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April 30, 2004
Skype to Speak Out at VON Canada 2004
When Skype's co-founder and CEO, Niklas Zennstrom, takes the microphone on Tuesday, May 18th at VON Canada 2004, it will be the first time he has spoken about Skype anywhere in North America.
I'm looking forward to both meeting him and hearing what he has to say.
As the communication industry press starts to understand the significance of his presence at our conference, I expect the number of press requests to attend VON Canada 2004 to just continue to rise.
Posted by jeff at 07:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
VoIP in Tennessee - Taxas and All
Sen. Lamar Alexander will be at the Nashville Public Library to open today's VoIP Conference.
CNET recently reportedthat "...the senator is particularly concerned about telephone calls migrating to the Internet via voice over IP (VOIP) technology."
I guess that's why we are all meeting today in Nashville.
Now I've also heard that Sen.Alexander feels that VoIP Service providers "should pay the same sales taxes and the same kind of business taxes that everyone else pays."
Hopefully this a position and platform open for public debate rather than a done deal...as while Nashville is a great town, given the posturing going into this meeting, I don't want to leave here later today wondering why exactly it was that I came to town.
I'm looking forward to making my own opening remarks at this important VoIP event in Tennessee and then moderating the first session of the day.
Posted by jeff at 07:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 29, 2004
Arrived in Nashville, TN
I just arrived in Nashville, TN for the VoIP tomorrow at the Nashville Public Library.
Right before flying out of Islip Airport a photographer from Fortune Magazine tracked me down for a story that is scheduled to run in next Tuesday's issue of the magazine.
I did the interview about a month ago and I'm looking forward to the story. Hopefully it will come out better than the recent VoIP story that ran in Newsweek.
Posted by jeff at 08:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Rock Revolutionary Wanted:
from: http://pulverradio.com/job.html
24/7 Internet Rock Radio Station seeks Full Time On-Site Manager of Operations to coordinate intern staff from local university, voice track, dj selective live segments daily. You will also manage the automation system, playlist/scheduler, and schedule and manage music programming and input of traffic, advertising and promotions. Radio background is key as well as sensitivity to broadcast best practices. Staff person will need to process and respond to input about sound, image, and music, be capable of responding to focus group and research study information, consumer/listen feedback to adjust station image.
This is a Full-Time Fun position for a true music fan – but being technically savvy is key in this complex, dynamic environment. You will be the voice of the station but you will also be its chief mechanic. You must be sensitive to needs and responsive to management staff and work with consultants. Background in and love of music is essential. Energetic self-starter, entrepreneur-style employee needed.
Please send the following information in confidence to ian@pulver.com :
- Air Check (link or mp3/wma/real files for review)
- Two Professional References in Broadcast Industry
- Resume (Microsoft WORD format or .PDF accepted)
Competitive salary and comprehensive benefit package will be provided.
PulverRadio is located @ the pulver.com offices in Melville, NY.
Posted by jeff at 12:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Answer to: Whatever Happened to Stroke 9?
The Internet is an amazing place. Sometimes if you ask the right questions, they get answered.
I happen to be a fan of Stroke 9 for quite some time and had the pleaure to meet the band several times during the 2000/2001 time frame.
A while ago I asked the question: "What ever happened to Stroke 9?" and a few minutes ago, Greg from the band emailed me with the following information:
Hi Jeff,
I was doing a search on stroke 9, which I like to do from time to time, and came across your Whatever Happened To.. blog.
Well, what did happen to us? Stroke 9 is still going. We left Universal after the second album. It was just time to go. Majors are tough, you know? So we took some down time, and now there is a new album recorded, that will be released on a smaller, independent label later this year. We still play shows here and there, around the Bay Area and across the country.
I personally have stopped touring, due to the birth of my daughter, and
am actually working as a sound and communication electrician. So finding your site is actually pretty interesting timing, considering it is what I am doing day to day now. I'm in an apprenticeship, and in my classes VOiP and internet telephony come up a lot, and sometimes I tell the crazy story about how I played on the steps of the Capitol."
I thought this was a pretty cool email. :-)
The gig Greg is refering to was our 2001 Internet Freedom Rally which took place on the steps of the US Capitol the third Sunday in June in 2001.
Posted by jeff at 12:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 28, 2004
Ericsson and Cisco: Partners for Wireline Solutions
I just got invited to an Ericsson Telebriefing for a discussion of the collaboration between Ericsson and Cisco to deliver solutions to wireline operators. Ericsson and Cisco announced a strategic alliance this morning.
Ericsson and Cisco will be collaborating to deliver solutions to wireline operators The worlds of telephony, data and multimedia communications continue to converge, and wireline carriers must deliver a wider variety of services and applications while minimizing overall network costs.
Welcome to the new world of communications.
Posted by jeff at 08:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Joined the Gmail Beta Test
After reading the noise about Gmail, I ran across someone wearing a Gmail shirt at the CFP2004 conference last week in Berkeley and he "invited" me to join the beta test.
So far I've been impressed with the user interface and the ability to search the incoming emails.
Hopefully they plan on adding POP3 support in the near future.
Posted by jeff at 12:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
VON Canada 2004: May 18-20th in Toronto
On May 17th I will be making a special trip to Ottawa to meet with members of the Prime Minister's office and I hope to catch up with some people from the CRTC to talk about VoIP regulation in Canada.
From Ottawa I will be flying to Toronto for VON Canada.
VON Canada 2004 is taking place at a time when possible VoIP Regulation by the CRTC is being discussed on a regular basis in the Canadian media.
During this year, the consumers of Canada will start to benefit from the increased competition made possible by the innovations introduced by the IP Communications Industry.
Our conference schedule has been recently updated and I'm looking forward to producing our first event in Canada.
