3G video calling with a datacard

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BradJ

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I was wondering if anyone knows of an application that will allow you to make or receive a 3G video call using a webcam on a Windows XP notebook?

Surely it can't be too difficult to write software that could "emulate" the 3G calling functionality of a 3G mobile phone?

I have the u740 HSDPA card
 
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3gmac

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BradJ said:
I was wondering if anyone knows of an application that will allow you to make or receive a 3G video call using a webcam on a Windows XP notebook?

Surely it can't be too difficult to write software that could "emulate" the 3G calling functionality of a 3G mobile phone?

I have the u740 HSDPA card
Click to expand...

I also wanted this.I did find a program called "VT-Call" (from dilithium networks)but it is targeted at OEM's and so is not available to the end user. Seems to do all thats required...come on Vodacom, why don't you bundle this with your data-cards??? At the end of the day the network will make more money because of increased use of its video services: Everone wins
 
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vodacom3g

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3gmac said:
I also wanted this.I did find a program called "VT-Call" (from dilithium networks)but it is targeted at OEM's and so is not available to the end user. Seems to do all thats required...come on Vodacom, why don't you bundle this with your data-cards??? At the end of the day the network will make more money because of increased use of its video services: Everone wins
Click to expand...

Vodafone did OEM this module and it is supposed to appear in a future release of the dashboard.

I've tested an early version of the Vodafone Video Client and it worked fine, I could make a video call from my XP laptop with webcam and 3G card to another similar setup or a 3G handset.

I'll ask for a product roadmap.

What would the intended application be?

Would there be a requirement to gateway to 'normal' VC equipment, so you could VC from your laptop back to the office?
 
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3gmac

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That sounds great! Let us know when it's available... I would like to use it to VC to collegues from my N70 (they are either on Cell C or do not have 3G phones). Another good application would be to load it on the office PC's (if it supports sharing over network) with the Cisco 3G router. It would then enable send\recieve Video calls to everyone on the network...maybe just wishfull thinking as the router would obviously only handle IP traffic :) you no that you're tired when you answer your own questions!

Another route that would accopmplish the same thing is something that Vodafone Spain offers: A broadband to 3G gateway.So anyone online (including ADSL users) can make VC's to 3G phones from there PC's over the net. As I understand
it this is hardware installed on the cell-network, all the user requires is the client software.

Any chance of Vodacom offering this?
 
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vodacom3g

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3gmac said:
That sounds great! Let us know when it's available... I would like to use it to VC to collegues from my N70 (they are either on Cell C or do not have 3G phones). Another good application would be to load it on the office PC's (if it supports sharing over network) with the Cisco 3G router. It would then enable send\recieve Video calls to everyone on the network...maybe just wishfull thinking as the router would obviously only handle IP traffic :) you no that you're tired when you answer your own questions!

Another route that would accopmplish the same thing is something that Vodafone Spain offers: A broadband to 3G gateway.So anyone online (including ADSL users) can make VC's to 3G phones from there PC's over the net. As I understand
it this is hardware installed on the cell-network, all the user requires is the client software.

Any chance of Vodacom offering this?
Click to expand...

Yes, that's what I meant by a gateway.
 
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3gmac

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vodacom3g said:
Yes, that's what I meant by a gateway.
Click to expand...

Sorry I did not know that was what you meant. It would be very usefull to have a facilty like that. As you say it could be used while mobile to VC back to the office. Is there a chance of a gateway service being offered at all? I am sure this would be popular, as surely it would also work out more cost effective to make calls from broadband than from the cell-network.

Thanks for the reply
 
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vodacom3g

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3gmac said:
It would be very usefull to have a facilty like that. As you say it could be used while mobile to VC back to the office. Is there a chance of a gateway service being offered at all? I am sure this would be popular, as surely it would also work out more cost effective to make calls from broadband than from the cell-network.
Click to expand...

It's on the roadmap as a service to be offered. Timing is a function of demand.
 
