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February 28, 2007
Jeff comes to VON Mexico
Jeff has been traveling a lot as you can tell by his blog post from VON Mexico.
I sat with him for a few minutes and he was wiped. We had press interviews and of course the luncheon.
Jeff did a noble effort and spoke well to the issues happening in Mexico and the need for more rapid adoption of VoIP and IP Communications in general.
When you first plan to go somewhere you don't realize the conflict that come into your life.
Jeff's talks were on the money for what I am hearing elsewhere.
If its not that Skype and VoIP are being blocked, its certainly a case that the Internet backbone needs improved engineering.
If you want to spur the economy the use of IP communications is strategic and needs to be encouraged.
Ultimately there is one Internet and its understandable that the migration is slow, but if more competition can be fostered better infrastructure will occur. Its sort of Ironic.
Posted by carl at 07:09 AM | Comments (0)
February 27, 2007
High Deal On the way to VON Mexico
Sometimes fate steps and sees you through.
I flew down to Mexico on Continental next to Camilla Dahlen High Deal's CEO. She is good people, but constantly has issues getting a speaking slot from me.
Don't get me wrong personally I like talking to her and I did for about 2 of the six hours on the plane.
We talked about rating engines, the current state of the market place. The fact that customization of solutions is always required.
Why VON is the conference for High Deal and what others she likes.
We also shared some of issues with others, but I will refrain from naming names. Only speak well is my goal, and with Camilla its easy to maintain that.
The one real question is to how highlight Back End Support Systems.
One answer maybe to point out that there is a movement to bring these systems into the front end devices.
Processing is cheap so why not take advantage of it.
In the discussion, I was trying to see what added the value to placing it in the device itself. Does it make a real (time) application to add value, and if so would that not benefit from the network making it context aware?
I would like to hear from anyone thinking about rating issues.
Posted by carl at 06:41 PM | Comments (0)
February 26, 2007
The Telecom Market in Mexico Q and A
1. Growth expectations in the short term for the Internet Protocol in Mexico?
Mexico’s Internet is expanding. With more than 200,000 websites using the .com.mx domain and with over half of the federal and state agencies running websites to service Mexicans we can point to a growing virtual economy.
Over two thirds of the people using the Internet are doing so via cafes and other shared resources. This makes it hard to benefit from always being on the Internet.
This pent up demand that has given birth to these websites and portals indicate the market is ready to explode if the economics of use were changed.
2. When is WiMax going to become a reality in our country?
Its coming slowly to the US as well. Lots of promises but the real question is, what will you being using with it? With cellular today we use cell-phones. With WiFi we use laptops. What does WiMAX mean to how a person accesses the network? Will the price point change the consumers’ device?
3. What is the future for IP Communications worldwide? Innovations, advances, new solutions?
Right now in Europe the major trend is in wireless call arbitrage. Companies such as JaJa, Rebtel and Truphone are all focused on reducing the rates for wireless settlement. In the US the trends are toward “tossable” digits (where phone numbers are used for a specific purpose and then thrown away) and also contextual calling where people are reaching out to their buddies and making profiles that allow advance forms of distinctive ringing and call forwarding.
Asia and Europe have well established triple play strategies that are being deployed, some of which treat phone services as a give away.
4. What kind of infrastructure or technology is necessary to have an optimal IPTV service in our country?
Cable competition is not very significant and its unclear that IPTV is the logical investment when two times more people have wireless phones than fixed line services. It may be that mobile video and services like MediaFlo are the future of IPTV in Mexico
5. Top benefits of VoIP for enterprises?
At this stage of Mexico’s digital development, I would say that the biggest value is internal to the company. Making a common infrastructure that can be managed by the same group is a strong benefit.
However, I am well aware that many use Skype to have cheap International calls and VPNs to make connectivity available beyond their own local boundaries.
6. How easy is for SMB to have that kind of technology?
It can be pretty hard to deploy the technology, but I have seen some bundles of service where four phones and a wireless router are provided that could be significant savings for a company that was looking to use DSL or cable to connect to the Internet.
Given the domain growth, it’s clear that more people are getting email. In the near future that email name could be used to “dial” a call. Maybe Mexico will be a leader in that use of domains.
7. Percentage of cost efficiency for companies using this technology and average time to ROI?
Depends on where their costs are. If they have significant toll cost it can be three months, if they are gaining productivity from VoIP within the enterprise its proably in the 2 year range. But it is legitimate and it will have added value as the Internet expands in Mexico.
