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August 31, 2005

AIBO in Melville:

This week the Sony ERS-7MS "AIBO" Robot Puppy (dog) joined the pulver.com team in Melville, NY.

So far, during the week "AIBO" has spent time learning new techniques and has started to become familiar with our office and the people of pulver.com.

Below are some images of AIBO @ Work:

Posted by jeff at 11:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (403)

Senator Sununu to Speak at Fall 2005 VON:

I'm looking forward to hearing Senator Sununu speak on Monday at Fall 2005 VON. It is great to have Senator Sununu back at VON.

Senator Sununu has proven to be one of the leading champions for IP-based communications. He introduced legislation last year that would have given the industry the rules of the road to invest in and deploy advanced, IP-based communications networks and services, and we expect he will continue to be a leading light and outspoken advocate for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Posted by jeff at 07:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)

August 30, 2005

Katrina and the Waves: Internet Delivers in Time of Emergency ... Again

It seems that once again, in times of "real" emergency, the Internet was there to provide emergency communications when traditional voice services were not. According to a story filed yesterday afternoon by Anick Jesdanun of the Associated Press, "Cell phone service was spotty and long-distance callers met busy signals on Monday as Hurricane Katrina knocked out key telecommunications hubs along the Gulf Coast."

A key line in the story was "...Internet data networks were operating fine."

email and IM were used by many people yesterday to keep track of loved ones and as a mean to communicate with those in the effected areas in the path of Katrina. News outlets used IP based video, together with blogging and directly broadcasting their content on the Internet to keep their viewers (and their viewers' relatives) informed with the latest information about Katrina.

I think it is time to recognize and thank the Internet Community for its continued contributions in times of emergency and the reality that IP-based Communication services can and will provide a dependable channel for communications at times when other communication channels are just not available.

Wouldn't it have been absurd if public policy precluded PDAs and other computers with downloaded voice applications from offering users anything other than the cookie-cutter E-911 capability of traditional telephony?

Our public policy should be one that encourages continued innovation in the IP Communications space.

Posted by jeff at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

VoIP Bloggers Roundtable moved to Tuesday General Session at Fall 2005 VON:

In deference to the "Mad VoIPer", I am glad that we were able to move our "All Star" VoIP Bloggers panel to the Tuesday late afternoon General Session at Fall 2005 VON. Unlike most of the other scheduled sessions at Fall 2005 VON, the specific topics discussed by our group will be set on a real-time basis.

The attending conference delegates in Boston will have a chance to experience first hand the people behind some of the best read blogs in the IP Communications space...and I do not expect any of the speakers will be pulling any punches.

The bloggers speaking on the panel include: Mark Evans, Tom Evslin, Om Malik, Aswath Rao, Martin Geddes, Stuart Henshell, James Seng, and myself.

Andy Abramson will have his hands full as the moderator of this super session.

I'm looking forward to being a part of this session at VON and appreciate the support from everyone who agreed to join us.

By the way, other members of the blogsphere who are interested in the evolution of IP Communications are invited to join us in Boston and blog Fall 2005 VON.

Posted by jeff at 04:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

August 29, 2005

AIBO Finally Arrives in Melville:

After weeks of waiting, our Sony ERS-7MS "AIBO" Robot dog arrived at the office earlier today.

The reaction of most people in my office who saw AIBO for the first time was very similar to the way someone reacts in a presence of a puppy. (The is something to be seen to better understand.)

During the course of the day, our AIBO's learning progressed and is now able to:

- Find his bone
- Bring it to you
- Play with his plastic ball.
- Put himself on his charger (this took the longest)
- Dance on command
- Respond to "Don't do that"

...and the biggest surprise in AIBO's learning today was that he lifted his leg as if he was relieving himself! :)

I'm looking forward to connecting AIBO to our office's Wi-Fi network in the morning and starting to experiment with of some of the various software applications that are now available for the AIBO.

Posted by jeff at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)

The Need to add “Presence Awareness” to Consumer Desktop Applications:

While there are people working on “federating” various IP Communication networks, I am not aware of much work currently being done on federating personal desktop applications with these networks.

Currently, when I’m home and online, chances are that I’m running: Skype, pulver.Communicator, Google Talk and at times, Party Poker (and other on-line games) -- all at the same time. I am not currently using my home PC for “corporate communications” except for an occasional IM session with a friend in the industry or when I use PINE to check my email. While all of these applications co-exist just fine on my desktop, there are times when I’m engaged in a conversation on one network and I would like to find a polite way to communicate to others trying to reach me the equivalent of “I’m on the phone” and not otherwise appear to ignore their incoming request to communicate. Given these are all IP communication services, there should be a solution that can provide a much a richer experience other than what happens by default. An integrated multi-network desktop “Call waiting” application would be a nice start.

I’ve seen programs that change the Yahoo! custom presence status of friends with the song title of the music they are listening to and this is at least a step in the right direction. The situation which I wanted to avoid is doing what I do today which is in effect to make myself appear virtually “invisible” when I’m online and busy since there are many cases when I really want to be available, and being “invisible” defeats the purpose.

I’m not sure if what I’m looking to do is to automatically update the “custom messages” available on services like Google Talk and Yahoo! Messenger and the more generic presence status messages on the other networks when I’m engaged in a phone conversation, but that would be nice. However, since I’m able to do IMs with people while I’m otherwise engaged in a voice conversation, I’m not necessarily looking to reduce the amount of multimodal communications I am known for.

At the moment, I am looking for a solution that “connects” presence information from my desktop across various applications that are running. Specifically, when I’m running Party Poker and I’m in a tournament and it’s my turn to bet, it is the worst possible time for somebody to distract me by trying to IM or request a voice conversation. It is in instances like this what I would like to see the Party Poker application, (with my OK), send out some kind of presence information update to the various IM networks that I’m connected to that during the duration that it is my turn to make a bet, that I’m otherwise not available for incoming communication requests. In turn, if I’m ok with getting distracted with my game playing when it is not my turn to bet, for the respective IM network to get a message that I’m now available for incoming communication requests.

“Presence” as a concept means different things to different people and offers a lot to those who can leverage “presence” for more than just more efficient communications.

Posted by jeff at 08:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (40)

Being Interviewed by Forbes today:

This afternoon I will be making another one of my scheduled treks into Manhattan this summer – to be interviewed by Forbes.

After the coverage in the Wall Street Journal last week and coverage in a future NY Times story on VoIP, I'm looking forward to the meeting at Forbes.

Posted by jeff at 06:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Reminder: Charity Poker Tournament: September 18th in Boston

Our second Annual "Best Bet for the Cure" Texas Hold'em Charity Poker Tournament will be taking place on Sunday, September 18th in Boston from 5-10 pm.

This event has been underwritten by pulver.com in association with Fall 2005 VON. The proceeds from this event will benefit The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc.

Entry into the tournament is limited to the first 200 people who register. If you are thinking of playing in this event, now would be a great time to register. This year there is a $100 buy-in with unlimited re-buys for the first 90 minutes. The tournament will start promptly at 5:00pm on September 18th.

Tags: poker, charitypoker

Posted by jeff at 06:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)

August 28, 2005

Another "Tipping Point" Week for IP Communications:

Last week was an amazing week for the IP Communications Industry.

In the matter of a few short days, stories about: Vonage, Skype and Google dominated the business news around the world and on Friday the FCC gave the US VoIP industry a limited reprieve on E911 obligations.

Look for most of the people behind the companies making news last week to be in Boston the week of September 19th for Fall 2005 VON.

Posted by jeff at 11:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

I Blog, Mets Lose.

Farrell Shapiro may be onto something. It seems every time during the past two weeks that I’ve blogged about how well the Mets are doing, the Mets lose their next game.

Yesterday was no exception to the rule.

Not that I’m superstitious or anything, but this is starting to feel like yet another of a series of strange coincidences.

Farrell’s Data Points:
27-Aug (AM)- Mets lose later that day
21-Aug (AM)- Mets lose later that day
18-Aug (AM)- Mets lose later that day
11-Aug (AM)- Mets lose later that day

Tags: mets

Posted by jeff at 07:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)

August 27, 2005

BBC TV: Soon to be "Broadcast" on the Internet

"Disruption" continues in the Broadcasting space.

Now enter the BBC.

According to a BBC News Story, BBC's TV channels will be made available on the Internet sometime next year.

Personally while I think it is cool that the BBC plans to "broadcast" some shows on the Internet prior to airing on TV, I think it the BBC's thinking is off base if they really think they can really restrict the viewing to only UK viewers.

The Internet knows no borders...the BBC should know this. So, if in fact the BBC is simply looking to enable their broadcasts to people with a UK mailing address or just people whose domain is a .co.uk, either one of these requirements can be easily overcome by a motivated individual.

Eventually the BBC may learn that if they "Broadcast" their content to the world at large, they in turn open up a worldwide viewing audience they eventually could sell DVDs and other related commercial products to.

It will be interesting to see who will be the next to follow the lead of the BBC.

Posted by jeff at 04:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)

Slashdot: How Voice Enhances Life Online

A recent quote of mine that appeared a couple of days ago in the Wall Street Journal was used yesterday as the lead for a Slashdot story: How Voice Enhances Life Online.

"Carl Bialik from the WSJ writes "A Wall Street Journal article looks at the myriad ways, some surprising, that voice is being integrated into websites and other online tools. Usages range from the familiar--multiplayer gaming--to conducting business transactions and long-distance relationships. 'Ten years ago, the first Web sites were like company brochures, says Jeff Pulver, the VoIP pioneer. 'No one ever expected to have the ability to engage a community virtually. But now a lot of services are becoming a part of the Internet experience, including video, email and voice.'"

Posted by jeff at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)

August 2005: Mets are on a Roll

So far the Mets are 15-8 in August and they are starting to do all the right things for their games in September to actually matter.

In fact, as a team, the New York Mets have been “on fire” during the past week and at the moment they are amazing many people (including their fans) by being 5-0 on their current West Coast road trip and scoring 40 runs during these five games while giving up only 7 runs in total.

