Multiemedia launches satellite VoIP service

Multiemedia said it has utilised its existing satellite infrastructure NewSat to provide the service, which, according to a statement issued by the company, has the "potential to address 60 percent of the world's population when additional NewSat beams are enabled".

Multiemedia described VoIP as a "killer technology", which "standardises the way data and voice work together".

"Put simply, it obviates the need to use traditional telephone lines by providing inexpensive voice communication over the Internet," states the release.

The technology works by integrating VoIP into existing broadband infrastructure using "NewSat's duplex broadband satellite service", multiemedia said, allowing VoIP customers to "make and receive local, national and international calls at significantly lower costs than carrier rates".

Multiemeida adds that the VoIP service is also available to clients on their existing PABX infrastructure as well as other analogue equipment

CEO of Multiemedia, Adrian Ballintine, said VoIP is an important part of the NewSat strategy for "developing new applications for the satellite-based market".

"[VoIP] provides NewSat with a distinct position in a market not currently addressed by the traditional land-based carriers," he said.

Multiemedia cites research from International Data Corp in stating that VoIP is "poised to secure a significant portion of telephone traffic in the next several years".

The IDC predictions state that VoIP services in Australian will reach a market value of AU$288 million by 2007, with potential to double every year for the next four years.

"With a take-up by existing NewSat clients already, this is an exciting opportunity for Multiemedia as VoIP has the power to generate significant recurrent income," it said.