Thom,
Sure, I've heard of internet phone. I don't think it will put
the LD companies out of business. At least not until they work
better, have a common standard, are easier to use, and a lot more
reasons. The concept of moving a PC to also function as a phone
will not be a major impact to the LD industry. However, the concept
of moving the phone to a smart phone (one with the capability of
using the internet) will have the potiential of being a serious
threat to LD providers.
If the internet is going to be the place that media transmission is
moved to, then the LD company better buy AOL. Currently AT&T is
moving to get into the local line service - if they were to buy AOL,
they would be able to offer local line service, internet service, and
LD service (a complete package of integrated services) to all their
customers. And, the purchase of AOL would bring over 7,000,000
customers immediatly into that domain.
Also, the local RBOCs are moving to get into the LD service - if one
of them were to buy AOL, they would also be able to offer a complete
package of integrated services to their customers.
Think about it! There are local line providers, LD providers, and
internet providers. If there were all from the same company, they
would be able to offer package discounts etc. and many people would
go to them just to have one company to deal with.
Again, Are you long? Short? Or on the sidelines of AOL? Maybe
your one of the folks that bought in the $60's and sold in the
$20's. Fess up - where are you comming from?
al |