For a team that isn’t known for winning more than a couple of games in a row on the road, going 5-0 is pretty amazing. The Mets are 9-2 during the past 11 games and have started to re-affirm their presence in the NL East.

Currently the Mets are 4 games out in the NL East and just 1 ½ games out of the NL Wild card race.

Looks like I’m going to dust off my Mets season tickets and try going to a few home games in September.

Tags: mets

Posted by jeff at 08:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)

August 26, 2005

A Limited Reprieve from the Government -- FCC Extends Deadline for Consumer Acknowledgement of VoIP E911 Limitations:

The FCC's Enforcement Bureau extended to September 28, the deadline by which customers of interconnected VoIP providers must acknowledge their understanding of emergency response limitations of the VoIP service. In order to satisfy the revised deadline, interconnect VoIP providers must also satisfy additional FCC reporting guidelines. The FCC's Enforcement Bureau has determined that it will not initiate enforcement action, until September 28, 2005, regarding the affirmative acknowledgement requirement against those interconnected VoIP providers that: (1) previously filed reports on or before August 10, 2005 in accordance with the July 26 Public Notice; and (2) file two separate updated reports with the FCC by September 1, 2005 and September 22, 2005. Details are set forth in the FCC Public Notice: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DA-05-2358A1.doc

I think policymakers are starting to realize the absurdity of compelling providers to turn off customers who fail to acknowledge an inquiry from their service provider. Isn't it better for people to have some service (even if it does not provide a cookie-cutter E-911 capability), than no service at all?

Posted by jeff at 07:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (33)

It is happening. The Internet has become another TV Channel:

Building on the trend I first explored back in July during the AOL Music broadcast of the Live8 concerts, the broadband Internet is quickly becoming amongst many other things, an alternative commercial TV Channel which has the unique ability of offering a "rich media" experience to those who watch it.

Sunday's Video Music Awards ("VMAs") looks like it will be known as another breakthrough event, at least for Viacom and MTV, where MTV plans to take content from their own awards show, "go broadband" and use the platform to include bonus performances and other original programming. MTV is calling their internet broadcast channel: "MTV Overdrive."

In a prepared press statement, Van Toffler, president of MTV Networks music group said: "We know our viewers enjoy watching the show live with their friends, but we also know they are looking for the added experience of being able to customize their own VMA -- re-watching their favorite moments and performances or creating their own director's cut with highlights from their favorite artists -- and that's exactly why we created MTV Overdrive."

With full knowledge of how successful AOL Music was in their internet broadcasting of Live 8, I’m wondering how much of that experience MTV will actually apply. One thing I will be looking for is how much of the content shown during the VMAs on MTV is different from the content available on MTV Overdrive.

With MTV taking the lead with the VMAs, it will be interesting to see how long it will take for the other networks to add a "broadband channel" for their coverage of live award shows and/or significant sporting events. The clock has started ticking...

Posted by jeff at 08:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (29)

WSJ: Internet-Phone Market Gets Crowded (Page One)

This morning, the Wall Street Journal has a page one story written by Shawn Young which covers the current state of the voice over broadband industry and provides for a really good read.

I spoke with Shawn at length when this story was being researched. While this specific article has been a work-in-process for much of the summer, it is up-to-date with regard to the companies, issues and information covered.

"If all we're doing is driving down price, we lose," says Jeff Pulver, an industry pioneer and promoter who helped start Vonage. He has since moved on to other projects including pulvermedia, which organizes trade shows, and an Internet-based calling service called Free World Dialup intended to help promote the industry.

Posted by jeff at 07:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (42)

August 25, 2005

Surprise, Surprise...Vonage plans to file for IPO:

Five years ago, during the summer of 2000 after Jeffrey Citron joined the Min-X team and came in as the lead investor, he told me that he was looking at any investment with a five year time horizon. In early 2001 Min-X went thru a "restart process", refocused and changed its name to Vonage. It was at that point that their focus changed from being an on-line "minutes broker" between service providers to becoming the first commercial provider of voice over broadband services in the USA.

When Vonage launched their consumer voice over broadband service in March, 2002, they did so at a time when everyone else was on the sidelines just watching and waiting. Vonage's early success came from their commitment to a vision that in a broadband enabled world, "voice" really is just an application.

While knowing about the "five year window" didn't mean much to me at the time, as time moved forward and Vonage continued to gain customers, market share and raise outside capital, I started to suspect that they would be filing their S-1 by Q3 2005 and would be looking to go IPO when the market conditions would support it.

I woke up this morning and saw a number of stories about the pending Vonage IPO: The Daily Deal, The Wall Street Journal and in Om Malik's blog. Looks like we are getting another step closer to seeing a Vonage IPO.

I would agree with Om, the Vonage S-1 should make for a really good read. :)

Posted by jeff at 07:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (232)

Skype: Bringing Concept of “Presence” One Step closer to Mainstream

With the advent of Skype opening up their SkypeNet and SkypeWeb APIs to developers, “Presence” is now another step closer to becoming the multi-billion dollar industry that I believe it will be one day. At the moment “presence” is a concept many people in the IP Communications industry “get”, but very few consumers or Enterprise users really understand. I believe that Skype has the opportunity to both educate people what “presence” means and provide a platform for presence to become commercialized.

With Skype opening up their platforms, they are in fact empowering their developer community with the ability to create both horizontal and vertical applications and the opportunity to apply the concept of presence in applications which would not otherwise be considered “communication” apps.

Back in the mid-80s when Lotus 1-2-3 published their “1-2-3 Toolkit” they enabled third-party developers like myself to add @functions to Lotus 1-2-3. At that time, other developers took advantage of the availability of the developer tools and created vertical and horizontal spreadsheet applications for industries which at that moment, Lotus Development Corp. never considered had a need for their products.

I expect that over time we will see a similar, albeit different symmetry with the way the growing and innovative Skype developer community takes advantage of their available tools and apply them. It will be real interesting to see how some of the more creative Skype developers start to commercialize the opportunities presented and how that ecosystem evolves.

Skype's opening up of their Skype Net and Skype Web API to the web is yet another major step in their on-going contribution and commitment to the IP Communications revolution.

Posted by jeff at 07:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)

Wall Street Journal: Talk of the Internet

WSJ - August 25, 2005: Talk of the Internet

""Ten years ago, the first Web sites were like company brochures," says Jeff Pulver, an Internet-phoning entrepreneur in Melville, N.Y. "No one ever expected to have the ability to engage a community virtually. But now a lot of services are becoming a part of the Internet experience, including video, email and voice."

This story take a look at how voice services are being used to empower both massive multi-player on-line gaming and on-line dating, and includes a really nice reference to Andy Abramson and how he and his fiance uses VoIP as a means to stay connected. :)

Posted by jeff at 06:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (23)

August 24, 2005

Google Talk: Another Quick Look

During a long day of being in transit from London back to New York, I had a chance to take another look at Google Talk and I have used it for a number of IM chats and voice conversations with friends.

My quick take aways:

- Googlesq in design. Lightweight, Simple.
- Integrated into Gmail and Gmail Address book. Nice.
- Signal Strength meter. Interesting.
- Free form Presence Status (like Yahoo!)
- Still missing some very basic IM/Voice features.
- Don't like seeing the ads.

Posted by jeff at 09:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (29)

Google Talk Launches: May the Federation(s) Begin

Just downloaded and used Google Talk. My first call was with a my friend Ken Cotton in Tokyo. Google Talk worked in the same hostile environment that SIP was being blocked.

At first glance the "signal strength" meter on the Google Talk client was cool. While the GIPS codes are supported, at least based on my first conversation, it doesn't seem that Google licensed the GIPS voice engine and the GIPS echo cancellation technology.

However, unlike some other really innovative services that Google has delivered on to date, Google Talk appears at the moment to be very much a "me too" service and has a lot of catching up to do in order to become a serious player within the world of end-to-end IP communications. This said, Google has a great brand to launch such a service and it will be very interesting to see what happens over the next few days and what kind of end-user adoption Google Talk experiences over the next 3-6 months.

In the Google Talk FAQ there is a reference to "Federations" and I would have expected that Google Talk would have launched with live federations already in place. Seems as if this part of their launch was rushed. ;-)

It will be interesting to watch how the "Google Federation" evolves and what it means to those who join "the Federation."

Posted by jeff at 03:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Heading back to New York:

The past two days spent in London were a couple of really good (albeit long) days for pulvermedia. In a few hours I will be leaving London and spending part of the day in transit on my way back to New York.

These really are some exciting days/weeks/months for the worldwide IP Communications industry and at pulvermedia we are directly feeling the effects – both in terms of the VON events we produce as well as the opportunities afforded to us by others because of our place and presence in this space.

The meetings we had here in London, coupled with the meetings we had last week in both Boston and Washington have contributed to the strategic direction of pulvermedia as we plan for 2006 and beyond.

Posted by jeff at 03:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Google set to roll out Instant Messaging Service:

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Google set to roll out Internet messaging service

"Everybody is converging into the same space," said Jonathan Askin, general counsel for Pulver.com, a pioneer in the VoIP industry. "We think it's great Google is finally entering this area ... because more competition is always wonderful."

Posted by jeff at 03:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (27)

August 23, 2005

Port Blocking in London Hotel Continues...

Both Martin Geddes and Andy Abramson appreciate what it means to be the victim of Port Blocking.

I'm just especially irritated that someone at the hotel ISP choose to specifically block UDP traffic on port 5060. While I was in London I had hoped to spend some of my downtime beta testing a new build of pulver.Communicator but that will now have to wait until I return home.

On the positive side, except for the blocking of SIP traffic, I've been otherwise quite pleased with the quality of service provided by the connectivity in my room. Last night even though I was in London, I was able to get in my nightly shot of "Law and Order" on TNT and continue to be impressed with the quality of the picture on my SlingPlayer with sustained streaming rates ranging between 350-400k bps.