Skype will be making their first public statements in North America at this event. I expect this will not go unnoticed by the Canadian business media.
Posted by jeff at 12:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 27, 2004
Supernova 2004: June 24-25 in Santa Clara, CA
I'm looking forward to attendingSupernova 2004 which will be taking place in Santa Clara, CA on June 24-25.
This promises to be the most blogged about event yet.
Supernova is a Kevin Werbach event (I'm his partner) and he uses it to take a look at Decentralized Communications.
It was at Supernova 2003 that I finally made the commitment to blog on a daily basis, and I've been a daily blogger ever since.
Supernova explores the decentralization of communications, software, and media. It brings together 200+ influential executives, technologists, entrepreneurs, investors, and other thought leaders in a unique, interactive format.
Some of the Supernova 2004 speakers include:
- Ray Ozzie (CEO, Groove Networks)
- Esther Dyson (Chairman, EDventure Holdings)
- Clay Shirky (Author and Consultant)
- Lawrence Lessig (Professor, Stanford Law School)
- Michael Gallagher (Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce)
- Mena Trott (Co-founder, Six Apart)
- Meg Hourihan (President, Kinja)
- Jeff Ganek (CEO, Neustar)
- Shawn Hardin (SVP, AOL Broadband)
- Joanna Rees Gallanter (Managing Partner, Venture Strategy Partners)
- Loïc Le Meur (CEO, UBlog)
If you are wondering what is cool in the technology space and would like to meet the people who bring their coolness to the edge, come out to Supernova.
The event is only 8 weeks away and now would be a great time to register for the conference.
Posted by jeff at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 26, 2004
VON Europe 2004: "Early Bird" Pricing Ends April 30th
VON Europe 2004's "Early Bird" Pricing ends on Friday, April 30th.
Following in the path of our recent Spring event, the exhibit space at VON Europe 2004 is sold-out and we are expecting a significant gathering of the European IP Communications industry.
If you would like to save $$$ on the price of attending the event, remember to Register by April 30th.
Posted by jeff at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
pulver.com: On the Road This Week
Looking around our office this morning, there are a number of people from pulver.com on the road. There are a few of us in Maui for our Camera Phone Summit which opens tomorrow, Carl Ford will be in Baltimore today for NENA's Critical Issues Forum: VoIP and E-9-1-1 (April 25/26), Scott Karman is in Los Angeles attending a Mobile Venture Capital Conference and there will be a couple of others at ETSI attending a working group meeting where our .tel proposal will be discussed.
I will be on the road myself later this week, attending and speaking at the Tennessee Regulatory Authority's VoIP Day in Nashville, TN on April 30th.
Posted by jeff at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 25, 2004
Life with Roscoe
Roscoe has now with been with my family for a little more than a week and it seems that he has been adjusting well to life on Long Island. :-)
Roscoe @ Home
Roscoe in Westhampton Beach
Posted by jeff at 06:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tennessee Regulatory Authority's VoIP Day: April 30th
I'm looking forward to my trip later this week to Nasville to moderate and speak at VoIP event on April 30th sponsored by the Tennessee Regulatory Authority.
The morning will begin with a talk by Senator Lamar Alexander followed by the first session: VoIP Technology - "What's the Big Deal?". I will be sharing some opening remarks and then will be moderating the session which include speakers from: AT&T, Comcast, Medley Global Advisors, Vanderbilt University and Vonage.
The lastest draft of the meeting agenda is available at the TRA website.
Posted by jeff at 12:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
DRI's Crystal Ball: Great Event
Last night's gala charity dinner on Long Island, the Crystal Ball was a great event for Diabetes Research.
Last night we raised over US $600,000 and the Crystal Ball was great event for everyone involved.
Following in the big footsteps of Sue and Art Gillin as chairs of the Crystal Ball was a difficult feat and we never could have raised so much money last night if it wasn't for the ten year's worth of work that they did.
If any of your friends or family members suffer from Diabetes, you may want to consider supporting the great work of
The Diabetes Research Instute.
Special thanks to the members of the IP Communications Industry who sent in their donations to this event for our dinner journal.
Posted by jeff at 08:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 24, 2004
FWD # 19020 - The Talking Blog
Special thanks goes out to Ed Guy from our FWD Team for implementing a new experimental FWD Feature: "The Talking Blog."
When you dial FWD# 19020, you will be able to hear the latest entries from my blog.
Posted by jeff at 01:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
DRI's Crystal Ball is Tonght
The Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) is an international center dedicated exclusively to the cure and treatment of diabetes.
The result of parents of children with diabetes who banded together more than twenty-five years ago to focus scientific attention on this disease, the DRI today stands as a world leader in innovative cure-related research.
Tonight is their annual Crystal Ball on Long Island. This evening we will be honoring: Dr. Camillo Ricordi, Owen and Bernadette Smith and Dr. and Mrs. Irwin Kellner.
Posted by jeff at 08:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 23, 2004
jetBlue - Flight Experience Getting Better
This week I was on three different jetBlue flights and each time the experience was just as good as the last one.
My flight from JFK to Long Beach was as good as the way I remembered the previous trip and one ironic twist, two months ago actor Michael Beech (Third Watch) was on that flight and on Tuesday morning, sitting once again across the aisle from me, actor Michael Beech was once again on the flight. This time I took his picture with Carl Ford just to capture the memory.
Carl & Michael Beech
Posted by jeff at 09:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
IP-MoU: Getting Started
The IP-MoU website launched earlier this week and the momentum surrounding this activity is starting to grow.
The IP-MoU is an international consortium of IP-based service and application providers intent on quickly realizing the promise of interconnecting ubiquitous IP communications. The IP-MoU will adopt and implement common principles designed to promote three primary objectives:
Promote the interoperability, interconnection and ubiquity of IP-based service and applications.
