Page 1 2 3 Page 1 2 3 | FRIDAY - DECEMBER 2, 2005 - ISSUE NO. 189 |
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| Wireless Messaging Newsletter | ||
| WIRELESS  MESSAGING | |
| LETTERS TO THE EDITOR |
Terminology
From: craig@selective.co.nz
Subject: Paging Terminal—Paging Switch
Date: November 25, 2005 10:55:14 PM CST
To: brad@braddye.com
Hi Brad
I agree that the correct terminology for the paging control unit is a switch not a terminal. Terminals are quite correctly the devices that people carry. Apart from paging, where terminal has somehow come to mean the switch, if you look at other wireless technologies such as cellular, terminal always refers to the subscriber unit.
When you think about the word also it makes sense as the terminal is at the end of the line.
We also used the term terminal in our description of our unique paging device the Paging Data Terminal. This was in part to align it in some respects with the well known Mobile Data terminal which it resembles.
Cheers
Craig
craig@selective.co.nz
Craig Meldrum, Managing Director
Selective Communications Group Ltd
USA
Selective Communications NA
4467 Terracemeadow Ct., Moorpark, CA 93021, U.S.A
Ph: +1-805-532-9964 Fax: +1-805-529-8549
craig@selectivecomms.com www.selectivecomms.com
New Zealand
PO Box 8798, Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand
Ph: +64-9-3021142 Fax: +64-9-3021148
craig@selective.co.nz Skype: craigmmeldrum
www.selective.co.nz
Australia
i-Mobile Pty Ltd
PO Box 446, Burwood 1805, NSW, Australia
Ph: +61-2-97152238 Fax: +61-2-97152941
craig@i-mobile.com.au www.i-mobile.com.au
Thanks Craig,
Of course we "yanks" are infamous for taking liberties with the Queen's English.
I can only take credit for inventing one new phrase. When NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, was signed and I set up the US-Canadian-Mexican paging network, I coined the new greeting: "¿Como están y'all, eh?"
In the southern US "y'all" and even "all y'all" are common for "you all (all of you)" or simply you plural, while in the East sometimes you might hear "youse guys" while around here, in the Midwest, country people are frequently heard saying "you-uns." That last term sounds like fingernails on a blackboard to my ear.
At the EMMA meeting in Helsinki, the Aussies gave us all a lesson in down under colloquialisms.
Keep smiling,
Brad
Terminology
From: zlewis@commtechwireless.com
Subject: What are pagers called in Australia
Date: November 28, 2005 8:30:32 AM CST
To: brad@braddye.com
Hi Brad,
I was reading your newsletter and saw the comments on Infostream's use of terminals ? !
Just a quick note to let you know that pagers have never been called "Terminals" in Australia. I think it is some upside down marketing name for their pager. Makes sense since they are from Downunder.
Please let the world know that Aussies really are the same as everyone else, a pager is a pager!
As for National Frequencies: I can not remember exactly since I've been here in the USA for 5 years now, but I know the nationwide frequencies are all on 148 or 149 Mhz. There are probably 4 frequencies only now, as there are only 2 nationwide carriers left in Australia, and maybe a grand total of 6 paging companies in the whole country.
