AOL opens up, Yahoo outsources PSTN interfaces

AOL has introduced Open Voice APIs to allow third-party developers and VoIP device manufactures to integrate the AIM Call Out service into softphones, SIP-enabled hardware and cell phones with WiFi connectivity. Meanwhile, Yahoo was outsourcing its PSTN interworkings to Jajah.

AIM Call Out is a pay-as-you go outbound voice calling service built into AIM that lets users make calls to landlines and cell phones, with call credits purchased for as little as $5. The service complements the freebie PC-to-PC AIM Talk voice service. AOL hopes to facilitate real-time communications and rack up a few dollars in voice minutes.

Yahoo Messenger voice calls that touch the PSTN--either inbound or outbound--will now be handled by Jajah. Yahoo is closing down its in-house infrastructure and Jajah will now provide the services for Yahoo's for-pay "Phone In" and "Phone Out" features starting in the third quarter of 2008. Jajah will be responsible for the network infrastructure, providing customer support, and processing the payments.

Jajah brags it has 10 million users and will gain access to a potential audience of 97 million Yahoo Messenger users. The company also announced it is opening up its voice platform and offering strategic managed service solutions.

For more:
- AOL talks about AOL Open Voice APIs
- CNET blog on Jajah taking over Yahoo's PSTN infrastructure

Related articles:
Yahoo follows AIM's VoIP lead 
Jajah - Fierce VoIP Top 10 
Jajah hooks up with eHarmony