Establish processes to ensure that IP-based services and applications comply with local, national and international laws and social objectives such as:
Emergency Response; Law enforcement; Access by persons with disabilities.
Ensure that consumers worldwide are assured basic rights as users of IP communications:
- Freedom to Access Content: Consumers should have access to their choice of legal content;
- Freedom to Use Applications: Consumers should be able to run applications of their choice;
- Freedom to Attach Personal Devices: Consumers should be permitted to attach any devices they choose to the connection in their homes;
- Freedom to Obtain Service Plan Information: Consumers should receive meaningful information regarding their service plans; and
Protection of Consumer Privacy: Consumers should know that their personal information is safeguarded, except to the extent necessary to abide by law enforcement obligations.
The next meeting will be taking place on April 26th.
Posted by jeff at 07:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 22, 2004
Celebrating 40 Years of the Video Telephony Revolution!
It was 40 years ago today that AT&T Introduced the world to the concept of the video telephone at the opening of the 1964 World's Fair in Flushing, New York.
While I'm a product of the Jetsons Generation, and I'm not yet a regular user of Personal video communications, I do look forward to the day when real-time video communications becomes a part of my everyday life.
As a side bar, there is a little bit of telecom trivia associated with the advent of the AT&T Video Telephone. If you were ever wondering why there is a "T1" and "T3" term used in networking and you don't generally hear about "T2", you might find it interesting to learn that T2 was designed to help make the original AT&T video phones happen.
With 40 years behind us, I look forward to the growth of real-time video communications over the next 3-5 years.
Posted by jeff at 04:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
CRTC Reschedules VoIP Hearings
The CRTC, in response to requests received, has amended the VoIP proceeding timeframes.
The new dates are:
Filing of comments - by June 18, 2004
Filing of interrogatories - by July 16, 2004.
Responses to those interrogatories - by August 6, 2004.
Public consultation - September 21-22
Parties wishing to make an oral presentation at the consultation are required to file comments and to indicate by email their intention to participate in the consultation by June 18, 2004.
Posted by jeff at 04:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
German Regulators looking at VoIP
RegTP - the German Regulatory Authority for Telecommunications and Post today launched a "public consultation" on VoIP seeking comments on a range of IP Communication related issues by June 18.
RegTP is seeking input on many of the same issues currently being explored by the United States and other Governments.
Issues being explored include:
the regulatory classification of VoIP, the use of numbers, universal service, emergency services, and the German equivalent of CALEA.
Posted by jeff at 03:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Santa Clara Update: VoIP Momentum Still Building in Silicon Valley
During the past couple of days I could not help but notice the continued strong sentiment that some members of the venture community have towards getting involved in funding various VoIP start-ups as well as recommitments to get some older start-ups to the next set of milestones.
While some venture firms seem to be attracted to what feel like pure momentum plays, the money is flowing back into the VoIP sectors for some of the would-be entrepreneurs to help change the world and face of communications.
Posted by jeff at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 21, 2004
FCC Rules on AT&T Petition
I am pleased that the FCC has finally clarified the existing law pertaining to AT&T's use of the IP backbone. This decision will allow the Commission to move forward, empowering IP-enabled innovators and entrepreneurs and the capital markets to realize the promise of IP communications. I am confident that the FCC will effectively shape the policies, both domestically and internationally, needed to foster the growth, capabilities and ubiquity of IP communications.
Posted by jeff at 05:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Request for assistance with ".tel' TLD
I'm looking for friends who are in the IP Communications space to support my recent .tel submission.
We have entered into the comment stage of the ICANN process and I am looking for friends to submit a comment to ICANN regarding the Pulver/NetNumber application for a ".tel" Top Level Domain [TLD]. The purpose of the ".tel" TLD is to provide an addressing infrastructure for use exclusively by IP communication service providers. Statements of support from industry participants will play an important factor in ICANN's decision. Instructions for submitting a comment are provided below. You'll see that I've provided sample text for your review.
Please feel free to simply copy this text into the body of your e-mail message. The sample text addresses the key issues that ICANN will be reviewing in making their decision. Please let me know if you have any questions about the Pulver/NetNumber ".tel" proposal. Otherwise, thank you in advance for taking the time to submit a comment to ICANN.
Click this link stld-rfp-tel-pulver@icann.org to submit a comment to ICANN via e-mail.
Here is some sample text:
E-mail Subject: Industry support for Pulver/NetNumber ".tel" TLD proposal
As a participant in the IP communications service provider (IPCSP) industry, it is my belief that a sponsored ".tel" TLD for use by IPCSPs will add significant value to our industry as a compliment to the IAB/ITU supported "e164.arpa" implementation of the ENUM protocol.
I support Pulver.com as sponsor of the ".tel" TLD with the expectation and understanding that ICANN will play its role in providing the necessary on-going independent oversight function for this TLD.
Name
Title
Company
Posted by jeff at 04:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Possible visit to Washington DC on April 29th
Late yesterday I heard that I may be invited to the third of three Senate Telecom Hearings scheduled for next week, to discuss a vision for the future of telecom regulation.
I'm looking forward to the possibility of being a part of the Senate Hearing.
Posted by jeff at 04:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 20, 2004
Getting ready for CalTech Talk...
After flying in on jetBlue into Long Beach, CA, I'm now on my way to the CalTech campus to get ready for tonight's talk.
Posted by jeff at 06:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Another jetBlue Day!
In about an hour I start my trek to the West Coast. Given my recent experience on America West, I look forward to the smiles and positive approach to service that I've learned with my own experience that jetBlue believes in.
Posted by jeff at 05:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Going to California in the Morning...
Just when it feels as if I'm finally adjusted back to the time on the East Coast, I'm on the road again, this time flying back West to California for three days.
