Unified Communications

Sprint Partners With Cisco for Unified Communications

Bernie — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 09:40:52 -0500

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2008--Sprint (NYSE: S) today announced availability of Sprint Wireless Integration with Cisco Unified Communications Manager, an integrated mobility solution that delivers fixed mobile convergence to businesses - only on the Now Network(TM). Sprint Wireless Integration extends customers' Cisco Unified Communications Manager functionality to Sprint mobile phones, providing productivity, cost efficiencies, and greater control of mobile devices. Read More ...

Qwest Launches Unified Communications

Bernie — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Qwest launched qHome, their unified communications (UC) platform, in their Colorado markets. The UC platform was developed in conjunction with Microsoft and offered free to customers who subscribe to both Qwest home phone and DSL services. “qHome brings Qwest home phone and Qwest High-Speed Internet services together in ways that allow people to simplify their lives,” said Qwest product director Ken Rambo in a company statement. Features include:

qMessaging - See who is calling the Qwest home phone line and listen to voicemails through Windows Live, and see the ten most recent voicemails and calls logged.
Preferences - Manage certain call detail preferences, voicemail features and Qwest Choice Home phone features online.
Quickcall - Manage contacts in one place through Windows Live. Use a personal computer to initiate a call on the Qwest Choice Home phone line.
Announcement - Updates about qHome and Windows Live.
My account - View Qwest account status and links to contact Qwest customer service, schedule repairs and more.

The move follows similar landline enhancement strategies from AT&T and Embarq. It also highlights the attempted migration of unified communications from an enterprise application to a consumer one. The jury is still out on whether consumers find true value in these services. Will they help ILECs slow landline losses?

XO Anywhere Leverages Mobility, Unified Communications

Bernie — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 23:56:34 -0400

XO announced the launch of XO Anywhere, a unified communications platform, for their XOptions Flex, IP Flex, and IP Flex with VPN customers. XO Anywhere provides a variety of unified communications features including:

Simultaneous Ring - rings up to 10 phones simultaneously for an incoming call
Remote Office - extends office phone capabilities to a remote location
Click to Dial - direct dials from Outlook
Web-Based Tool Bar - Allows users to manage telephony features online

Each user is assigned a unique license for the service.

AT&T Expands VoIP Powered U-Verse

Bernie — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

AT&T brought its VoIP powered triple play package to the Kansas City market this week. AT&T brands its VoIP product, AT&T U-verse Voice. This is AT&T’s third U-verse Voice market, which also includes Detroit and Connecticut. AT&T is using U-verse Voice to introduce integrated features into its U-verse triple play package. Convergence features of the U-verse voice product include allowing customers to “click to call” from their PC or television, unified messaging, and simultaneous ring of up to four telephone numbers.