Oh, and I have been able to log into Party Poker without any trouble....but I now have to wonder if connectivity to sites like Party Poker would have been blocked if there was a casino in this hotel.

Posted by jeff at 02:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Reminder: Free Access to Fall 2005 VON Exhibit Hall:

Readers of my blog are invited to register to visit the Fall 2005 VON exhibit hall for free if you use the priority code: JPBL3 on or before August 31st.

Posted by jeff at 02:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 22, 2005

pulvermedia and E.J. Krause Partner to Bring VON: the World's Leading IP Communications Event to Mexico

The global expansion of VON continues. Below is the formal press release announcing our new relationship with E.J. Krause and the launch of VON Mexico:

The First VON MEXICO CONFERENCE & EXPO to Be Co-Located With EXPO COMM MEXICO 2006, February 14-17, Centro Banamex, Mexico City

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 22 -- pulvermedia and E.J. Krause today announced an alliance to bring VON, the world's largest and most important IP communications event to Latin America. The inaugural VON MEXICO event will take place February 14-17, 2006 at Centro Banamex in Mexico City, co-located with EXPO COMM MEXICO 2006.

Pulvermedia has hosted VON events in Europe and the United States for the last nine years. Throughout this time, the shows have grown steadily, and have expanded into new markets including Canada. E.J. Krause & Associates has hosted the EXPO COMM series for 15 consecutive years, shaping the event into the largest telecommunications, wireless, and broadband technology show in the world. The combination of these two industry-leading events creates an unprecedented business environment for the IP communications industry in Mexico and Central America.

"The VoIP industry is changing the way the world communicates -- and it is happening now! Our alliance with pulvermedia brings unique opportunities to Mexico that will help companies gain the training and expertise they need to promote the new revolution in telecommunications," commented Edward J. Krause III, President and CEO of E.J. Krause & Associates, Inc. "As organizers of international business forums, we are interested in events that address industry needs, and also provide the best platforms for promoting the latest technological advances. The VON MEXICO 2006 CONFERENCE & EXPO will be, without a doubt, a groundbreaker for the telecommunications sector."

"The VON events are growing at an ever-increasing rate as the IP- communications market approaches the mainstream, and I'm honored to work with E.J. Krause to expand VON's reach into Latin America," said Jeff Pulver, Founder and Chairman of pulvermedia. "VON MEXICO will provide a single, comprehensive venue to evaluate the opportunities in the new communications landscape, and conduct business with key decision makers from Latin America's most influential IP communications companies."

The VON MEXICO 2006 conference program will feature three days of informative sessions led by VoIP guru, Jeff Pulver -- and numerous national and international experts -- who will share their opinions on the use of broadband, regulations, security, TVoIP and video implementations, and many other themes. The event will attract CEOs, CTOs and CIOs from leading telecommunications and cable companies, ISPs, software companies, broadband voice providers, carriers, equipment manufacturers, and numerous analysts and regulators. The VON MEXICO Exhibition Floor will span more than 2,500 m2 of exhibit space, providing attendees with the opportunity to compare and evaluate IP-based products, services, and solutions from hundreds of companies.

For more information on VON MEXICO 2006 CONFERENCE & EXPO -- please visit http://www.expocomm.com/mexico/ , or http://www.von.com/mexico06.

Posted by jeff at 01:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)

Port Blocking in London: No SIP Today

I just ran the FWD Utility netcheck.exe and discovered that Port 5060 is being blocked in my hotel room…which explains why I’m having some trouble connecting to SIP service providers. While I’ve heard of cases where hotels were engaging in Port Blocking, this is the first time in my travels that I have experienced this myself.

While I am able to run both Skype and SlingPlayer, I am not able to connect to a variety of SIP networks that expect port 5060 to be open and not blocked.

One day, when selecting a hotel for business travel, besides knowing whether or not the hotel offers broadband internet access, it would be great to know whether or not the hotel ISP subscribes to “Net Freedoms.” While I’m not sure if it is the deliberate policy of the hotel ISP, or just ignorance, regardless, at the moment, port 5060 is blocked in my room. If I was staying in London for more than a couple of nights I would look to move to a hotel that didn’t block port 5060.

What I don’t know is why the hotel would go to the trouble of blocking port 5060? Does this hotel really think they are losing revenue from people using SIP for long distance phone calls? I would think that most guests use their cell phones and not the hotel telephone system for outgoing calls.

I have to wonder if once this hotel discovers Slingmedia whether they would knowingly block access to the default port used by a SlingPlayer to connect to a SlingBox to encourage guests to purchase in-room pay-per-view movies? Where does one draw the line with their Port Blocking policy?

We should all have the freedom to run the applications of our own choosing when we access the Internet – whether at home or on the road.

Posted by jeff at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (31)

Fall 2005 VON: "The Destination for IP Communications"

While flying to London last night I was thinking about VON and how while some things change, other things about VON remain the same.

Since our first VON event in the Spring of 1997, our VON events have over time become the worldwide Destination event for IP Communications.

In fact, while we are actively marketing Fall 2005 VON using various channels around the United States, it is the continued strong word-of-mouth buzz that is bringing in delegates from around the world. So far, there are delegates registered from 40+ countries including: Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Hong Kong, Hungry, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherland Antilles, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UK, UAE, USA and Uzbekistan.

I expect the buzz to be pretty strong when the doors open in less than four weeks. The 330+ exhibitors in our "Sold Out" exhibit hall represent our largest exhibit hall...ever! (and has grown by more than 100 exhibitors since Spring 2005 VON.)

The Fall 2005 VON conference sessions are returning to the size we experienced five and six years ago.

The registered delegates in Boston are all part of the ecosystem that makes up our VON events. There will be people representing just about all aspects of the IP Communications food chain.

Note: Vendors who are interested in exhibiting at Spring 2006 VON should consider signing up now. The pulvermedia Sales team is projecting that the exhibit hall at Spring 2006 VON will be close to sold-out before we arrive in Boston for the commencement of Fall 2005 VON.

Experience the Journey and come to Fall 2005 VON, "The Destination for IP Communications."

Posted by jeff at 05:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

In London with New York TV:

I just checked into my hotel room in London and I'm yet again amazed at the clarity of the picture from my Slingbox in Eastern Long Island from the SlingPlayer running on my Toshiba laptop in London.

At the moment I'm watching the Dave Matthews Band "Dream Girl" video on Vh1.

It's nice to know that whenever I'm on the road, I can now take a little bit of New York with me wherever I am in the broadband world. :)

Posted by jeff at 04:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)

August 21, 2005

Looking for Beta Testers: New Version of pulver.Communicator

pulver.Communicator has been described as: "The Swiss Army Knife of IP Communications(sm)" since it is the only IP Communications client that provides: Simple RSS Reader, Video support, Multi Network IM support, Presence and SIP functionality.

The team behind the product is looking for a small group of people who can dedicate some time to help with the testing of the next release which will lead to the eventual commercial launch of the software.

The next version of pulver.Communicator [for XP] adds support for multiple SIP proxies which means you can log into multiple SIP networks at the same time that you are also logged into multiple IM networks. Our software is evolving into being a real-time "portal" for IP Communications.

Each application will be reviewed on its own merit. Please visit: http://pulver.com/fwd/beta-signup.html to apply to join the pulver.Communicator beta program.

Posted by jeff at 07:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (81)

Mets Continue to Gain Ground in NL Wildcard Race:

The Mets are 4-1 on their current homestead and continue to gain ground in the NL Wildcard race and in their standings in the NL East. At the moment the Mets are only 2 games out of the NL Wildcard and 5 ½ out in the NL East.

The Mets also happen to have one of the better home records in the Baseball. :)

Posted by jeff at 07:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

August 20, 2005

Driving Around Town Watching Cable TV:

Who ever thought it would be possible to get Cable TV in a car? Well, it is possible. Thanks to the innovation delivered by the folks at Slingmedia, one can now watch Cable TV not only in a car, but on an airplane (at least at the gate), as well on a train, in a hotel lobby and just about any place where one can find a broadband connection to the internet.

I’m sure the concept of consumers being able to add mobility and other nomadic services to Cable TV is creating sleepless nights for some Cable TV executives.

While people have been trying to watch live conventional TV in cars and limos for years, if you have ever tried it, chances are you never gave it a second chance due to the poor picture quality and reality that TV reception in a car in motion, just does not match the quality available in the home. (Which reminds me – why do TV stations in the US show traffic reports? Do they expect the conditions to be the same when we finally go out on the hightways from our home or do they think we are actually watching their station while driving on the roads?)

At the moment, I’m waiting to hear the news of the first high-end car service / limo company that announces that their customers can now watch live cable TV programming in their vehicles. While this may not be a practical reality for many, this is all quite doable for a cost of around US$80 / month for the EvDO service and the incremental costs of an extra Cable box and one Slingbox. In the car all that is needed is the EvDO service and a computer. As word of this innovation spreads, I would not be surprised to one day see this become a standard configuration used by the producers of “Pimp My Ride."

This week, I was a passenger in cars driving around: NYC, Boston and Washington, D.C., and I was able to watch CNBC which was being rebroadcast from my home in Eastern Long Island. Everyone I’ve shown the SlingPlayer to has been amazed as to the quality of the picture and the fact that..it really does work!

I’m looking forward to my next transatlantic flight that has Wi-Fi so that I can try out the SlingPlayer from 35,000 feet.

TV – it is now just another application that runs on the Internet. :)

Posted by jeff at 08:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (44)

Next Trip: London

On Sunday night I'm on the road again for a quick trip to London that includes two days of back-to-back meetings before heading back to the States on Wednesday.

It is amazing how much productive work can really get done in the month of August. :)

Posted by jeff at 08:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (51)

August 19, 2005

"VON Scholarships" available for University Students at Fall 2005 VON:

Over the years we have offered "VON Scholarships" to our VON events. This is a tradition that we are continuing this September in Boston.

