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AT&T Announces VoIP Program

An anonymous reader writes "DeviceForge reports that AT&T has unveiled a program to foster the 'development, delivery, and adoption' of emerging voice over IP (VoIP) applications, capabilities, and devices. The program, based on proprietary AT&T specifications, is intended to enable 'select vendors' to test applications and equipment against AT&T specs and thereby ensure compatibility with AT&T's evolving VoIP communication services. AT&T has invited industry leaders representing application developers, equipment, device manufacturers, and silicon vendors to participate in the program in order to 'shape and scale' the emerging VoIP market."

5 of 120 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah, Right by christopherfinke · · Score: 4, Insightful
    AT&T has unveiled a program to foster the "development, delivery, and adoption" of emerging voice over IP (VoIP) applications, capabilities, and devices. The program, based on proprietary AT&T specifications...
    If they really wanted to foster "development, delivery, and adoption," they'd use open standards instead of their proprietary specs.
  2. In other words... by jmcmunn · · Score: 4, Insightful


    AT&T have chosen a few people that they know are going to develop things the way they want in order to shape the early market into an AT&T furure?

    I'm sorry but why is this important news? It seems pretty obvious that AT&T would want to get a foot into the door. And I don't really like the idea of AT&T having their proprietary stuff into the framework any more than I like Sony forcing their tech into the next gen of Dvd. We need to get the standards set early, not get 10 companies with 10 ideas.

    Just my opinion.

  3. if you can't beat em, join em by flechette_indigo · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Their business model was threatened (by vonage etc) so they're moving over. How much u want to bet that they don't lower their rates?

  4. Hmm. by Earle+Martin · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "Shape and scale". Is that anything like "embrace and extend"?

  5. Final, last-ditch effort by jhylkema · · Score: 3, Insightful

    by AT&T to remain relevant. First they were broken up by the Reagan administration. Then they tried to enter the wireless world by buying up McCaw Cellular for $14 billion. They did great for awhile with things like One Rate, but then they got a jackass for a CEO. Later, AT&T sold off wireless properties (!) in their bid to buy TCI which was a disaster. Finally, too late and many dollars too short, they switched to GSM, but it didn't work worth a damn. Finally, number portability did them in.

    What's AT&T got left? Long distance? A dying industry if there ever was one! Once again, AT&T is a year or too late to jump on this bandwagon. As has happened many times before, a once-venerable company has been run into the ground by stupid management. Don't worry, though, Zeglis will get a golden parachute and find a new company to run into the ground.

    Ahh, life in these United States . . .