Regards,
Zane Lewis
President
zlewis@commtechwireless.com
www.commtechwireless.com
CommtechWireless
Phone: (904) 281 0073
Fax: (904) 281 0074
Mob: +1 904 708 5178
Winner of the 2005
Western Australia
Panasonic Australia
Business Award
Australian English
Relationship to other varieties of English
Australian English began to diverge from British English soon after the foundation of the colony of New South Wales (NSW) in 1788. The settlement was intended originally as a penal colony for British convicts. They were mostly people from large English cities, such as Cockneys. In 1827, Peter Cunningham, in his book Two Years in New South Wales, reported that native-born white Australians spoke with a distinctive accent and vocabulary, albeit with a strong Cockney influence. (The transportation of convicts to Australian colonies continued until 1868.) A much larger wave of immigration, as a result of the first Australian goldrushes, in the 1850s, also had a significant influence on Australian English, including large numbers of people who spoke English as a second language. Since that time, Australian English has borrowed increasingly from external sources. The so-called "Americanisation" of Australian English—signified by the borrowing of words, terms and usages from American English—which began during the goldrushes, was accelerated by a massive influx of US military personnel during World War II. The large-scale importation of television programs and other mass media content from the United States, from the 1950s onwards, has also had a significant effect. As a result, for example, Australians use the word truck instead of the British lorry. Due to their shared history and geographical proximity, Australian English is most similar to New Zealand English. However, the difference between the two spoken versions is obvious to people from either country, if not to a casual observer from a third country. The vocabulary used also exhibits some striking differences.Spelling
The exposure to the different spellings of British and American English leads to a certain amount of spelling variation such as organise/organize. British spelling is generally preferred, although some words are usually written in the American form, such as program and jail rather than programme and gaol. Publishers, schools, universities and governments typically use the Macquarie Dictionary as a standard spelling reference. Both -ise and -ize are accepted, as in British English, but '-ise' is the preferred form in Australian English by a ratio of about 3:1 according to the Australian Corpus of English. There is a widely-held belief in Australia that American spellings are a modern "intrusion", but the debate in fact goes back to the 19th century. A pamphlet titled The So Called "American Spelling.", printed in Sydney over 100 years ago, argued that "there is no valid etymological reason for the preservation of the u in such words as honor, labor, etc." At the time it was noted that "the tendency of people in Australasia is to excise the u, and one of the Sydney morning papers habitually does this, while the other generally follows the older form". Some Melbourne newspapers once excised the "u", but do not anymore, and the Australian Labor Party officially adopted the '-or' ending in 1912.Irish influences
There is some influence from Hiberno-English, but perhaps not as much as might be expected given that many Australians are of Irish descent. Perhaps most noticeable is the widespread—but not universal—pronunciation of the name of the letter "H" as "haitch" /hæɪtʃ/, rather than the unaspirated "aitch" /æɪtʃ/ found in New Zealand, as well as most of Britain and North America. This is most often found amongst speakers of Broad Australian English and is thought to be the influence of Irish Catholic priests and nuns. Others include the non-standard plural of "you" as "youse" /ju:z/, which is common in some social circles, and the expression "good on you" or "good onya", although both of these are also encountered in New Zealand English and British English. Another usage indicative of an Irish influence is use of the word 'me' replacing 'my'. Example: Where's me hat?Samples of Australian English
The ABC provides many streams of their radio programs. Many of these would make a good reference for the casual, relaxed Australian accent and use of the English language as opposed to scripted performances.Non-Australians can also gain an impression of Australian English from well-known actors and other native speakers. The voices of Cate Blanchett, Russell Crowe, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman and Naomi Watts are examples of General Australian accents, unless they are acting in roles as non-Australians. Several Australian actors provided voices for Finding Nemo: Nigel the pelican, the three sharks, and the dentist have Australian accents. Television star Steve "Crocodile hunter" Irwin has a Broad Australian accent (see below) and as a result his voice is often parodied inside Australia as well as out. John O'Grady's novel They're a Weird Mob has many good examples of phonetically-written Australian speech during the 1950s, such as "owyergoinmateorright?" ("how're you going mate, alright?").
Source: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Australian English."
Terminology
“Paging Terminal” — Where The Term Really Came From
From: ronofglobal@yahoo.com
Subject: paging terminals? why?
Date: November 30, 2005 11:31:43 AM CST
To: brad@braddye.com
Hi Brad,
I am very intrigued by the recent discussions regarding use of the label “Paging Terminal” to describe the central control apparatus of a typical radio paging system.