Tuesday night I will be speaking at the Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum and on Wednesday I will be in the town of Berkeley speaking at CFP2004.
On Thursday I have some meetings in San Jose and Santa Clara and will then trek back home to New York.
Posted by jeff at 12:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 19, 2004
Jonathan Askin has joined the pulver.com team
Jonathan Askin has recently joined pulver.com as our General Counsel.
Jonathan is a Washington D.C. telecommunications veteran and will represent us and provide legal and policy counsel to pulver.com and our various enterprises throughout the world.
Personally, I'm thrilled that Jonathan was able to join the pulver.com team.
Jonathan's legal, policy and regulatory expertise, both domestic and international, will help guide pulver.com, particularly during the critical public policy challenges facing our industry and the future of IP communications technologies, services and applications.
Before joining pulver.com, Jonathan had extensive industry experience, servicing most recently as General Counsel and President of the Association for Local Telecommunications Services (ALTS), the leading national trade association representing facilities-based competitive local exchange carriers. Mr. Askin also served as Senior Attorney in the FCC’s Common Carrier Bureau where he managed a docket designed to promote the deployment of advanced services.
Posted by jeff at 12:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Joss Stone...Amazing Voice
While VH1 Divas last night felt like watching "Divas of the past who can still sing" one person who stood out in the crowd was Joss Stone.
Joss recently turned 17 and can sing soul music with the best of them, maybe even a little better given the aging soul divas and the tender age that Joss is at.
I'm looking forward to hearing more from Joss in the future.
Posted by jeff at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 18, 2004
Free World Dialup: At 200,000 Members and Growing!
Earlier today, the 200,000th Free World Dialup Number was issued.
Free World Dialup continues to grow and we have plans to roll out a bunch of innovative new services over the rest of the year.
Posted by jeff at 06:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
It's not Feeling Like 1999 for Everyone
Just received a note from a friend:
"Just wanted to say hi as I am leaving the telecommunication industry for a new career. I was recently working in the last few months for [xxx] but I have an opportunity to become an actuary in the insurance industry and I accepted the offer.
I decided that never again I will go through a crisis like the one I went through with [xxx] in 2001. I will definitely miss the excitement in your conferences and the edge of VoIP, but I want a solid career with a desired, interesting profession.
Wishing you a success with your leadership of the VoIP community and hope to stay in touch!"
During the past few months I've received similar notes from others who decided that they don't want to relive the excitment of the last voIP cycle all over again.
Posted by jeff at 09:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Finally Having Fun with Digital Photos
Growing up, we were a photography family. I remember watching my dad taking so many pictures and then having more fun getting the images the way he wanted to present them after spending what seemed like days in the darkroom.
In the 80s my dad spent a lot of time trying to get a color darkroom setup at home and the days it took to try to make everything work just right. While my dad was in the darkroom, I spent my free time on my ham radio.
Given my roots, I would have thought that I too would end up living with a camera and spent time capturing memories. During the past few years I've purchased at least one digital camera a year but I never found myself staying with it...until now.
Who would have thought that by simply using some high end PCs, one could capture photos and leverage the widespread availability of photography software to eliminate the need to ever mix chemicals again.
While I've used higher end cameras, for the past couple of months I've really been enjoying the use of my Kodak digital cameras and have been enjoying the ability to have the instant gratification of printing out a 4x6 image as soon as a photo is taken.
I find it pretty interesting the way some other businesses have just appeared which specialize in printing of digital photos by simply updating files from a PC across the internet to the company offering the printing service. I'm pretty sure there have been some other niche businesses created due to the advent of digital cameras. I'm not sure if this offets the number of companies in total who have been effected due to the advent of digital photos.
Anyway, speaking from the voice of a true hobbyist, if I find myself still using a digital camera in another few months, I will be able to say with confidence that there was something about digital photography in 2004 which was a change agent and was something that finally effected my everyday life.
If my dad were still around, I think he would have enjoyed seeing me joining him in his hobby of photography.
Posted by jeff at 12:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 17, 2004
A Dogs Tale...
On Thursday I was supposed to fly home during the day from Phoenix to New York. My family and I (including our new family member Roscoe) ended up instead taking a redeye flight arriving about twelve hours later than we expected.
Having never traveled with a dog of my own before, I had no clue with regard to airline rules for pets in the passenger cabins or the extent that some airlines enforce some rules that otherwise do not make much sense to humans.
After Roscoe became part of our family, I called America West and ordered a ticket which allowed for him to be with me in the plane cabin. At that moment, I was told that there was no one else on the plane who requested such a permit which it turns out was important to know since they are supposed to only sell one such ticket in their first class cabin and three dog tickets in their coach cabin.
What happened on flight America West Flight 14 before it left the gate was a traumatic experience which has tainted my desire to ever fly on America West again.
There were no problems at all until we were already on board the plane waiting at the gate to push off. We happened to be in the first class cabin of the airplane and it turned out that there a couple which was also traveling with a dog.
I realized that something was up when the husband of the other couple offered me $50 to have one of my kids take our dog and sit in coach for the entire flight. Rather than engaging him in coversation, I just ignored him.
When one of the flight attendants heard a peep out of the other small dog she took out her flight manual and looked for the paragraph to cite which enforced their version of the only one dog in first class rule. A few minutes a gate agent came on board and told me
that I had to give up my first class seat and move to coach with my new dog, saying that I purchased my plane ticket after the other couple purchased their ticket and as a result of their action, the person in coach whose seat I took was given a free upgrade to first class. This whole thing happened as one big blur and the experience didn't go over well with either myself or my wife, Risa. I did not understand why if I had a ticket for my dog that I would have to move to coach and be seperated from my family. It wasn't my fault that America West sold me a ticket for Roscoe that they shouldn't have. Why should I be the one they took action with?
