ISPs to start adding fees for VoIP users?

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:15 pm Post subject:

1. I think that terrestrial wireless will be more competitive with cable than satellite. Satellite might be a solution for rural users with no other option, but it won't be price competitive with cable even with additional fees. Additionally a large amount of wireless spectrum will be opened up when analog TV is shut down in a few years.

2. Even though a significant number of people will use Voip as a replacement to POTS the bandwidth requirements per user aren't really that significant. Even when Voip becomes Videophone over IP the bandwidth requirements will still be limited compared to the number of digital broadcast programs that will be available over the Internet. One thing about telephone calls though is that they all tend to happen at the same time (Mother's Day, Thanksgiving, etc.)

3. It is important to realize that the way the law is worded, Vonage will be paying a per user fee to the ISP and you will see the fee on your Vonage bill and not your ISP bill. This in itself is bad because it will bring an uncertainty into your decision over which ISP to choose. Some Voip carriers may charge everyone a flat fee and distribute it out as needed, others may pass the fee on with an administrative surcharge.

4. Other services with high broadband usage requirements are working directly with ISPs. For example ESPN360 is a Internet video service available for free from ESPN if your ISP supports it. ESPN360 most likely depends on integrating with the ISPs facility to reduce overall bandwidth requirements. Similar paid services will become available, in all likelyhood directly from or through your ISP. That is PPV charges would show up on your ISP bill. Vonage also has agreements with some ISPs who resell Vonage service on their network.

Posts: 58 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 58

galion wrote:

Well, If there is a charge added then our friends at the broadband companies will open the interest in satellite and fiber. Don't forget the rumors that Vonage is working on a satellite solution with Hughes. Unless our friends at the cable company actually need the income to upgrade equipment I wouldn't get too greedy in today's environment. They may find themselves riding in the same boat as some of the telcos are riding today. If I were the cable companies I might want a piece of the pie, but I would also welcome Vonage because it will keep them out of the stiffer regulations brought onto the telcos to make them open up.

God forbid the governments see this argument. The local cities are already upset they are missing out on taxes.

I will make a new prediction. If the cable companies get ridiculous (most people might pay a small surcharge) then the satellite experimentation will grow and the cable companies will face a new threat from Dish and DirectTV.

May God forgive them for they know not what they do.

Don't think satellite is any alternative. Are you aware of the delay introduced to audio when sending a signal up 22,400 miles and then back down 22,400 miles? If you think echo and delays are a problem now, just try it using satellite!

Posts: 605 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 2:46 pm Post subject:

Quote:

Don't think satellite is any alternative. Are you aware of the delay introduced to audio when sending a signal up 22,400 miles and then back down 22,400 miles? If you think echo and delays are a problem now, just try it using satellite!

Maybe they can use lasers in areas that do not get regular cloud cover. And then have backup locations if there are clouds in that area Very Happy

Posts: 58 · Full Forum Member Joined: Jun 28, 2005 Posts: 58

Quote:

Maybe they can use lasers in areas that do not get regular cloud cover. And then have backup locations if there are clouds in that area

You mean like this?
http://www.broadbandproperties.com/2005issues/sep05issues/ken%20ito.pdf

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:02 pm Post subject:

KDWycha wrote:

Most people dont have a computer or a high-speed connection. I dont see Voip taking over when this is the case. Alot of people cant even afford a regular telephone let alone 30-70 a month for a high speed connection. Plus if you do not have a computer it would not be cost effective. I currently pay 44.95 a month for internet and 27.24 for Vonage a month. That would be 72.19 a month for someone who does not even have a computer. POTS is the way to go for them. Anyway I just wanted to add my 2 cents.

Voip will take over because the phone company will be converting all of its analog phone lines into digital lines. It will do this so that it can deliver additional services, for example PPV movies or premium television channels in direct competition with the cable companies.

Posts: 1424 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:09 pm Post subject:

TommyDale wrote:

Don't think satellite is any alternative. Are you aware of the delay introduced to audio when sending a signal up 22,400 miles and then back down 22,400 miles? If you think echo and delays are a problem now, just try it using satellite!

SkyCasters already produce Voip systems for use over DirecWay. They acknowledge the delay, but people who made international calls years ago were familiar with this delay as are people who make satellite phone calls (except Iridium) today. It is a trade off for people who may not be able to get service through any other mechanism.

Posts: 605 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:12 pm Post subject:

That laser beam fiber optics type of thing is pretty neat Smile

I would hurt a bit if you got beamed in the eyeball though Surprised

Posts: 277 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 3:34 pm Post subject:

KDWycha wrote:

Alot of people cant even afford a regular telephone let alone 30-70 a month for a high speed connection. Plus if you do not have a computer it would not be cost effective. I currently pay 44.95 a month for internet and 27.24 for Vonage a month. That would be 72.19 a month for someone who does not even have a computer. POTS is the way to go for them.

Don't be too quick to over-generalize. I'm currently paying Comcast $19.95/month for 6M/384k internet, and paying Vonage $14.95, since my usage averages less than the 756 minutes/month break point. So my total bill for the two is $34.90/month, and my old SBC POTS line with the same features as Vonage was costing me more than that, all by itself. In essence, I get my high speed internet for my computer free, by using the combination of Comcast/Vonage to replace SBC.

Posts: 282 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 4:12 pm Post subject:

But your trailer chick is wearing a $400 rag, so she probably could afford whatever she likes! Lol

Posts: 122 · Posted: Mon Oct 24, 2005 9:43 pm Post subject:

I hate to say this, but we do live in a Capitalistic and Free Market country. However, this "everybody is trying to make a buck off of every little thing" concept relating to Voip is totally ridiculous!!! I mean really, if the Cable companies are going to charge people for not using their Voip service it's because they can't offer the same level of service and the low price that their competitors offer. How lame is that? Let's see, we (Comcast) will offer our own Voip service for $39.95 (I think) and oh, by the way, if you don't take our service then we'll either block your current service with (insert Voip name) and we'll tack on a fee to them which in turn will make your really low-priced, excellent service not such a great value after all! Moooo-ah-ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My master plan of world domination is working!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, whether or not the law allows them to do this kind of thing, doesn't make it right. If you can't keep up with the competition, then change something and make your product better for a better price!