As I believe you are aware, while employed by Bell Canada in the late 50s/early 60’s I designed a “Dial Access Paging System” for which patents were eventually granted and which Bell ultimately marketed under the trade name “Bellboy.” During the course of the design, several possible names for the central control equipment were discussed. In those days, switching centers within the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) were identified as “Central Offices” or “Exchanges” Because we had borrowed a number of functional circuit designs from the PABX (Private Automatic Branch Exchange) equipment then in use, I was personally in favor of calling the equipment we were building the “RPBX (Radio Paging Branch Exchange).”
Some people also suggested the term “Paging Encoder,” but a number of manual encoders having little in common with we were building were then in existence and “encoder” did nothing to describe the then innovative direct dial access capability which allowed pagers to be called from any telephone.
Other, wiser, heads concluded that classical PSTN traffic ended (terminated) in our equipment and that communication or signaling occurring beyond our equipment was no longer part of the PSTN. Clearly, the signaling techniques used on the radio output side of the “terminal” were radically different from those used on the PSTN input side.
Accordingly, the term “Paging Terminal” was standardized and, to the best of my knowledge, has been adopted by virtually every manufacturer from that day forward (e.g. ACME, AMCOR, DAY, BBL, Glenayre, Spectrum, Hark, etc.).
When cellular arrived some 20 years later, the service was considered to be more an extension of the PSTN and early cellular central offices were called Mobile Telephone Switching Offices (MTSOs).
Finally, use of the word “terminal” to describe end-user/subscriber devices (e.g. mobile data terminal) reflects a more recent trend as indeed does the availability of the devices themselves.
Hope this historical perspective lends some legitimacy to the choice of nomenclature which, on the surface, does appear to be ill-fitting.
Regards,
Ron Mercer
ronofglobal@yahoo.com
Motorola Nucleus Spare Parts Needed
From: Scott.Burns@Netcontech.Com
Subject: UHF Motorola Nucleus
Date: November 30, 2005 3:07:38 PM CST
To: brad@braddye.com
Reply-To: Scott.Burns@Netcontech.Com
Hi Brad,
I just signed up for the newsletter a few weeks ago. I am wondering if you have any contacts who can supply or repair Motorola Nucleus 450-470 MHz power amps (Part # TTE1002A) (100 watts). We have many sites with these installed and can no longer find anyone who can get parts to repair them. Would you know anyone with a large cache of these we could buy up?
Thanks in advance.
Scott Burns
Scott Burns
NETCON Technologies Inc.
Voice: +1.519.652.0401
Fax: +1.519.652.9275
E-Mail: Scott.Burns@Netcontech.Com
Web: www.netcontech.com
| BROADBAND OVER POWERLINE TECHNOLOGY NEWS |
Broadband Over Power Lines: Ready For A Big Breakthrough?
Pilots and tests abound, and firms—including Google—are pouring money into the new technology.
By Phil Britt, Networking Pipeline
Nov. 21, 2005
Broadband over power lines (BPL), which was first touted in the late 1990s as a way to deliver high-speed communications to homeowners and businesses, is finally becoming a reality as pilots and tests abound. And firms, including Google, smell broadband gold, and are pouring money into the new technology.
According to Steve Bridges, vice president of Aon Technology and Professional Risk Group, Chicago, Ill., broadband over power lines revenue growth has been predicted to increase from $57 million in 2004 to $4.4 billion in 2011. In addition, sensing the promise of the technology, a number of large technology companies, including Google, IBM and Motorola, have decided to heavily invest in BPL service. Notably, Google, Hearst Corp. and Goldman Sachs have recently made a combined capital investment of $100 million in Current Communications, a broadband over power lines service provider.
Despite those investments, the promise of several years ago of a technology that would compete head-to-head with cable and DSL broadband services isn't likely to ever come to fruition, according to technology experts. It's not that broadband over power lines doesn't have a spot in the broadband communications marketplace. It's just that the spot is, and will likely, remain small, according to many technology experts, though others see promise in the technology (see sidebar).
