries; Found With Hot Stereo in Hands.”
The Phoenix New Times reported on a story about a Peoria teen whose mobile phone suddenly dialed the police by itself — just as the kid was talking about stealing a car stereo. [This is not an urban legend. It’s a real news story. Check out the phone call for yourself here. If you’re into this kind of stuff, you’ll be rewarded about 4 minutes, 25 seconds into it. That's when, after long silences and murmurs, the thief’s voice becomes clear. Toward the end, at around 12 minutes or so, the cops arrive on the scene. Warning: There's some cussing in here, so skip it if you offend easily. Or at least turn it down, if you're at work.]
The authorities eavesdropped on this conversation long enough to triangulate the caller's position via cell towers. They deployed a squad car to the area, and the patrol caught the teen red-handed. Seriously, he actually had the stereo IN HIS HANDS.
We’ve all had friends dial us by accident. Usually it means we’re on somebody’s speed dial and they’ve just sat down and butt-dialed you. But there’s no way this thug would have the cops on speed dial. So then what? Somehow the 9, 1 and 1 buttons were magically depressed individually and in that order?
Okay, scratch stupid. This wasn’t dumb, it was… just perfect.
Cellularphones have evolved to be one of the most important part of everyday life. Most businesses rely on the use of cellularphones. Even individuals need cellularphones in their daily lives. This is why getting the best cell phone buy require intelligence and a little homework to avoid undue expense. Finding the most reasonable service provider cell phone plan is one requirement in choosing cellularphones intelligently. Because of the very large number of cellular network service provider solutions in this country, it may help you to research and assess their offers before deciding on a service provider cell phone plan.
Before you decide to compare cell providers, you may want to decide first whether you want to do a cell phone pay as you go comparison or a traditional service provider cell phone comparison. If you decide you want look for prepaid cell phones and service, then no problem, no credit check, you just need to pay outright and you have your phone and service up and running. Some cell telecom companies even offer free prepaid cell phones when you acquire prepaid cell phones and service from them. However, when you want a cellular companies service plan, you may need to choose from a by minute charging or by the second charging. Both charging process have positive and negative points. You need to assess your usage frequency and requirements before you decide on a cellular companies service plan. You may research on the performance like if they have enough towers to reach you wherever you are. There are different cellular companies service plans for regional and national use. There are also cellular companies service plans for family use. All of these have their own benefits although there are also disadvantages. For prepaid cell telecom plans, there are cellularphones that may not have the capability for this connection.
Other service provider cell phone plans...like family plans, this type of plan is beneficial for family use and small businesses. There is free access for emergencies. In addition, for family plans, it is cheaper to call the other cell phones included in one billing. There are also discounts for the airtime usage of family members using this service provider cell phone plan. For national plans, this service provider cell phone plan includes free long-distance charges. No roaming charges on national plans is another advantage of this particular cell phone companies service. For regional use, this cell phone companies service plan may require you to pay long-distance charges but the airtime cell minutes may be cheaper.
Using a cell phone comparison site may be beneficial so that you can see a list of the cellularphones and plans that have the benefits you need. How you're going to use your cell minutes is good to know when shopping for a cell phone online. If you don't need it as much and just for emergencies, prepaid cell phone companies service plans could suit you better than traditional plans that require a contract.
Prepaid cell phone companies service plans are often preferred. However, for business travelers and truckers...the traditional plan with no roaming charges and no long-distance charges may be best. Everyone should understand that in order to take full and effective use of your cellularphones, you may want to set some guidelines in your usage. For those who use cellularphones for business, you may need to make sure you turn it off when you need privacy. Being available every time may not do well for you. Reserve sometime for yourself and never allow people to disturb you during this time. If your business partners know they could reach you even late at night and on weekends, they will be annoyed if you suddenly change this behavior. Cellularphones has allowed us to be available all the time, and this may not be healthy. So, you have to be wary not to allow people to disturb you when you need to be alone with or without your trusty cell phone.
T1 high speed internet is one of the most popular leased line options with connection speeds at 1.544Mbits per second. A T1 line is comprised of 24 individual channels, each capable of transferring data at 64Kbits per second. T1 connections allow you to have uninterrupted and reliable data transfer within seconds. Normal phone lines transmit voices through copper wires as an analog signal. With these regular phone lines, you can transmit data at around 30 kilobits per seconds with a common modem.