University Students who are self-proclaimed "communication enthusiasts" who want to be a part of the Fall 2005 VON community are invited to apply for a "VON Scholarship." All that we ask is that you get three professors to email us who can vouch for you, your commitment, and your university status.

To apply for a "VON Scholarship" please email: Von2005@pulver.com.

Posted by jeff at 06:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (36)

Another "Karaoke Friday" at pulver.com:

After spending this week in: Melville/Office (Mon), NYC (Tue), Boston (Wed), Washington, D.C. (Thur), I'm looking forward to being back in my office today where I can catch up and be a part of our new summer tradition of "Karaoke Fridays."

Posted by jeff at 06:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

August 18, 2005

Back in New York:

I started early this morning in Boston, spent the day in Washington, D.C. and just got back to my home in Eastern Long Island.

Today I had another productive August day which was full with meetings with a variety of trade associations in Washington, D.C., and had lunch with our new partners who will be helping us bring VON to: Mexico, Russia and Japan in 2006.

We have spent this summer planting the seeds for 2006 which is shaping up to be an amazing year for everyone associated with pulvermedia.

Posted by jeff at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

NY Times Working on Another VoIP Story:

Earlier this week I spent about an hour face-to-face with Ken Belson of the New York Times and spent the time exploring the state of the 2005 VoIP industry.

Our conversation covered a lot of ground about VoIP services across wireless and broadband and then focused in on the RBOCs, Cable companies, public policy issues and then zoomed in on a couple of companies (Skype and Vonage) and explored their success.

Posted by jeff at 05:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (35)

Mets still in NL Wildcard Race:

The Mets are now 2-0 since returning to the friendly confines of Shea Stadium after returning from their recent 2-4 West Coast trip.

While the Mets have not made much progress in their standings in the NL East, at the moment they are only 2 1/2 games out in the NL Wildcard race.

Posted by jeff at 05:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

Next Stop…Washington, D.C.

In a couple of hours I’m leaving Boston for a full day of meetings in and around Washington, D.C.

Posted by jeff at 05:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (14)

August 17, 2005

End of a Productive Day in Boston:

It turns out that August can be a great month to get productive work done. I spent the better part of the day today in meetings and in fact, today was one of the better days I’ve had in Boston in a long time. I have a full day of meetings scheduled in Washington, D.C. tomorrow and I expect to have an equally productive day.

It was great being in Boston a month before Fall 2005 VON and be able to feel the buzz of VON in the air. I spent some time with a few of the leading VCs in Boston and there was a strong awareness that Fall 2005 VON is happening. I don’t remember a time when the venture community showed so much interest in the future innovations that will be coming out of the IP Communications space.

Posted by jeff at 09:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

EvDO +SlingTV: Working Great at LGA

As I'm waiting at the gate for the 8:30 am shuttle to Boston from LGA, I've been amazed at the ability for my Verizon EvDO service to deliver a 200k+ sustained video stream as I'm channel surfing a cable box 100 miles away using the SlingPlayer on my portable PC.

I'm convinced that some aspect of the impossible has just become more possible. Just trying to figure out what that might just be. :)

Posted by jeff at 07:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

The Autonomous, Anonymous Automobile:

With the advent of the availability of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) in US cars, maybe it is just me, but after being a consumer of GPS for a few years, the features and functionality of consumer GPS systems available in cars in the US don’t seem to be evolving all that much. Yes the displays are growing, and the menus seem to be getting easier to use, but the core functionality seems to remain the same.

I remember first seeing GPS in the taxis of Tokyo back in the early 90s. It took almost 10 years for the same devices to cross over to mainstream acceptance here in the States. And while having a real-time map available has become a great tool, I had hoped that next versions of GPS would have the capability of “learning” so that the route I traveled everyday can become the default way to get between two locations, even if the GPS determined by default a more efficient method of getting there.

Now that EvDO service is becoming available in many more metropolitan areas around the US, I’m now looking for an “internet ready” GPS for my car. What I am looking for is a new GPS that connects to the internet on a real-time basis and reports back to a community the observed real-time road conditions anonymously.

The basic concept is that as long as I’m willing to report back what my relative speed on a given road, I would have the ability to observe the posted speeds of others who are also using a similar service. The goal isn’t so much to create a map of speed traps on a major road, but rather to provide the real-time input needed into a GPS so that routes can be optimized at all times given the real-time road traveling conditions. Also, with real-time internet access, the GPS could get up-to-date information when looking for destinations, up-to-date maps in some cases and connect with many of the websites which track and report on real-time traffic conditions. This in turn is what I envision as the evolving “autonomous, anonymous, automobile.”

Technologies like Roadcasting could end up becoming part of the suite of real-time applications that become possible as the internet enabled and empowered automobile continues to evolve. I also envision a real-time IP based communications network evolving between groups of drivers which could include a local push-to-talk walkie-talkie like service that doesn’t require any carrier (other than the EvDO service) and provides the ability for fleets to communicate with each other and the eventual elimination of the need for a commercial “mobile radios” in the car.

Posted by jeff at 06:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)

Another Delta Shuttle Morning,..

...later this morning I will be taking the Delta Shuttle once again up to Boston for meetings in Cambridge and at our office in Beverly, MA.

Posted by jeff at 06:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

August 16, 2005

VoIP: Now a Question on Jeopardy!

Earlier tonight I watched a repeat of a Jeopardy! (“College- Pittsburgh”, episode #4645, original airdate: November 12, 2004). I was amazed when the 2000 dollar question under the category: “Computer Jargon” had the contestant answer what “VoIP” means.

I also thought it was cool that the 1000 dollar question under “Computer Jargon” asked what the term P2P stood for and gave Kazaa as an example.

…just another sign that VoIP has joined our popular culture.

Posted by jeff at 10:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (47)

Invitation to Blog Fall 2005 VON:

Fellow members of the Blogsphere:

I wanted to encourage some of you to come to Fall 2005 VON in Boston on September 19-22nd. Quite a number of bloggers joined us for Spring 2005 VON and I would like to continue the tradition with Fall 2005 VON.

If you are interested in joining the cast of people blogging our event, please drop me a line and include a URL to your blog.

Posted by jeff at 08:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

The "VoipedUp" Blog: Perspectives from the "MadVoiper"

I discovered the semi-anonymous "MadVoiper" and his VoipedUp blog a while ago.

Andy's and Martin's reply to a recent "MadVoiper" post makes for a good read. :)

Posted by jeff at 08:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)

August 15, 2005

Comments to FCC on VoIP E-911:

Comments in response to the FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on E-911 for VoIP were due at the FCC today. pulver.com worked primarily with the Global IP Alliance and Prof. Henning Schulzrinne (renowned E-911 expert and Chair of the Columbia University Department of Computer Science) to make recommendations to the FCC on enabling the industry to develop an IP-based, globally-oriented, next-generation emergency response capability. pulver.com also worked with the VON Coalition and CDT in their efforts to advance the best interests of VoIP users and innovators and to produce the most forward-looking IP-based communications networks and emergency response capabilities possible, for both America and the world. Below is the press announcement released by the Global IP Alliance:

Global IP Alliance Joins Forces With Henning Schulzrinne in Call for Development of IP-Based, Globally-Oriented, Next-Generation Emergency Response

Global IP Alliance Submits Recommendations To FCC Regarding America's Emergency Response Capabilities

Washington, DC - August 15, 2005 - The Global IP Alliance and Professor Henning Schulzrinne (renowned E-911 expert and Chair of the Columbia University Department of Computer Science), submitted recommendations to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today, calling for the development of a next-generation, IP-based emergency response system.

The Global IP Alliance noted that, simply making the existing 9-1-1 system in the United States work for today's VoIP users is not satisfactory, even as it may be a suitable stop-gap measure for those consumers who have already migrated over to VoIP services as a replacement for their former POTS service. Instead, the nation, and VoIP service providers must work creatively, and pragmatically with infrastructure providers and public policy makers and regulators to move this nation, and others to a modern, IP-based emergency calling infrastructure. The Global IP Alliance recommendations address that goal, while also describing the opportunities that a modern, IP-based emergency calling infrastructure offers.

The Global IP Alliance supports the need to ensure that today's VoIP consumers are fully informed of the realities of VoIP services in the emergency response arena. A core argument of the Global IP Alliance's filing is that responsibility for VoIP 9-1-1 service has to be shared if we posit a modern multi-provider Internet that provides competition between infrastructure and service providers.

In response to a solicitation of comments from the Federal Communications' Commission, the Global IP Alliance made the following findings and recommendations to the FCC:

Problems/limitations:

- The existing 9-1-1 system has reached the end of its useful technical life, making enhancements increasingly difficult and expensive. It should be maintained only during a transition to the more advanced "next-generation 9-1-1 system.

- Back-fitting VoIP into the existing 9-1-1 facilities will delay more robust, efficient and capable IP-based next-generation 9-1-1 system.

- Proposed transition ("i2") solutions may lead to misroutes for mobile and nomadic users and thus other temporary measures, such as operator-assisted 9-1-1 or "service bureau approaches, need to be developed to support these particular emergency calls until the next-generation 9-1-1 network can be built and deployed.

- A successful emergency call requires the cooperation of Internet Access Provider (IAP), Voice Service Provider (VSP) and PSAP. Only the VSP knows that a call is an emergency call, but only the IAP knows where the caller is located.

Solutions/suggestions:

- Access to essential databases needed for routing emergency calls should be available on a nondiscriminatory basis to all legitimate users, at non discriminatory terms and pricing. Access to such essential databases must not be used to delay entry of VoIP competitors to traditional voice service providers.

- Having the IAP deliver location information routinely to the end user minimizes emergency calling delays, allows testing and ensures end user location privacy.

- The FCC should support and even facilitate vendor-neutral early interoperability testing of IP-based emergency calling solutions, in conjunction with the broad set of interested and affected industry.

