Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : Voice-on-the-net (VON), VoIP, Internet (IP) Telephony -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Harp who wrote (2525)	3/1/1999 2:25:00 PM
From: Frank A. Coluccio	Respond to of 3178

Harp, re the absence of cheap stateside PC-to-phone: This reflects the ITSP industry's preference to ignore the less fruitful domestics, in favor of the more lucrative international arbitrage possibilities which still exist. That's where the low hanging fruit is for them. The popularity of PC-to-Phone is a function of both convenience and price. It lacks the necessary convenience, in light of cheap voice now available over POTS. And there is not enough elasticity in domestic per unit revenue for those who would use it at this time to support the lower margins which characterize stateside PC-to-Phone VoIP. Especially with regular POTS, as you've noted, competing very favorably on its own behalf. As the VoIP model gains steam, and as more providers (of all types) become interoperable with one another, this may change. But for the moment, the major ITSPs are going after the big bucks in the international sector. Regards, Frank Coluccio