December 27, 2005

By Staff

The FCC should name an interim pseudo Automated Number Identification (pANI) administrator, Vonage CEO Jeffrey Citron urged Fri. Without an interim administrator, Vonage and other firms have difficulty gaining access to pANI numbers to meet FCC deadlines that they make E-911 available to all customers, the firm said. "Without pANI, we can't get calls from nomadic phones into the traditional E-911 network," Citron said. "We agree with the industry that there needs to be a fair and equitable method of distributing these numbers to telecommunications, wireless and VoIP providers, to enable all of us to get E911 to our customers as quickly as possible."

December 26, 2005

By David LaGesse

Until now the joy of frugal geeks and early adopters, Internet phoning is finally ready to connect with just plain folks. It's inexpensive, fairly easy to set up, and cuts out the phone companies without forcing you to depend on a fritzy cellphone.

The Internet can bring crystal-clear conversations to your standard telephone for as little as $10 a month plus pennies more per call, or $20 to $25 for unlimited service. Some "voice over Internet protocol" companies even allow international calls free. You also get a bevy of services--like voice mail and three-way calling--that would push the cost of your telecom line to $40 or more. We've tried a variety of the services and have been impressed each time by call quality, including those at vonage.com, voicepulse.com, packet8.net, and broadvoice.com.

December 25, 2005

By David P. Willis

Changes in the Jersey Shore's telecommunications industry also became a big story.

Internet telephone company Vonage Holdings Corp. moved its headquarters, including about 1,400 employees, from Edison to Route 520 in Holmdel.

December 23, 2005

By Robert McMillan

For little ones who simply have to know what Saint Nick is up to, electronic gadgets offer easy access to a peek at the red-suited one's whereabouts. This year, Web phone service Vonage joins online resources that follow the path of Santa as Christmas nears.

Speed Dial for Santa

Vonage has launched a free Santa Claus tracking service that can be used by its Internet telephony subscribers. Beginning Friday, Vonage customers--or their children--can get updates as to Santa's whereabouts by pressing *101 from any Vonage line.

December 23, 2005

By Staff

Vonage has announced that every user of their voice over IP services can now connect to their e911 numbers and have local emergency access as needed.

Marketed as a feature, Vonage says they are compliant with the FCC’s VoIP regulations and every single user of Vonage VoIP services can access their enhanced 911 services.

“Vonage uses the address you provide to determine the nearest emergency response center and then sends your call to a general number at that center.”

December 23, 2005

By Misty Maynard

Home for the holidays, it was an emotional reunion for Mason County native Teresa Boyd and her family as they strive to spend every week of Boyd's two week leave together.

Boyd, a master sergeant in the Air Force, left for South Korea in July, where she will be stationed for a year. She enjoyed a two-week respite over Christmas and New Years, to spend time with her husband, Jim, and three boys, Joshua, Brandon and Aaron.

December 22, 2005

By Marin Perez

Vonage America, a subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp., is endorsing the National Emergency Number Association’s (NENA) Interim VoIP Architecture for Enhanced 9-1-1 Services, or i2 for short.

NENA’s i2 standard defines an architecture that will allow IP telephony service providers to deliver full E911 services through existing infrastructure, until an all-IP E911 system becomes available nationwide.

December 22, 2005

By Eric Powell

The faces of three generations of the Andretti family beamed Dec. 20 at the Andretti Green Racing headquarters in Indianapolis, and it wasn’t just because Christmas was only five days away.

Actually, Christmas came early for Marco Andretti, the 18-year-old son of open-wheel racing legend Michael Andretti. Andretti Green Racing, the team Michael co-owns, announced that Marco will compete in the full 2006 IRL IndyCar® Series schedule, including the 90th Indianapolis 500.

Marco will drive the No. 26 ArcaEx Dallara/Honda/Firestone alongside returning AGR teammates Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Bryan Herta.

December 21, 2005

By Johanne Torres

Vonage Holdings Corp. announced Wednesday its backing up the National Emergency Number Association's (NENA) new interim/migratory (i2) technical standard for VoIP E911. With the approval of this new technical standard by NENA's Board of Directors on December 8, 2005, the VoIP community will be able to complete its already aggressive rollout schedule.

The release of the i2 technical standard combines the new technology of VoIP and the existing E911 system interface. The i2 technical standard enables VoIP providers to deliver full E911 service through the current E911 infrastructure. It is the first of a two part system revamp effort surrounding IP that was started two years ago and the first major E911 system design effort since its creation back in the 70's.

December 21, 2005

By Staff

Andrettis will drive two of the five Andretti Green Racing cars in the 90th Indianapolis 500 in May.

Marco Andretti was announced as the newest member of the Indy Racing League team Tuesday, replacing 2005 IndyCar Series champ Dan Wheldon.

He joins Tony Kanaan, Dario Franchitti and Bryan Herta as team drivers for the entire 14-race series.

In the 500, he will compete against his father, team co-owner Michael, who will drive in his first race since the 2003 500.