[NTOP] Internet Telephony Conference & Expo Panelists and Industry Leaders Speak on The Future of IP Telephony:
October 5, 2004
From Simon McIver, Senior Director, Enterprise Solutions, Net2Phone Corporate Communications
Where is VoIP headed?
We see the future of communications as VoIP enabling the communication through multiple networks including cable, DSL, Wifi and wireline technologies worldwide.
At Net2Phone we have always seen VoIP as more than simply phone service, rather as the conduit to convergence. Service providers today, whether they are high-speed data, cable operator or traditional phone service, are all integrating or looking to integrate VoIP into their networks. While they all recognize that in order to remain competitive they must offer bundled services, many do not have the knowledge and expertise to voice-enable their data networks.
In light of that statement, what do you see as the primary need as it relates to VoIP?
There is a global need for VoIP enablers. At this point we see a void in the market for those small and mid sized service providers looking to add VoIP to their mix of products, yet they do not have the size or resources to tackle such an immense undertaking. At Net2Phone, we have established ourselves as the go-to VoIP service provider for other service providers. Our operator partners have been able to deploy VoIP quickly and efficiently, experiencing success with their bundled service rollouts.
Do you think that it is customers that are driving the migration to VoIP, or service providers just looking to keep up with each other?
Firstly, at this point it is pretty much accepted that to remain competitive, service providers must offer VoIP. As for who is driving the migration, it is a little of both. Many small operators have to integrate VoIP in order to remain competitive with their larger counter parts. But in the end, it is consumers and enterprises that are buying these services.
More consumers know what you are talking about when you say 'VoIP', or at least are familiar with the concept of cable telephony and other forms of VoIP. Often now instead of consumers making VoIP phone calls without their knowledge, VoIP is a marketing tool used to attract new customers to a service.
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