In the last five-plus years, cable and DSL providers have spent countless dollars investing in their technologies and have upgraded both the speeds that can be provided and the accessibility of their technologies, according to Young-Sae Song, director of corporate marketing for Redback Networks, San Jose, Calif. In addition to those seasoned technologies, broadband over power lines would also need to compete with WiMax, which is also starting to compete in the high-speed communications market.
"I wouldn't even call [broadband over power lines] a niche," Song says. "For most, it would be the second or third choice behind cable and DSL."
Song and others expect broadband over power lines to primarily be deployed in rural or smaller communities, where DSL and cable service are limited or non-existent. Another use could be utility-company specific, to communicate throughout its physical network, including headquarters, power plants, sub stations, etc.
However, broadband over power lines could become a more widespread option in Europe and Asia, according to Song. The 220-volt power supply system on those continents is better suited to provide high-speed communications than is the power supply system in the United States. Broadband over power lines faces technology and business challenges, though. As the technology exists today, broadband over power lines offers a maximum capacity of about 4 MB, according to Ted Demopoulos, an IT business consultant based in Durham, NH. While this is fine for many of today's applications, it's too slow for providing video over IP, which many see as the next step in the evolution of broadband delivery.
Even that maximum speed is theoretical and could drop quickly if many people are accessing the broadband service at the same time, Song adds. While cable and DSL have had the same sharing issues, those technologies and infrastructures have been upgraded, so adding more users to the system isn't as noticeable to legacy users.
Broadband over power lines uses radio signals, so it also interferes with some emergency communications and can have noise issues of its own, according to Demopoulos. "The power lines were never devised to carry this type of signal."
The competing technologies don't have these noise issues.
From a business perspective, the cable and DSL providers have been aggressive in building their customer bases and physical infrastructures, while power companies have largely concentrated on their core businesses over the past several years, according to Song.
Though telecom and power companies are still labeled as "utilities" by some, the businesses are very different, Bridges adds. So Aon has recommended that any power company considering a broadband offering consider carefully risks involved, including possible competition from other broadband suppliers, data theft and security.
Source: InformationWeek
Broadband over Power Line:
Why Amateur Radio Is Concerned about Its Deployment
View/Print as a PDF file (51,606 bytes)
Radio amateurs are not opposed to broadband services. On the contrary, they tend to be early adopters of new technology. However, there are ways to deliver broadband that do not pollute the radio spectrum as Broadband over Power Line (BPL) does. These include fiber-to-the-home, cable, DSL, and wireless broadband. The ARRL—The National Association for Amateur Radio—is supportive of broadband access for all Americans; however, it opposes BPL as a way to achieve this goal because of its high potential for causing interference to radio communication.
What is Broadband over Power Line?
BPL is the delivery of broadband Internet signals using electrical wiring to conduct high-speed digital signals to homes and businesses. BPL systems are designed to deliver Internet services using medium voltage power lines as the distribution medium and generally use the frequency range between 1.7 and 80 megahertz (MHz).
The Concern: Broadband + Power Lines = Interference
Because power lines are not designed to prevent radiation of RF energy, BPL represents a significant potential interference source for all radio services using this frequency range, including the Amateur Radio Service. Overhead electrical power lines and residential wiring act as antennas that unintentionally radiate the broadband signals as radio signals throughout entire neighborhoods and along roadsides. Interference has been observed nearly one mile from the nearest BPL source.
What is the status of BPL?
From a regulatory standpoint, BPL is an unlicensed, unintentional emitter of RF energy and is subject to FCC Part 15 rules. FCC rules require that BPL systems may only operate subject to the express condition that harmful interference is not caused to licensed radio services. BPL is not entitled to protection from interference. So far, BPL has been deployed in numerous temporary test sites but in few commercial installations. Despite the very limited deployment, considerable interference has been documented. In October 2004 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules for BPL systems. These rules place new restrictions on BPL systems in recognition of the fact that they pose a greater threat of radio interference than most Part 15 devices, such as garage door openers. However, the new rules are not sufficient to reduce the probability of harmful interference to reasonable levels. Administrative appeals of the rules have been filed and court challenges are likely.
