Are the wireless networks going to migrate over to VoIP in much the similar way that fixed networks did: core first and then the edge?
That is one logical path of pushing packetization to the edge. But in the wireless market, the end user VoIP is taking off in parallel. That is something fixed networks did not see in late nineties.

There are various flavors of end user mobile VoIP. How would you categorize them?

Well, apart from mobile callback, which is not necessarily mobile VoIP, you have the likes of Skype and Fring that are targeting PC based VoIP users more and trying to transfer or migrate them over to mobile VoIP. They are looking to leverage the existing PC VoIP user market to build their user base. We view mobile VoIP as a new standalone market where PC is cut out of the equation. Truphone type companies leverage SIP client capability of existing smartphones. They are not able to control user experience. Those three approaches determine the various flavors of mobile VoIP you see out there.

Would you consider FMC providers as part of the mobile VoIP thing?

There is definitely a space for them. But the FMC services rely on hardware based solutions which make it difficult to upgrade in terms of functionality and dynamically change according to the market needs. A software application on the other hand can be upgraded more frequently and allows you to brand and give you so much more control. It is much easier to add value added applications to software based mobile VoIP service.

Do you see companies like yourself adding handover capability in the future?

We can do so. It is not beyond our capability. However the users are still trying to understand difference between GSM call and a VoIP call. It becomes very difficult to communicate with the FMC user why the cost of the call changes, when it changes, and why it changes. It just complicates things a bit more for the service provider.

Continue reading "Interview with Rapelang Rabana, CEO, Yeigo" »

I think I might have found the reason for the lack of killer applications in the communications industry. It is the lack of female staff in the industry. There you go. Bingo :)

I have never had problems with women talking Internet Protocol. In fact I have hardly ever felt the difference when being briefed by a female on technology aspects. And I am sure you boys and girls have no issues either. However the fact is that there is only about 10 to 15% female staff working at tech companies. There is a serious dearth of female talent in this industry.

What that means is that technology itself is lacking a critical input. You cannot hope to build the solutions and applications for all of us without having active input from nearly half of us.

If content providers cover more and more stuff that women do in communications industry, that might attract more female talent towards this important sector that is changing the way we live. We at iLocus are making a start today. We start the crusade with interviews with two ladies, living continents apart. Both CEOs, both founders and both enabling a similar revolutionary service: mobile VoIP. Christine is CEO and Co-Founder of Challenger Mobile and Rapelang is CEO of Yeigo. Rapelang’s interview will appear on the site tomorrow.

Is mobile VoIP part of overall mobile telephony arbitrage that includes mobile callback, FMC, and Voice over Wireless Broadband (VoWB)?

So far as termination into traditional public network is concerned, you could view it like that.

How long have you been providing mobile VoIP?

We have been around since 2001. By 2004 we had our VoIP softphone ready. We have built our technology around SIP, and not any proprietary technology. We offered the downloadable version for mobiles in 2005 and also combined that with callback solution so from the softphone people could initiate callback.

What is the advantage in building a SIP mobile client?

Nokia and other handset makers are coming out with WiFi-GSM dual mode phones supporting SIP. This will drive the mobile VoIP market and serves as just one of several reasons for building a SIP mobile client.

When exactly did you decide to focus more towards white labeled mobile VoIP?

We launched our mobile VoIP retail service called Challenger Mobile in December 2006. During 2007 however we changed the focus towards white labeling our offering.

Who are your potential customers for white labeled offering?

We believe that players like MVNOs and wireless ISPs will be interested in providing this service to their customer base. MVNOs will be the first ones to move in this direction. As soon as we see one MVNO success, the others will follow.

Continue reading "Interview with Christina Sundman, CEO and Co-Founder, Challenger Mobile" »