T1 connections on the other hand, are capable of carrying 24 digitized voice channels at the speed of 1.544 megabits per second. T1 providers can carry 192,000 bytes of data per second, that's almost sixty times more data than a normal residential modem. T1 connections are capable of providing uninterrupted data transmission which you would not get if you use an ordinary modem. If you want to transmit audio or visual data through your residential modem or through your phone service you have a high risk of getting jammed since the speed is so slow. With T1 lines, you can eliminate this risk significantly.
Regular internet providers convert all voice calls into analog rather than digital format, which not only takes longer time but frustrates customers now that high speed is available. With T1 high speed internet you not only increase the speed of your data transmission, but also save time for your valuable online work. With the advancement of fiber optics, less time is required to convert analog signals to digital format. Fiber optic wires are sometimes used for T1 lines to provide maximum speed, although the normal wires are copper.
In case of ordinary modem or residential telephone connection, thin copper wire is used which can rarely carry much load at the time of transmission of data. In T1 connections, high speed internet connections are used which ensures two-way transmission of data at a faster rate than any other method of transmission. Hundreds of users can comfortably share T1 connections, which is impossible if you use modems with telephone lines or ISDN lines. If you are interested in online songs and movies, then you will find the ordinary modem or residential telephone service can not meet your bandwidth demands, since these lines can take hours to convert MP3 files or video files to analog format and to transmit them at the desired destination. DSL or cable may be good options, but t1 internet service...if you can afford it...is the best option. For a business of 20 or more employees, T1 internet service is required. By implementing T1 service, you can easily transmit multimedia data to the required destination at great speed more reliably.
If your small business has twenty to twenty five users, T1 internet service is most suitable for you. T1 Internet service works better than ordinary business DSL. It is economical to have T1 bandwidth if your business is small in size and internet is critical for your business. A Channel Service Unit (CSU) is used to connect non-data terminal equipment with a T1 circuit to get the desired T1 line speed. A CSU is a device which connects a leased line and remains attached to the customer's system. The main objective of CSU is to encode data, which comes through broadband T1 lines. For T1 connections, one needs to have a channel service unit. T1 circuits work simultaneously with your existing phone wires and equipment, though you may require special jacks and connections and some alteration in the wiring to get T1 service. It is the responsibility of your network service provider to install new wires and equipment according to the requirements.
The connection not only runs through conventional metal wires but also runs through fiber optic wires, twisted pair copper wire, coaxial cable, digital microwave, and also through infrared. T1 connections are used for linking remote LAN's. It can also be utilized to bring Centrex service from the telephone company's central office to the business areas cost effectively. While DSL is a quick and cost effective medium of acquiring high-speed bandwidth, it is usually not intended to support commercial applications or many users at a time. A T1 line is the ideal solution. Businesses mainly use two types of Internet access, DSL and T1.
Though DSL is less expensive, it's not as reliable as T1 circuits. With T1 installation you need to spend the cost for T1 line price, which would include the installation fee. Although it's sometimes waived, customers have the option to negotiate T1 prices. If you negotiate T1 prices you may be requried to sign a 2 or 3 year term. Getting a T1 price is easier than it used to be. With a "real-time" online quote, you can shop for T1 Service without the hassle of salesmen.
In conclusion, to get reliable dedicated high speed internet connectivity you should get t1 broadband. You can enjoy true dedicated, reliable, and uninterrupted internet connectivity.
Cell phone recycling might have been an unheard of process a few years back. Your only option in the past was to try to sell your cell phone, but that was no easy task - spending time and money advertising, waiting for prospective buyers, driving a satisfactory bargain and, finally, selling it.
What's Cell Phone Recycling About?
Cellular phone recycling is the best way to go for cell phone users who want to get rid of their old phones, quickly and painlessly. In the U.S. today, as many as a 100 million cell phones remain unused every year, as people upgrade to new phones and stop using their old ones.
