5 Must-Read Telecom Stories, April 3

Each week Talkin’ Cloud compiles a list of must-read telecommunications stories for readers who are looking to stay on top of what’s going on in the fast-moving telecom industry.

This week’s column features the following companies from the marketplace: 8×8 (EGHT), ShoreTel (SHOR), Vonage (VG), Voxbone and Infonetics Research. These stories have been gathered from Talkin’ Cloud’s Telco Hub database of telecom news and other news sources. And if we missed something, feel free to leave a comment below. We might just add it into the mix.

Here’s this week’s list of 5 Must-Read Telecom Stories, April 3.

8×8, Arrow Systems Integration Partner For UC Solutions

Arrow Systems Integration (Arrow SI) is now providing 8×8 unified communications (UC) and contact center solutions to its channel partners. The Arrow Electronics (ARW) subsidiary has begun offering 8×8 Virtual Office telephony, Unified Communications and Virtual Contact Center services along with Virtual Office Analytics and Reporting tools, all on a single, consolidated invoice.

ShoreTel Network Services Now Available For ShoreTel Sky Customers

ShoreTel has expanded its Network Services Portfolio to ShoreTel Sky customers. With this portfolio addition, businesses can now leverage the ShoreTel Sky cloud phone system and UC solution with ShoreTel’s Network Services Portfolio to ensure their IP networks are designed and configured for optimum performance, according to ShoreTel.

Vonage Holdings Completes the Acquisition of Simple Signal Inc.

Cloud communications services provider Vonage has finalized the acquisition of Talkin’ Cloud 100 honoree SimpleSignal. In addition, SimpleSignal CEO Dave Gilbert will join Vonage as a special advisor as part of the transaction. Vonage announced plans to buy SimpleSignal for $25.25 million last month.

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Voxbone Appoints Chief Commercial Officer

Voxbone, which provides virtual local phone numbers, has added telecom industry veteran Jason Lawson as its chief commercial officer. Lawson possesses 18 years of telecom industry experience and previously has held senior management positions at Vonage, Vyke Communications and Telecom New Zealand UK. In his new role, Lawson will manage Voxbone’s global sales strategy and marketing and communications initiatives.

Infonetics: Businesses Detail Plans to Move Unified Communications to the Cloud, Name Top Vendors

A new survey from telecom industry research firm Infonetics revealed 93 percent of medium and large North American organizations said they plan to implement video conferencing into their UC solution. The survey also showed that more than 50 percent of respondents will be running some of their UC applications over either a private or public cloud service by next year.

What are your thoughts on this week’s top telecom newsmakers? Share your thoughts about this story in the Comments section below, via Twitter @dkobialka or email me at [email protected].