UK intros home VOIP scheme

The UK government is to offer free laptops, complete with broadband Internet, to over a quarter of a million low-income households, bringing the possibility of VOIP solutions into UK residents' homes, states Telappliant.

The Home Access scheme was announced by Prime Minister Gordon Brown last week, and increases the likelihood of IP telephony solutions' take-up by UK consumers.

It will allow 270 000 families with young children to apply for grants to buy computers and broadband connections from suppliers. The £300-million (R3.6-billion) project will also enhance the level of information parents can access about their child's progression through the UK school system.

The cabinet has approved a new telecom policy that will allow companies and individuals to run multiple telecom businesses in a bid to stop illegal VOIP activity, reports Bangladesh News 24 hours.

The approval of the International Long Distance Telecommunications Service Policy (Amendment) 2009 means allowing operators to hold licences in more than one category.

Telecom secretary Sunil Kanti Bose said: "Any individual or company will be able to get licence for call termination." The move will open up legal VOIP operations and is expected increase government revenue from the telecom sector.

Matrix has introduced its proprietary V Phone wireless and mobile VOIP software for the iPhone platform, which has the potential to be a forerunner in the supply of software to VOIP service providers (VSPs) and Internet service providers, says PRMac.

The V Phone sip client is targeted at IP telephony companies that are or intend to provide voice and telephony services to end-users.

For VSPs that are providing home-based voice services, the V Phone solution is an opportunity for providers to further boost their revenue stream by offering wireless or mobile VOIP calls.