Cell phone recycling enables users to realize the value of their old phones, it provides cash for used cell phones and puts the phones up for sale to other interested parties, making them the difference-makers, in a defunct supply chain. This may seem like a very daunting task...maintaining records of all the phones it buys, ensuring each phone is functioning properly at the time of sale, getting damaged phones repaired before putting them up for sale – none of which are easy, especially considering the amount of organization and processing required to ensure all of this happens smoothly and continuously.
Cellphone recycling is an important and valuable service in the telecommunication supply chain. It also promotes eco-friendly recycling of unused cell phones. In today's business world, there is very high premium on preventing pollution through industrial waste. Pollution has been something that the majority of people take very seriously. In light of today's environmental scenario, pollution control is a national priority and it is in this spirit that cell phone collection and recycling has came along to make a distinct difference to the telecommunication industry's approach to the concept of recycling cell phones.
Is it difficult to exchange your cell phone for cash?
It's quite easy! In fact, it can be done in just three steps: Go to this Cell Phone Recycling page and find your phone model in the database, click the "Sell" button to add it to your shopping cart list and then request a free postage paid box to send them your phone. It is this ease-of-use approach that makes this Cell Phone Recycling site the one to visit when you're looking to dispose of your cell phone.
If you'd like more information or you'd like to quickly make some money from your old outdated cell phone, visit this Cell Phone Recycling site TODAY!
Like many of you reading this article, my first reaction to this news out of Big Red’s camp was something to the effect of “WHAT? This is coming from VERIZON?” My friends, your eyes are not deceiving you – not only is Verizon Wireless allowing former Alltel customers to keep their respective MyCircle plans, but the company seems to have realized the tremendous success behind the popular program, and is launching “Family & Friends;” their version of the feature.
Beginning Sunday, February 15th, customers with Nationwide Single plans of 900 minutes or more will be offered five numbers to call anytime, and those with Nationwide Family Share plans of 1400 minutes or higher will be afforded ten numbers to call. As with many plans of this type, special numbers (i.e. those pay-per-use numbers you may see late at night while you’re watching TV, or 411), voicemail, and any numbers outside of the United States do not qualify. Number changes can be submitted at any point throughout the bill cycle, however they take effect the following day.
This is great news for Verizon Wireless customers, and it seems as if the feature is going to be auto-added, meaning there will be no need to extend your contract to obtain it. Check out the specifications sheet below for more information on the program. Now, it’s time to call up the folks: with the implementation of this program, they have no more excuses for not calling me before 9:00.
Everyone is asking what kind of GSM compatible phones to get: Dual, Tri, or Quad band? Since there are two frequency bands that are used by GSM services in the United States, and also two different frequency bands are used in the rest of the world, ideally, one would want a quad band cellular phone – one that works on all four bands. This should be your first choice when seeking a phone. However, since some of the best phones can still be expensive and hard to find, many gravitate toward the second best choice, the tri band phone. When doing this, be mindful which three bands your phone has, as some bands are more useful than others.
The United States originally only used 1900 MHz for its GSM service, but more recently, there has been a growing amount of GSM service on the 850 MHz band. When choosing a phone, it’s important to know how you will be using it. For example, if you are in the United States and operate with in the major metropolitan areas, you won’t really miss the 850 MHz bank. On the other hand, if you regularly travel to secondary areas, you will benefit from the extra coverage that the 850 MHz band provides. Basically, if you travel outside of the big cities, you’ll want a phone that supports 850 MHZ and 1900 MHz.
Internationally, things are a little different. In the beginning, all countries with GSM service used the 900 MHz band, but due to congestion, service providers have been adding 1800 MHz coverage. When GSM became available in the United States, a few other countries chose to used the same frequencies the U.S. used – 1900 MHz, and in some cases, 850 MHz. Most international countries that use the non U.S. international frequency banks have 900 MHZ service. Many also have 1800 MHz service. All international countries that have the U.S. frequency bands have 1900 MHz service. A few may also have 850 MHz service. So, which frequencies do you need when traveling internationally? That depends on where you’re going. Generally, 900 MHz is the most common band used internationally. 1800 MHz will give you expanded coverage in countries that also use 900MHz.
Ideally, your phone should support all four bands. In the real world, not everyone is going to have a quad band phone, so here are some guidelines:
If you’re only using your phone in the United States, and you get a dual band phone, make sure it has both 850 MHz and 1900 MHz. If you must get a single band phone, one with 1900 MHz only will give about the same amount of coverage.
