SPOTLIGHT: MilSpec VoIP

General Dynamics has named PacStar a reseller of its Sectera vIPer secure VoIP and PSTN phone system, highlighting the proliferation of VoIP into the military and government sectors.

GD's vIPer is replacing secure telephone and terminal equipment (STU and STE) units currently in use by the Department of Defense, the military, and its allies and is described by reseller PacStar as a "cost-effective" replacement for the STU and STE.  GD is also not above using the same tricks the local retailer will use; trade in a currently deployed STU or SCE phone and receive $200 off the price of a new Sectera vIPer phone (offer good until Jan 31, 2009).

The Sectera vIPer phone is compatible with Cisco SCCP VoIP networks and can be easily upgraded for PSTN and SIP VoIP networks. PSTN availability is expected later this year while SIP availability is expected in 2Q09; don't want known security issues to appear in the Top Secret world.

For more:
- GD's spec sheet on the Sectera vIPer [1]

Related articles:
Carriers eye military deals worth $24 billion [2]
VoIP Leaks [3] from NAB
VoIP Security [4] and the Circle of Trust