Telecommunications Trends

• The Cable Guys Offer IT Services

  Cable broadband provider Comcast recently joined forces with Microsoft to provide free e-mail, calendaring, and document sharing services to small business customers. What’s in it for your business?
  Todd Wasserman

• Will Open Cell Phone Networks Mean Business Benefits?

  Cellular phone networks have traditionally been 'closed' or proprietary networks, locking your business into carriers for years using the phones they certify. A bunch of technology giants, led by Google, want to change that.
  Mary O. Foley

• Wi-MAX: A Viable Alternative to DSL or Cable?

  Wi-MAX is the sister technology to Wi-Fi, but it has wider area coverage. It's already up and running in such major cities as San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. Is it an option for small and midsize businesses?
  Renee Oricchio

• Tech to Track Workers: Pros and Cons

  A growing number of wireless technologies -- such as GPS and RFID – let businesses to track workers, deliveries of time-sensitive information, and even company vehicles. But does this help or hurt business?
  Mary O. Foley

• Does it Pay to Buy Managed Services from Telcos?

  Telecommunications companies that traditionally provided your voice telephone service are now peddling a variety of other managed services for business, such as VoIP, security, e-mail, and networking. Should you buy?
  Caroline Waxler

• Time to Accept Contactless Payments?

  Large chains the likes of Exxon Mobil, Arby's, CVS, and other top retailers now accept contactless payments. But should small and mid-sized retailers also spring for the cost of new payment readers and software?
  Alice Osborn

• Dialing for Dollars: Open Source or Virtual PBX?

  Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) has created new options for the private branch exchange (PBX) that connects business offices with the public telephone network. Should your PBX be Web-hosted or open source?
  Mary O. Foley

• Dialing All Businesses: Time for a Call Center

  Small and mid-size businesses have traditionally faced challenges when considering call center solutions -- namely cost, staffing and technical expertise. But the benefits may tip the balance by helping you manage customer interactions.
  Renee Oricchio

• VoIP: What Are You Waiting For?

  Small and mid-size businesses have been suspicious of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), according to surveys. Here are reasons why the time is right to switch from landline phone service.
  Mary O. Foley

• The Future of Small Business Telephony Is Here: And It's VoIP

  Flexibility, effectiveness, and savings make voice over Internet protocol a better alternative for business than traditional phone service.
  Andrea Peiro

• The Brave New World of Telecom

  Deregulation of the 1990s backfired and left fewer traditional phone service choices, but wireless and VoIP created more options than ever for small and mid-size business.
  Damon Brown

• How to Choose a Long-Distance Plan

  Being able to connect with customers, investors and employees in far-flung locations is important for business but there are more choices in telecom than ever.
  Damon Brown