If you’re going international, and your countries have international frequencies, get a dual band phone with 900 and 1800 MHz. If you must go single band, one with 900MHz will be almost as good. If your countries have U.S, frequencies, get a tri band phone with 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz. This type of phone is excellent internationally, and very good in the United States. Another type of tri band is 850-1800-1900. This one is great for the United States, but not very good internationally.
Sprint Nextel Corp., the third- largest U.S. mobile-phone company, scrapped the idea of selling its Nextel wireless network, opting to ``rejuvenate'' the business instead.
Sprint, which bought Nextel Communications Inc. in 2005, extended a long-term partnership with Motorola Inc., the provider of equipment and support for the network. Boost Mobile, Sprint's prepaid phone service, will offer unlimited calling plans on the Nextel system in 2009, the company said today in a statement.
The decision puts pressure on Chief Executive Officer Dan Hesse to reverse customer losses on the network, which had 14.6 million subscribers at the end of June. Hesse, who joined Sprint in December, aims to address subscriber complaints by improving customer service and reducing the number of dropped calls.
``I've always thought there was more value internally for those assets, given the amount of integration work they've done to date,'' said Steve Clement, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities in Portland, Oregon. He expects the shares to perform in line with the rest of the industry.
Sprint gained 31 cents, or 9.8 percent, to $3.49 at 4 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The shares have fallen 73 percent this year.
Losing Customers
Sprint, based in Overland Park, Kansas, trails AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless in U.S. mobile-phone customers. The number of Nextel customers dropped 16 percent between the end of last year and June, while subscribers on the original Sprint network held steady at 35.5 million. About 1.7 million customers have phones that can make calls on both networks.
Hesse, trying to reverse a four-quarter streak of declining sales, has introduced new phones such as Samsung Electronics Co.'s Instinct to keep customers from switching to AT&T and Verizon. The company plans to report third-quarter earnings on Nov. 7.
Hesse, 55, said as recently as August that ``every option'' would be considered for the Nextel network. Hesse put Keith Cowan, president of strategy and corporate development, in charge of developing a plan for the unit. Cowan was offered a $1 million bonus for a board-approved plan, according to an August regulatory filing.
Sprint weighed a sale, additional investments and strategic partnerships before deciding to keep the network, spokesman James Fisher said today. Hesse and Cowan were unavailable for interviews, Fisher said. He declined to say whether Cowan had received his bonus.
Next Steps
Sprint is still determining its long-range plans for the Nextel network, including how much it will need to invest, Fisher said.
``We've announced immediate actions, and we are continuing to look at longer-term actions to support the network,'' he said.
The company introduced phones in June for the traditional Sprint network that can function as walkie-talkies, just as phones on the Nextel network do. That should make it easier to persuade Nextel users to come over to the Sprint network, allowing the company to eventually shut off the Nextel airwaves, Clement said.
``They need to be working toward shutting it down and realizing whatever cost savings they can by doing that,'' he said.
ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN) -- "I hope you're talking to me on a speakerphone," Devra Davis barks at me when I call her on my cell phone. "You'd better not be holding that phone up to your head."
Cell phones do emit radiation. No one knows definitively whether it's enough to worry about.
Indeed, I'm not. This is a good thing, because you don't want to get into an argument with Davis on this subject. She's the director of the University of Pittsburgh's Center for Environmental Oncology, and her group recently put out recommendations that we should be using a speakerphone or ear piece. The report says children, who have thinner skulls and developing brains, should use cell phones only in case of emergency.
And heaven forbid anyone should carry a cell phone in a pocket or clipped to a belt. "You're just roasting your bone marrow," Davis said.
Oh, boy. Another thing to worry about. Or maybe Davis is an alarmist. It's so hard to tell. Although there are many large studies showing no connection between mobile phones and cancer, there are a few that do. As Davis puts it, do you really want to play Russian roulette with your head? Explainer: Radiation fields and the brain»
But if you do buy the cellphones-cause-cancer argument, you have to figure out the best way to talk on a cell phone, seeing as how most of us can't live without them. Should you use the wired headset that came with your phone? A Bluetooth earpiece?