While I was moving to the back of the plane, Risa did share her feeling of displeasure with the gate attendant who told her that she would not discuss this matter any further. The gate agent's supervisor then boarded the flight and for reasons I still don't understand told my wife she had to get off of the plane. This in turn shocked my kids and I only found out about what was happening when I heard their shreks / screams from the sheer fear of what was going on around them from my seat in coach.
Five minutes later we are all off the plane, including my mother-in-law who was traveling with us and for added dramatic effect we were also greeted by two local Phoenix Police officers. At that time, our children were still hysterical and the same America West supervisor who removed Risa from the flight, told her that she should "hush up our children". These group of flight attendents were the most discusting / non-friendy, non-kind group of people I have ever been in contact with in the travel industry.
15 minutes later the plane leaves with our luggage still on the plane and my family leaving terminal 4 in Phoenix with our tickets refunded and a bitter experience to share the with the rest of the flying world.
Posted by jeff at 12:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
No news on the AT&T Petition
Sometimes it is the lack of news that makes the news.
Case in point, the FCC and the status of the AT&T Petition.
It was widely anticipated by some people that the FCC was going to rule on the AT&T Petition by now.
Posted by jeff at 12:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 16, 2004
Canada still has a chance to speak out about VoIP Regulation
Last week when the CRTC announced its preliminary finding with regard to the treatment of VoIP service providers in Canada, several people contacted me with regard to my statements that the CRTC may have gotten it wrong by not following the leadership of the FCC.
My hope is that before the final decision is in for the sake of the near term future of IP Communications in Canada, that the case is made for voice as an application and what it means when it becomes possible to offer what seems like voice services separate from the access.
The current concept of applying old rules to new services will have the effect of disrupting the near term future innovation in the Canadian IP Communications Industry.
Posted by jeff at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Pennsylvania Commission VoIP Update: No Assertion of Jurisdiction/Monitoring Mode Adopted
Adopted 5-0 by the
PA Commission, at yesterday's Public Meeting.
Posted by jeff at 11:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Newsweek and Barrons working on VoIP Stories
While I was on vacation this past week, I spoke to writers from both Barrons and Newsweek.
Look for the story to be in Newsweek next week and in Barrons in a couple of weeks. The WSJ is working on a larger story for the May timeframe.
Posted by jeff at 08:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 15, 2004
Roscoe Pulver
On the last full day of my vacation in Scottsdale, AZ, my family was visiting one of the many shopping malls of the area and one thing lead to another and we ended up leaving the mall with a new puppy. :-)
Roscoe.
Next up for us is the trip to the airport and the flight home to NY.
Posted by jeff at 10:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 14, 2004
Heard on the Net: CRTC May Reschedule Dates for VoIP Proceeding
I just heard that the CRTC is considering moving the dates of their VoIP Proceeding from May 19-20 to some other dates in the near future.
Posted by jeff at 04:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Vacation Ending; Back to the Blur
While it has taken me quite some time to get into the vacation spirit, one thing I don't look forward to is going back to the blur.
Living in blur time seems more of a movie term than a way to describe the state of being but I know that there are at least a few people at pulver.com who know exactly what I mean when I talk about living in Blur Time.
After living thru 2002, I'm never going to complain about being busy...but I am still trying to figure out how to best scale to deal with everything that is going on inside our world at the moment and not fall behind.
Posted by jeff at 03:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Some Images from Scottsdale
Posted by jeff at 02:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 13, 2004
Just another Day in Scottsdale
Jessica Simpson in AZ.
Earlier today I had an interesting albeit unique experience as a guest at resort in Scottsdale, AZ.
I noticed that again today Jessica Simpson was sitting poolside with a few friends relaxing and taking in the sun. So, I took out my camera and took a few pictures.
After a few minutes, one of her friends asked me to stop taking pictures and I did and I went to my hotel room.
Fifteen minutes later there was a knock on my door and it was Hotel Security. The security person demanded for me to give him the film from my camera and I told him that I had no film. He ended up demanding that I delete the photos from my camera - which I did.
I thought things like this only happened in novels, TV and in the movies.
So much for not letting Jessica Simpson get in the way of my vacation.
Posted by jeff at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Tao of VoIP
I enjoyed reading Tim McElligott's recent Back Office Beat column entitled The Tao of VoIP.
Posted by jeff at 02:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 12, 2004
On Vacation with Nick and Jessica...
Earlier today, Nick Lachey and Jessica Simpson checked into the same hotel that I've been staying at in Scottsdale, AZ and brought their reality TV camera crew with them.
My kids where pretty excited when they saw Jessica walking right by them a few minutes ago, albeit with a camera crew following her every footstep.
The cameras were also seen focusing on Nick when he was hanging out in the hot tub by the pool right next to my room.
I guess Nick and Jessica were not look for privacy when they decided upon which Scottsdale, AZ resort to spend a few days at.
I'm going to try to not let their cameras get in the way of what is the rest of my vacation.
Posted by jeff at 10:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Going to Nashville, TN on April 30th
VoIP —A New Day in Telecommunications? is an all day event which will be taking place on April 30th in Nashville, TN. (I had for some reason thought it was taking place in Memphis.)
I will be part of their Panel I —VoIP Technology - "What's the Big Deal?"
This should be an interesting day in Tennesse.
Posted by jeff at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 11, 2004
Still trying to Relax
I've been away for over a week and I'm still trying to relax. Going on vacation and not having access to high speed broadband on a consistent basis is not relaxing to me. Being able to check email whenever I want to is.
During the past week I have rediscovered my love for my iPod and have been spending more time than usual getting to know my relatively new G4 better.
