Comments on: The Dawn of the Free Local Call http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/ A Canadian Take on the Web Thu, 28 Aug 2008 07:50:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Mike http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6452 Mike Fri, 27 Jul 2007 16:45:01 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6452 Mark wrote (about OOMA): "Obviously, the local phone service providers (carriers and cablecos) are going to hate it." And they will block it since it would be a violation of your service agreement with them to use your residential phone line for such a purpose. You'd have to pay maybe $100 per month instead of $30 for a line that lets you do that. That's only one of the realities that will doom OOMA. Oh, and by the way, the original MCI network back in 1977 operated on the same concept, except they used their own microwave system and switches instead of the Internet and they used their own telephone lines to connect to Ma Bell. It worked. OOMA will not. Mark wrote (about OOMA):

“Obviously, the local phone service providers (carriers and cablecos) are going to hate it.”

And they will block it since it would be a violation of your service agreement with them to use your residential phone line for such a purpose. You’d have to pay maybe $100 per month instead of $30 for a line that lets you do that. That’s only one of the realities that will doom OOMA.

Oh, and by the way, the original MCI network back in 1977 operated on the same concept, except they used their own microwave system and switches instead of the Internet and they used their own telephone lines to connect to Ma Bell. It worked. OOMA will not.

]]> By: Canadian Business http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6445 Canadian Business Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:42:06 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6445 I think this a great way to bring the Canadian markets at competition, as far as the telecommunications industry. If we take a look at other industrialized countries, Canada has a much lower use of phones in relation to GDP/capita; and this probably has a lot to do with the high rates we, consumers, are paying for the services. We need more competitors in the marketplace. Recently the CRTC has deregulated some markets, which is probably the first of steps to bring about this competition. More info at http://www.canadian-business.info/business/canada-crtc-deregulates-phone-markets/ I think this a great way to bring the Canadian markets at competition, as far as the telecommunications industry. If we take a look at other industrialized countries, Canada has a much lower use of phones in relation to GDP/capita; and this probably has a lot to do with the high rates we, consumers, are paying for the services. We need more competitors in the marketplace.

Recently the CRTC has deregulated some markets, which is probably the first of steps to bring about this competition.

More info at http://www.canadian-business.info/business/canada-crtc-deregulates-phone-markets/

]]> By: Zoli’s Blog » Blog Archive » I Was an Ooma White Rabbit http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6406 Zoli’s Blog » Blog Archive » I Was an Ooma White Rabbit Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:51:00 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6406 [...] Podcasting News, VoIP & Gadgets Blog,  Engadget, IP Democracy, Alec Saunders .LOG, Mark Evans, robhyndman.com and VoIP [...] [...] Podcasting News, VoIP & Gadgets Blog,  Engadget, IP Democracy, Alec Saunders .LOG, Mark Evans, robhyndman.com and VoIP [...]

]]> By: Aswath http://www.markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6404 Aswath Thu, 19 Jul 2007 14:13:38 +0000 http://markevanstech.com/2007/07/19/the-dawn-of-the-free-local-call/#comment-6404 I know Om compares it to Sling Media. But it is very weak. SlingBox allows me to access my "resource" for my benefit using my network connectivity. On the other hand, Ooma allows me to use your network connectivity for my benefit and therein lies the Achilles heel - either you will abstain from em doing that or you will use it for some nefarious purpose or I will suspect that is what you will be doing. This means Ooma has to step in and facilitate the interconnection. I know Om compares it to Sling Media. But it is very weak. SlingBox allows me to access my “resource” for my benefit using my network connectivity. On the other hand, Ooma allows me to use your network connectivity for my benefit and therein lies the Achilles heel - either you will abstain from em doing that or you will use it for some nefarious purpose or I will suspect that is what you will be doing. This means Ooma has to step in and facilitate the interconnection.

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