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Business Communications News May 2005
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News
you can use every month…
Keep
up with technology, telecom and networking. Learn about new ways to
communicate with your
employees, partners and
customers.
This month you'll catch up on the new leadership at the FCC, we'll talk more
about how businesses are using IP Telephony and VoIP, and explore VPNs -- a
secure, affordable way to network your business.
Phil Liberty, pliberty@universal-tel.com
Christine Maly, christinemaly@universal-tel.com
Marilyn Goldberg, mgoldberg@universal-tel.com
Mervyn Gervis, mgervis@universal-tel.com
Changing of the guard at the FCC… Powell to Martin
Kevin Martin has become the new chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), replacing Michael Powell, who resigned in March. Martin takes over at a time when the Internet is reshaping telecommunications. Internet-based phone service, an option growing in popularity as technology improves, is among the emerging issues facing Martin and the FCC.
Analysts expect no major changes in FCC policies and directions. The FCC’s commitment to telecom deregulation — and its deregulatory approach to broadband, Internet and wireless issues — will remain on track.
Specifically, Martin will help determine the need for regulating IP-enabled services that make use of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and telephone numbers.
With some in Congress pushing for a review the Telecom Act of 1996, Martin will likely weigh in on such questions as:
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Should VoIP companies be required to pay "universal service" taxes?
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Must VoIP firms be legally required to provide some form of e911 services?
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Should state governments be allowed to regulate and perhaps even set prices for VoIP services?
With all of these issues impacting the potential cost and availability of VoIP services, we’ll be following FCC activities and report on any developments that may impact your business. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on where things are headed as we meet throughout the year.
How IP Telephony (VoIP) Can Transform Your Business
(Second in a multi-part series)
Organizations large and small are making the transition to IP Telephony in large part because they appreciate the cost savings it offers. Saving money is always a priority, but reducing costs is just the start of how new IP Phone systems can improve your business.
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Bringing voice, email and fax messaging together in a single universal inbox accessible from anywhere via phone, desktop or web results in better management of information and increases everyone’s productivity.
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Each user can personalize communications, applications, and services to their preferred way of working. Changing a speed dial number or forwarding calls to a conference room or cell phone is as easy as using a web browser.
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The numerous features and functions that IP Telephony offers allow work groups to collaborate on projects, share documents and work more efficiently, which increases organizational competitiveness.
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New applications can be implemented that were previously cost prohibitive, such as browser-based video for security monitoring, desktop video conferencing, distance education, teleworking and more…
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Integrate and unify phones, PCs and even PDAs. Through your network, all these devices can seamlessly share data -- even email, voice messages and phone calls.
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Even wireless IP desktops and handheld devices are being tied into IP Telephone systems… retail outlets, manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities are among those benefiting from wireless voice and data to enhance customer service and improve operations.
Over the next few issues of "Business Communications News," we’ll continue this discussion of IP Telephony. If you want to find out how Universal Telecommunications can help transform your business with IP Telephony right now, call us at (888) 300-6600 or email us at info@universal-tel.com
VPNs Save You Money by Unifying Separate Networks
(First in a multi-part series)
Many companies using a variety of diverse data connections -- Private Line, Frame Relay, Internet -- are exploring the benefits of Virtual Private Networks (VPN) to save money and simplify management. Using less expensive Internet technology, VPNs provide the means for companies to securely extend the reach of their networks globally for all of their applications. Many companies are even starting to run voice over their corporate VPNs to eliminate the charges for long distance calls between their company locations.
Basically, a VPN lets businesses carve out their own “private” network within a carrier’s managed Internet backbone. By drawing on the economies and efficiencies of the carrier’s data network, VPNs offer substantial cost savings over traditional private lines and data services. VPNs also eliminate the need for modem banks or LD/800 costs to support remote users.
VPNs are available as fully managed, co-managed, or customer-managed services:
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For smaller companies with multiple locations or remote users, a managed VPN service entails paying a single, all-inclusive service price for equipment, connections, maintenance, and 24 x 7 proactive management and monitoring.
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Mid-sized companies can leverage their Dedicated Internet Access connections and their own equipment to access the VPN and let the carrier manage the equipment and connections at their remote locations, often as part of a bundled solution that includes local and long distance calling.
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Larger companies that want to control and monitor their own network can set up a VPN with purchased equipment and Dedicated Internet Access connections leased from a service provider.
Although Frame Relay and ATM continue to be used for VPNs, IP-based VPN networks support the same applications and offer the compelling advantage of tremendous cost savings.
A technology called Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) now provides a foundation for many service providers' IP-based VPNs. With MPLS, entire packet streams can be managed for Quality of Service and "labeled" to ensure they get to their destinations to support real-time applications like voice or video.
We'll have more to say about VPNs and MPLS in the next issue of Business Communications News. Contact us today if you are ready to start exploring a VPN solution now. Just call (888) 300-6600 or email
info@universal-tel.com.Partner Profile – Premiere Global Services
Headquartered in Atlanta, Premiere Global Services has 2,230 employees in 19 countries around the world. It serves over 45,000 corporate accounts, including a majority of the Fortune 500.
Universal-Tel represents the Premiere Global Services conferencing portfolio of services, which provide businesses with conferencing and collaboration services on an outsource-basis, hosted on its global proprietary platforms.
For small meetings of up to 50 participants, Premiere’s ReadyConference brings audio and slide sharing together and allows you to manage all aspects of a conference directly from your computer anytime, from anywhere, 24/7.
For intimate meetings that require the security and professional touch of an operator, PremiereCall Connection gives you the option of operator assistance for meetings with up to 30 participants.
For large meetings of up to 1,000 participants, PremiereCall Auditorium combines the convenience of instant participant entry with the assurance of dedicated operator assistance, resulting in an efficient and cost-effective way to host large conference calls.
For image-impacting events with up to 3,000 participants, such as external product marketing, press conferences and investor relations, PremiereCall Event provides extensive features and enhanced services before, during and after the live session.
Whatever your conferencing or collaboration need, Premiere Conferencing has a solution for your business. For more information about these services, please contact us at (888) 300-6600 or email us at info@universal-tel.com.
Check out our other products & services…
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SPREAD THE WORD!
If you know of any colleagues who would be interested in receiving business communications information they can use, please forward this email to them. Have questions, suggestions? Contact us! (888) 300-6600.
Phil Liberty
Christine Maly
christinemaly@universal-tel.com
Marilyn Goldberg
Mervyn Gervis
Want to reach customers with your own message? Contact Ascent Solutions Group or call (410) 551-3504.