8. Main challenges for the IPTV's implementation in Mexico?
Lack of broadband. Licensing issues. Other regulatory woes.
For Voice the lack of broadband makes it so that Skype is one of the few voice services that can be used universally, though I don’t know if people are bringing headsets with microphones to the Internet Café. People should be aware that Google has the same codec.
9. How is the end user's market behavior?
I think the Internet is generating new behaviors for end users. And I think it will continue to do so. Internet Cafes will become less significant as Internet access becomes a municipal service. They wont go away because they have other value socially.
10. Is the mexican market ready, financially and culturally for these new technologies?
No one is ready. But its exciting and makes it interesting to get up in the morning and find out what is new.
11. What's the role of mexican regulations for the successful adoption of these technologies?
The best thing the Mexican government can do is what it is already doing adopt the technologies. As the government embraces the technology more people will benefit by watching, and expecting that the private sector can be reached the same way the government can be contacted.
Additionally the disparities in the economy also making it likely that shared resources are going to be a part of the mix. Promotion of services that are available to everyone like hosted voice mail and virtual numbers should be considered either as a government objective or a desired market for regulators to promote.
12. How was the adoption process in other countries, and what differences would you expect to find in the mexican market?
Mexico has less telecom penetration than many of the early adopters such as Sweden. Mexico is the gateway for all Latin America. It has needs for better services internally and full reach internationally simultaneously. Unfortunately this translates often into more international connectivity than local connectivity.
13. What industries will get more benefits by implementing these technologies?
Many companies have opened call centers using VoIP in Mexico and that has provided jobs in a variety of business sectors. Vertical markets such as financial, healthcare and government services are always good at benefiting from the technology early.
Any company with more than two locations should immediately consider VoIP.
14. What kind of safety measures should be considered in this adoption?
The Internet is a hard place to police. If you run your own mail server you are managing a security policy that you should replicate for your IP phone service. If you are not running your own mail server, its worth considering people who host VoIP as well.
15. Which are the mexican market trends in Telecomm?
Wireless is the trend, WiMAX and VoIP are ripples in the wave in comparison for today. However, they deserve attention because they may be the stronger current in the long run.
16. Are end users ready for these new technologies?
My wife and kids don’t come to me to see what’s cool. They go to the Internet. Technologies are adopted because they have benefit and are easy to use. If you have that the end user is always ready.
Posted by carl at 04:19 PM | Comments (0)
February 24, 2007
VON Japan 06 session ideas
Track 1: Age of Video: Rich Media in Instant Messaging
Video has been applied to instant messaging and has not only been associated with seeing each other but also is being displayed with innovative software. The Instant Messaging world is alive with millions of video users. This panel looks at the how, the when and the why of rich media on IM.
Track 2: Voice over Everything: Dual Mode Reality
Where do we stand on the implementation of dual mode phones. Do we have solutions that are completed and deployed? Are they being driven by carriers, enterprises or the vendor community? Are new standards needed to make the solutions viable for general use or should we assume that islands of services are available.
14:15 PM - 14:45 PM Break
14:45 PM - 16:00 PM Breakout Sessions
Track 1: Age of Video: Standards Update
The good news about standards is that we have so many of them. What is the implication of the competing video standards on the delivery of new services. While the world talks about convergence is are the networks going to diverge when it comes to video. Are medial services going to have new trans-media functions to provide in this new age of Video.
Track 2: Voice over Everything: DoCoMo Lessons
NTT is the most successful company at rolling out new services and making money at it. For years the industry has claimed that NTT’s experience was unique, but now the IP Multimedia Subsystems seem to offer the opportunity for all carriers to replicate NTT’s success. Is the walled garden of services a reality, or will third parties be the ultimate benefactors of fixed mobile convergence.
Posted by carl at 08:06 PM | Comments (0)
February 23, 2007
Anyone want to speak in these?
Track 1: Age of Video: TV over IP
What makes the triple play appealling? Are the services being offered by Yahoo!BB being adopted because of the pricing bundles or are the features and functions more compelling? Are we about to see a next generation of technology for TV services. What is the implication for HDTV and consumer equipment in the home?
