Google-VOIP Inc.
As we anxiously await Google's fourth-quarter results later this afternoon, VoIP Inc. disclosed an intriguing agreement to provide Google with Internet telephony services. When asked about the deal, VoIP founder and corporate strategist Steve Ivester said he was unable to disclose the specifics. Instead, CTO Shawn Lewis said one could read into what Google may be doing by looking at the services that VoIP offers to carriers, cablecos and CLECs. These include the ability to terminate and originate calls, phone numbers, 911 and 800 services, and unified messaging. In other words, VoIP provides the back-end technology while its partners, which include PacWest and Broadwing, can focus on marketing and sales. So how does that fit into Google and, presumably, its Google Talk service? Perhaps Google Talk will be beefed up to become more Skype-like with SkypeIn and SkypeOut-like services as well as access to 911 and 800 service. As it now stands, Google Talk is not the most thrilling or compelling service in the world unless you're a die-hard Google user. If Google is serious at telephony, then Google Talk needs a serious make-over. Maybe the deal with VoIP Inc. is a sign of things to come.
Update: Here's an interview that Rich Tehrani did with Ivester last year and a story by Light Reading two years ago.
