Enum reduces VOIP costs

UK domain name registry Nominet will be the country`s registry for Enum, a new standard designed to allow seamless communication between voice over IP (VOIP) servers, reports Vnunet.

The suite of protocols converge PSTN and IP networks by converting a phone number into a domain name and registering it on the DNS, allowing a phone number to also be a VOIP address, says Nominet`s IT director, Jay Daley.

Enum will allow firms to benefit from the cost savings associated with VOIP without the need to sign up with a third-party provider such as Skype, he adds.

UK VOIP expert Peter Cox has released a proof-of-concept programme demonstrating the vulnerability of VOIP-based calls to eavesdropping, placing confidential information at risk, reports VOIP-News.

The software, called SIPtap, can monitor multiple VOIP calls and record them as .wav files, for remote inspection.

A hacker would be able to infect a single PC on a network, with a Trojan incorporating the programme. The hack would also work at ISP level.

Timico and Nortel have collaborated to launch a VOIP service for SMEs, incorporating a PC-based multimedia voice and video application that integrates with Microsoft Outlook`s messaging and collaboration client, reports CBR.

This addition to Timico`s VOIP for Business service will enable SMEs to improve efficiency and productivity, by allowing them to dial colleagues, suppliers, business partners and customers using a click of the mouse.

By combining the Nortel Application Server 5200 with Microsoft Outlook, the process of looking up a contact telephone number and making the call can be shortened to `one click` access.