Additional Related News Items: TELECOM Sector

Here we present a selection of related news items that are of interest to our subscribers. These are presented "as is" - meaning with minimal to no editorial treatment by us. They are intended to keep our subscribers informed of related developments, but are not stored at our site as are the regular articles developed by our editorial team. We invite your comments/suggestions about the content in this section at info@vtechlink.com.

• Verizon Wireless Unveils  VX8100 from LG
• Uniden Unveils Packet8-Enabled Expandable Cordless VoIP System
• TowerStream and Vonage Offer VoIP Over Fixed Wireless Broadband Network
• Marvell Unveils Single Chip VOIP Solutions

Verizon Wireless Unveils  VX8100 from LG

Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading wireless service provider, and LG Electronics MobileComm have unveiled the LG VX8100 phone, the latest handset designed by LG Mobile Phones to take full advantage of Verizon Wireless' high-speed EV-DO [Evolution-Data Optimized] network. Available exclusively to Verizon Wireless customers, the VX8100 is optimized for V CAST, the nation's first and only wireless broadband multimedia service for consumers that allows them to view high-quality video clips from major news, sports and entertainment outlets, play 3D games and download rich multimedia content -- all with their wireless phones.

Packing a variety of advanced features into its sleek and stylish clamshell case, the VX8100 represents the ultimate combination of utility and entertainment. In addition to its high-speed data capabilities, the VX8100 boasts advanced Bluetooth wireless technology for certain profiles, enabling users to connect wirelessly to a variety of Bluetooth-enabled devices including headsets and many new vehicles. Additionally, the VX8100 is among the first wireless phones available in the United States to offer the flexibility and convenience of removable MiniSD memory, allowing Verizon Wireless customers to view user generated digital pictures and video clips on their wireless phones. The VX8100's dual external stereo speakers ensure that audio is crisp and vibrant, and the handset's 1.3 mega-pixel digital camcorder enables users to capture all of life's special moments in vibrant detail.

In addition to the capabilities of the VX8100 to access to Verizon Wireless' EV-DO wireless broadband network and V CAST multimedia service, the phone boasts a mega-pixel digital camera and all the must-have wireless phone features that users have come to expect from LG, including speaker phone, a 500 contact phone book that stores up to five phone numbers and two e-mail addresses per contact, 72-chord polyphonic sound, personal organizer and more. Designed in a sleek silver and blue clamshell, the VX8100 has the accelerated style to match its advanced capabilities.

The VX8100's long list of multimedia capabilities also include Video Messaging, allowing Verizon Wireless customers to take up to 15 seconds of video with the integrated 1.3 mega-pixel camera and send their clips to other Verizon Wireless video-capable phones or to an e-mail address. Other mobile media features include Mobile Web 2.0[SM] capability, mobile Instant Messaging [IM], Multimedia Messaging Service [MMS] and Enhanced Messaging Service [EMS].

The LG VX 8100 will be available for $150 after $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year customer agreement.

Verizon Wireless owns and operates the nation's most reliable wireless network, serving 45.5 million voice and data customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications [NYSE:VZ] and Vodafone [NYSE and LSE: VOD].

LG Electronics, Inc. [Korea Stock Exchange: 06657.KS] is a global force in electronics, information and communications products with 2004 annual sales of US $38 billion [consolidated]. With more than 66,000 employees working in 76 subsidiaries in 39 countries around the world, LG Electronics is comprised of four main business companies including Mobile Communications, Digital Appliance, Digital Display, Digital Media.

LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company is the world's leading manufacturer of WCDMA [UMTS], CDMA and GSM handsets, and the fastest growing manufacturer of mobile phones worldwide. The company provides a total range of wired and wireless solutions, and is rapidly establishing a global presence as it cultivates international market share in 3G handsets.

Uniden Unveils Packet8-Enabled Expandable Cordless VoIP System

8x8, the Packet8 broadband voice over Internet protocol [VoIP] and videophone communications service provider, and Uniden America Corporation, a leading manufacturer of wireless consumer electronics, have announced the retail availability of the UIP1868P, a fully-integrated consumer VoIP phone system enabled with Packet8 Internet phone service.

Fry's Electronics, a national chain of 31 consumer-oriented electronics superstores, is the first brick and mortar retailer to stock the co-branded Packet8/Uniden offering. Beginning September 2005, the UIP 1868P will also be available at Office Max's nearly 1,000 superstores. The UIP1868P has been available online since July 1 at Costco.com, Amazon.com, and Packet8.net.

Introduced in March 2005, the UIP1868P is a 5.8GHz digital expandable corded/cordless phone with built-in VoIP technology and full router functionality, eliminating the need for separate adapter and router devices. This all-in-one whole house phone system is expandable with up to ten cordless handsets, deploying VoIP capability to each handset using a single broadband Internet connection. Incorporating 8x8's patented Internet telephony software, the UIP1868P offers plug-and-play access to Packet8's feature-rich broadband telephone service.

The UIP1868P base station supports one telephone and one fax line and is compatible with four of Uniden's accessory cordless handsets, including the TCX805, TCX400, TCX440 and ELXT500, a flip-design phone. The unit also offers features such as call waiting, caller ID, handset speakerphone, four-way conferencing, DirectLink two-way radio capability and a do not disturb setting.

Packet8 residential broadband phone service offers unlimited local and long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada for $20 per month and includes calling features such as voicemail, local number portability [LNP], unlimited in-network calling, directory assistance [$.75 per call], call forwarding and call blocking.

The UIP1868P is available at retail for the manufacturer's suggested price of $200 with a Packet8 $60 mail-in rebate and one free month of service.

