You’re likely wondering why I’ve been so quiet. Largely it’s because the news around VoIP seems to be a rehashing of what has been posted here. The stories that have come out continue to revolve around issues we already know about.
For example, the FCC is getting ready to rule of Jeff Pulver’s petition that VoIP is not the same as regular telephony. That’s a great starting point.
Primus, who we have mentioned before, is making noise, and may pose a threat to Vonage. The big issue with their technology remains the need for a static IP address, something the USA cable broadband providers moved away from a few years ago.
At the same time Vonage keeps pushing for no regulation, and drives head on for more subscribers, especially for their all you can talk plan. Coming on top of their raising more cash from two VC firms, CEO Jeffrey Citron has to produce results. Much of the money came from funds looking for late stage investment, meaning almost ready for IPO.
Interoperability is the key word with ITXC. Loaded with bandwidth and connections in different countries. Operatiing SIP and h.323 connecting points, ITXC is pushing their ability to do switching between protocols, in session (meaning during the call).
San Diego based Viper Networks, maker’s of the vPhone, keep expanding. They acquired a bunch of termination points meaning they now have more direct access and thus lower cost to place calls internationally. One guess is they are going first after the exPat market that resides here in the USA.
In Africa it seems VoIP is on the rise. Illegally in some places. Seems eveyone wants some kind of regulation. But where they start, nobody knows.
Stay connected,
Andy Abramson