Hi Patriarch,
I don't think Microsoft/Netscape/Banks is too much a concern here,
since VRSN's business model is totally different from theirs, for
example if microsoft begins to offer CA services, a number of its bigger competitors won't happily go along its path. A real successful player in this space, I think, has to be independent enough that the customer/partner won't feel threatened in other lines of business.
Also, CA business is mainly a business of establishing trust and brand, rather than pure technical merits. Verisign already is the top name in the field, and the insurance against fraud is another solid step towards building trust and brand.
As for the federal postal agency entering the business, they certainly have the trust from consumers, but we are talking about their building the services and infrastructure from ground zero, without the much-needed positioning and partnerships that verisign has already set a firm foot in. |
