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| Peter Radizeski of RAD-INFO, Inc. talking telecom, Cloud, VoIP, CLEC, and The Channel.

May 2009

You are browsing the archive for May 2009.

Cool Ad Campaign

May 29, 2009

Transformational?

May 29, 2009

I'm watching two conversational threads right now. One about Google Wave, which as Andy Abramson writes:

I'll refer to Wave as transformational, as its not revolutionary, but moves work flow from asymmetrical to both symmetrical and asymmetrical universes simultaneously, changing how you work both in real time and offline time.

Google has built a "communications" object that is full of capabilities that creates hybrid communications that are going to be a blend of games, email, IM, blogging, wikis, and a lot more.

I haven't seen the Wave demo (see a review here), but the reactions have been nothing short of WOW, even more than when Google Voice launched.

TW Spinning AOL Out

May 28, 2009

January of 2000 CNN announced: "In a stunning development, America Online Inc. announced plans to acquire Time Warner Inc. for roughly $182 billion in stock and debt Monday, creating a digital media powerhouse with the potential to reach every American in one form or another."

This morning, over 9 years later, TW is spinning AOL out, according to CNN, a TW company.

Steve Case on Twitter had a lot to say about AOL: "AOL Spin-Off Approved Last Night By Time Warner Board: http://bit.ly/ThYkx. My perspective on AOL & Time Warner: has been a long, tortuous journey - and after a difficult decade, its time to open new chapter.

IVR is Booming

May 27, 2009

8x8 Co-Brands Aastra Phones

May 26, 2009

VOIP Patent Settlements

May 26, 2009

We haven't heard a lot about VoIP patent litigation since Vonage took it in the pants when everyone and their momma sued them for patent infridgement. VoIP Inc. was supposed to license their patents, but those guys are running from the law.

Paetec settled its patent suit with Sprint by licensing the infringed patents. Terms were not disclosed in the SEC filing. Sprint, with over 100 VOIP patents, sued NuVox, Broadvox, Big River and Paetec in January of 2008.

And Covad settled with VoxPath Networks Inc. over a VOIP patent dispute, according to Law360.com.



Email Overload or Bankruptcy?

May 26, 2009

HyperOffice is holding a webinar about Email and Productivity. It follows up on the LinkedIn Poll that Shahab Kaviani, VP of Marketing at Hyperoffice, held last week on reducing your Inbox with Online Collaboration.

This is of interest to me because I get so much email, including listserv messages and social networking notifications. There is so much noise to filter through - Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, email, IM/chat, voicemail, and text messages - it is becoming overwhelming.

Data Center of the Future

May 26, 2009

Who says the FCC is cleaning up USF Abuse?

May 21, 2009

The FCC is cleaning up USF abuse. Here's two culprits:

MS. CYNTHIA K. AYER. Debarred Ayer from the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism for three (3) years from the debarment date.

Cloud Storage by Mail

May 21, 2009

A Little eXpresso?

May 19, 2009

In VoIP news, M5 Networks, a Genband based hosted PBX company out of NYC, has partnered up with eXpresso, as its collaboration and file-sharing platform. The eXpresso platform is a value-add to the M5 On-Demand conferencing platform.
"The M5 Network phone system has an extensive portfolio of capabilities, but one in particular is especially harmonized with eXpresso: On-Demand Conferencing. That feature enables users to instantly host or attend conference calls on the fly, anytime, from anywhere. In combination with eXpresso, it enables live collaborative meetings where a real work-product is generated.

A Rural Super Carrier?

May 18, 2009

With VZ shedding its last bit of rural landlines to Frontier, the blogosphere is alive with talk about Super RLEC's - Frontier, Fairpoint, CenturyTel, Windstream and maybe Qwest.

CenturyTel's coming merger with Embarq will give it the title as a top 5 ILEC is size. But these are declining assets as landlines are being shed for cellular and to some extent VoIP. How Super is that?

Telecompetitor writes, "For carriers that lack wireless assets, building the scale that can create  operational efficiencies and provide the means to profitably build and leverage broadband applications is paramount for future survival."

Building Super isn't easy.





Start-up Venture Capital

May 15, 2009

I'm getting ready to run downstairs to the Florida Venture Forum 2009 Early Stage Venture Capital Conference outside Orlando at Omni ChampionsGate. Beautiful golf course.  It will be interesting to see who is here. I am hoping 2 companies made it in.

eCycling which recycles business electronics, eCycling has a deal with Fedex as their distribution partner. You can drop off unwanted electronics at Fedex locations for recycling. Save the planet!

NullBound is an exciting network security start-up.



Will Verizon Agents Get Screwed Again?

May 13, 2009

Remember the MCI Agents who didn't like the new deal under the Verizon Business umbrella, who were pushed aside and lost commissions? Did you know that when Verizon did their funky little deal with Fairpoint over the New England region, VZ agents were pink slipped. In fact, one agent is suing Fairpoint. It's the quote from Beth Fastiggi, a spokeswoman for FairPoint, that shocked me:

"We believe that our own local employees can better serve our local markets and, given the appropriate resources, will have the commitment and ability to increase our share of the local business market," Fastiggi said in a statement Friday.

Don't need agents. That attitude explains the lousy service, numerous complaints to the PUC, and the lose of over 100k lines - in a rural market!

Today, VZ announced it is spinning off the landline network in 13 more states - to a joint venture corporation with Frontier.