Cell phones have been wildly popular for only a matter of years, and it can take at least a decade for cancers to show up. Studies contradict each other, and scientists bicker: Some will tell you with great conviction that there's nothing to worry about. Others will tell you with equal conviction that an epidemic of brain tumors may be just around the corner.
The cell phone industry itself says "the overwhelming majority of studies that have been published in scientific journals around the globe show that wireless phones do not pose a health risk."
You can watch the experts go at it on "Larry King Live" »
So what are we all to do until they figure it out? After enough interviews with physicists, engineers and doctors to make me want to stick my head in a microwave oven, one common line of reasoning emerged. Cell phones do emit radiation. No one knows definitively whether it's enough to worry about. Mobile phones meet federal safety limits, but if you're still worried, there are some simple steps you can take to lower your exposure to radiation. Watch more on limiting your risk »
1. Use the speakerphone
This was, without question, the favorite alternative of the experts I talked to. Nothing is near your head. "Hold it away from a minimum of a few inches. A foot or two is ideal," said Magda Havas, an associate professor with the Institute for Health Studies at Trent University in Ontario, Canada.
Havas gives me a little math lesson. Every inch you can get away from your body, the radiation reduces very quickly. "Hold it out two inches, and the radiation drops by a factor of four. Hold it out four inches, and it drops by a factor of 16," she says.
In other words, said Louis Slesin, editor of Microwave News, "every millimeter counts."
2. Use a wired headset with a ferrite bead
No, this is not a piece of jewelry. A ferrite bead is a clip you put on the wire of a headset. The concern is that the wire itself emits radiation into your ear. The bead is designed to absorb the radiation so you don't. They're inexpensive and available at stores or online.
These clips are a favorite of Slesin's. "It's the way to go," he said.
Another fan: Lawrie Challis, physicist and former chair of the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme, a government panel in Britain. "They did tests at the University of York and found that under even the worst conditions, if you use a ferrite bead, you can't even measure the radiation coming off the wire. This common device kills the radiation."
Of course, if the phone is in your pocket or clipped to your belt, all bets are off, because the phone itself will be radiating into your body. So if you're worried about radiation, keep the phone as far away as possible, and Challis adds to do your best to make sure the wire isn't touching your body.
3. Use a Bluetooth earpiece
A Bluetooth earpiece still has radiation, but it's at least 100 times less than the radiation you get when you hold a cell phone to your head, Havas says.
Our experts were split on which was better: a Bluetooth headset or a wired one. Israeli government recommendations issued this week specifically suggest a wire; Havas likes the Bluetooth. But even she says not to wear it when you're not talking; it still sends out a signal.
"Bluetooth is only whispering radiation into your ear. The problem is, some people wear it all the time," she says. "At the very least, switch it from ear to ear so you don't have too much exposure on one side."
Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group, says Bluetooth earpieces radiate 200 times less energy than cell phones. "There is no evidence that a Bluetooth headset has any adverse effects on its users," he said.
4. Use a "hollow tube" earpiece
It's just like a regular wired earpiece, except the last six inches or so -- the part next to your ear -- is a hollow tube. There's no wire under the plastic.
Phone radiation is measured in specific absorption rate, or SAR. To look up the SAR for your phone, check the list on www.fcc.gov.
You might think the experts mentioned above all use earpieces or a speakerphone. Not so. Several said they hold it right up to their heads because they use their cells so infrequently, they're not worried about radiation.
"I use it maybe once or twice a week, no more than 10 minutes," said Challis, the former head of the British committee that studied cell phones and radiation. "I use a land line whenever I can."
It's the exposure, day after day, year after year, that matters. As Challis, who's retired, puts it, "If I were younger, I'd take this much more seriously."
America’s fourth largest wireless carrier, T-Mobile USA, has started selling its own VoIP home phone service in Dallas, Texas and Seattle, Washington, directly challenging incumbent landline carriers for the first time.
The new service, which is available exclusively to T-Mobile wireless customers, allows subscribers to connect any home phone to a special device which routes calls over the internet. It costs just $10 per month for unlimited calling, and customers can keep their existing home phone numbers, the company said in a statement.
This should make T-Mobile more appealing to customers who want to bundle multiple services with a single provider, and aren’t ready to cut off their landline phone subscriptions.
