Optus releases two VOIP services

Optus has released a new voice over IP (VOIP) solution for small to medium-sized businesses, reports ZDNet Australia.

The telecommunications company will be making two services available to its business DSL customers - ipPhone Premier and ipPhone Express, and both services have Optus's Soft Phone application; however, it currently doesn't run on Windows Vista or Mac OS, according to Optus.

The services offer a range of features, including call routing, call transfer, calling logs, line hunt, find me and follow me service and voicemail.

The Federal Appeals Court has ruled that Internet telephone companies must contribute to the Universal Service Fund (USF). If VOIP providers follow the lead of local, long distance and wireless services that already pay into the USF, then consumers will foot the bill, reports Internet News.

The decision is limited to VOIP providers that interconnect with the public switched telephone network.

The USF subsidises phone service in under-served and rural areas. The USF also subsidises Internet connections in schools and libraries.

Social networks will be able to offer VOIP as an added feature through yFonGlobal, reports Telappliant.

The sites will feature a click-to-call function, similar to that available in newer versions of Microsoft Outlook, which allows users to make a VOIP call to their contacts without leaving the network.

However, in an attempt to make the service as appealing as possible to business, it will not just be a simple VOIP client but will also include conferencing options and video communication features.