Track 2: Voice over Everything: Voice in the Enterprise
iPBXs and Hosted Voice services are competing for the enterprises customer. Japan is the home of many of the most innovative ipbx manufacturers. Should we expect the edge to be totally owned by the equipment manufacturers, or does the Internet make distribution easier for hosting and allow the sales channel.
Posted by carl at 08:04 PM | Comments (0)
February 22, 2007
Wireless The Good the Bad the Ugly
Wireless The Good the Bad the Ugly
The Cost of mobility
Bucket of Minutes Pricing
Cross Elastic Effects
Quality - These are Cheap Minutes
Lessons of Hurricane Floyd
Lessons of Katrina
Wireless Broadband lets adopt everything
Posted by carl at 07:45 PM | Comments (0)
February 21, 2007
And in Conclusion
The kitchen Sink or the Dog's breakfast
Power is everything.
Battery and Green Processing.
Just in case you meet a VC
Money is not everything
The ebb and flow of good ideas.
Posted by carl at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
February 20, 2007
Two Degrees Part 2
Kazaa Skype
Skype Ebay
Ebay XMPP
Skype's API
Skype Joost
Posted by carl at 07:55 PM | Comments (0)
February 19, 2007
Two Degrees Part 1
The iPhone Is the biggest disappointment
Strange bedfellows all Cable's legacy.
Att Apple
Disney Apple
Disney Sprint
Posted by carl at 07:53 PM | Comments (0)
February 16, 2007
Looking for updates
Track 1: Age of Video: Video Collaboration
A picture is worth a thousand words which is good since it takes up more bandwidth! What is the impact of video when people collaborate. Are meetings more effective. Are points made easier? Are collaboration servers focusing on the same objects or do is the industry in motion? This panel looks at collaborative services and how they are being adopted.
Track 2: Voice over Everything: WiFi & WiMax
Voice over WiFi has impacted different implementations in the marketplace for both service providers and enterprises. This panel looks at the implications for both vertical markets and for general service offerings. Is WiMax an alternative to 3GPP or complementary to solutions. What will distinguish solutions in the future?
Posted by carl at 08:02 PM | Comments (0)
February 15, 2007
I love this General Session Idea
16:30 - 17:00 Roundtable: The Cathedral vs. the Bazaar
Is the Internet an open network riding on what used to be the Telephone network, or has is the Internet a series of networks that will limit the technology and services available to the end user. This discussion will bring together members of the Internet Engineering Task Force to discuss the current state of the Internet’s adoption.
Posted by carl at 08:00 PM | Comments (0)
February 14, 2007
Today's Trends
Todays trends
It’s the Device, Smarty
David Eisenberg's Dumb Networks
The lessons of Vonage Skype etc.
Video so much to see so little time.
Has Marconi's day finally arrived?
NewLion, TiVo, Slingbox
Digital Rights: Can it save IPTV?
So at the end of the day are we all in the middleware business
Session Controllers
Firewalls
Deep Packet Inspection
QoS Rationing in a land of plenty
The search for the universal conserver
The Transcoding dilemma has QoS found its home
Posted by carl at 07:49 PM | Comments (0)
February 13, 2007
The Standards School of Fishing
The pure mountain spring of the Internet
The Evils of the PSTN & Cisco
Standards, Standards everywhere and still the boards do Shrink?
Making the Internet work for Fun and Profit
The UN's approach to Internet Piece
The Revolution continues Peer to Peer
Posted by carl at 07:48 PM | Comments (0)
February 12, 2007
The Age of VON
VoIP: A Passing Fancy or a Fancy way of Passing
VoIP the Tool of the FCC
International Settlements and Call Back
Today in the EU
Presence Mobility was nice but Location is awesome
why we need to Spell SIP and XMPP
Here are the "purple apps"
Fixed Mobile Convergence
Why it belongs here
Who is going to be the shepherds?
Posted by carl at 07:46 PM | Comments (0)
February 09, 2007
Looking for feedback
Track 1: Age of Video: Camera Phone Updates
One of the most interesting things about consumers is how they adopt technology. What has the impact of camera phones meant for the service provider. Has adding pictures promised us an increasing demand for video, or will it be like Instant Messaging / Emails reduction in voice calls? Should we expect device specific solutions? What new services can be created to support the visual effects?
Track 2: Voice over Everything: Voice Inside Gaming
Voice is just an application has been the mantra of many in the voice community, but if truth is told its just a function. Need proof? Look at the use of Voice with gaming and glamour services. This panel talks about how voice is just a component of the services available to their communities and how they intend to expand the use of voice in the future.