T-Mobile’s VoIP router is now available for $49.99, after a rebate, and an optional cordless phone is available for $59.99.
T-Mobile is challenging both AT&T and Verizon, which provide fixed-line service in different parts of the Dallas area, as well as Qwest Communications International, Seattle’s incumbent telecom.
Cellular phones being merely luxurious toys is fast becoming an old concept and now dismissed by the growing need for it. Cellular phones now became a very essential tool for everyone including parents who want to know where their kids are on a real time basis. Business executives do business more effectively with a multi-functional cellular phone. Eve teenagers need cellular phones. Gone are the days when cellular phones are toys to show off, now cellular phones evolve to be a necessity. Thus, cellular phones of various models and designs now flood the market. There are those cellular phones that can perform many different functions but there are also those basic telephones that come in cheap.
Because of this great need and want for cellular phones, manufacturers flood the market from cheap cellular phones to high-tech cellular phones. If you are one of those who are lucky and that you can afford high-tech cellular phones, then that is good for you, however, if you want or need a cellular phone but cannot afford high-tech cellular phones, then you may acquire a cheap cellular phone. Knowing what you need and how you need it may help you find a cellular phone with reasonable and useful features. If you are to buy a cheap cellular phone, you should never expect it to perform tasks a high tech cellular phone can give. Merely being able to send and receive calls may be enough for you to expect from your cheap cellular phone. Because you cannot afford the high definition performance of high tech cellular phone, having reasonable expectation may help you avoid throwing your cellular phone out of your window. Cellular phones especially cheap cellular phones may only give you basic communication capabilities.
Having to send and receive call which is the basic function of a cellular phone may be the only functions if can offer. Thus, you need to check the reception of your cheap cellular phone, since this is the only thing it is good for, it has to perform well enough for this basic function. Sending and receiving text messages may be available for cheap cellular phone however, only on a limited basis. If your can find a cheap cellular phone that has text messaging capacity, it will be better for you. Sending and receiving internet communication may not be available for cheap cellular phone; you do not need it as much anyway. However, if you do need to be able to send and receive message in your cellular phone from internet sites, cheap cellular phone is not going to be any good.
Cheap cell phones notwithstanding, if you can afford cellular phone plan that provide free cellular phones, you may choose a cellular phone plan that will provide free cellular phone with reasonable and advanced features. Not the high-tech cellular phone but definitely not very limited features like what you will find in cheap cellular phones. Various network companies offer this wonderful promotion and thus you may take advantage of owning a good quality cellular phone. If you can find a neat deal from a cellular phone plan, you may not need to content yourself with cheap cellular phones.
When you go to buy new cell phone, one need to research a bit in order to get enough and reasonable benefit even form a meager budget, thus you may not need to settle for a cheap cellular phone.
Charter Communications announced Monday that it has reached a deal with Disney to launch a subscription video-on-demand service for Disney movies and cartoons
Charter, the dominant cable provider in the Madison area, said the Disney Family Movies service can be added by digital customers for $4.99 per month.
St. Louis-based Charter said titles will remain in rotation for about a month, with new titles added weekly. The initial offerings include "Honey, I Shrunk the Kids," "Air Buddies," "Disney Princess Enchanted Tales," "Follow Your Dreams," "Tarzan & Jane" and "Geppetto."
The companies said the service is the first of its kind.
It seems that these days, nearly everyone has a cell phone. There are so many manufacturers and so many new models, it's hard to keep up on the latest trends. But choosing cell phones is about more than picking the hottest new model; it's about comparing plans and accessories. It's also about finding the best deal, and manufacturers are offering great deals to make sure that you choose theirs.
When comparing cell phones, you'll notice that the manufacturers create their phones and other wireless products so that they can be used with different service plan providers. For example, if you choose T-Mobile and sign up with their camera phone plan, you're free to choose your preference of phones made by Motorola and Sony Ericsson. Shop around, because not every company makes products that are compatible with all plans and deals.
Before choosing a new phone that appeals to you and meets your needs, make sure that it will work with a suitable plan. The best way to accomplish this is to find the service plan you want first, and then shop around for the cell phones and wireless products that can work with that plan. When you find the plan and the phone you want, you can then purchase both. Many of the best wireless phone plans also offer bundled packages that include the service plan and the phone for one low price.
