TOPIC: Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
DEFINITION: Telephone service delivered in packets over digital networks instead of end-to-end circuit switches on [mostly] analog networks.
IMPORTANCE: VOIP provides the third of three services in the Triple Play. Offering all three can make for compelling product mix which can acquire and retain subscribers. Moreover, VOIP will provide continued growth and profit margins by increasing the average revenue per unit (ARPU). VOIP is complex but rides atop infrastructure already built for high-speed data traffic. Satellite providers cannot offer VOIP, however they can bundle with the Bells instead.
FUTURE: Rollouts have already started in 2003 and will ramp up in 2004. Growth will rapidly increase unless it's undercut by low cost IP telephony services.

Contents:

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) - Big Picture:
- Overview
- Benefits of VOIP
- Challenges for VOIP
- VOIP business case
- Voice line market share
- Cable operator VOIP penetration
- VOIP & bundling
- Outlook

VOIP vs Telcos:
- Overview
- Who are the telcos
- RBOCs, ILECs and regulation
- Telcos are investing in technology
- CLECs are on the rebound
- Significance of CLECs
- Outlook

Internet Telephony - Vonage and the New Breeds:
- Overview
- Managed VOIP vs Internet Telephony
- IP telephony has made improvements from the past
- VOIP has effects on traditional telephone industry
- Effects on Cable
- Current market
- Pricing and packaging
- VOIP issues
- IP telephony islands
- How it works
- Outlook

Internet Telephony - Regulatory Issues:
- Overview
- Effects of regulation on IP telephony providers
- Minnesota starts the battle
- Regulators once encouraged by internet telephony
- Telcos are well armed
- Qwest breaks ranks
- CALEA & law enforcement issue
- FCC moving slow
- Outlook

Internet Telephony Providers:
- Overview
- Vonage
- Packet8
- VoicePulse
- Net2Phone
- Free World Dial Up

VOIP & WIFI:
- Overview
- Voice over hot-spot
- Telcos will face challenge
- Outlook
(Last updated February 28, 2004)

Videophones:
- Overview
- Videophones present an opportunity
- Business case
- Videophones trying to partner with Cable
- Challenges for videophones
- Outlook
- Viseon
- Worldgate
- Vialta