All Skyped Up!
Christopher Carter
I don't know about you, but I'm very intrigued by Skype's recent announcements. Its clear their strategy is to move away from voice communication via computer and onto mobile devices. Besides the app for the iPhone they already offer software for smart phones running Windows Mobile OS and for the Android G1 phone. The software is also able to make calls over 3G networks of T-Mobile using the G1 platform and using the HTC's Touch Pro on VZW. AT&T terms of service block use of its 3G network using the iPhone. But isn't it just a matter of time before all mobile communication goes VoIP? The current carriers will slow roll this to protect their investment in infrastructure AND to achieve some sort of payback on their investments in wireless licenses. At some point in time the volume of wireless mobile activity using the cheaper VoIP services, like Skype, will just eat away the margins of the existing mobile providers and bring about a dramatic change in how consumers communicate wirelessly. Its similar to how the existing land lines are disappearing in favor of mobile. The carriers are still "milking the cow" and offering pricing plans to entice consumers to hang onto their land lines, but for how long? I'm not suggesting this will happen overnight, but it will happen. Which begs the question, why would Cox Communications make the investment to launch their own wireless network in their service areas (just announced this week)? I'm not sure this is the best use of corporate funds, or that it will provide the best return for investors over the long term, given the move to VoIP on mobile phones. Using a VoIP based mobile untangles the phone from the network and gives the consumer freedom to choose additional apps, music, video or other, from their vendor of choice. Is there a play for a Qualcomm branded VoIP phone that includes its MediaFLO service? Why not? Again, not tomorrow, but the evolution to this model is slowly taking shape. And how would a nationwide WiMAX service fit into the equation (Clearwire)? I guess we'll all just have to stay tuned, or connected.