Time to Change the Channel

This is the first in a series on the VoIP equipment channel designed to educate, bring transparency and inspire change for the good of all channel members.

As a kid I was addicted to cartoons.

I remember every day for lunch I followed the same routine. I would turn the TV to the Flintstones.

Mom would bring me a  peanut butter and jelly sandwich and big class of milk. For the next hour I’d laugh aloud and mow down my meal.

All was good in my world.

This wasn’t always the case. Every now and again the snow would come.

I’m not talking about the white stuff that Buffalo is known for. I’m talking about the blizzard that takes over your screen when your signal sucks.

Fred and Barney lived in Bedrock, not the North Pole.

Not one to subject myself to an obstructed view I would reluctantly and often with great sadness sulk my way to the TV and change the channel.

Fast forward 20 plus years and I find myself watching another channel suffering from obstruction and a sucky signal – the VoIP channel. Except this time I can’t just change it.

Changing this channel is no one man job.

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Quality Vs Reliability

Late last week while enjoying some fantastic Mexican food for pal Cory Andrews‘ birthday, a discussion about high definition (HD) calling broke out.

Likely spurned by the recent completion of VoIP Supply’s own internal HD voice implementation, the discussion centered on the current applications and future promise of the technology. You’re sure to bet that we’re high on the HD voice.

However it isn’t the promise of HD VoIP calling that is left ringing in my head days later. It’s a statement that Cory made in regards to quality versus reliability.

Given a choice most people would choose call reliability over call quality.

It’s still ringing in my head because if this is true -  and personal experience tells it is – it means customers will choose the most reliable service over one that sounds the best. In other words,

Given a choice most people would choose the reliability of the PSTN over the great sound of HD VoIP (all other things constant)

Perhaps a bit extreme, but  today VoIP service reliability is still an issue.Yet it’s the thing most people look for first in a service.

Which makes me wonder why there isn’t more enthusiasm from the industry at large around delivering more reliable VoIP service (and a missed opportunity to maximize wideband telephony’s potential).

After all doesn’t 100% reliability really sound the best?

5 Trends Spotted at IT Expo West

There was a lot going on last week at IT Expo.From the interesting talks about smart grid technology to well trafficked expo floor it was evident that the industry at large is still alive, kicking and poised for more growth.There were also a five trends that I spotted after three days of meeting and conversing.

1. Service Bubble – The show was dominated by VoIP service offerings- wholesale and retail alike. Yes there is money in VoIP services, but how many VoIP service providers can survive? Surely not as many as there are right now.
2. Microsoft OCS – Looks like all of the advertising, trials, betas and prodding is starting to work for Microsoft. Especially in the education sector. Seems like every CPE manufacturer is quickly trying to figure out their “OCS strategy.”
3. Creative Growth – Companies are growing, but the fast growth for most is coming through creative avenues. Case in point PAETEC’s announcement that they’re getting into the energy business. A $200 million plus per year revenue opportunity for them (that’s just through existing customers).
4. Fax Over IP – There are plenty of new entrants into this space. Unfortunately it seems that the same complications and issues that have plagued the technology still exist. One promising player is FaxSIPIt, which offers it’s own IP-based FAX network. Hopefully someone will get Fax over IP right one of these days!
5. HD Voice – Wideband Telephony support is no longer a luxury. Everyone has it. Well everyone except you and I. But at least all new VoIP equipment will support it.

At the show and see something I missed? Let me know about it in the comments.

15 NEW VoIP headsets hitting USB ports (and desktop phones)

There’s 15 new VoIP headset models hitting the USB ports of softphone users and the 2.5mmm jacks of a desktop VoIP phones with one model that’s set to drop this September from Jabra that’s sure to be an instant hit.

VXI Corp looks to the mid-market with latest offerings

Popular, yet perennial underdog VXI Corp has recently released two new series in their line of VoIP headsets.The Tria series  models (Tria G, Tria V, Tria P) are convertible headsets that can be worn three different ways with the Passport 21 models (Passport 21G, Passport 21V, Passport 21P)  styled in the more traditional binaural (dual ear) form.

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Desktop VoIP phones still highly relevant

You’ve got to hand it to Dave Michels. He’s got a way with words.

His cryptic prophecy for the desktop VoIP phone has many within the VoIP equipment space talking. Being heavily entrenched in the equipment space, I’ve been asked by many executives what I thought about Dave’s prophecy.

Rather than respond individually, I figured I’d post my thoughts here.

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Where’s the cash at?

A recent IDC survey has shed some light on just how bad the lack of credit availability has affected VAR’s.

It’s an unfortunate consequence of the spoiled economy. One that has affected every level of the channel – from manufacturer to the end user.

Ironically enough the middleman is actually being squeezed at both ends.

As VAR’s struggle to capitalize themselves, they’ve also got to fight competitors and manage ROI requirements of customers that force margins ever downward.

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Price or support?

When it comes to consumer VoIP service you can’t have your cake and eat it too. If you want service at low price with more features than a traditional land line it will come with trade-offs.

That’s why Robert Mitchell’s account of his dealings with Vonage’s technical support was interesting to read.

It’s a textbook case on the trade-offs that come with the usage of VoIP. And a look into what VoIP providers deal with when consumers expectations exceed their budgets.