But the sad reality for some of the people at pulver.com is that when I go on vacation, there is no vacation from me. ;-)
Many times as I start to relax, I start to think about work and I generally end up spending more time speaking to people when I'm away then when I'm in the office. This time around I've tried to recognize this from the start and I think I've been better about it.
The week after I get back to the office I'm on the road again, spending a little time in LA and then the Bay Area.
On April 20th, I will be speaking at the Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum and on April 21st I will be at the 2004 Computer Freedom & Privacy Conference, speaking in Plenary II.
While in the Bay area I will be catching up on some meetings that originated at Spring 2004 VON.
Our Camera Phone Summit takes place the following week in Maui and I was recently invited to be in Memphis on April 30th at a VoIP event the State of Tennessee is doing.
I'm looking forward to spending more time on Long Island in May.
Posted by jeff at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 10, 2004
VoIP: Mainstream as a Business Press Topic
This past week I did an interview with an old friend who is writing a cover story in Barrons in a couple of weeks on VoIP.
Given the amount of press the VoIP industry has been getting, it was just a matter of time before Barrons looked at it again.
Before I left on vacation I also met with a couple of writers at Fortune.
While I think it is great that there are around 200,000 people in the US paying for Voice over Broadband services, given that there are something like 24 million broadband enabled homes, the market penetration isn't there yet.
And I'm not sure what steps can be taken to increase the penetration anytime soon. Home networks continue to be mostly hostile to real-time communications. Who is changing this? and when?
Now as the number of subscribers grows from 200,000 at the moment to maybe 500,000 by the end of this year, given the size of the marketplace, members of the IP Communications industry as well as those looking to regulate us, should recognize that we have a long way to go to realize the potential ahead of us.
Posted by jeff at 11:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 09, 2004
Jeff @ Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum, April 20, 2004
On the evening of April 20th I will be the keynote speaker at the Caltech/MIT Enterprise Forum "VENTURING IN VoIP"
For the $35 fee they are charging, it looks like a real cheap price to pay for both dinner and attendence at this event.
From their website:
"Our program will explore the technology behind VoIP, explore the public policy arena, both nationally and internationally, and discuss the Pulver decision, and the FCC's signaling that it is not interested in over-regulating VoIP, thus making it a prime opportunity for entrepreneurial activity. We will also hear from a strong panel representing other companies venturing in VoIP, and will learn some do's and don'ts from experienced entrepreneurs."
Keynote Speaker:
Jeff Pulver, President and CEO of pulver.com
Panelists:
Dr. Mark S. Petrovic, Vice President, Research and Development at EarthLink, Inc.
Brent Lang, Vice President of Marketing, Vocera
Stephen Saltzman, Intel
Moderator: Jeff Lawrence, President & CEO of Clivia Systems
Producer: Scott Alderton , Partner, Stubbs, Alderton & Markiles, LLP
Date: Tuesday evening , April 20, 2004
Location: Registration, Networking and Complimentary Dinner:
5:30pm at Chandler Dining Hall, Caltech
Program: 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Baxter Lecture Hall, Caltech
Details/Registration http://www.entforum.caltech.edu
Posted by jeff at 08:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
pulverInnovations and Rapport: Strategic Relationship
With all of the news coming from the show floor last week at Spring 2004 VON, one of the announcements that didn't get that much notice was the announcement of a strategic relationship between pulverInnovations and Rapport, Inc.
pulverInnovations is committed to working with Rapport to help them add VoIP support to their
reconfigurable embedded chip architecture.
While everyone in the chip business likes to consider their work "revolutionary", I've found the work of Rapport to really be amazing, and my goal working with Rapport is to help bring to the marketplace an embedded chipset that within the next 12-18 months will help lower the bill of materials (BOMs) of consumer VoIP equipment and in effect could signal the widespread availability of what could be a US$10 "Princess Phone" as well provide a baseline for next generation SIP based Wi-Fi / GSM phones.
My entry into this joint venture came after years of frustration of waiting for the more established chip vendors offer lower costs and enhanced feature sets for the VoIP industry.
Posted by jeff at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
FCC to Rule on AT&T Petition
According to a story in the Washington Post AT&T Faces Bills for Calls Carried Over Internet, the FCC is prepared to rule on the AT&T Petition and in fact, rule against it.
From my side I'm happy that the FCC is finally close to clarifying the existing law related to AT&T's use of an IP backbone and look forward to the FCC moving on to empower IP-enabled entrepreneurs to help realize the true promise of IP communications.
Posted by jeff at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 08, 2004
New Gallup Survey Highlights VoIP Potential
I just received the following email from a friend:
"UBS analysts John Hodulik and Aryeh Bourkoff conducted a survey with Gallup to gauge consumer acceptance and eventual adoption of VoIP. They found that respondents appear more willing to sacrifice quality than reliability, with roughly 34% saying they would switch from their existing landline service to VoIP for cost savings. The survey also found that branding is less important than expected with 74% having no preference regarding purchasing a bundle of voice, video and data from either their cable or local exchange carriers."
Amazing but I guess true. Looks like it is open season for anyone who wishes to offer IP Communication Services.
Posted by jeff at 12:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 07, 2004
CRTC: Legacy Rules should Apply to VoIP
The CRTC just ruled that new IP Communication Service Providers in Canada should meet the same requirements as traditional telephony providers.
While the CRTC's "preliminary view," will be subject to public comment, this is not a good starting point from the perspective of would be communication disruptors who wish to do business in Canada.
Canada faces some of the same social policy issues as the United States and it was my hope that the CRTC would have followed the leadership of the FCC rather than following in the footsteps of Panama.
The CRTC's public hearing on VoIP will be taking place May 19-20 in Gatineau, Que., where the CRTC has its headquarters, at the same time when VON Canada will be taking place in Toronto.
