CBC Perspective on VoIP

Bill Tam, CEO of EQO, was on the CBC the other day talking about EQO (audio here).. It's a good demonstration of the notion that, for the uninitiated, VoIP is a dirty word. It's not that it isn't a powerful technology, but the stay-at-homes and most of the rest of us have been conditioned to think of the dangers of the misdirected 911 call when we hear the word "VoIP". In many respects this is because the industry didn't do a good job of containing these fears at the onset (blame Vonage). After all, the mobile carriers have never done a very good job at handling 911 location data, still don't, and regulators haven't exactly held their feet to the fire.

One of the great things about EQO is that it doesn't matter whether or not we use VoIP. In keeping people connected to online communities, we'd use string and plastic cups if it was most appropriate. If this industry is to surmount this kind of attack (hint: it comes when we say "cheap long distance" or "VoIP") then we need to sell based on features... things that improve how people communicate. EQO is doing that but the mainstream media don't always pick up on that because it's more interesting to them to report on the evil defilers of E911 data.

-Ian.