- Easy, non-discriminatory and affordable access to address verification (MSAG) and, in the near-term, ALI data will ensure speedy and cost-effective deployment of modern emergency services.

- A unique approach could be taken for "nomadic users" to fulfill the policy objective of emergency number access, but without undue hardship on the nomadic service providers: Nomadic users could be flagged for alternative regulatory treatment, with "unique" emergency response expectations, by issuing "500" numbers to interested, informed users. NANPA created the "500" numbers to support user and application mobility. Nomadic users, who are not already covered by E911 mandate, would be grandfathered and subject to the alternative regulatory treatment.

- PSAPs must be upgraded to become "broadband and IP-enabled" to allow for the advanced emergency response capabilities afforded by IP technology.

- Government policies should support migration of all emergency calling to IP-enabled services, since this will ensure enhanced emergency features, not available in today's 9-1-1 infrastructure environment and enable the delivery of significantly enhanced information to the emergency personnel who are responding to the emergency call from a citizen in distress.

About the Global IP Alliance:

The Global IP Alliance is an international consortium of IP-based communications services and applications providers committed to realizing the promise of IP communications and of interconnecting IP-based communications providers. The Alliance supports the need for addressing how IP-based services and applications are affected by existing local, national and international laws and promotes social objectives such as lawful intercept, emergency response, and access by persons with disabilities. The Global IP Alliance also supports IP-based services and applications interconnection with other IP-based services and applications without regard to customer location. Members of the Global IP Alliance include companies drawn from the platform, applications and service providers currently developing, deploying and interconnecting IP-based networks, services and applications throughout the world.

Reader Contact Information:

The Global IP Alliance, 115 Broadhollow Rd, Suite 225, Melville, NY 11747. USA
Tel: +1.631.961.8950, web: www.ipall.org, email:info@ipall.org

Posted by jeff at 07:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (59)

This week: On the Road Again

Earlier this summer I managed to visit my office for 11 days in a row, something that I'm sure will be my personal record for all of 2005.

While many people take time in August for vacation, so far the August of 2005 is turning into one of our most productive months.

At the moment, I'm scheduled to be in Melville today and again on Friday (for Karaoke) and in between I will be making visits to: NYC, Boston and Washington, D.C.

Tomorrow's trip to NYC includes an afternoon interview at the New York Times which I hope will lead to an interesting future story. :)

August - It' a great month to get work done and get deals closed at a time when so many others are just "resting and relaxing."

Posted by jeff at 07:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Applied Skype 101: Looking for ways people use Skype for things it wasn't designed for:

One thing the folks behind Lotus 1-2-3 learned early on was the advent of the widespread use of spreadsheets touched people outside of the accounting/finance vertical almost immediately, and that this in turn created disruption in many other business segments, including of all things: dairy farming.

As the Skype ecosystem continues to evolve, I'm convinced that this trend is also happening to Skype, and I'd like to learn about some of the creative ways people have discovered to use Skype in their everyday lives and businesses.

I've started compiling a list of interesting uses for Skype that go beyond the way it is described it can be used on Skype.com.

For example, one entry that I can make based on my own usage of Skype:

- Use number 46: Use Skype as a Internet Connectivity Monitoring Tool.

Please drop me a line and share your "Applied Skype" stories.

Posted by jeff at 07:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)

Pedro's failed "No-No" turns into another Mets loss:

Pedro Martinez and the Mets were five outs away from having their first no-hitter in their history, but once the no-hitter was lost, so was the game.

Had the Mets provided any kind of run support for Pedro, the Mets most likely would have won the game.

The Mets ended up 2-4 on their West coast road trip and remain 4 games out in the NL Wildcard race.

Posted by jeff at 12:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

August 14, 2005

Technology Disruption in Wireless Continues:

During the past few years, the music and wireless industries both benefited greatly when they discovered what has become the multi-billion dollar Ringtone industry. While not every record label and every wireless service provider jumped in at first, but those who got in early have benefited quite a bit in this emerging marketplace, and even the latecomers have found a place for themselves.

With the success of Ringtones as the model, during the past couple of years at our VON events, I’ve sat down with a few of our vendors who were selling equipment to service providers offering “Ringback tone” services. While one could argue the merits of why someone besides myself finds such a service cool, I was taken back when I just saw my first Verizon Wireless commercial promoting Ringback tones, because I knew that this was another example of a mainstream deployment of an IP Communication service.

As the wireless marketplace continues to evolve and as the number of camera phones in use continue to increase, a new channel opportunity emerges – this time instead of the music industry it is the companies who produce content for the Cable and TV industries. Companies like: NBC Universal and HBO. All of a sudden there is a new emerging space to license content to and a new opportunity to expose consumers to content that they may not have seen otherwise.

The deal Cingular Wireless and HBO are reported to be working on is just one indication of the kinds of content deals and relationships we can expect to see happen as these technology continue to morph and blur the practical and the possible as our digital lifestyle continues to evolve.

Posted by jeff at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Sunday Morning Guilty Pleasures...

...watching the Vh1 Top 20 Video Countdown, while playing in a multi-table on-line poker tournament.

Posted by jeff at 08:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

August 13, 2005

SlingTV: Another Activity while in a Wi-Fi Hotspot

With the addition of a Slingbox to my home network, I just gave the Slingplayer on my portable PC a try while sitting inside of a Wi-Fi hotspot and the quality of the picture was just as good as it was when I was sitting at my desk at the office yesterday. Someone looking over my shoulder thought that I had a TV tuner in my PC. He was amazed to see the quality of the picture and when he saw that I was actually watching a movie on USA Networks, the "look Ma, no wires" reality of the situation sank in and I just smiled. :)

I'm going to be on the road a bit during the next couple of weeks and I now have something else to do while at the gate, waiting for a flight.

The experience that I'm having with the Slingbox is giving me even more reinforcement with the concept that the Internet can be used as an alternative "channel" to broadcast commercial TV. This is not a matter of "if", just "when."

Posted by jeff at 01:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

300+ different voices will be heard at Fall 2005 VON Conference:

While I may appear to some people a little over-the-top passionate about the bloggers session at the Fall 2005 VON Conference, in reality this is just one of 48 scheduled breakout sessions, 20 Industry Perspectives, 2 General sessions, and 5 pre-conference workshops that a total of over 300 different people will be a part of.

Looking at our conference schedule, there are quite a number of sessions which I expect to be great and taken as a whole, Fall 2005 VON will explore the current state of the IP Communications industry, and where things are heading on the road ahead.

Posted by jeff at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Funding Closes for another pulver.com Seeded Venture:

Yesterday was the end of the first chapter of a process that had its origins last October at Fall 2004 VON in Boston.

In the days, weeks and months after Fall 2004 VON, a team came together (within pulver.com) and found an emerging area within the scope of IP Communications to focus on and then spent their time split between building their business and getting themselves funded.

While the entire process took a lot longer than I had expected, now that it’s behind me, I have a much better appreciation of what many others have gone through when one of their ventures was funded by a group of Tier I VCs.

This is the second start-up that grew out of an idea at pulver.com to receive Tier 1 VC funding this year. Both companies at the moment are in “stealth mode.”

With this success behind us, I’m now hopeful of completing a “Trifecta” with the goal of at least getting to term sheets before the end of 2005 for another company that I have been incubating this year at pulver.com.

Posted by jeff at 08:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Mets Slip in NL Wildcard Chase:

I give the Mets a lot of credit for trying to win last night against the Dodgers after the horrors of Thursday in San Diego. The Mets came close, but in the end, failed. So far on this road trip the Mets are 1 and 3, and minus one in the player category after the horrible accident between Carlos Beltran and Mike Cameron on Thursday. (Next) Tuesday can't happen soon enough for this team when they will be back, playing in the friendly confines of Shea Stadium.

Posted by jeff at 08:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (25)

August 12, 2005

WSJ: Internet sleuth, AT&T offspring in trademark fight

Wall Street Journal: Internet sleuth, AT&T offspring in trademark fight

(Bellsouth's issue with "Bellster" gets an honorable mention in this story.)

Posted by jeff at 09:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Slingplayer working well in Melville...

After downloading the latest Slingplayer to the PC at my desk, I was able to start watching (and controlling) the cable box in my home.

Congrats to the Slingmedia team for taking a very complicated technology and making it real simple to use.

Posted by jeff at 10:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

My Slingbox Arrived:

Yesterday, after waiting since the beginning of the summer, my Slingbox finally arrived. The packaging and design of the Slingbox is almost as cool as the underlying concept. :)

It took just five minutes to install the Slingbox and an equal amount of time to install their software. The harder part of the install process was the five additional minutes it took me to enable port forwarding on the antique Linksys router in my home.

Now that “remote viewing” has been tested and enabled, I plan to give this system a test when I run the SlingPlayer from my desk at my office later this morning.

Posted by jeff at 08:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (20)

August 11, 2005

Steve Smith on ICE:

Earlier today, Steve Smith emailed me about a blog entry he posted about ICE a few weeks ago.

Like Steve, my initial reaction to "ICE" was that it was yet another Internet hoax, but I also thought the concept worked...and in fact, whether it is an entry on my mobile phone or my buddy list, designating an "In Case of Emergency" -- ICE contact made sense to me.

Special thanks to Steve for digging up the origin of ICE.

Posted by jeff at 10:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Is it time for all of us to include an "ICE" contact on our Buddy Lists?:

A friend of mine just forwarded an email about a big push to launch an International "In Case of Emergency" (ICE) campaign amongst mobile phone users, and to get people to add an ICE number in their mobile phone directory. This is in theory an after effect to what happened in London last month.

After thinking about it, I wonder if it is about time for us to consider adding something similar to our buddy lists and establish an "ICE: In case of emergency" buddy to IM lists in case there is an emergency...especially if you use IM on a PDA and/or other portable devices.

This is a trend I believe that Public Safety Officials may in fact appreciate see happen.

Posted by jeff at 07:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Tom Evslin has joined the VoIP Bloggers Roundtable @ Fall 2005 VON!

