VoIPWatch

EuroTelcoblog's James Enck Now Has Skype IN

EuroTelcoblog's James Enck now has a Skype In Number. So do I.

So far I've gotten voice mail from two people I do not know who dialed my number incorrectly.

Jeff Pulver's VoN Recap

Jeff has class. He took the time to really express how he felt towards everyone, and summarize a great event. This is what separates Pulver from all the rest in conferences and trade shows. He just cares.

Skype, SkypeOut, Codecs and ATAs

Aswath Weblog: Skype, SkypeOut, Codecs and ATAs is more critical analysis from Aswath. He has this uncanny knack of being able to explain the technical to the business related notes that so many less technical bloggers like me know have implications. That's why I always read Aswath..

End of the ATA

Om has a post today about the end of the ATA. At our blogger panel I posed this questions, based on Aswath raising my consciousness by challenging the conventional think of the carriers.

Samsung WiFi Fone

Engadget has a new Samsung phone mentioned on their web site. I like the style and look and hope to see the phone make it to market.

EuroTelcoblog Breaks The Skype Out News

EuroTelcoblog's James Enck, aka, das Enkstermeister, has broken the news (and possibly the embargo I was asked to keep by the High Priestess of Skype in the USA Kelly Larabee). SkypeOut now has a million paid users, getting a less than great experience with sound despite GIPS being in place.

According to well placed Skype sources the problem isn't so much SKYPE and their partners like Level2 1/2, um I mean 3 and COLT as it is the carriers on the termination side...Right...and I've got a bridge in Brooklyn for sale too...

Om Malik's VoN Reflections

Om Malik on Broadband writes about the Vonage IPO and other VoN 2005 Reflections in his post today.

Actually there are a lot of me too products. What's cool about VON though is the still community feeling that exists and the nice people who make up the industry one gets to know. I remain convinced that the team working at AT&T like Katherine Bagin, Chris Wood and Gary Morgenstern are all still not caught up in the corporate VoIP mind set that many others would be. They have the same passion as Dave Epstein and his wife Angela, who along with Les Berry drive Broadvoice, a company that I'm cheering for just because they're smart, and nice at the same time. Then there's the boys from the great White North, from XTEN. Bruce and Erik (who was away on his honeymoon), Mark and others are always still like the wide eyed kids on their first ride in dad's car, always wanting you to see what's new. Then of course there is the Pulver Clan, family members and extended family members who over the years have become fixtures at VoN. Say what you will about Jeff, love him or not for the stands he's taken, he's very loyal and remembers his friends and family better than most CEOs. Jeff's team, from Scott Kargman and Carl Ford on down, along with Jonathan Askin and many more all are so passionate about what they do, dealing with them is like working with a VoIP Fan Club as much as it is a business. Their enthusiasm is infectious and their welcoming attitude warming to the heart.

A few years ago I wasn't "the VoIP Insider" that I've become. At VON events I feel that way. A lot of this has to do with Jeff and his open approach to making the conference great.

Speaking of great, as a PR guy and member of the media I'd be remiss if I didn't say what a great job Todd and Susan did at this most recent VON. They managed the press, and the press room flawlessly. Their regular updated media lists and their access was just perfect.

So while Om moans and groans about the less than sexy aspects of VoN, I found the event worthwhile for both personal and professional reasons.

Packet 8 Shareholders Upset? I'd say Yes !

I got word that a dissident group of Packet 8 shareholders are stating to circulate a letter to get the leader of P8 removed by the shareholders. Seems one of the upset many is frustrated that after all the time the company has been in the VoIP business they only have 40,000 subs or so he lamented back to me.

While this is only a planned effort the fact that I was asked where they could find stats on the growth of VoIP and which carrier has how many subscribers after one told me of the plan is enough for me to say, SOMEONE IS VERY UPSET.

Call Everywhere from Belkin

I have to admit, at first I was skeptical about Belkin's entry into the VoIP business, but after my meeting yesterday with their product manager I'm thinking they may have the right stuff to succeed with CallEverywhere.

While they're pushing both a wholesale and retail model, it's their X-TEN adaptation of the softphone that was super impressive. What's more their very elegant backend and highly intuitive, dare I say Mac like interface and features has all that CallVantage and Vonage have to offer and more.

It's a robust offering from a company that most of all understands distribution. Belkin's relationship with retailers like Frys, CompUSA and others is right up there with Linksys. One has to wonder why Linksys, with all that Cisco already has in their arsenal didn't go in this direction.

Belkin's big win will come when a Wal*Mart dumps Packet8 and goes with this less expensive and more robust offering.

CallEverywhere can be found at http://www.everywhere.net/

Parasites @ VON and Other Shows

I've held off on this post because I wanted a good night's sleep to recharge and so I can think more clearly and away from the hoopla that made this year's VON great.

But to give you background everything I'm about to say comes from over 30 years of experience in marketing. All kinds of marketing ranging from sports and entertainment, consumer, trade, events, technical and yes, even charity oriented efforts.

Along the way I've marketing big brands, small, brands and new and emerging brands. In a nutshell I've played the role to build brands by generating exposure. I've lectured, and taught others how to do new and innovative concepts, and broken rules along the way because I could. I've trumped the Goliath as a David, toppled the title holders of events in pro sports and have even been called "Ambush Andy" when I presented at Event Marketing Summits, so even I'm surprised at myself at the level some companies have stooped to when it comes to marketing at VON.

While I subscribe to the adage that "all is fair in love and war" there are some places where I draw the line. VON is one of them and as such the same boundaries have to apply at Internet Telephony.

Jeff Pulver and his crew have a very "we want to work with you attitude." So does Rich Tehrani over at Internet Telephony, and neither of them really ever say "well for so much money we'll let you do _________." They both find ways to let their sponsors, exhibitors and speakers get as much exposure as possible. That's why, when I first realized what I was seeing at Internet Telephony, and it was magnified at VON, I saw RED. Not because I can't do what I saw, but because I used the philosophy when talking to clients and others that these two events are more about community and family, and if you're part of it, you don't work to to tear it down.

What I've witnessed at VON and Internet Telephony were some companies using a licensing affiliation with an exhibitor to make a presence or announcements from the shows or indicate they were at the show. I also saw many a large company forego a booth at the shows and hold meetings in hotel suites adjacent to the venues. These two examples, and there are others. That type of behavior if multiplied by many other companies will only result in the shows going way.

As a smart marketer I figure out how to accomplish all the same things the ambush artists tried, and more, while still being a part of the family, making it a win-win for all...