There’s little doubt that broadband and the Web are changing the complexion not only of data and video, but also of voice services. And it’s not just by enabling companies like Vonage to deliver VoIP.

The move to IP and Web services also means that voice can be combined quickly and easily with various other applications to create communications capabilities that seem entirely new. For service providers, that can mean faster time to market with new and interesting services, potentially higher revenue and new avenues through which to build customer loyalty.

Of course, “mashup” is a relatively new term referring to the combination of multiple services or applications, as mentioned above. Examples of mashups include calling and messaging launched from instant messenger programs and click-to-call from Web sites.

Among the companies that offer tools to address service providers’ need to deliver new VoIP-related services quickly and affordably, and with the ability to tweak services as needed, is LignUp Corp., which sells the LignUp Communications Application Server. This app server streamlines application creation by providing a framework for using, creating, exposing and managing VoIP-based Web services, which serve as reusable software blocks for building communications-enabled applications.

Meanwhile, Jaduka, an Austin, Texas-based company owned by NetworkIP, in 2004 introduced APIs, which were developed initially for NetworkIP, to the public. Just this year the company began publicizing the availability of its APIs, which are free on the Internet. By creating their own applications with Jaduka’s APIs or working with third-party independent software developers, service providers can offer enterprise customers a broader service offering.

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