VoIP [voice over internet protocol] service provider 8x8, Inc. offers internet-based telephony solutions [www.packet8.net] for individual residential and business users as well as small to medium sized business organizations. In addition to regular Packet8 VoIP service plans, priced as low as $19.95 per month for unlimited anytime calling to the U.S. and Canada, 8x8 now offers the $99 Packet8 VideoPhone, the industry's first stand alone broadband consumer videophone with worldwide video calling for $19.95 per month. Packet8 Virtual Office, 8x8's VoIP solution for small to medium sized businesses, is a hosted PBX service comprised of powerful business class features.

Uniden America Corporation, the North American subsidiary of Japan-based Uniden Corporation, manufactures and markets wireless consumer electronic products including cordless telephones, business telecommunications systems, Bearcat scanners, FRS/GMRS radios, marine radios and other wireless personal communications products. Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Uniden sells its products through dealers and distributors throughout North, Central and South America.

TowerStream and Vonage Offer VoIP Over Fixed Wireless Broadband Network

TowerStream, a fixed wireless Internet provider, has announced an alliance with Vonage Marketing, a subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp., North America's leading broadband telephony company, to offer its service to TowerStream's customers.

With the new alliance, TowerStream will offer businesses a true alternative to the existing phone companies for both voice and broadband in one offering. Customers in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and the greater Providence and Newport, R.I. areas will now be able to choose Vonage's small business VoIP solutions with predictable flat rate billing, as well as low international rates and advanced features.

TowerStream's pre-WiMAX service offers a flexible alternative to the integrated T1s most businesses use today. With the quality of service provided on TowerStream's network, businesses are able to configure their Internet traffic to ensure VoIP calls are always given priority. In addition, both TowerStream and Vonage offer a high level of reliability backed by their Service Level Agreements [SLA].

TowerStream is a leading fixed wireless broadband provider in the U.S. Founded in 2000, today the company has the largest pre-WiMAX deployment in the U.S. serving such markets as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Francisco, the greater Boston, Providence and Newport, R.I. areas, and is aggressively expanding coverage throughout the country. The company is the first carrier selected to join the WiMAX Forum to assist leading vendors such as Intel, Alvarion, Fujitsu, Aperto Networks and Proxim in establishing industry compliance with international broadband wireless access standards and cross-vendor interoperability.

Vonage has pioneered the broadband phone industry, setting the standard for pricing, features, call quality and reliability for the entire VoIP category. Vonage's award winning service is sold on the web and through national retailers like SAM's Club, RadioShack, Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples, Fry's Electronics, Office Depot and CompUSA. Vonage Holdings Corporation is headquartered in Edison, New Jersey.

Marvell Unveils Single Chip VOIP Solutions

Marvell, the leader in development of storage, communications, and consumer silicon solutions, has unveiled a family of highly integrated VoIP solutions targeted at the rapidly growing, Internet voice communications market. The Marvell 88W8618 has been designed specifically for ultra-low power Voice over WLAN [VoWLAN] handsets with other members of the Marvell 88W86 family targeted at VoIP residential gateways. Each product integrates VoIP processing, low power WiFi circuitry, a high-performance host CPU and peripherals into single system-on-a-chip [SoC] solutions.

These VoWLAN SoC solutions significantly reduce overall system cost for OEMs because of extremely high levels of integration. In addition, Marvell has increased the performance of these offerings for their respective applications. The 88W8618 extends handset talk time by a factor of three versus competitive solutions, and the residential gateway products extend processing capability by integrating a high-performance processor core. All solutions have on-chip security processing engines to support the latest WLAN encryption standards such as AES/CCMP and WPA/TKIP, and a Quality of Service [QoS] engine to support priority voice services. With this level of integration in consumer VoIP devices, the Company is spurring a new class of applications for the home, such as instant messaging service across cordless handsets. And, by allowing voice to integrate seamlessly with data, VoWLAN is available for volume use.

Marvell's VoWLAN solutions provide advanced features which ensure robust voice and WLAN capabilities for the home. These advanced total system power management features extend handset standby and talk time in WiFi environments by using techniques already proven in Marvell based dual-mode cellular WiFi handset products. In addition, Marvell has integrated an ARM compliant processor core to improve performance and provide extra processing speed for additional applications.

This family of VoIP products also offers AutoLink, a quick, simple, one- click solution for setting up, configuring and enabling a secure WPA or WPA2 wireless network. Once connected, users can enjoy the expanded freedom offered by Marvell BoostMode technology, which increases throughput and allows up to twice the range of current 802.11g solutions. Marvell VoWLAN solutions will also support advanced features for enhanced QoS such as WMM, APSD, as well as other 802.11e specifications. All these solutions allow Marvell VoWLAN products to offer robust, easy to use WLAN voice and data connectivity.

Marvell VoWLAN reference design kits, featuring 88W86 family with a complete VoWLAN software package, are currently sampling to key customers and broadband service providers.

Marvell is the leader in development of storage, communications and consumer silicon solutions. The Company's diverse product portfolio includes switching, transceiver, communications controller, wireless, and storage solutions that power the entire communications infrastructure, including enterprise, metro, home, and storage networking. As used in this release, the terms "Company" and "Marvell" refer to Marvell Technology Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries, including Marvell Semiconductor, Inc. [MSI], Marvell Asia Pte Ltd [MAPL], Marvell Japan K.K., Marvell Taiwan Ltd., Marvell International Ltd. [MIL], Marvell U.K. Limited, Marvell Semiconductor Israel Ltd. [MSIL], RADLAN Computer Communications Ltd., and SysKonnect GmbH. MSI is headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., and designs, develops and markets products on behalf of MIL and MAPL.

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