Why are the regulations inadequate?
The Communications Act of 1934 and the FCC Rules have long required that unlicensed emitters such as BPL systems must protect licensed radio services from interference, and that they must accept any interference to their operation that is the result of normal activity by licensed radio services. However, in practice it is often difficult to resolve such interference problems in the field. In one case in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, BPL engineers spent 12 weeks trying to solve an interference problem without success. The interference did not cease until the test was terminated prematurely.
Studies by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) show that the probability of interference from a BPL system operating at the FCC radiated emission limit on the same frequency as a typical two-way radio station is essentially 100% 200 to 400 meters from the power line, depending on the frequency. Despite this clear evidence that the limit is too permissive, the FCC declined to impose a tighter limit except in frequency bands used by aeronautical services. This means that unless they voluntarily design their systems for reduced emissions, BPL system operators will have to take expensive, customized steps to correct interference on a case-by-case basis. That may not be possible unless they turn off their systems. Of course, they will strongly resist having to do so. This is why radio operators are so concerned, and why BPL customers cannot be assured of receiving reliable broadband service.
Has the interference potential been proven?
The ARRL laboratory has made observations of BPL radiation at a number of trial areas. The lab's findings of interference and related information, including video and audio recordings of actual interference, are available on the Web at www.arrl.org/bpl. These and other observations of radio-frequency interference at BPL test sites in the US are a matter of public record in FCC files.
An April 27, 2004 report released by the NTIA acknowledges that BPL signals "unintentionally radiate" from power lines. The NTIA also said then-current FCC Part 15 measurement techniques may "significantly underestimate" peak BPL field strength and that "interference risks are high under existing FCC Part 15 rules." The FCC rulemaking only partially addressed these concerns.
Although BPL proponents dispute these claims of interference to licensed services, they have provided little in the way of calculations or measurements of BPL radiation levels—and what they have provided has been flawed by technical errors.
Others at risk
ARRL—The National Association for Amateur Radio
www.arrl.org • Newington, CT 06111
March 2005
| BPL TUTORIAL |
Power Line Communications
Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) also goes by a few other names and acronyms: Power Line Communications (PLC, Power Line Telecommunications (PLT), and Power Line Broadband (PLB) are terms also used. Most of these papers and links use the term "BPL." There are a number of types of PLC systems, using different approaches and architecture. All are "carrier-current" systems, a term used to describe systems that intentionally conduct signals over electrical wiring or power lines.
 |
| Figure 1: In-building BPL can be used to interconnect PCs or other devices within a building, using that building's electrical wiring. Access BPL extends that connection to the Internet, using electrical distribution wiring. This slide provided courtesy of Cosy Muto, JH5ESM. |
There are three major categories of PLC:
Access BPL uses electrical distribution lines, overhead or underground, to provide broadband Internet access to homes and businesses. Because their wiring is physically large, often overhead and extends across entire communities, access BPL systems pose a significant interference potential to over-the-air radio services. Amateur Radio is not the only potentially affected service from these types of systems. There are a number of different techniques used in access BPL, from spread spectrum to OFDM (multi-carrier signals). Studies done by amateurs in Europe, Japan and the US leave little doubt that access BPL that uses overhead electrical distribution wiring poses an interference risk to HF.
In-building BPL systems are designed to use the electrical wiring within a building to network computers. Most operate under the HomePlug specification. (See the HomePlug-related link following). HomePlug systems used within a building have notches in their product specifications, to protect over-the-air Amateur Radio operation.
Control PLC operates below 500 kHz, and is used by electric-utility companies to control their equipment using the power-lines as transmission lines. This type of PLC does not pose any significant interference risk to HF operation.
