[June 28, 2004]

VoIP at the Best SUPERCOMM in Years
 

BY JOHANNE TORRES

As SUPERCOMM 2004 wrapped up last Thursday, it was evident that voice over IP (VoIP) (define - news - alert - tutorial) was the buzz word floating around the conference floor. There were a large number of VoIP new product and services being released at the show. Juicy company association announcements also dominated the space, where attendees joined scores of exhibitors.

Jon Arnold is the program leader, VoIP Equipment for Frost & Sullivan. When asked about what he thought about the show overall, compared to the previous years, he mentioned that �the attendance was up, [as well as the] number of exhibitors, VoIP is everywhere, and WiMax (define - news - alert - tutorial) is a hot theme. [Essentially], VoIP is going global for sure, which is a huge boost and validation of the market.  Big US carriers all making bold announcements about VoIP, so you know the second half of the year is going to be huge for VoIP.�

Many other attendees saw the emerging trend among service carriers, VoIP was the hot topic all throughout the show, it seemed like there was some kind of VoIP �something� in every single exhibiting booth out there. The buzz did not end there, during �down time� at business dinners, elevators, everywhere you went, VoIP followed everyone around. �We have gone from no real coverage to blanket saturation. We are in a new phase of VoIP, and we need to be able to interpret, translate and analyze what all of this means. Much of what was shown [here] are piece parts, individual components that are part of a solution; who does it, with what pieces, and how it is done will be the subject of stories for years to come,� mentioned Neal Shact, CEO of CommuniTech (news - alert) and chairman for the International VoIP Council (news - alert).

One of the association announcements worth highlighting is the International Packet Communications Consortium (IPCC) (news - alert) and International VoIP Council merger. With their missions combined, the two organizations joined forces to increase the flow in the promotion and development acceleration of VoIP and packet communications markets and solutions. The combined organization will hold on to the IPCC name and structure.

"I am really excited about uniting the two strongest VoIP industry associations and I am looking forward to working with our expanded membership," said Shact.

"We welcome the International VoIP Council, a long-term partner of the IPCC," said Michael Khalilian, Chairman and President of the IPCC. "Their members are industry leaders whose dedication to VoIP and packet communications greatly enhances the IPCC community and the industry as a whole. We all agree that we will accomplish more with one unified voice on VoIP."

I was a bit skeptical about getting high attendance at such a largely proportioned show during the current state of the technology industry, and overall economy. I am, however, pleased to report that many have said that this was the best Supercomm in years. Genuinely hopeful attendees and exhibitors proved they know where this industry is headed, and what is accessible for them to be able to get there.

Johanne Torres is the Assistant Editor for TMCnet.com and Internet Telephony magazine. Previously, she was the Assistant Editor for EContent magazine in Connecticut. She can be reached by e-mail at [email protected].