So here I am happily surfing the web when I come across a Network World article titled 
Hype vs. reality in VoIP security. I read this excellent two page article when an article written yesterday titled "Cisco-based calling card solutions are not doomed by VoIP" caught my eye in the Community section (Screenshot to right). The reason it really caught my eye was I wrote an article titled "VoIP spells doom for calling card business?". Hmmm, "not doomed vs. doomed" - sounds eerily similar to my article premise, but with the opposite point of view.
But surely out of the billions of Web pages, and certainly millions of VoIP-related web pages, this article can't be about what I wrote, right? I mean, what are the odds I'd come across a headline topic by chance on a major technology publication's website and think simply from the headline that it's about me and something I wrote? My ego just isn't that big - though some may disagree.
Intrigued, I click through to NetworkWorld.com and I see a picture of this very handsome man staring back at me. Hey, I know that guy! That's me.
Brad Reese, a contributor to Network World in his Cisco Subnet blog, mentioned my VoIP calling card article and how I hadn't used a calling card since college and how I was a bit negative towards calling cards since I have no use for them myself. I find them very tedious and there are many other cost-effective solutions leveraging VoIP that don't require calling cards, i.e. unlimited broadband VoIP, Skype, etc.
Since Brad shared my photo, I'm going to return the favor here and include his picture & bio, since it's actually pretty interesting. According to Brad's bio, in 2001, Brad Reese and Reggie Grant cofounded BradReese.Com to leverage Cisco Networks. Commencing in 1995, Brad began building consecutively from scratch, three network equipment websites and successfully built each website into major multi-million dollar online enterprises: Alliance Datacom, L.P., Interlink Communication Systems, and NetLink Technologies.
Brad served as a U.S. Army Sergeant and managed for two years Pentagon Office BD981, Washington, D.C (Thank you for your service, Brad!)
Holding a Top Secret Security Clearance, Brad served as the military supervisor for the IBM Mainframe Computer Centralized Classified Repository of the U.S. Army Management Systems Support Agency (USAMSSA). Held accountable for the controlled safekeeping of USAMSSA's classified documents distributed throughout the world to the Pentagon's U.S. Army Command Centers. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Distinguished Service.
In any event, in my VoIP spells doom for calling card business? article, I wrote this:
However, even though I'm anti-calling cards for myself, I recognized the "huge market for calling cards". There is certainly a huge market potential, especially in developing countries. Brad Reese has similar sentiments when he writes, "The Calling Card Business is one of the most widespread markets of the VoIP Industry especially in countries where there are numerous immigrants and ethnic groups." I couldn't agree more and even if I did, I'm not going to disagree with a U.S. Army Sergeant!
He then goes on to pitch a sample Cisco-based DS3 calling card solution that will run you $77,220, which includes a Cisco AS5400HPX-CT3 Gateway (648 Concurrent Calls), Calling Card User Web-access Interface, training, support, and more. While a tad bit salesy, especially since he reps Cisco gear, it is interesting to know how much it will cost you to get into the calling card biz.
Hype vs. reality in VoIP security. I read this excellent two page article when an article written yesterday titled "Cisco-based calling card solutions are not doomed by VoIP" caught my eye in the Community section (Screenshot to right). The reason it really caught my eye was I wrote an article titled "VoIP spells doom for calling card business?". Hmmm, "not doomed vs. doomed" - sounds eerily similar to my article premise, but with the opposite point of view.But surely out of the billions of Web pages, and certainly millions of VoIP-related web pages, this article can't be about what I wrote, right? I mean, what are the odds I'd come across a headline topic by chance on a major technology publication's website and think simply from the headline that it's about me and something I wrote? My ego just isn't that big - though some may disagree.
Intrigued, I click through to NetworkWorld.com and I see a picture of this very handsome man staring back at me. Hey, I know that guy! That's me.
Brad Reese, a contributor to Network World in his Cisco Subnet blog, mentioned my VoIP calling card article and how I hadn't used a calling card since college and how I was a bit negative towards calling cards since I have no use for them myself. I find them very tedious and there are many other cost-effective solutions leveraging VoIP that don't require calling cards, i.e. unlimited broadband VoIP, Skype, etc.Since Brad shared my photo, I'm going to return the favor here and include his picture & bio, since it's actually pretty interesting. According to Brad's bio, in 2001, Brad Reese and Reggie Grant cofounded BradReese.Com to leverage Cisco Networks. Commencing in 1995, Brad began building consecutively from scratch, three network equipment websites and successfully built each website into major multi-million dollar online enterprises: Alliance Datacom, L.P., Interlink Communication Systems, and NetLink Technologies.Brad served as a U.S. Army Sergeant and managed for two years Pentagon Office BD981, Washington, D.C (Thank you for your service, Brad!)
Holding a Top Secret Security Clearance, Brad served as the military supervisor for the IBM Mainframe Computer Centralized Classified Repository of the U.S. Army Management Systems Support Agency (USAMSSA). Held accountable for the controlled safekeeping of USAMSSA's classified documents distributed throughout the world to the Pentagon's U.S. Army Command Centers. Awarded the Army Commendation Medal for Distinguished Service.
In any event, in my VoIP spells doom for calling card business? article, I wrote this:
Really, who wants to dial a an 11-digit access number then remember their calling card account number (or pull it out of their wallet/purse) and then enter the destination number as well as their PIN? Well apparently, even with so many phone options these days, each vying for the same "limited" phone minute pie, there is still a huge market for calling cards. Go figure.
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I am Gunnery Sergeant Hartman, your senior drill instructor. From now on you will speak only when spoken to, and the first and last words out of your filthy sewers will be sir. Do you maggots understand that? |
He then goes on to pitch a sample Cisco-based DS3 calling card solution that will run you $77,220, which includes a Cisco AS5400HPX-CT3 Gateway (648 Concurrent Calls), Calling Card User Web-access Interface, training, support, and more. While a tad bit salesy, especially since he reps Cisco gear, it is interesting to know how much it will cost you to get into the calling card biz.
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Actually at the Flat Planet Phone Co. It will cost you only $199 to get into the calling card business. Much less than $77k :-)
The calling card industry is alive and kicking and doing very well. I recently ran accross a company called IPsmarx Technology (IPsmarx.com) they offer a complete turnkey calling card solution. You should check them out if you are thinking about getting into the industry. They are very helpful and have a great product.
Although this article was written over one and one-half years ago, I am happy to report that the calling card market is still alive--smaller, but alive. To succeed means one must become an even better, smarter marketer and niche targeting is key. Further, any company surviving in this market today needs to adopt newer calling card and voip-based types of products (i.e. web call back, PINless, viewable call detail reports, web to phone, etc.)