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION |
Source: ARRL
| VoIP NEWS |
Motorola and Skype Bring Mobility to Internet Voice Communications with Bluetooth® Wireless Technology
New Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit—a Skype-certified Bluetooth offering—now available at RadioShack retailers nationwide
LIBERTYVILLE, Ill. and LUXEMBOURG—November 21, 2005—Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a global leader in wireless communications, and Skype, a global Internet communications company, today announced the first Skype-certified Bluetooth headset solution in America, the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit. Available at 3,500 RadioShack stores nationwide, the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit enables Skype users to experience the freedom of wireless while making free, unlimited voice calls over the Internet*.
Comprised of a Motorola H500 Bluetooth Headset and PC850 PC Adapter, the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit also includes 30 free SkypeOut minutes so users can make Skype calls to mobile and landline phones without additional charges. To experience wireless communications, users plug in the Motorola PC850 PC Adapter to equip traditional laptops and PCs with Bluetooth technology, load the required software onto the PC and follow a simple, step-by-step procedure to establish the cordless connection between the PC and Motorola H500 headset**.
The Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit is the latest offering from Motorola and Skype. Leveraging Motorola’s strength in seamless mobility, advanced technologies, devices and accessories along with Skype’s rapidly-growing global user base and rich voice and messaging communication tools, the companies aim to provide greater connectivity options and access for Skype’s more than 66 million registered worldwide users.
“Motorola and Skype are combining the power of Internet telephony with Bluetooth technology, redefining the ways that consumers can stay in touch,” said Bruce Hawver, vice president and general manager, Motorola, Inc., Companion Products. “Multi-taskers will be impressed with the streamlined communications, using the Motorola H500 Bluetooth Headset for either wire-free mobile or Internet-based calls.”
“By working with Motorola, we’re delivering products that make Skype more accessible to consumers and businesses,” said Niklas Zennström, Skype CEO and co-founder. “The Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit is the first Skype-recommended Bluetooth solution in America, reinforcing our mission to evolve the Skype solution beyond the desktop for on-the-go communications.”
With up to approximately eight hours of talk time and a lightweight, ergonomic fit, the Motorola H500 empowers Skype users to embrace wireless connectivity for Internet calls—up to 30 feet away from a Bluetooth-enabled PC. Skype users can also have calls automatically forwarded to their compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones when away from the PC and use the Motorola H500 Headset to wirelessly conduct cord-free conversations on their mobile phone***.
Pricing and Availability
The Skype Motorola Kit is available today at RadioShack and at the online Skype store, www.skype.com, for $99.99. For additional details on availability or pricing, please contact your local representative.
About Motorola
Motorola is a Fortune 100 global communications leader that provides seamless mobility products and solutions across broadband, embedded systems and wireless networks. In your home, auto, workplace, and all spaces in between, seamless mobility means you can reach the people, things and information you need, on-the-go. Seamless mobility harnesses the power of technology convergence and enables smarter, faster, cost-effective and flexible communication. Motorola had sales of US $31.3 billion in 2004. For more information: www.motorola.com.
About Skype
Skype allows people everywhere to make free, unlimited, voice calls, chat and share files. Skype is available in 27 languages and is the fastest growing voice communications offering worldwide. Skype has been downloaded more than 200 million times in 225 countries and territories. 66 million people are registered to use Skype's free services, with over 175 thousand new registered users each day, and more than 4 million people using Skype simultaneously at any one time. Skype earns revenue through its premium service offerings, and has a growing network of global affiliates, and a community of developers working with the Skype APIs. Skype Technologies SA is headquartered in Luxembourg, with offices in London and Estonia, and in 15 other countries with users in every nation. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit www.skype.com.
Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
Note to Editors: Digital imagery of the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit can be seen at: www.motorola.com/motoinfo.
# # #
Media Contact:
Motorola, Inc.
