Google has spoken, and its words are clear for all to hear. It has decided unequivocally that it will not be including a Voip service in its new Fiber package set to be unleashed on the (American) population later this month.
The service has thus far been tested in Kansas City - where it has been welcomed with open arms and graciously received - and is now ready to be rolled out across the united states. The main advantage offered by Google Fiber is downloading speeds three times that of current service providers.
It seems that there are two main reasons for Google not including Voip in their package, the first being that there are a multitude of varying regulations concerning telecommunication billing requirements, and the second that there is a certain difficulty in combining the necessary voice and data into a single package.
The regulations pose a serious headache for service providers looking to provide an all inclusive service, due to the way that tax state calculations are determined across different states. But it would seem that had Google wanted to find a solution, they could have.
Maybe one of the over-riding factors in their decision was the ease with which customers could add a Voip service to their package by simply purchasing an Ooma or MagicJack and registering with any one of the service providers already on the market.
"While subscribers can use their mobiles phones, many people still use alarm or fax systems that need a landline. Both could be done over Internet (or via a third-party IP phone service) but this is an additional hassle to switch."
Regardless of whether or not Google change their minds later down the line we will have to wait and see. But one thing is for certain, and that is that given Google's influence and awareness of the entire market place - not just Voip and telecommunications - it is highly unlikely that they have not made the most informed decision possible on all fronts.
So even in a worst case scenario, Google aren't going to be missing out on much in lost revenue, and considering the potential market share that they will soon be commanding from the rest of the industry if their competitors cannot launch a service to match the speed of Google Fiber, no one will notice - or remember - that Voip was ever an issue.
The service has thus far been tested in Kansas City - where it has been welcomed with open arms and graciously received - and is now ready to be rolled out across the united states. The main advantage offered by Google Fiber is downloading speeds three times that of current service providers.
It seems that there are two main reasons for Google not including Voip in their package, the first being that there are a multitude of varying regulations concerning telecommunication billing requirements, and the second that there is a certain difficulty in combining the necessary voice and data into a single package.
The regulations pose a serious headache for service providers looking to provide an all inclusive service, due to the way that tax state calculations are determined across different states. But it would seem that had Google wanted to find a solution, they could have.
Maybe one of the over-riding factors in their decision was the ease with which customers could add a Voip service to their package by simply purchasing an Ooma or MagicJack and registering with any one of the service providers already on the market.
"While subscribers can use their mobiles phones, many people still use alarm or fax systems that need a landline. Both could be done over Internet (or via a third-party IP phone service) but this is an additional hassle to switch."
Regardless of whether or not Google change their minds later down the line we will have to wait and see. But one thing is for certain, and that is that given Google's influence and awareness of the entire market place - not just Voip and telecommunications - it is highly unlikely that they have not made the most informed decision possible on all fronts.
So even in a worst case scenario, Google aren't going to be missing out on much in lost revenue, and considering the potential market share that they will soon be commanding from the rest of the industry if their competitors cannot launch a service to match the speed of Google Fiber, no one will notice - or remember - that Voip was ever an issue.
About the Author:
Saul Saresi writes regularly about Voip systems and technology for his website which can be found here business voip previous examples of his research and writing can be found here business phone