Google (News - Alert) announced recently that it was integrating its Hangout and Voice apps into a single product. The move is the continuation of a process where related apps have been consolidated or deprecated. Google has slowly been adding several new Hangouts features, such as file exchange, advanced text messaging and screen sharing, which makes the platform appealing for businesses and contact centers trying to unify their communications. In addition, Hangouts allows conference calls with up to 10 people in one call.
Google used to have a collection of messaging apps with redundant functionality. Google+ Messenger and Talk were consolidated into a new app called Hangouts. Hangouts and Messaging both merged into a new app that retained the Hangouts name, leaving only Hangouts and Voice as the remaining Google communication apps, which are now slated for consolidation into one app, as mentioned above.
With a complete messaging and VoIP app, many users may even decide to dump their phone service and use the fully-consolidated Hangouts app instead. For small companies and contact centers, could these features make the app more appealing as a business tool?
This notion has some telecoms worried. If this movement gained enough momentum, the telecoms would likely have to fight it on several fronts. They would not allow their networks to be used to put them out of business, so they would likely restructure data plan pricing to discourage VoIP use through Google. With Google Fiber being piloted in more cities, the search engine giant might be able to eventually counter this move. If all else fails, the telecom lobby would contact legislators to stop or slow Google down.
The federal government could also step in. An attempt by Google to dominate the telecom industry could violate anti-trust laws and end up in court. The FCC (News - Alert) has long been known for protecting the interests of customers to make sure they are not underserved. This is why it has taken so long to upgrade from copper to fiber cable. If the FCC felt that Google becoming the only telecom provider would adversely affect some customers, it would rein in Google.
It’s too soon to say for certain what Google’s intention is with regard to Hangouts and even Google, for all its strength as a company, cannot predict the future. For all anyone knows, this could be nothing more than Google dipping its toe in the water to see what conditions are like.
The one conclusion that can be made is that any serious attempt by Google to corner the telecom market will be fought and could result in legal decisions that shape the future of communications.
Edited by Alisen Downey