North America
Molly Sheehan
+1 312-953-6006
W0485C@motorola.com
Skype
Rick Loughery
+1 415-321-1888
rick@sparkpr.com
* The Skype service enables free, unlimited Internet calling from one Skype user to another.
** To work with the Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit, the PC or laptop must have a USB port and either Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems.
*** Your handset must support “headset” and “hands-free” profiles.
The Motorola Wireless Internet Calling Kit is tested and approved as a Skype Certified Product.
MOTOROLA and the Stylized M Logo are registered in the US Patent & Trademark Office. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. The Bluetooth trademarks are owned by their proprietor and used by Motorola, Inc. under license. © Motorola, Inc. 2005.
Confessions of a VoIP guru: Why I sold Skype
Nov 28, 2005
Selling to eBay was a “good” move because it empowers Skype to thwart competition from Web giants like Microsoft and Google, Niklas Zennstrom, company co-founder has revealed, in a declaration that should settle industry wonder.
In a published interview on the $2.6bn sale of the VoIP provider, the former Kazaa boss broke his silence on how the deal allows him to “counter” rival offerings from the “likes of” Google and Microsoft.
Last month Zennstrom elaborated, identifying the Redmond-based giant, Yahoo! and AOL as internet companies posing the “biggest threats” to his monopoly.
However, the Luxembourg-based start-up has now narrowed the field, by citing software innovators as the guardians of VoIP’s future.
“Voice communication is no longer a telecommunications business, it’s a software business. Fixed line telephony will disappear,” Zennstrom said, speaking to The Sunday Times.
As a result, ‘telecom-centric’ firms pose no threat to Skype, as they will rapidly become the also-rans of VoIP services, he predicted.
“Several telcos are trying to compete with us but I don’t see them as a threat—they don’t understand this business,” Zennstrom explained.
Conversely, Skype realises the importance of customer base and branding, as well as the industry awareness of its newly found parent.
This will come as news to Nadahl Shocair, the telecoms commentator, who said in September that’s eBay’s purchase of Skype was “insane,” adding that VoIP software is about “hype” and will “remain the fascination of the technology community.”
Zennstrom is however clear about the benefits: “Ebay has an organisation we can use, the brand, the spread, they know how to deal with government regulators, and they run the largest online payment service,” he said.
“From an operational point of view, it’s a good thing to do.”
Moreover, the Swiss entrepreneur conceded the alternative option of floating his London-run firm, simply “looked too risky.”
His cautious approach reportedly stretches to the finances of his tech start-up, refusing to give details when questioned on the windfall he received from last month’s acquisition, saying only, “I am an entrepreneur, I just want to run my company.”
Asked how he plans to spend his fortune, estimated from the eBay acquisition alone at $390m, Zennstrom hinted there would be little change to his lifestyle.
“Perhaps I will order more expensive bottles of wine,” he mused.
The reasoning is simple, particularly in light of his self-confessed role as a chief executive who travels frequently between London, Sweden, Luxembourg and Estonia (home of Skype software development) and who works until 8pm most nights.
“When you are entrepreneurial and building a business, that is where you spend your time because that’s what you are interested in. And when you are at home you just want to spend time with your wife.”
Zennstrom, who attracts 185,000 new customers to Skype everyday, is unperturbed in his vision, concluding: “My ambition is to make Skype into the world’s largest online communication company. That’s the driver. Financial gain is secondary.”
Source: Contractor UK
| UNTIL NEXT WEEK |
Please keep those news clips and articles coming in. They make the newsletter more interesting and everyone appreciates the joint effort that goes into making this a great resource for the Wireless Messaging community each week.
With best regards,  | Brad Dye P.O. Box 266 |  |  | ||
| Skype: | braddye | WIRELESS MESSAGING | |||
| Telephone/Fax: | 618-842-3892 | ||||
| E–mail: | brad@braddye.com | ||||
| Web: | Consulting page  MAY I HELP YOU? | ||||
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