I just heard that Tom Evslin has agreed to join the International "All Star" lineup of bloggers who are speaking at the VoIP Bloggers Roundtable at Fall 2005 VON. This "super session" of VoIP bloggers will provide a variety of perspectives on the state of VoIP and has the makings of what could be one of the most dynamic breakout sessions ever at any of our VON events.

Andy will have his hands full as he moderates the panel which includes: Mark Evans, Om Malik, Aswath Rao, Martin Geddes, Stuart Henshell, James Seng, Tom and myself. Andy and I have also asked some of our other blogger friends who will be at Fall VON to be in the audience as "discussants."

With careful moderation, this session will be amongst the highlights when we look back at Fall 2005 VON. :)

Posted by jeff at 06:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Mets win a game in San Diego:

Just when I think the Mets could be on a roll, they leave the friendly confines of Shea Stadium and go on the road. In the process, they forget how to win.

The 2005 Mets at the moment are 36-23 at home but 10 games under .500 on the road. While I'd like to believe the Mets could be a real contender for the NL Wild card race, since at the moment they are only 3 games out, the Mets will need to learn how to win on the road. Now if they can become a winning road team in 2005, then they also have a chance of taking the lead in the NL East. :)

At the moment I just have to celebrate each victory while they are on the road.

Posted by jeff at 05:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (22)

August 10, 2005

Packet8's Bryan Martin on Quick Connect VoIP's FCC Filing:

CEO's Journal: Quick Connect VoIP's FCC Filing

Posted by jeff at 08:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)

Verizon EvDO @ 70MPH on Route 80 in NJ:

It turns out that Verizon EvDO also works pretty well at 70MPH on Route 80 in Paterson, NJ. :)

Just another EvDO day.

Posted by jeff at 07:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Charity Poker Tournament: September 18th in Boston

Our second Annual "Best Bet for the Cure" Charity Poker Tournament will be taking place on Sunday, September 18th in Boston.

The Best Bet for the Cure: Charity Poker No Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament has been underwritten by pulver.com in association with Fall 2005 VON. The proceeds from this event will benefit The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Inc.

The Barton Center for Diabetes Education is the largest, independent camping and educational program in the country dedicated to children who live with diabetes and the people who care for them. Some 1,500 children and their families participate in our programs annually, including the Clara Barton resident camp, Adventure Programs, Family Programs, and Day Camps in New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Entry into the tournament is limited to the first 200 people who register. If you are thinking of playing in this event, now would be a great time to register. This year there is a $100 buy-in with unlimited re-buys for the first 90 minutes. The tournament will start promptly at 5:00pm on September 18th and will run until 10:00 pm.

Tags: poker, charitypoker

Posted by jeff at 06:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (38)

August 09, 2005

Global IP Alliance's Wiki Getting Noticed:

The buzz surrounding the Global IP Alliance's Global IP Policy Matrix continues to grow:

Americas Network: Global IP Alliance Releases Report, Launches Information-Sharing Process
Government Technology: Report and Wiki Released on Evolving State IP-Based Communications Around the Globe
EE Times UK: Global IP alliance unveils VoIP matrix
iTnews: Global IP alliance unveils VoIP matrix
CommsDesign: Global IP Alliance unveils VoIP matrix, "Wiki"

Posted by jeff at 09:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Yahoo! Messenger with Voice Launches:

“After a successful beta experience, I wanted to alert you to the fact that we are officially launching Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. As of Tuesday morning, people around the world (18 localized versions to be exact) will be able to take advantage of the new service.”

Yahoo! may want to reconsider the positioning of “Yahoo! Messenger with Voice” in light of their recent acquisition of DialPad. If I were Yahoo!, I would be more concerned about the burden of the after effects of being associated with a service that some US regulators may deem to be a “connected VoIP service” (when Dialpad services are offered in combination with Yahoo! Messenger with Voice) than the marginal profits and impact that offering PSTN termination would have to Yahoo’s bottom line.

One way Yahoo! could help fight the possible future negative implications would be to join the efforts of the Global IP Alliance as an active member.

Posted by jeff at 07:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (27)

Next Peripheral Visionaries' Summit: November 10th

Our next Peripheral Visionaries' Summit will be taking place in Washington, D.C. on November 10th.

The conference schedule has been posted and we are in the process of confirming the speakers for this event.

The Summit participants will include leading thinkers from inside and outside the Beltway, including technologists, entrepreneurs, advocates, policy makers and policy wonks. We suspect there is much that legislators, regulators, lobbyists, and policy wonks might learn from the technologists, entrepreneurs, innovators and futurists experimenting with the limits of their imaginations and the power of IP. We also suspect that the technologists have a lot to learn from the policy makers and thinkers formulating the rules that will govern the future of communications and drive technological innovation.

IP-technology twists the logic of everything we've come to think about communications, its regulation and its possibilities. The Peripheral Visionaries' Summit is designed to get beyond the rhetoric, to try to see the issues from contrary points of view, to learn from our respective histories, and to look ahead to figure out how we usher in the best possible collective future.

At our Peripheral Visionaries' Summit, many of the leading trade associations and advocates representing all sides of the IP-based communications debates will come together for a unified Policy Summit.

If you have a stake in our IP-future, you should consider spending the day with us at the Washington Plaza Hotel on November 10th.

Posted by jeff at 06:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)

Looking to Build up the Number of Links to this Blog:

A friend just send me the following message: "...I was exploring a few of the blogs that are discussing IP-related issues. How come so few of the bloggers list the pulver blog as a link? Do you know how to get them all to add the pulver blog as a sanctioned link?"

I wrote back and told him all anyone really had to do was just ask for a link to be added and generally a link will appear. After I sent the reply, I realized that it might be more productive to just ask the bloggers who read my blog to add my blog as a link on their blog, so I decided to do just that. :)

Members of the Blogshere who read this blog who would also like to have a link added back to their own blog should email me their Blog URL, and after I personally review their blog, I would offer to reciprocate the links.

Posted by jeff at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (44)

August 08, 2005

Doug Mohney: Six Weeks from Drought to Flood

VON Magazine: Six Weeks from Drought to Flood

At the moment, over 1200 companies from 40+ countries will be part of our community at Fall 2005 VON in Boston.

Posted by jeff at 07:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

New York Times Op-Ed on Public Wi-Fi: When Pigs Wi-Fi

New York times: When Pigs Wi-Fi.

Finally, an op-ed from a paper of record, weighs in on the benefits of public Wi-Fi (including its benefits for emergency response and law enforcement).

..And some interesting commentary in response to the op-ed.

Posted by jeff at 06:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Russell Shaw: FCC's DSL ruling may spell trouble for VoIP providers

ZDNet: FCC's DSL ruling may spell trouble for VoIP providers

One of the most prescient reaction to Jeff's post comes from kingsley, who posted this zinger of a comment to Jeff's blog over the weekend:

"This has all the earmarks of powerful incumbent combatants setting up the market for themselves to florish and locking out upstarts (oh, and who cares about consumers)," kingsley writes. "After all who better to serve the people than those paternal old companies who brought you 100 years of tip and ring, three (count 'em three) mobile technologies conveniently different from the rest of the world, and the eleventh (sorry, now 16th) biggest broadband network despite our being the (supposedly) most technologically advanced country on the planet?

"Good News though, we have widened our lead in dial-up penetration! Whoopee," kingsley adds.

Posted by jeff at 06:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (26)

August 07, 2005

A Sunday in Watermill, NY:

Posted by jeff at 09:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (28)

Mets now just 3 games out of NL Wildcard Race

Tonight the Mets have a chance to sweep da Cubs and get closer to taking the lead in the NL Wildcard race. With their win yesterday, the Mets are now only 3 games out.

Posted by jeff at 09:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Nice Interview Andy...

Jeremy Pepper recently posted a really nice interview with Andy Abramson.

I met Jermey back in April when I was in Scottsdale, AZ and spent time with him while he interviewed me...I never did hear whatever happened to that interview...guess it may still appear sometime in the future. ;-)

Posted by jeff at 07:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

The BellsterfwdOUT Network: Alive and Well

Seven months since being launched, the organic, non-commercial, fwdOUT Network continues to deliver free phone calls into the following 31 countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria,Belgium, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Israel, Italy, Korea, Laos, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, US and Venezuela.

At the moment there are 176 nodes online with 4463 different routes registered into these 31 countries. New members continue to join the fwdOUT network each day and we continue to have a fairly active user community.

Since the launch of fwdOUT back January, while there may have been more people who spent time trying to figure out the viability of the fwdOUT “business model” and/or how practical it is to ask someone to share a phone line with a stranger (or a friend), rather than actually use the service, the reality of the situation is that fwdOUT is alive and has taken on its own organic life.

Since the launch, there have been 2165 nodes registered and 34,708 calls placed.

Posted by jeff at 06:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (34)

August 06, 2005

My Summer Project: Working on the Relaunch of Free World Dialup

Earlier this year I started working on the redesign of the Free World Dialup website which quickly became a project for the Summer of 2005.

While I still hold out hope of launching the new website before the commencement of Fall 2005 VON, we still have a lot of work to get done over the next six weeks in order to be ready for the re-launch.

The approach I decided to take was to be pretty up front with what FWD is and what it isn't and our working tag line is: "Communication for Geeks by Geeks." I ended up taking that path mostly because we are not a "consumer friendly service" and that our best new user is someone who also shares "a passion for communications" and has the patience to work out local networking issues and/or other high-tech communication challenges.

Since the launch of Free World Dialup in November, 2002 we have given out over 500,000 accounts to people in 179 countries around the world and our on-line user community continues to grow, albeit a lot slower than Skype but yet faster than many others. To date we have over 135 peering relationships in place with VoIP service providers around the world and each week our peering relationships continue to grow.

In parallel with the relaunch of the FWD website, we are also working on the next version of pulver.Communicator.

