Archive November 2009
The new snom M9 cordless IP phone

snom is due to launch the new M9 cordless phone in January 2010, and it looks to replace the current snom M3 model. While the snom M3 had a certain appeal the flush buttons were difficult to function and the finish gave the phone a plastic, cheap feel. On face value the biggest change with the M9 seems to be the new keypad with raised keys and a slightly more contemporary look.
At the end of the day however its whats on the inside thats most important, and this is really where the new snom M9 seems to show some good improvements. Firstly, and most importantly, the firmware has completely changed to incorporate the snom software, as apossed to the third party interface used previously. This means that features like mass provisioning and Microsoft OCS integration will now be supported on the phone like all other snom models.
Another change is that now a total of 4 simultaneous calls are supported (previously 3), and a total of 9 handsets can be registered to a single base station. Other features are pretty much the same as previous M3 model or any standard DECT cordless handset.
At this stage the snom M9 looks like a great replacement to current snom M3 with a couple of nice new upgrades and feature additions. It is however still targeted to the SME business and it would be great to see further development in the product in the future to incorporate more corporate solutions such as roaming/handover between base stations. We wait in anticipation!
Local company Far South launches revolutionary Asterisk product
Far South Networks, a local development house based in Cape Town, has launched an interesting interface product for Asterisk.

The rack-mount ‘gateway’ is a telco interface adapter for Asterisk based PBX solutions available in various configurations including analog, BRI and PRI. It is similar to the Xorcom range of channel banks with the main differece being that the Far South iTA connects to the LAN rather than via USB and it also includes hardware echo cancellation, a definate requirement for SA analog lines!
Will be interesting to see how the product does in the Asterisk space against other interface options such as Digium and Sangoma. Apparently some further products are due to be launched by Far South Networks in the coming months… stay tuned!
The official release below:
Local VoIP hardware distributor, Even Flow Distribution, has announced a distribution partnership agreement with Far South Networks, a South African telecommunications development company. Together, the companies will be releasing a range of homegrown telephony products which compete effectively against international offerings in this space.
Far South Networks is a South African electronics design and development house, which provides network access and telephony solutions within the telecommunications sector. These solutions range from voice telephony, data and Voice over IP (VoIP) networks to consumer electronics devices.
“With over 40 years experience in the industry, Far South, is bringing to market a product range that will be well supported due to the real value that the products offer, and the benefits of local support and regionalised product development,” says Adrian Bush, managing director of Even Flow.
The first product announced is the Far South Comma iTA, a line interface adapter targeted at open source Asterisk telephony market. The versatile product is available in various configurations including analogue and digital interfaces, incorporates hardware echo cancellation on all ports and is ICASA approved.
“As a telecommunications equipment vendor, it is crucial that Far South Networks take our product line to market through established distribution networks. It is for this reason that we have partnered with Even Flow, who has established itself as a reliable and consistent distributor of telephony products in South Africa, contributing a significant value-add through service and technical support,” says Grant Broomhall, co-founder of Far South Networks.
“Our existing product line contributes significant new technologies in the open telephony space, enabling telephony service providers to differentiate themselves in local and international markets” he adds.
A range of converged telecommunication products that are likely to shake up the local telecommunications industry will soon be available through Even Flow as part of the agreement.
“Far South Networks is at the forefront of telephony solutions in South Africa and, with products built to unique SA specifications, we anticipate that they will garner considerable interest from local businesses while still holding global appeal,” says Bush.
About Far South Networks
Founded in 2006 by electronic engineers, Grant Broomhall and Michael Walton, Far South boasts a total of 40 years of award winning experience in the industry. In March 2008, Far South Networks was awarded a technology grant from the Industrial Development Corporations’ Support Program for Industrial Innovation (SPII) for the development of their telephony product range.
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- The new snom M9 review, some nice new upgrades and feature additions http://www.voipblog.co.za/2009/11/the-new-snom-m9-cordless-ip-phone/
- Cheeky move by SA's biggest operators... the interconnect rate debate continues http://tinyurl.com/yjtxfem
- Astricon 2009 announcements and interview with Mark Spencer, CTO Digium http://tinyurl.com/yfqmj5w
- snom now supports TR-069 standard for remote VoIP device management http://tinyurl.com/ygu2g7x
- ICASA: Empty promises or a step in the right direction? http://tinyurl.com/nqnja2