When the time comes for choosing cell phones, make a shortlist of the manufacturers you're interested in, and check out some of the reviews and consumer reports that are available. The ratings and comments are available in magazines and online, and reading them can certainly help you to narrow down your choices. There is a wealth of information regarding cell phone companies on the Internet, just ready for you to take advantage of the information.
Like any task, choosing cell phones can be easier if you have the right information at hand. Compare prices and products to find the cell phone that best suits your needs and you budget.
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. By using a VoIP phone and VoIP technology you can effectively use the internet to make phone calls. VoIP does this by placing the voice calls on network which encrypts the voice in data packets at one end and encrypts it in voice calls at the other end. In VoIP, encryption and decryption is from a analog signal (i.e. your voice call) into digital signal (data packets) and again into the analog signal.
You can make VOIP calls by a regular phone with VOIP adapter or even from your computer using a simple microphone. VoIP applications can generally be used with a simple microphone and computer speakers, but IP telephones or VoIP boxes can also be used, providing an experience identical to normal telephoning. Many VOIP manufacturers are designing phones which are specially meant to work with this technology, called SIP phone, and now extensively used by growing VoIP users.
In the past year, the quality and reliability of VoIP technology has improved to the point that vast numbers of users have abandoned their standard telephone contracts entirely, in favor of VoIP. Local as well as long distance calling is available for VoIP. Rates and plans can vary from one VoIP service provider to another VoIP service provider.
Advantages of using VOIP
Using VOIP you can effectively cut down your phone bills, since you just pay to your regular internet connection and small fees to your VOIP service provider. Setting up conference calls with VOIP is very easy.
You can even set up your own VoIP network and don't need any special equipment like PBX etc. You can call to any local telephone, mobile, long distance number or any international number through VoIP phones. More importantly, the person you are calling by using VoIP technology does not need any special equipment; just a regular telephone.
Many additional features like call forwarding, call tracing, reminders, caller ID are readily available in VoIP Phones. You can even assign a local telephone number to your VOIP phone set, and just need a fast internet connection to use your VOIP service anywhere in the world.
VoIP Dilemma
VoIP applications and services require data transfer in real time. During a call an interactive data voice exchange takes place. Unfortunately, TCP/IP is not well suited for this purpose. Sometimes you have to wait for a few seconds, to hear the other side answering. But with recent developments streaming the flow of voice signals has improved. PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calling quality is still not as sharp as regular PSTN calls. However, with SIP phones and a reliable high speed internet connection there is little or no difference....and sometimes the quality is even better.
SIP Phones
SIP Phones are the phones which are specifically designed to work as VOIP phones. SIP phone can be considered as a network endpoint routing voice via its IP address. This allows a DID (direct inward dialing) number to move with a user. With SIP phones you can use advanced features like voice mail to email etc. Using a SIP phone also closely resembles a regular analog phone in look, feel, function, and ease of use.
FCC and VoIP
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates VOIP Services in the USA. They are in charge to create and promote telecommunication regulations....such as VOIP services....to benefit consumers. In November, 2004 FCC ruled that individual States do not have the jurisdiction to impose taxes on VoIP services, which made the cost of VOIP services even more attractive in relation to standard PSTN phone services.
If you are looking to receive the best digital cable TV deals, the quickest Internet service and most convenient phone service, you don't need to look any further than Comcast. Comcast is the only cable provider that offers fully bundled services to let you get the best telecommunications services at the lowest cost. If you want to know what makes Comcast Cable Service such a highly respected company, just look at their cable television service. Their digital TV packages contain 100s of channels of the best quality digital entertainment. Plenty of different programming packages are intended to offer a variety of options to meet every budget and situation. Plus, every package also includes value added features such as dozens of digital music channels, all of your local channels, and a digital receiver.
You even get access to the new On Demand Pay Per View service, which will revolutionize the way you watch current movies. On Demand is a great new way of watching movies where you get to control when and how you watch them. Comcast also gives you more control over your television viewing by offering the opportunity to use a digital video recorder, or DVR. This device is an ingenious innovation that makes it possible for you to quickly record programming and to even pause and rewind live television. With a DVR, you never again will miss a show because you were away from home or otherwise occupied.