VZ Gets Rid of 13 States

May 13, 2009

Although it was AT&T's CEO that said We are a Wireless company, it is the actions of Verizon that make you stand up and take note. Today, VZ reached a deal with Frontier - a $8.6B all-stock deal. As Frost & Sullivan analyst Vanessa Alvarez tweets, "$VZ and Frontier will create company called Spinco, $VZ will still own 68%."  It looks like another Fairpoint deal. The only happy camper is VZ.

Why HD Voice?

May 12, 2009

It's Not the Technology, Stupid!

May 12, 2009

Jon Arnold writes, "This year's MetaSwitch Forum provided a host of proof points that service providers of all stripes can stay competitive so long as they deploy the right technology and have the right vision for serving their customers."

Time and again, the pitch is about the company and the technology. Look at automobile reviews: It isn't about the engine size, it's about the 0-60. Telecommunications needs to do the same thing.

When Aastra talks about its AastraLink Pro 160, it should be about Asterisk. The story should be similar to the Aastra CT handset story.



Level3 Needs Your Help

May 11, 2009

"Level3 is expanding is expanding its operations in key local markets throughout the United States. These actions are designed to provide a world class customer experience for mid-market business customers in these markets. Level 3 is launching the first phase of this initiative in the Nashville, Seattle and Washington, D.C., areas, as well as upstate New York (Buffalo, Syracuse and Rome/Utica) and Colorado (Denver, northern Colorado and Colorado Springs)." [press release]

Level3 has gone back to the Type II CLEC strategy of offering service to everyone they can touch via their own network and UNE / Special Access from the ILEC. It is pouring personnel into these markets to take on as much revenue as fast as it can.

Windstream Buys ICP

May 11, 2009

 Thanks to the Arkansas Democratic Gazette for the chart.

Despite a big drop in earnings and revenue for the first quarter 2009, Windstream still managed to buy some more lines and customers by snatching up D&E Comm.

D&E Communications is an ICP, an  integrated communications provider, offering residential Voice, Video, Broadband and On-Site Computer Support services as well as business-class Networking, Business Continuity, IT, Security, Voice and Training solutions. D&E is an ILEC and a CLEC.

This stock-and-cash deal (worth about $330M)  "nearly doubles the company's operating presence in Pennsylvania with the addition of approximately 165,000 access lines and about 44,000 high-speed Internet customers."  That's about $2000 per subscriber.

"D&E Communications generated $148 million in revenue and $64 million in operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) in the twelve months ended March 31, 2009."  So the buy is about 2x Annual Revenue for those hoping to play at home.

"The transaction also includes six wireless licenses for 700 MHz spectrum covering a population of approximately 1.3 million in central Pennsylvania," according to the press release

While Windstream isn't having a strong quarter with dipping revenue, it is doing okay selling Internet and TV.







Alltel Assets Going to AT&T

May 11, 2009

How does this work?
"AT&T Inc said Friday it will buy the bulk of Alltel Wireless assets being divested by Verizon Communications Inc for $2.35 billion, and will sell some Centennial Communications Corp assets to Verizon Wireless for $240 million." [telecomengine]
When they say divest assets, it's suppose to increase competition. Swapping assets between the two biggest players is not what was meant. "Verizon previously had said more than 30 companies had expressed interest in the Alltel assets." I guess only one was REALLY interested.

Bright House Digital Experience

May 11, 2009

Our house has been a Bright House Road Runner customer for almost 12 years. And a DISH Network customer for 10. The DVR is dying on the DISH and DISH wants me to pay full price to replace it. Um, no.

Can UC Save You Real Dollars?

May 7, 2009

We hear a lot about Unified Communications today. UC this and UC that. Even Cloud Telephony and UCaaS. It's kind of crazy.

The main buzz is around the savings from UC.

Who Do Rumors Benefit?

May 5, 2009

I was told that when you hear rumors about a merger, it's just bankers raising a balloon to see about interest. It's there way of testing the waters so they can "earn" some money with a little M&A action.  (You wonder why banking is in trouble? What do they actually produce? Nothing.

Qwest LD For Sale

May 5, 2009

So You Want to Go Retail?

May 5, 2009

When I talk with vendors in this space, they often suggest that getting into Costco or some other Big Box retailer would make their day. My father was a salesperson for P&G for 20 years working with Sam's, BJ's, Stop & Shop and other big chain grocers in New England. (Yes, even Stew Leonard). These chains re-designed aisles based on who was paying for what shelf space - and who was sending in labor to re-configure the aisle.

There's a good blog post here about marketing computer parts.

TCA: Top 5 Sales Practices

May 5, 2009

The Technology Channel Association hosted its first agent webinar on April 30. Steve Cadley at Cadley Consulting Group and Peter Radizeski, your blogger and TCA founding member, presented on the Top 5 Sales Practices that agents need to incorporate. We had a good turn-out, which is great because that means agents want training.

It was not a bunch of tips and tricks.

Dear Small Customers

May 4, 2009

VoIP in the Channel: You Need a Complete System

May 4, 2009

Over the years I have worked with many VoIP Providers. A good chunk of my consulting is on The Channel, Referral Systems, and Sales Compensation.

There are a number of landmines that can destroy a relationship with an independent sales agent. These include but are not limited to:

  1. Your quoting system (or time to quote)
  2. How you track the sales and provisioning process.
  3. How you track Compensation.
  4. How you handle agents calls / issues / sales / payments.

All of these mines have subsets as follows:

  • What is your number porting process like?
  • What is your training like for customers?
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