Posted by jeff at 01:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
On Vacation with Blog Spam and email Spam
During the past few days the amount of blog spam that I've been experiencing has been on the rise.
This morning, instead of seeing my standard 200-400 email spam messaging waiting for me, I had at last count well over 1,000.
Being on vacation I'm in a slightly more tolerant mood than normal, but the lack of a reliable broadband connection in my hotel room just adds to the frustration.
At least the weather is nicer in Scottsdale, AZ.
Posted by jeff at 11:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 06, 2004
Goo Goo Dolls confirmed @ Fall 2004 VON!
I just heard that the Goo Goo Dolls have been confirmed as the special musical guests at Fall 2004 VON.
Our "All Conference" party will be taking place on Wednesday, Oct 20th in Boston.
Posted by jeff at 01:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
pulver.com and Peer 1 Networks Lauch VoIP Acceleration Project
pulver.com and Peer 1 Network recently got together and we launched our "VoIP Acceleration Project."
I joined forces with Peer 1 Network to provide assistance to start-up companies in IP Communications industry.
Our "VOIP Acceleration Project" is a joint venture in which Peer 1 Network and pulver.com offer to subsidize new VOIP companies in their bandwidth and co-location needs.
By working together with Peer 1 Network, my hope is that our companies will provide a launching pad for VOIP entrepreneurs with the vision, but not necessarily the financial backing, to take VOIP to the masses.
By identifying and nurturing some key IP Communication focused start-ups, my hope is to help revolutionize the way the world communicates.
For more information about our VOIP Acceleration Project, feel free to visit the website at http://pulver.com/colo.
Posted by jeff at 01:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 05, 2004
Images from Spring 2004 VON
Carl Ford - Sunday night @ VON Orientation
Bob Pepper, FCC, FCC Town Hall Meeting
Lunch @ VON on Monday, March 29th
Registration area
Exhibit Floor Opens on Monday, March 29th
Audience, Tuesday, March 30th
Dave @ FastNet 2004
Nathan from Broadvoice
Having fun at the "All Conference Party"
Liz Phair Fans
Posted by jeff at 07:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Special Thanks to Everyone for Helping to Make Spring 2004 VON Happen!
Spring VON 2004 was the best event pulver.com has yet produced, and we owe all of our success to our customers - the people who helped make it happen - and who are an integral part of the growing pulver.com community.
With over 3,500 participants, last week's VON event in Santa Clara was our second-largest on record. And the make-up of this audience was quite remarkable as well, with people attending from over 30 countries representing over 950 companies.
As recently as 2000 the mix of VON delegates was about 70% vendors, with the remaining 30% a combination of service providers, enterprise users, analysts, VCs and others. Now, four years later, the service providers and enterprise users alone outnumbered the vendors at Spring 2004 VON. Also, a record number of press and analysts covered the event, and the investment banking community -- including Goldman Sachs -- used it to showcase the VoIP industry for their customers, thus adding significantly to the whole VON experience.
Spring 2004 VON was special for many other reasons as well, not the least of which was the fact that AT&T, Level 3, and Microsoft all chose it as a forum for major announcements.
News features on Spring 2004 VON have already appeared throughout the media, and I included a selection of some of the stories below.
So how are we planning to follow-up the success of Spring 2004 VON? By working to exceed it in our future events, of course, and we are already, well on our way. Last week in Santa Clara we sold the last exhibit space for VON Europe 2004 (June 7-10, in London), we sold 90% of the available exhibit space at Fall 2004 VON (October 18-21, in Boston), and we made a significant dent in exhibition floor for Spring 2005 VON as well (to take place at the San Jose Convention Center next March).
Some Spring 2004 VON news storys & links:
-------------------------------------------
-Daily Deal/The Deal, VCs circle VoIP startups anew, March 29, 2004
-Light Reading, VoIP Seeks It's FCC Level, March 29, 2004
-Techworld, Governments eye IP voice regulation, March 30, 2004
-NetworkWorldFusion Pulver: VoIP lacks coolness, March 30, 2004
-TR Daily, PULVER: VoIP SECTOR URGENTLY NEEDS EQUIVALENT OF APPLES's
iPOD DEVICE, March 30, 2004
-Converge Digest, VON Keynote: Jeff Pulver -- Nothing is Impossible, March 30, 2004
-Converge Digest, VON Keynote: The FCC Enters the Year of VoIP, March 30, 2004
-Information Week, Opportunity Knocks for Voice Over IP - March 31, 2004
-CRN, Pulver: Opportunities Abound for VoIP - March 31, 2004
-Communications Daily, MICROSOFT OR APPLE VoIP COULD SHAKE INDUSTRY AND
POLICY, April 1, 2004
-Telephony, AT&T launches residential VoIP, gets sued by Vonage, April 1, 2004
-TR Daily, VoIP PARTIES LIKE IT'S 1999, BUT UNCERTAINTY Remains, April 1, 2004
-San Jose Mercury News, See voip - April 5, 2004
---
For more information on upcoming Pulver.com-produced events, click on the
links below:
- VON Canada 2004 in Toronto, May 18-20
- VON Europe 2004 in London, June 7-10
- SIP Summit 2004 in Chicago June 21-23
- VON Developers 2004 in Vancouver, July 27-29
- Fall 2004 VON in Boston, October 18-21
I hope everyone found Spring 2004 VON to be productive and worthwhile, and I look forward to seeing the community at future VON events. As always, comments and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.
Posted by jeff at 06:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
My take on the Sununu VoIP Bill
I like it! :-)
Overall the VoIP Bill is what I expected to see, a nice show of support and place holder setting forth a strong statement to allow VoIP to grow relatively free of excessive regulation, particularly unaffected by a host of onerous state regulations.
I think it is pretty good to have this as the first proposed piece of legislation on the topic, but I don't really expect any immediate action from Congress beyond a few hearings and press statement this year or early next year.
