Smith On VoIP

I am asked quite frequently by peers and colleagues what I think is in store for the VoIP industry for 2007 and beyond. Typically, I shy away from these types of discussions, as they leave you open for trouble, but in the spirit of many other VoIP bloggers offering their predictions, I thought I would offer up some predictions for 2007 in the VoIP industry.

2007: The Year of VoIP Mergers and Acquisitions

With VoIP prices falling to zero and the rash of VoIP service providers going out of business, I believe you are going to see many middle tier VoIP service providers acquire smaller VoIP service providers or merge with other mid-tier VoIP service providers. The result of this will be a stabilization of prices and a much healthier service provider sector.

2007: The Year Wireless VoIP Goes Big

Wireless, Wi-Fi, and Cordless VoIP was the one of the fastest growing segments of the VoIP equipment industry. There are numerous VoIP hardware vendors that are poised to bring exciting next generation wireless (both Wi-Fi and DECT) VoIP solutions to the market early in 2007. Wireless networks will also see a rash of new products designed to increase the mobility of users within wide-area wireless networks that require multiple access points. One of the big limitations of small medium enterprise wireless VoIP use has been the ability to move from one access point to another with seemlessly without droping a call. So far the cost of these systems have been outside of the reach of most SME’s. In 2007 you will see many of these wireless network managment systems that allow for seemless transitions between access points come to market at price points that make them accessable for most small medium enterprises.

2007: Rough Waters For Asterisk Based IP PBX Systems

Outside of some of the more established players like Fonality and SwitchVox, i believe there will be a large number of Asterisk based IP PBX providers leaving the space.

Why?

The cards are stacked against them. With the newest release of AsteriskNow and the ever popular TrixBox solution, the open-source community and the companies behind them are pushing these solutions to the brink of plug-n-play ability for anyone who has a little bit of technical savvy. Unless these IP PBX providers can build more value and functionality into their solution and service, they will be fighting a losing battle. It is tough to compete with free.

2007: Big Changes For Me

Hey, I had to get one of my predictions right!

I predict that you will see me release a new site dedicated to an emerging communications industry closely related to VoIP. I predict you will see Smith On VoIP grow from it’s present state to a much broader community utilizing a number of different mediums. This will increase not only the scope of the site, but also deliver greater value to the sites users. Finally, I see a changing of roles as I take the next step in my career. For me, this is the most exciting prediction.

With that I wish all of you a very Happy New Years!

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