|
VoIP is hot. It seems like new VoIP products and services are coming out
on a daily basis. I�ve always felt that one way to gauge the interest in a
particular topic is to view the number of forums on the Internet dedicated
to a particular topic, as well as the number of posts and views on that
topic. For example, there are literally hundreds of forums dedicate to cars,
sports, gadgets, and more that receive lots of Web visitors and they build
quite a loyal following. So if forums are a �barometer� for how �hot� a
topic is, then VoIP has come quite a long way.
Our Web site originally had an
internally developed forums site that while functional, sure wasn�t pretty
or easy to use. We had some posts, but nothing spectacular. However, when we
installed a third-party forums package from
WebWiz, the forums really started
to take off, especially the VoIP forums.
In fact, on the main
VoIP Forums site, I created a room called �VoIP:Wanted Ads/Classifieds� and
was shocked at the sheer number of posts. Interestingly, a lot of the posts
are from international visitors looking to barter or exchange VoIP minutes,
looking for VoIP termination in certain countries, or selling VoIP hardware.
Here is one sample post: �China and Greece termination are now available at
much reduced prices with no minimum traffic commitments and per second
billing(1/1). We guarantee ASR above 72% to both the destinations and
provide technical cover round the clock.� I see yet other posts from forum
members asking for per minute rate quotes and I�ve seen several replies,
some with some fiercely competitive pricing. I�m in the VoIP industry and
yet I see posts in these forums from VoIP players that I never heard of! It
just amazed me how many people are looking to barter VoIP minutes online.
This of course helps push prices down, which is always a good thing � for
the consumer that is.
All I can say is that there are certainly lots of startups wanting a
piece of the VoIP action � even more than I expected. My recommendation is
that if you are looking to exchange minutes or looking for new customers,
then this is the place to be! I also highly recommend checking out the
�VoIP: General� forum, which is also pretty popular with lots of posts.
Speaking of recommendations, I have another tip for VoIP users, which
I�ll get into in a minute. First, let me state that with the explosion of
WiFi hotspots across the country (though in my opinion not exploding fast
enough), you can be anywhere with your laptop, connect to a WiFi hotspot and
not only surf the Web, you can also receive VoIP calls using a softphone. In
fact, Vonage offers such a softphone. As
a Vonage user myself, I was tempted to try their softphone, but it�s an
extra $9.99/month and comes with 500 minutes which is separate from your
existing package. I believe they give you a separate Vonage phone number as
well. Personally, I�d rather use my existing Vonage phone number so I only
have to give out one number. So while I commend Vonage for adding some cool
enhancements and features, I�m not a fan of an additional monthly fee as
well as a separate phone number.
Still, I do understand where Vonage is coming from. In theory, if they
did offer an unlimited softphone package, a Vonage user can just give their
friends access to the softphone client software and make free unlimited
calls under a single account. However, with the SIP protocol, it shouldn�t
be that difficult for a softphone client to register with Vonage�s servers
and logoff any other devices using the same account. Thus, if I were to
launch the Vonage softphone client, my Cisco ATA-186 (or soon to be Motorola
VT1005v) sitting on my house network will be disconnected so all calls are
directed to my laptop and all outbound calls must now originate from the
laptop. This way Vonage can not worry about multiple people using the same
account simultaneously. So from a technical standpoint, I don�t see why this
cannot be done. Of course, the additional $9.99/month per softphone user
revenue loss may be the stumbling block. Hmmm, I wonder�
And now, on to my tip. I promised another tip didn�t I? Well, I mentioned
earlier the explosion of WiFi hotspots and how it can aid in remote VoIP
capabilities. The problem is you never know when you are near a WiFi
hotspot. Sure you can strain your eyes by scanning the corners of buildings
and the sidewalk for warchalking
symbols that indicate a WiFi connection is nearby. But what are the odds
of finding one unless you are walking in a major city? You could of course
boot-up your laptop and see if a WiFi connection is available, but there�s
nothing worse than hoping for a WiFi connection only to be disappointed that
there is not.
Well, I was excited to learn about the portable Kensington 802.11
Wireless Network Detector which Kensington claims can actually detect
802.11b/g signals up to 200 feet away. Simply by pressing a single button on
the miniature device (2.95�L X 0.39�H X 2.17�W) and Kensington claims you
can �instantly� detect a WiFi connection.
Well, I just had to get my hands on one of these units! I did get one of
their units � which includes a loop for attaching to your keychain, laptop
strap, or what have you � and tested it out. It works as advertised, but I
can�t say it �instantly� detects a WiFi connection as their marketing
literature claims. I found it to take about 30 seconds to �lock� onto a WiFi
signal and give a green light even when standing right next to an 802.11b
WiFi Access Point (AP). This is far too long for my liking. I�d like to
press the button and within one to three seconds know if a WiFi connection
is nearby. I tested it within our corporate offices and when I walked away
from the AP into a computer room that only gets low-to-medium signal
strength (though WiFi devices still work in here), the Kensington WiFi
Network Detector could not successfully detect the WiFi connection. Thus, it
would appear it only works well when it sees a strong WiFi signal. For that
reason and for the slow �lock on,� I can�t recommend this device as it
stands right now. Maybe the next version will be better, but alas for now I
will still be forced to boot-up my laptop and pray to the networking gods
for a WiFi connection.
Tom Keating is CTO of Technology Marketing Corporation and the
executive technology editor of TMC Labs. He can be reached at
tkeatingtmcnet.com.
If you are interested in purchasing reprints of this article (in
either print or HTML format), please visit Reprint Management Services
online at www.reprintbuyer.com or
contact a representative via e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at 800-290-5460.
[ Return
To The May 2004 Table Of Contents ]
|
SUBSCRIPTIONS
TMCnet LOGIN
WEBINARS
