Network Telephone Services Techs will run field tests with the Pebble smart watch which offers a simple look and an easy-to-read e-paper screen.  As an open source based device, more app are being developed rapidly.  NTS users will be focused primarily on the devices reminder and scheduling functions.

Field Techs will establish a quick Bluetooth pairing and start sending notifications from their phones to their wrists. It’s believed this will improve efficiency by reducing smartphone hand held times during and between field calls.  Network Telephone Services techs will decide what they want to see and what they need to be reminded of so they can stay abreast of dispatch schedules and various happenings with a quick glance at their wrists. When a notification comes in, the Pebble vibrates and displays the initial text.

Outside of notifications, the Pebble can set alarms, control your phone’s audio apps, and track body movements and service or field locations via the phones GPS enabled features. Android users can also download a number of helpful apps to enhance their experience further.

Many Network Telephone Services clients face obstacles as they aim to expand their businesses, become more profitable and improve their infrastructure.  One of the most common areas we can be of assistance is in the area of improved communications for clients that still have heavy dependence on landline telecom systems. At Network Telephone Services, we are able to expose the problems with these slow, inflexible and outdated communication systems.

With the emergence of numerous Business VoIP providers has come greater competition and, therefore more advanced and cost effective alternatives to POTS models.  It’s at a good time to investigate some of the top VOIP providers to help your businesses grow and also to create a more modern, faster and efficient communication paradigm.

This list of the Top Three VOIP providers was recently released and Network Telephone Services works with clients to define their needs and determine which solution might be best for them. According to the survey providers the criteria considered additional enhancements, customer satisfaction among others to come with the list of the best business VoIP providers. The top 3 in the list are:

RingCentral – RingCentral has an affordable package for their clients. Their services are easy to use, quick and simple to install, as they do not involve use of hardware. Their cloud-based system offers a range of services including fax service, conferencing, call management and mobile apps. Their customer support staff is excellent.

Vonage – Their strategy, no installation fees and contracts, has enabled them to rank among the best business VoIP providers. Their international call rates are low and customers can use them whenever they travel. They also offer a virtual assistant, smart phone apps, and voice to email options among many more.

Mitel – Mitel services are best suited for small and medium sized businesses. Their phone calls are characterized by clear sound quality. Their clients do not need to worry about loss of important information as they use secure data centers. They have low rates.

VOIP Solutions for business are dramatically different in scope than they would be for household or private usage.  Network Telephone services Representatives work with our clients to find the best solution for each individual case.

Network Telephone Services is keeping a close eye on a  proposed $48.5 billion acquisition of DirecTV by AT&T would make AT&T a leader in the expanding internet video provider arena. In a deal with DirecTV, the giant telecom carrier would need to expand its broadband internet services to over 15 million locations.  This deal could affect numerous Network Telephone Services clients as the largest expansion and implementations would need to be in presently unserved rural areas.  Spokespersons say the expansion would be accomplished using a blend of FTTP (fiber to the premises) and wireless technologies.

“We’re getting very close to closing out our VIP build commitment,” said Randall Stephenson, CEO and chairman of AT&T, during the conference call discussing the transaction. “That was a multi-billion dollar commitment to deploy 4G LTE across our network and significant amount of fiber into our network to extend our broadband footprint.”

The new broadband expansion plan, which is complementary to AT&T’s $14 billion fiber and Project VIP expansion plan is to be completed within four years of the close of the proposed Direct TV deal. Business and residential customers, many of which are also targeted for contracts with Network Telephone Services clients, will also gain an option to acquire stand-alone broadband service or expand their network band width as part of a service bundle which may already include land line, wireless or other  AT&T services.

More and more mobile device users are turning on Location Services and GPS tracking tools.  Popular checkin’s and location based social media data are fast becoming a component part of the social media and social media marketing experience.

Network Telephone Services is working with its mid-size, location based retail clients to maximize these tools. With store locators and area specific social media messaging, NTS is showing business’

With the majority of mobile consumers using their devices to broadcast their location by checking in on Foursquare, posting a photo on Facebook from dinner with friends or getting directions, location-based social data has become the new currency to engage and build stronger relationships with consumers. Therefore, location-based marketing – targeting people with advertising based on their location – is essential for businesses to partake in.

Geo-location activities are often linked to consumer-related behavior, which is why this type of marketing serves as a powerful vehicle for reaching consumers, increasing engagement, creating a better experience and ultimately, growing sales. It’s important for marketers to move away from blindly offering deals and discounts, to utilizing location-based social data to reach the nearby, engaged consumer.

Marketers must move away from blindly offering deals and discounts, to utilizing location-based social data to reach the nearby, engaged consumer.

Recently Ajit Pai, one of the commissioners for the FCC’s “Critical Information Needs Study”, voice strong opposition to the project.

Network Telephone Services agrees with Mr. Pai in light of the fact that the study would have required government agents to tour and make inquiries around major network newsrooms across the nation. The FCC agents would be interviewing editors, producers and writers about the process in which editorial decisions are being made.  The Agents would then have the authority to determine whether these news agencies were giving enough coverage to what have been defined as “critical information” news segments.

This recently canceled study would presume that a few bureaucratic regulators are experiences enough and morally equipped to determine what information “we the people” deem “critical.”

As an absolute violation of Free Market Principals and the Free Speech Amendment, Network Telephone Services is celebrating the recent cancellation of the proposed Big Brother FCC Study.

Network Telephone Services embraces changes to the cell phone industry. New technology is making new infrastructures available and more attractive with every advancement.

Fading is the day when cell phone users are tied to a specific wireless carrier as Wi-Fi phones become more advanced and available.  Aiding this transition is the increasing availability of municipal Wi-Fi connections.  Mobile phone users may continue to have a primary carrier, but more often than not, wireless calls will be made by virtue of a wireless broadband connection at reduced costs and ever greater geographic coverage.

Network Telephone Services  is working with clients and consumers to embrace this evolution and integrate these new, more efficient solutions into the everyday operations of their enterprises and lives.

There has been a lot of noise from CLECS regarding the transition away from legacy old telephone networks and evolving to high speed broadband networks. The complaint lies in the belief that the new paradigm will somehow negatively impact “special access services” generally sold to retail business by wholesalers. The CLEC cry for further regulation had be heard even from the weakest cell tower.

At Network Telephone Services, we wholly embrace a free, unregulated market based solution.

Besides, why should special access service users be saddled with the legacy technology when newer, faster, lighter solutions are available such as IP-based broadband networks? Shouldn’t the remaining special access services users benefit from the advancements in the marketplace?

As this debate unfolds, it’s nice to see a glimmer of a free market and deregulation shining as the preferred solution.