Virtual Office Q&A: VoIP Phone Service Provider Predicts a Busy 2010

While tough economic times have plagued a number of businesses, some have managed to tread the rough waters. One such company in the communications technology sector that has witnessed revenue growth amid the recession is Phone.com. In fact, the Livingston, N.J.-based provider of VoIP phone services reported a three-fold rise in sales over 2008.

 

And officials with the firm that offers Virtual Office services are predicting an even brighter future.

“We will see continued growth in our segment of the market,” Phone.com’s CEO Ari Rabban (News - Alert) and Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Alon Cohen told TMCnet in an interview printed in full below. “In particular, the SOHO/VSB telephony market is still underserved, despite all the new players emerging and at the same time some consolidation.”

 

During the back and forth, Rabban and Cohen said the company will keep a close watch a number of developments that could impact the industry, including any new telecom plans by the Federal Communications Commission, as well as ongoing changes to communications software company Skype.

Our full exchange follows.

 

Ari Rabban: Phone.com did extremely well and increased sales three-fold over 2008 with higher growth projections for 2010. We were able to execute well on our business plan which focused on: 1. Increasing our customer base using mainly an online direct and affiliate based sales campaign; 2. Introducing more services and features based much on customer feedback and 3. Customer service, customer service, customer service.

 

 

Alon Cohen (News - Alert): Our top announcement for 2009 was the release of our hosted phone service, which is the first HD-based network. Phone.com now allows any customer purchasing our IP phones to enjoy a complete HD voice experience for any calls to other HD phones. We trust this market will grow. And as other service providers convert their networks to HD, we will be able to have more and more HD calls between users.

 

Other announcements included the launch of our successful Virtual Number service that allows customers to obtain a virtual phone number that forwards all or any of their phones and lets users enjoy one voice mailbox for all phones, as well as many other features from voicemail text transcription, SMS, voicemail to email, conferencing, online faxing and international calling. This service includes a unique referral program that enables customers to obtain free service for referring new customers.

 

 

AR: The recession did not affect Phone.com that much. Our services are aimed at small businesses, the sole proprietor and entrepreneurs. The growth of new businesses during a recession, and the fact that our services save money, basically led us to a very good year. There are many studies that show how some major businesses started during bad economic times. If we can help create one or two companies that grow to become major players in whatever market they represent it will be a very nice bonus!

 

AC: We believe that we will see continued growth in our segment of the market. In particular, the SOHO/VSB telephony market is still underserved, despite all the new players emerging and at the same time some consolidation. At Phone.com we are committed to that growth and will continue to introduce new products and applications into the market.

 

 

AR: Worldwide and perhaps in the U.S. especially, the regulator plays an important role in what happens in our market. With the new administration at the FCC moving ahead with their plans, and of course the recent Google – AT&T (News - Alert) – Apple battle, and perhaps add to that the changes in Skype, we can expect a very busy 2010. Also, as always the mobile VoIP market will continue to gain more and more traction and we can expect to see some major announcements coming out during 2010, but perhaps more important than announcements: actual usage! Phone.com is following these developments and preparing for an exciting and growing 2010.