Verizon to allow unlimited skype calling over 3g starting next-month

bob — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 22:10:41 +0000

It’s starting… Why they have been resisting this is a testament to perhaps an outmoded record-company-fighting-an-iTunes-model type of thinking. If you can retain your data revenue and force the traffic over someone else’s network like a Starbuck’s, Panera Bread, or even your home wi-fi connection, why not do it?

Granted, there will be some kinks in the early stages like spotty adoption by network providers, some bad apps initially and some other limitations, but this is coming folks. (See my original post about Android and iPhones as SUVs for a more complete reference to this post.)

By adding network access options such as wi-fi, it will create pent-up demand for a whole new set of devices. Wi-fi hotspots will compete for your cell signal in order to sell you more with ads for free access. It’s just a matter of time before everyone figures out how to make money.

Remember, they can’t force you to make more calls, but they can lure you onto the web alot more with all that glitters… and that’s where the next cash cow is.

Click here for the story: http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/16/verizon-to-allow-unlimited-skype-calling-over-3g-starting-next-m/

Android gets Verizon, iPhone gets Google Voice: The Enterprise Ground Shakes

bob — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:41:24 +0000

The first round of true openness in the wireless world seems to have arrived in the same week. AT&T and Apple will play nice and allow Google Voice calls to be processed on the iPhone; a headline that has included ‘FCC’ for weeks now. The focus of that discussion should shift from who really blocked it to

what is this all going to mean? It could prove to be the ultimate app – I don’t think it’s going to stop with cheap Skype calls.

Verizon and Google too, made headlines as they announced they will be jointly marketing an Android device. Two powerhouse wireless networks with versatile devices and purpose hungry platforms. Of course this is not news to T-Mobile users; they’re on their fourth Android device. To most enterprises though, it was more of a solid proof of concept. Sprint has also announced their entry of Google platform devices as well.

So what is this all going to mean for the enterprise? Speculations at this point will prove embarrassing later. The next great thing will most likely not be anything we know or expect; it always is. But consider this: all the biggest players with the deepest pockets and best talent will compete for the hands of users in which they intend to put the world in. Look for the blurring of the personal and the enterprise demarcation to continue to increase. Look for the smart companies to find a way to leverage the new capabilities. Look for those businesses to have both happier customers and employees.

This is only the first tremor, what happens next is anyone’s guess.

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Verizon to allow unlimited skype calling over 3g starting next-month

Android gets Verizon, iPhone gets Google Voice: The Enterprise Ground Shakes