[Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone Firmsin Kenya

Tue Aug 16 13:41:33 EAT 2005

A challenge for Telecos indeed but a big + for the consumers:-

With the new capabilities supported in the IP enabled world, new services
are more easily provided to the end user, both in the enterprise and in the
publicly offered services. Voice is now integrated with other applications;
some of the new services are:
  a.. Presence detection (instant messaging, "find me" services);
  b.. One number/"follow me" services;
  c.. Universal messaging;
  d.. Virtual meetings/collaboration at the individual and enterprise
levels;
  e.. Real time language translation;
  f.. Multi-Point Video Conferencing;
  g.. Push-to-talk cellular; and
  h.. Voice chat.
You may wish to have a look at http://isoc.org/pubpolpillar/voip-paper.shtml

Alex

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <alice at apc.org>
To: "KIPlist" <kiplist-cl at lyris.idrc.ca>; "Kenya ICT Policy - kictanet"
<kictanet at kictanet.or.ke>
Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 8:16 AM
Subject: [Kictanet] Fw: [DigAfrica] VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone
Firmsin Kenya

> VOIP is a Challenge for Telephone Firms
> > The Nation (Nairobi)
> >
> > COLUMN
> > August 16, 2005
> > Posted to the web August 15, 2005
> > Pauline Wangui
> > Nairobi
> >
> > It is now official. The Communications Commission of Kenya last week
> > issued guidelines for the provision of voice over internet protocol
> > (VoiP).
> >
> > Going by the Commission's definition, VoiP is the transmission of
> > voice as packets over traditional switched networks or over internet
> > networks (a telecommunication service whereby voice messages are
> > transmitted as packets over the internet or other telecommunications
> > network).
> >
> > This means that VoIP is finally taking off and the prospect of
> > internet telephony displacing traditional telephony is now a reality.
> >
> > VoiP kills distance, and is of great interest within the telecom
> > industry. With VoiP service, subscribers have an opportunity to
> > significantly reduce their local and long-distance calling expenses,
> > while long-distance carriers have an opportunity to possibly avoid
> > sharing a large portion of their revenues with the local telephone
> > companies for use of their access links.
> >
> > Moreover, VoiP enables a rich array of services ranging from web-like
> > phone displays, information services, and data exchange.
> >
> > This is a transformative technology, that will redefine the phone and
> > the way people use it.
> >
> > As more businesses and consumers adopt the lower-cost alternative of
> > VoIP, the normal carriers will be forced to lower their wireline
> > intercarrier tariffs in order to compete.
> >
> > Already, large companies like Time Warner Cable have experimented VoiP
> > service within their various service territories over the past year.
> >
> > Although regulation for VoiP is still being defined, operators
> > including incumbent Telkom Kenya and new entrants can now incorporate
> > VoiP as long as they have been licensed.
> >
> > However there are key business issues to be addressed.
> >
> > The bottom line is that for this or any technology to flourish, there
> > must be a sustainable business model behind it. The door to the inner
> > core of telecommunications has just been opened to innovators willing
> > to expand on relatively simple technologies of digitizing and putting
> > voice in packets.
> >
> > This ability enables a new paradigm in the telecom sector that is
> > really just beginning. But are the traditional voice carriers ready to
> > deal with VoiP at operational levels, are they prepared and are they
> > capable of managing a successful migration?.
> >
> > Companies like Net2Phone and Vonage press ahead with new business
> > models. New comers like Skype and Free World Dial-Up drive innovation
> > and integration of new uses.
> >
> > Collectively such consistently reshape their markets by adopting new
> > business models that provide for layered services like voice, data,
> > video, audio and internet. Such innovators can and will erode the
> > revenue base that the telecom industry fights so hard to hang on to.
> >
> > Corporate strategy will have to be reconsidered and decisions made
> > about the new position in the new voice market.
> >
> > Flexible and effective management information systems have to be put
> > in place in the new environment. Migrations plans must be put in place
> > to ensure that the migration to VoiP is both operationally and
> > financially successful.
> >
> > Telcos must move fast to position themselves in the VoiP value chain.
> > They are used to focusing on maximizing returns from their current
> > infrastructure.
> >
> > However, with many new VoIP entrants expected in the market, the
> > traditional operators cannot afford to sit back as simple
> > infrastructure providers but need to effect strategies that maintain
> > their positions. They need to work out how best to position themselves
> > in this new IP-driven value chain and assess the impact this will have
> > on their already existing business.
> >
> > They also need to know how they intend to deal with new alliances and
> > partnership with applications and content providers as they maintain
> > customer s during migration.
> >
> > Among the main issues operators will face in the transition are costs
> > and success of customer migration.
> >
> > Extensive investment is required. Risks associated with migration need
> > to be addressed.
> >
> > VoiP-specific issues, such as voice quality and customer churn have to
> > be looked into.
> >
> > With VoiP, the market battle is expected to intensify. What IP
> > services do consumers want? Who can best deliver them?
> >
> > Who can build a sustainable business model, and who will continue the
> > evolution by keeping the pressure on all the players to innovate.
> >
> > These are just but few issues. In telecommunications, you lead, follow
> > or get out of the way. You can be a steamroller, or you can become
> > part of the pavement others walk on.
> >
> > But if you are, innovative, and creative, you can outrun the telecom
> > industry that is still slow in this region.
> >
> > The writer is a telecoms strategy analyst.
> >
> > http://allafrica.com/stories/200508151302.html
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Dig Africa site welcomes you to join us at
> > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/Digafrica
> >
> > Also if you are interested to join a Swahili/English discussion group
> > click
> > http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/kiswahili
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
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