Posted by jeff at 04:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)

Back to Baseball: Mets contender in NL East Wildcard Race

It’s August 6th and even without Manny Ramirez, the Mets are still playing baseball games that count. This weekend as the Mets take on the Cubs, they still are a contender as they are only 4 games out in the NL Wildcard race.

Mets fans can only hope that the Mets will still be playing meaningful games in September.

Posted by jeff at 02:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

When will we be: "Back in the High Life Again?:"

As the FCC Policy Dust starts to settle in, looking back I'm reminded of the Joni Mitchell Song "Big Yellow Taxi": "...Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone. They paved paradise and put up a parking lot."

I woke up this morning hearing the old Steve Winwood song in my head and I keep on wondering...when will we be "Back in the High Life Again?:"

-----

"Back in the High Life Again" words by Steve Winwood

It used to seem to me
That my life ran on too fast
And I had to take it slowly
Just to make the good parts last
But when you're born to run
It's so hard to just slow down
So don't be surprised to see me
Back in that bright part of town

I'll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time will open up again
I'll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched me once will smile and take me in

....

We'll be back in the high life again
All the doors I closed one time will open up again
We'll be back in the high life again
All the eyes that watched us once will smile and take us in
And we'll drink and dance with one hand free
And have the world so easily
And oh we'll be a sight to see
Back in the high life again

---

The problem is that some folks at the FCC don't realize the doors they have closed or that the steps they have taken have just reassured that the US will remain in the back of the pack when it comes to broadband innovation and broadband penetration as a nation.

If asked, I'd suggest that someone invests in an IP Communications start-up that wasn't totally dependent upon taking on customers in the United States and/or only offering US residents "connected services." In the long run it just isn't worth it and with the policies in place and the path the FCC is heading, we are much better off starting to focus on global markets where the local policy encourages innovation and entrepreneurs than the reverse.

Now I have to wait for the day that new leadership comes forward within the FCC who understands the mistakes of the immediate past and for the future of communications in America, make right for where was a wrong and brings us all back to the time when we can all "...be back in the high life again."

Posted by jeff at 09:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (36)

August 05, 2005

When will we stop saying "Thank you sir may I have another?" to the FCC?

When will we stop saying "Thank you sir may I have another?" to the FCC?

Enough is enough. We are not pledging a fraternity. We, the Internet users, innovators, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts now have virtually nothing left to lose if we take the FCC to task for its treatment of the Internet. If we don’t question the path of the FCC now, we might not be around to challenge the Commission's disregard for the Internet and its users going forward. For this reason I am confused by the current lack of critical thinking and questioning of current FCC policy imposing regulation on the Internet while removing regulation of the Internet access bottlenecks.

So what do I think happened at the FCC today? The FCC first voted the Wireline Broadband Services item, which now designates wireline broadband Internet access services as “information services” with a “telecommunications component” but without a separate “telecommunications service.” This essentially means that the incumbent phone companies are no longer required to separate out wireline broadband transmission as a separately offered Title II service. In the process, the FCC has relieved wireline carriers of all their existing Computer II obligations. There is also an NPRM attached to the item seeking comment on how the FCC might now rely on Title I, having just relinquished its Title II hook, to protect consumers from such evils as slamming and cramming.

The Order and NPRM, citing the Supreme Court decision in Brand X, apparently indicates that the FCC has ancillary jurisdiction via Title I to impose regulations on both broadband Internet access providers and on Interconnect VoIP providers. This is how the FCC managed to impose Title II like E911 obligations on Interconnected VoIP Service Providers. This is probably the means by which the FCC managed to impose CALEA obligations on Interconnected VoIP Service Providers. Oh yeah, did I neglect to mention the item that the FCC voted on circulation earlier this morning? The FCC also voted a companion piece that will impose CALEA obligations on “Interconnected VoIP Service providers.” We don’t know what the timeline is on CALEA compliance (nor what the legal justification is, given that CALEA arguably only applies to Title II telecom carriers, which neither Interconnect VoIP Providers nor broadband access providers are anymore).

On the bright side, the FCC also adopted earlier today a “Policy Statement” on something akin to "Net Freedom." This Policy Statement apparently only saw the light of day because of the tireless efforts of Comm’r Copps. So, thank you Commissioner Copps for trying to protect Internet users.

I wish the FCC could have gone further than the Policy Statement and adopted explicit, bona fide, enforceable rules for user empowerment. For now, we, as the drivers of IP-based communications Internet innovation, will have to be ever-vigilant to monitor potential abuses of user empowerment. If the FCC revisits the issue a year from now (as Comm’r Copps has called upon the Commission to do), we should be prepared to present the FCC with a sufficient evidentiary record to convince the FCC to enforce user empowerment and to impose any rules that have been proven to be necessary. In any event, Policy Statement aside, nothing is settled and, if Internet users want control over the Internet experience, then Congress probably has to act to protect the Internet and its users.

Only time will tell whether the Policy Statement will prove to be a useful vehicle (perhaps our only vehicle) to ensure that no one can thwart a user's control of her own Internet experience.

By the way, let’s not forget that this is not only an American issue. All eyes are watching the actions of the FCC and what happens here has ramifications worldwide. I trust that some other governments might see the downside of regulating the Internet, while simultaneously deregulating those that control the user’s access to the Internet.

We are moving rapidly into a world in which Internet-based voice application providers have virtually all of the responsibilities of traditional telecom carriers and none of the rights. The FCC is officially now burning the Internet user's candle at both ends. The FCC is simultaneously relieving those who control access to users of any obligations to ensure that users may obtain the content and applications of their choice while imposing telecom-like regulations on the Internet. We have to wake up and follow the immortal words of Network’s Howard Beal: "We're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!"

Posted by jeff at 02:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (149)

VoIP Bloggers Roundtable @ Fall 2005 VON:

The VoIP Bloggers Roundtable returns with an International "All Star" lineup at Fall 2005 VON. While I'm not sure how this session grew to include eight people to share their thoughts during a 75 minute breakout session, this session now has the most speakers at Fall 2005 VON.

Andy's is back moderating the panel which includes: Mark Evans, Om Malik, Aswath Rao, Martin Geddes, Stuart Henshell, James Seng and myself.

I expect this will prove to be real interesting gathering of bloggers and one of the best breakout sessions at Fall 2005 VON.

Posted by jeff at 08:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (76)

August 04, 2005

A Last-Minute Plea to the FCC on Behalf of the Internet and Its Users:

In the morning, the FCC will likely adopt an Order that might do grave damage to the ability of Internet users to obtain access to ISPs and Internet application providers that are not affiliated with the user’s broadband access provider. The FCC will likely adopt an Order in its Wireline Broadband proceeding that will largely remove DSL and other wireline broadband access services from Title II telecom regulation, under the guise of leveling the playing field between the ILECs and cablecos. This might sound deregulatory, and I do believe that unleashing the broadband providers to deploy more robust broadband pipes is generally a good thing. But, as I have said repeatedly in annals of this weblog, users still need some guarantee that they will have unfettered access to the Internet. In the process of deregulating the Bells and cablecos, the FCC needs to build a backstop to ensure that the consumer may maximize their Internet experience. In particular, the FCC should explicitly preclude port-block and other actions that might limit the user’s access to the Internet. Without reliance on Title II or a solid explanation as to how Title I ensures a user’s net freedom, I don’t know that users, carriers, application providers, enforcers and other regulators, and jurists will know whether or not a last-mile access provider might deny the user access to unaffiliated Internet application and content providers.

Ironically, at the same meeting in the morning, the FCC will likely also vote to impose CALEA obligations on “Interconnected VoIP Service Providers” (the same test used to determine which VoIP providers are now subject to traditional E911 obligations). So, in one fell swoop the FCC will further deregulate the historically regulated and regulate the previously never regulated (at least pre-E911 for VoIP Order).

So, if anyone spins the day as a triumph for deregulation and the free market, look a little closer. The Internet is getting regulated for the first time, while telecom is deregulated. Regulate the overly competitive application market? Deregulate the barely competitive access market? Something is backwards.

On the bright side, if the FCC found a way to use Title I to impose CALEA obligations on non-telecom carriers, perhaps the FCC can find a way to impose net freedom obligations via Title I on those it will deregulate in the morning.

* * *

So, here is my last plea to the FCC on the eve of Wireline Broadband deregulation and Internet regulation:

As the FCC moves forward to classify broadband access service as an “information service,” I urge you to adopt simple but effective user empowerment rules. It is critical that the Commission include enforceable rules as a companion to its broadband reclassification item to ensure that consumers are able to access the content and utilize the applications and services offered over our nation’s broadband networks.

User empowerment rules, that allow for swift, certain and meaningful enforcement -- with awards that justify the initiation of complaints by aggrieved consumers or unaffiliated application providers, and with penalties that compel compliance -- are critical to ensuring that network operators and owners are not able to unreasonably and unlawfully restrict consumer choice by blocking or impairing services accessed over devices connected to broadband connections. End-users and service providers must be able to seek redress with the Commission for any incidents of discriminatory treatment in violation of the user empowerment rules. By including such rules as part of the Commission’s decision regarding the regulatory classification of broadband access services, the Commission will be making the necessary commitment to prevent blocking, disruption, or discrimination, thereby ensuring consumers and providers that the Commission promptly will review and resolve all valid complaints.

I further urge the Commission to acknowledge its authority to adopt enforceable user empowerment rules pursuant to its Title I jurisdiction as also acknowledged by the Supreme Court in the Brand X decision.

I believe it is essential that users are allowed, to the fullest extent possible, to control their own communications experience as users of the Internet and IP-enabled communications. Specifically, I believe that the Commission should adopt, as a baseline, the following user empowerment rules as essential to protecting the interests of users subscribing to broadband service and seeking access to a multitude of applications and services over their broadband networks:
o Users should have access to their choice of legal content;

o Users should be able to run applications of their choice;

o Users should be permitted to attach any devices they choose to their broadband connection;

o Users should be able to obtain Internet access on a standalone basis or in combination with those applications or service providers of the end user’s own choosing; and

o Users should know that their personal information is safeguarded, except to the extent necessary to abide by emergency services and law enforcement obligations.