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Edinetz

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vodacom3g said:
It's on the roadmap as a service to be offered. Timing is a function of demand.
Click to expand...

The anticipated gateway would as I understand it convert 3G Circuit Switched video call to Video Call Standard (H.323?) and not be a VC over IP ("broadband") gateway.
 
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vodacom3g

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Edinetz said:
The anticipated gateway would as I understand it convert 3G Circuit Switched video call to Video Call Standard (H.323?) and not be a VC over IP ("broadband") gateway.
Click to expand...

Why not both? These multi-protocol gateways are available.
 
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Edinetz

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vodacom3g said:
Why not both? These multi-protocol gateways are available.
Click to expand...

I am sure they are but I don't see Vodacom with all its circuit switched infrastructure providing VoIP as a service. The only reason 3G video call uses CS is to try extend the usefulness of the CS infrastructure around the world. Video call could have been implemented as a PS service.
 
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vodacom3g

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Edinetz said:
I am sure they are but I don't see Vodacom with all its circuit switched infrastructure providing VoIP as a service. The only reason 3G video call uses CS is to try extend the usefulness of the CS infrastructure around the world. Video call could have been implemented as a PS service.
Click to expand...

3G uses CS as part of the spec, also with today's non-QoS, when it comes to packet data, a CS connection is the only way to ensure dedicated bandwidth for a video call.

But the future is packet switching, both for voice and video. Actually for everything. No-one, let alone Vodacom, would deny it. The QoS must be sorted though. Today's technology can give QoS on certain sections (the core, for example) but not yet end-to-end.

But we'll get there.
 
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3gmac

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vodacom3g said:
3G uses CS as part of the spec, also with today's non-QoS, when it comes to packet data, a CS connection is the only way to ensure dedicated bandwidth for a video call.

But the future is packet switching, both for voice and video. Actually for everything. No-one, let alone Vodacom, would deny it. The QoS must be sorted though. Today's technology can give QoS on certain sections (the core, for example) but not yet end-to-end.

But we'll get there.
Click to expand...

It all comes down to what the service is worth to the customer. If the customer is prepared to adopt VC over IP with it's inherent current problems\shortcomings - but perhaps at a lower price than a CS VC then I am sure it would be worth while for a any Cellphone Network to offer this as a service. Technology will always advance quicker when it is in widespread use (even if that use is somewhat limited) - it just comes down to economys of scale. As you say PS is here to stay,so adopting it early can only be to a network providers advantage. Anyway, what we are talking about here is a gateway service, it does not replace the existing CS network, it merely suplements it.
 
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vodacom3g

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3gmac said:
It all comes down to what the service is worth to the customer. If the customer is prepared to adopt VC over IP with it's inherent current problems\shortcomings - but perhaps at a lower price than a CS VC then I am sure it would be worth while for a any Cellphone Network to offer this as a service. Technology will always advance quicker when it is in widespread use (even if that use is somewhat limited) - it just comes down to economys of scale. As you say PS is here to stay,so adopting it early can only be to a network providers advantage. Anyway, what we are talking about here is a gateway service, it does not replace the existing CS network, it merely suplements it.
Click to expand...

So we're in complete agreement? :)

Btw, you don't really need Vodacom to do VC over IP....
 
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3gmac

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vodacom3g said:
So we're in complete agreement? :)

Btw, you don't really need Vodacom to do VC over IP....
Click to expand...

I was lazy to type - I meant VC from PS to CS as in a PC being able to make a VC to a 3G cellphone.

Oh well, at least we're all on the same page then, of course if you ever need a customer to trial run such a service you know where to look ;)
 
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vodacom3g

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I'll ask the product guys what the going rate is (in ale units) to become a tester.....
 
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3gmac

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Cool, as long as thats all it will take
:eek:
 
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bgb

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There was a post a while ago about software called Multinet (?) that allowed for this.

Can't remember the link anymore, it will be somewhere in the earlier posts.
 
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