Comcast's digital cable television service also provides other advantages such as options like the electronic program guide and parental controls. You can also choose specialty programming such as seasonal sports subscriptions or even high definition television (HDTV).
If you want to extend your entertainment and information choices even further, Comcast's high speed Internet service is the perfect choice. This is a really advanced way of accessing the Internet that allows you to download information at a rate of up to 8Mbs per second. Imagine a connection that works seventy times as fast as dial up and you can get an idea of just how quick this connection is! Of course, having such an incredible connection will make it easier to do everything from use virtual world websites to downloading full length movies.
Comcast's high speed Internet is special because it uses the same cable connections that are used with your cable TV. This means the connection is always on and ready for you to use and that it doesn't preclude you using your telephone. You can spend as long as you like surfing the web without having to worry about missing any telephone calls. The company also gives each of its customers a wireless router that expands your options for getting online. With a wireless router, you can gain access to the Internet throughout your home. Whether you want to use your laptop on the couch or use a smart phone, this wireless router makes it possible.
Comcast also gives you the opportunity to upgrade your telephone service and save money at the same time. Comcast's digital voice service works on the premise that you should not have to pay extra for your domestic long distance. That is why all of your domestic calls (including to Canada) are included in the set monthly fee. Even if you spend 100s of hours on the phone each month, you will never pay an extra dime.
If you want the best service, Comcast Triple Play is the apparent choice.
Broadband Internet access is now available to most users and web sites are developing into complex constructs that a short time ago few would believe possible. Cable Internet service is one of the prime drivers in this fast paced growth. With an existing network in place, it was a simple matter to configure the network to handle Internet packets and get users flying down the information superhighway.
The new blazing speeds come with new dangers as well. With "always on" cable internet connections, intruders have more opportunity to access or damage your computer. This means your address is always the same, and you are easier to find. With this in mind, we will look at three products that can make your cable Internet experience a much safer one; NAT, Firewalls, and Anti-Virus Software.
Anti-Virus Software:
Anti-virus software is an application that runs on an individual computer that scans files for threats. How this scanning process works depends on the software you are using, but most can be set to check every file as it arrives on your computer, allowing possible threats to be stopped before they infect your computer.
This software can also be used to scan existing files, as well as boot disks and memory. It is s good idea to schedule your software to check your system periodically in case something got through.
NAT (Network Address Translation):
NAT offers an elegant solution to cable Internet's static IP issue. Network Address Translation is a process in which IP addresses on a private network are kept hidden. Home users frequently use a method referred to as "masquerading", and it is an effective method of protecting yourself from anyone attempting to access your computer.
Masquerading allows more than one device to share an IP on a network, and has several uses. Multiple computers can share an Internet connection without purchasing multiple IP addresses from your provider, individual firewalls can be set up in series, and this also keeps the IP of your computer hidden behind the IP of another device such as a modem or router.
Firewalls:
A firewall is a system that imposes access controls between two networks. The purpose of this is too keep out hackers, worms, viruses and other harmful traffic. The name is derived from a very literal process that prevents the spread of actual fires. When a fire begins to spread through a forest area, firefighters dig trenches and saturate areas with water. These areas are called firewalls.
Firewalls that protect computers work in much the same fashion. They sit between the computer and the Internet and monitor activity that crosses them. They can be configured in many different ways, offering very little to iron clad protection. The two types of firewalls readily available to home users are software firewalls and hardware firewalls.
Software firewalls run on individual computers in a network, and only protect the computer that it is installed on. An example is the firewall that comes with Windows XP. Although it is an extremely simplistic firewall, it offers a general protection with ease of use.
Hardware firewalls are devices that sit on your network between all computers and the Internet. These firewalls are very diverse, and offer a myriad of configurations. Though more complicated than traditional software firewalls, it is generally understood that hardware firewalls afford a greater level of protection.
The three security measures discussed here are not the only methods available to secure your cable connection, and nothing is totally secure. Hackers are finding new ways to exploit weaknesses in security everyday; therefore new measure must be used daily to defend against this. When deciding on what security measures to take, it is usually best to use more than one. A firewall and anti-virus software used together is greatly more effective than if just one or the other is alone. When it comes to security as with many things, more is better.
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