Quack

I like to be a bit of a trendspotter, accumulating meaningless bits of information, and then bringing them together when, occassionally, something “clicks”. So seeing Microsoft’s IP PBX offering set off one of those alarm bells in my head.

Regular readers will know that (more…)

(this can also be found in the Communications Alliance March 2007 Newsletter)

The Telco Gospel, Chapter 1. In the Beginning, there was Long Distance Resale. And the Resellers saw that the margins were generous, and that arbitrage opportunities abounded. And the Customers saw that discounts were available, and flocked to the Resellers like the seagulls. And the Resellers enjoyed the simplicity of selling everything at a mark-up. And the Regulator saw that it was Good.

Yes, it was good back in those days. (more…)

More than I can recall for the last ten years, we find our industry at a stage of disruptive change. New products like VOIP and HSDPA are threatening to totally change the telecommunications landscape, and do so at all levels.

From a vendor perspective (carrier, service provider, technology provider), this is awfully scary. (more…)

The latest VOIP plans announced by Engin (also here) sound pretty hot - unlimited local and national calls for a very low monthly charge. It’s plans like this that have in the past struck fear into the hearts of resellers. That word “unlimited” has some scary connotations.

So let’s deconstruct this with some cold, hard, mathematics. (more…)