I call for vigilant monitoring of broadband access services as well as a commitment by the Commission to expeditiously review and resolve any complaint concerning these user empowerment rules.

As Metcalfe’s law states, the power of any network is increased by the square of the number of people connected to it. Thus, adoption of enforceable user empowerment rules that encourage user connectivity and lawful network usage as well as innovation at the edge can geometrically increase the value of our nation’s broadband networks, benefiting not only consumers and providers but the U.S. economy as a whole.

Posted by jeff at 05:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (37)

Reminder: "Early Bird" Registration for Fall 2005 VON ends Tomorrow (August 5th):

If you are planning on attending the Fall 2005 VON Conference and would like to take advantage of our "early bird" pricing, you need to register by tomorrow, August 5th.

Posted by jeff at 09:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Congrats to Jiri and the SER Team! -- Tekelec acquires iptelorg:

I just read the news, "Tekelec Expands IMS Portfolio with Acquisition of SIP Routing Provider iptelorg."

Jiri's efforts and dedication in developing and delivering his carrier grade SIP products, including "SER", and making them available for free as a download thru iptel.org directly contributed to the worldwide buzz that the IP Communications industry is experiencing today.

I wish Jiri and the iptelorg team continued success while they are at Tekelec, and I have to believe there are a number of people smiling today at the IETF meetings in Paris as well as in Berlin.

Posted by jeff at 09:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Wi-Fi Battle @ Logan Airport: Free vs. Paid

At Logan Airport in Boston, Continental Airlines is offering free Wi-Fi to customers in their lounge.

The state governmental agency responsible for offering Wi-Fi access at Logan Airport, Massport, doesn't like the fact that they can't compete against "free." The agency charges $7.95 a day for Wi-Fi access and do not like the competition.

As a frequency flyer, I'd like to see all airports offer free Wi-Fi access to travelers. Eventually the airports will realize what jetBlue already has...that providing Wi-Fi access is like providing air-conditioning and electricity. I don't see Massport charging airline travelers for air-conditioning, so why should they continue to charge for Wi-Fi?

At the moment the fighting has moved to Continental Airline’s use of antennas at the airport and they have filed a petition at the FCC requesting a "Declaratory Ruling" in this matter. Public comments are due on August 29th.

My hope is that in the end Continental Airline wins this battle and that any and all airlines can offer free Wi-Fi access at Logan and other airports in and around the United States.

Posted by jeff at 08:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)

August 03, 2005

CDT/EFF Stand Up for Communications and Internet Freedom on Airplanes:

A couple months ago, I experienced Skyping at 36,000 feet above the Atlantic. I imagined the day when I could always be connected, regardless how far - North, South, East, West, or even vertical - I was from home. Over the past couple of months, a cloud has begun to cast a shadow on that vision. First, with the release of the FCC's E911 for VoIP Order, it has become increasingly more doubtful that I will be able to avail myself of the full terrestrial, nomadic capabilities promised by advances in IP-based communications. Now, I fear that my ability to access the Internet and communicate from the sky (even outside US borders) might be stifled by a US Department of Justice/FBI effort to seek an unprecedented and sweeping new wiretapping regime on airplane communications and Internet access under the guise of thwarting potential terrorist acts. Now, I do not challenge the fact that fighting terrorists is an important concern for law enforcement, and I do not want to stand in the way of the most effective law enforcement mechanisms possible. But curbing onboard Internet access does not, to my mind, advance the cause of terrorists. To the contrary, I believe onboard access to the Internet is potentially a valuable means to communicate potential dangers.

The Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT), along with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) led the charge for User Empowerment and Net Freedom today. Submitting Reply Comments to the FCC in two relatively obscure FCC proceedings, CDT/EFF spoke for the would-be users of mobile communications devices and Internet access aboard airplanes in response to a move by the DoJ/FBI proposing that the FCC impose, in the words of CDT/EFF, "unprecedented blanket and continuous wiretapping obligations on the communications of airline passengers." The DoJ/FBI has asked that the FCC invoke its rulemaking authority to create new wiretapping obligations by applying CALEA to extend wiretapping mandates to in-flight Internet access.

CDT/EFF did not dispute the fact that law enforcement is able, under existing laws and without any action by the FCC, to obtain a court order that permits the interception of the electronic communications of people in airplanes. That police power already resides with the Federal government, and there is no need to extend the government's ability to intrude in people's lives and stifle the growth and ubiquity of the global Internet and IP-based communications. I trust the FCC will recognize that it does not have the statutory authority to grant a blank check to law enforcement for warrantless interception of all communications of all airline passengers. The proposed wiretapping scheme raises enormous constitutional and statutory problems that go far beyond the FCC's authority and, frankly, opens the door to additional government intrusion upon the global Internet and IP-based communications.

The price of Internet Freedom is eternal vigilance. Thank you CDT and EFF for your eternal vigilance.

Posted by jeff at 10:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)

Questions from a Road Warrior:

(1) Why do hotels like Marriot put the ethernet cables for their broadband internet access in a small bag in the closet of the hotel room rather than in the desk drawer where the broadband terminal adapter happens to be?

(2) And why is it that coffee pots are placed in a hotel/motel bathroom rather than on a desk in the room?

Posted by jeff at 07:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Another sign VoIP has gone Mainstream: Coverage in Airline Magazines

Another interesting coincidence: this month (at least) two airline magazines, Southwest Magazine and Delta Sky have a VoIP story in them. As Andy was pointing out got the great coverage he had in the Southwest story, Carl Ford was pointing out the VoIP story to me in the Delta magazine while we were both on the Delta Shuttle yesterday flying from New York to Boston.

BTW: Readers of my blog who are regulars on the Delta Shuttle can see our ad promoting Fall 2005 VON in the current issue of the Delta Shuttle inflight magazine.

Posted by jeff at 05:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)

Andy's right: "VON Blur" is starting...

As Andy points out, "VON Blur" is already starting for some of the people who will be a part of Fall 2005 VON.

While Fall 2005 VON is still 7 weeks away, I'm also well aware of some of the activity planned by an increasing number of companies who are scheduling: announcements, meetings and customer activities in and around Fall 2005 VON in Boston.

Just yesterday I was told that over 50 companies are planning on making announcements during the week that Fall 2005 VON will be taking place.

The VoIP M+A space has been heating up this summer. At pulvermedia we have been watching some of the consolidation happen within the VoIP space as companies on our Fall 2005 VON exhibit floor have merged with or have been acquired by other companies which also have a presence on our show floor.

These continue to be some real exciting times for the VoIP industry as VoIP continues to happen around the world.

If you have the time, please try to make it to Boston the week of September 19th and visit Fall 2005 VON.

Readers of my blog who would like to visit the Fall 2005 VON Expo, can attend as my guest...just use the priority code: JPBL3 on or before: August 31st (2005) when registering for "exhibits only" access.

Posted by jeff at 05:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

August 02, 2005

What a Difference A Year Makes:

The Exhibit Hall at Fall 2005 VON will be home to over 330 exhibitors, occupying 60,000 net square feet. The actual size of the exhibit hall in Boston is over 120,000 (gross) square feet.

In the world of VoIP and IP Communications, this will be the largest gathering of companies focused on the future of communications ever to be found under one roof.

On a personal note, even on paper, I already find the size and the scope of the Fall 2005 VON show floor more than I could have imagined and have to just smile when I realize how much this event has grown during the past couple of years. I greatly appreciate the continued support from the worldwide IP communications industry and it's great to be able to be a part of something as it morphs from being a disruptive technology to a mainstream technology.

To help keep things in perspective, a year ago in Boston, our exhibit hall had 201 exhibitors, and we are almost triple the size of Fall 2003 VON when we hosted 124 exhibitors in about 14,000 net square feet.

At the start of seven weeks before Fall 2005 VON trying to be conservative, all I can say is that "things never looked better" when I try to estimate how many people may end up joining us in Boston.

As a hint, I can say that all of the rooms in our original hotel block are already accounted for and we continue to expand our room block each week. Pretty soon we may need to directly point people to hotel room brokers in order to secure a room.

This is the year to visit VON and feel the pulse of the worldwide VoIP industry in action.

Hope to see you at Fall 2005 VON in Boston this September.

Posted by jeff at 05:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (15)

The Wi-Fi Skype Phone = Disruptive Communications:

When I can use a Wi-Fi Skype phone on a SAS flight to Stockholm from Newark, now that would be cool. :)

I would not be surprised to learn if Connexion were amongst the group of companies involved in the early beta testing of the Wi-Fi Skype phones. Connexion was one of the first groups to test my WiSIP phone back in early 2004.

Posted by jeff at 01:27 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Looking for more Volunteers to answer FWD's 55555 Welcome Line

As Free World Dialup continues to grow, we can use some more Volunteers who are available to staff our 55555 Welcome line. All that is required is for you to have high-speed broadband access.

If you are interested in becoming one of the FWD Volunteers, please drop me a line.

Posted by jeff at 01:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)

August 01, 2005

Next stop: Boston

After spending the past couple of weeks on Long Island (and in the office), tomorrow morning I'm on the road again. Tuesday and Wednesday I will be spending some time in meetings at the pulvermedia office in Beverly, MA as well as other meetings in the greater Boston metro area.

Posted by jeff at 06:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Jonathan Askin talks to internetnews.com about the Telecom Reform Bill:

internetnews.com: Pulver Counsel Pans Telecom Reform Bill

'...Askin, a former senior attorney in the FCC's Common Carrier Bureau, said what is really needed is "unfettered competition at the application layer. We need to combine the free market with IP technology. We need for either Congress or the FCC to embrace an Internet freedom empowerment principle."

Fighting words, perhaps. But then, Askin identifies himself on his business card as a "Wartime Consigliere."'

Posted by jeff at 08:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)