Posted by carl at 07:59 PM | Comments (0)
February 08, 2007
Are these sessions of Interest
Track 1: Age of Video: Disruptive Broadcasting
With over half the Internet being used to support Video peer to peer traffic, obvious questions about how the future of broadcasting come to mind. Are we going to see the age of specific video devices for specific events? Is the effect of Video IPODs and Slingmedia the same as TiVo and stored media solutions or are we entering a new era of personal preferences? How does commercial based business models survive in a world with fast forwarding?
Track 2: Voice over Everything: IMS: Fertile Ground for Killer Apps
IP Multimedia Subsystems are not just about Wireless technology, they promise a new age of service delivery for fixed mobile convergence. Pundits have said that carriers need to offer twelve new services a month. How can new services go from development to delivery in such a short time? What will be the criteria for continuing the innovation and how will it be experienced in multiple environments? Will Wireless continue to outshine in innovation, or will rich media benefit the wireline world?
Posted by carl at 07:58 PM | Comments (0)
February 07, 2007
We dont hear no stinking Distance
Fiber's Revolution
What happened to distance.
How distance died
A green field CO vs PON
What happened to the Internet
From Wilshire and Hudson
TO FLAG and True Diversity
The Real issues of Net Neutrality
Posted by carl at 07:44 PM | Comments (0)
February 06, 2007
Hello World
Computing In The Network: Hello World
Processing Power
When we lost Hello Central - Have you told them about Stroger?
If Talk is cheap blame it on Intel/Dialogic
Teaching computers to Whistle
Why Dial Up came to be.
Ubiquity and Redundancy
The ATM that saves you money not gives you money
Open Source
Just in Time - Quality Assurance
Better yet Market Driven Product Life Cycle.
Asterisk - the PBX that could.
Posted by carl at 07:43 PM | Comments (0)
February 05, 2007
The Invitation
I am honored that I got a phone call from a friend asking me to guest lecture at Stevens Institute.
The course instructors have asked me to talk about broadband services. As usual, I may have so many tangents that its hard to track. I would love feedback before I go off and teach these classes.
For the next three weeks, you will see the write up that I intend to base my slides on. Here was my first statement to them.
In Pulver land, I have heard almost all strategies from wireline to wireless. I also am aware of which emperors are having problems getting into their new clothes. ;)
I have lived through most of the revolution and have the joy of being a son of the bell system. As Pete warned you both I have a tendency to think I am comic, so the downside is that I may need your help in taking my puns and making them more meaningful.
I feel like this is more than a class worth.
Let me know if this is useful.
If I were to talk for 3 hours I would start this way.
Broadband Services are the future but its all based in the past. It takes advantage of processing at its core and explodes like a big bang. Here are the lessons that guide my perspective on these services.
Posted by carl at 07:23 PM | Comments (0)
February 02, 2007
Early Media: Ringtones, Dialtones, etc.
I was reading some of the SIP Forums discussion of the use of Early media.
The question is how often will it be used and how will it be used.
In my opinion the real story will be in Speech Recognition. We should be thinking about ways make speak to talk the preferred method of communication.
That would give us a number of new services includng variations on security, asynchronous voice mail and other clever introductory services.
I would love to hear of other ideas.
If you are a developer I recommend joining the discussions.
Posted by carl at 03:39 PM | Comments (0)
February 01, 2007
PC over Hell and Dell
The news today in the papers is about Dell having troubles and it seems to run pretty deep.
I know for myself, I have had troubles finding my favorite PC and no offense to Lenovo, but I have wanted to purchase from a US company.
I seem to blow up PCs on a all to regular basis. The last one crashed while at the office replying to an email. But I have others that gave me warning or with a screw loose gave up the ghost with a little puff of smoke.
The last one was a Toshiba and since i was desparate I went to the Best Buy Geek Squad.
So here is the point. Dell was not a choice for immediate replacement because we don't have an IT department that stocks.
So Gateway, Sony and Toshiba were my choices.
The geeksquad managed to determine that my hardrive could be used as a secondary drive. Which got me back in operation.
Dell does not have a way for me to have this experience. The retail kiosks sell like they are supporting a new market. Not one that is in full operation.
I think that is Dell's biggest problem. We are saturated and they are selling like its not.
Posted by carl at 02:16 PM | Comments (0)