DEALS: wVoIP Takes Center Stage


wVoIP Takes Center Stage


DEALS

WHO

WITH

WHAT

SCOOP

Intel

Cisco

Plan to make their respective WiFi systems work better together.

The two companies will work to incorporate new technology in Cisco's WiFi access points and Intel's Centrino platform that will allow users to connect to the most available AP by data load, thus improving performance for both end-users and network administrators; they also plan to improve the quality of wireless VoIP connections.

Sprint Nextel

Gulf Coast Wireless, IWO Holdings

Sprint Nextel agreed to pay $287.5M for Gulf Coast and $219M, plus the assumption $208M in debt, for IWO.

Both are affiliates of Sprint, which recently completed its merger with Nextel Communications. Gulf Coast will end its litigation against Sprint.

Avaya

Intel

Avaya and Intel will work to improve the quality of VoIP services delivered over wireless networks.

Avaya plans to design its SIP-based, IP Telephony Softphone for laptop PCs for use with Intel's Centrino mobile notebook processor.

Microsoft

Teleo

Microsoft has acquired VoIP startup Teleo.

Teleo offers a peer-to-peer VoIP service that looks a lot like Skype. Microsoft plans to incorporate Teleo's technology into its MSN Messenger platform.

Monstermob

ATOP Century

Monstermob will acquire Chinese mobile content firm ATOP Century in a deal that could be worth as much as $100M.

Monstermob has been aggressively expanding its presence in Asia and recently acquired Upper Mobile in the Philippines and Unrealmind Interactive in Malaysia. The deal will give Monstermob access to China's booming mobile market.

Nokia

Kineto Wireless

Nokia plans to use UMA technology developed by Kineto in its converged network solutions for wireless and landline carriers.

A major win for Kineto, which has been pushing UMA technology as a wireless convergence solution. Kineto Wireless is a member of the 2005 FierceWireless Fierce 15, an annual list of the top emerging wireless companies.

Andrew

Nortel Networks

Andrew has acquired certain assets of Nortel's wireless location business.

The deal allows Andrew to expand its Geometrix mobile location system product line for commercial, consumer, and public-safety uses.

Orange

Netsize

Orange UK and Netsize will develop new mobile content services from leading global brands.

Orange and Netsize already have an SMS partnership. Netsize's Mobile Internet service allows carriers to launch mobile content and messaging services.

Meru Networks

Firetide

Firetide and Meru will deliver wireless VoIP over mesh networks.

The joint solution includes Firetide's HotPort mesh network and Meru's Wireless LAN System. The companies claim their combined solution will provide cost-effective voice over mesh deployments.

Google

EarthLink

Google and EarthLink partnered to bring Google's new VoIP app, Google Talk, to EarthLink's network.

Google also said that customers of service provider EarthLink will become part of a network that is compatible with Google Talk.