Than again, as I've learned, "Nothing is Impossible!"
This Bill (and the Pickering version in the House), will be very important to help people frame the regulatory debate.
I look forward to additional meetings on Capitol Hill and taking part in future hearings on this subject.
Posted by jeff at 06:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
We need QoS on Hotel Networks
For the second time in two weeks, I've found the quality of the broadband network being sold to guests to be quite poor. Bad enough to go back to dial-up.
So much for the always-on, broadband revolution.
A year ago when I was last in Scottsdale, the broadband from this hotel was quite good, but chances are I didn't have that much competition for bandwidth. For the past couple of days the connectivity has been fair at best and overall if this was the first time I was experiencing broadband from a hotel, I would give up and try to relax a little since this is supposed to be a vacation. ;-)
Seriously, pretty soon, if the conditions don't improve, I expect to see somebody start to add a dynamic to the rating of hotels and/or resorts - the quality of the available broadband access, on a five star scale with an extra star thrown in if Wi-Fi is available in the hotel room.
Posted by jeff at 05:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Pictures from Last Week in Santa Clara
While my mind is taking a rest, I've taken the time to start sorting through some of the pictures I have from Spring 2004 VON in Santa Clara.
"Nothing is Impossible"
Les Valdez @ Spring 2004 VON
Orkut
Liz Phair
Posted by jeff at 11:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 04, 2004
Catching some R&R in Scottsdale, AZ
After experiencing the blur and the buzz for the past few weeks, I've just arrived in Scottsdale, AZ where I plan on spending a few days on doing just about nothing and along the way catch up with some of the ideas that have been floating around my mind looking for a new home.
Seriously, I do hope to take advantage of this time to reflect back on where things are and look ahead to where things may be going.
Posted by jeff at 03:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 03, 2004
Sununu VOIP Bill Introduced
Yesterday afternoon the Sununu VoIP Bill was introduced.
I am in the process of reviewing it and will comment on it shortly.
Posted by jeff at 08:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Peace of Mind for the Holidays
As we think of the Holy land for the holidays and continue our prayers for peace, Free World Dialup members can now call free into Israel and the Vatican City.
Enjoy the Passover and Easter season with FWD.
Celebrate the holidays or call someone you care about. Get peace of mind -- celebrate your Freedom with Free World Dialup.
Our Free calling promotion runs from today through April 15th.
To call Israel dial: *97x followed by the number.
To reach the Vatican dial: *39 from any FWD phone.
Calls to mobile numbers not included.
Posted by jeff at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 02, 2004
My Meeting with Orkut @ Google
While I was Santa Clara for Spring 2004 VON, I took the opportunity to meet Orkut on the old SGI campus which Google is now occupying.
Having never visiting Google in the past, the entire experience felt slightly surrealistic.
I really enjoyed the spirit shared while on the Google Campus. I especially enjoyed watching the streaming list of Google searches that were on display inside the lobby of the building I was in. It had the same kind of memorizing effect that one could get by watching waves crash against the beach or the effects of staring at a burning log.
I do hope to have another opportunity to visit Google in the near future.
Posted by jeff at 11:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Liz Phair Rocked San Jose!
On the night of March 30th, Liz Phair left me with a really positive impressed after her performance at my "All Conference Party" which took place at the Spy Club in San Jose.
A special highlight of the evening took place when Farrell took the stage for the last song and sang Mustang Sally with Liz and her band. While I was in the background, the stage was Farrell's for the taking and it seemed that quite a number of people in the audience reached loudly and more positive for Farrell than any of Liz's songs.
I have some pictures from the party and I will be posting them in a day or two.
Posted by jeff at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
A Place to Play Hold'em in Silicon Valley: Bay 101
While I was in town for Spring 2004 VON, I made it a point to drop by the place that my friend Phil Helmulth once introduced me to, the Bay 101 Casino.
While there are other places once could drop by to play a game of Texas Hold'em or Omaha.
I had the pleasure of introducing Bay101 to a few new members of the pulver.com team and look forward to visiting Bay101 the next time I'm in Silicon Valley.
Posted by jeff at 11:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
April 01, 2004
In Oakland...Enroute Home from Spring 2004 VON
The pulver.com VON Events team is now enroute back to our offices on Long Island after a very successful Spring 2004 VON.
After being mostly offline for the past 4 1/2 days, I look forward to joining the always-on world once again.
We ended up selling 90% of the available booth space for Fall 2004 VON so we already know that the exhibit space at Fall 2004 VON will be sold out in a matter of a few weeks.
The exhibit space at VON Europe 2004 is also sold out.
Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of Spring 2004 VON, especially the staff at pulver.com.
Posted by jeff at 11:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The Commitments: Front Page of CNN 's Entertainment Section: (No Joke!)
Just received an email from my friend, Kenneth McCluskey, from the Commitmentments.
They made it to the front page of CNN's
Entertainment section today which I think is pretty damm cool.
The Commitments will be our entertainment at VON Europe 2004 on the night of June 9th when we are in London.
Posted by jeff at 09:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Orkut's April Fool's Day Announcement: Telepahic orkut
From the Orkut.com News Page:
"orkut.com continues to be a leader in technical innovations and is pleased to announce "Telepathic orkut" on its orkut social networking service. "Telepathic orkut is a breakthrough in online technology," comments Orkut Buyukkokten, the engineer credited with the invention. Users can now logon to orkut, create their profile and then telepathically fill in their deepest desires which only members of their network can receive. This is a huge differentiator between all the other run-of-the-mill social networking sites where users have to manually type in their personal and professional profiles. Prior to software development, Buyukkokten was trained to communicate with Siberian Tigers in Moscow."
:-)
Posted by jeff at 04:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)