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With the consistent increases in the smartphone market, the verdict is still out as to who will eventually dominate. According to Peter Radizeski of RAD-INFO, Inc., the delicate dance in the market depends on the networks. While BlackBerry (News - Alert) dominates now in terms of market share, apps are likely to take Android and iPhone to the lead.

 

Radizeski recently spoke with TMCnet’s Rich Tehrani (News - Alert), printed in full interview below, and shared his opinion that HD Voice is a long time coming and needs a network that can support it. In terms of innovation, Radizeski expects that someone will figure out how to put in a simple GUI similar to SUTUS’s box.

 

While 2009 was a challenge for many in the telecommunications space, RAD-INFO enjoyed growth as consulting was up in demand due to companies seeking to gain efficiency and effectiveness in sales and marketing. In reflecting on Obama’s first year in office, Radizeski is disappointed with the lack of input and collaboration on issues – healthcare in particular. If he were to assume this highest office, Radizeski would push for structural separation and reforms in the areas of USF, Inter-Carrier Compensation and spectrum.

In looking ahead to 2010, Radizeski said UC and VoIP will truly break out to drive growth and innovation. At the same time, the strongest areas of growth in 2010 will be driven by small and medium businesses, as this, “space hires 40 percent of high tech workers; pays 44 percent of the total payroll; represent 99 percent of all employer firms in the US; and have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years.”

 

The full exchange follows:

 

 

Peter Radizeski: It all depends on the networks. The iPhone (News - Alert) will remain popular despite AT&T’s network. Android’s problem is that T-Mobile doesn’t have enough 3G coverage – or people would be jail-breaking the iPhone and adding T’s SIM cards. If Sprint (News - Alert) would embrace the Android, it might boost that network’s viability. Blackberry still has the most market share but apps will likely help Android and iPhone surpass RIM.

 

 

PR: HD Voice is like Fax over IP – a long time coming and it needs a network that can support it. We have had VoIP Peering for years, but not widespread usage. Without Peering, how can HD Voice work, except internally?

 

 

PR: Someone is going to figure out how to put UC in a simple GUI similar to SUTUS’s box.

 

 

PR: Actually, consulting was up, because companies realized that they had to get more efficient at sales and marketing to make it through 2009. Clients have seen as much as a 47 percent revenue increase in a down market – and not by giving it away either. I think 2010 will be even better.

 

 

PR: I am most disappointed with the lack of input and collaboration on issues. Take Healthcare for example. Why weren’t the following people locked in a room for a week: CEO’s of Humana, BlueCross, UnitedHealthcare; the AMA, the Surgeon General; top Congressional leaders; Pharma execs; the FDA chief; a couple of consumer health advocates; and maybe a couple of others. Tell them to come up with a plan. We all know that the reason we don’t have healthcare is two-fold: Congressmen have a separate (better) health plan than us and the Insurance companies cause too much pain for doctors and patients. Be part of the solution or be part of the problem.

 

 

PR: Structural Separation. We will never have world class broadband and innovation as long as a duopoly exists that controls 75 percent of the telecom industry.

 

USF Reform. Inter-Carrier Compensation Reform.

 

Spectrum Reform: use it openly or lose it. Period. I also think that radio and TV should be more open – open as in locally operated and community driven. As newspapers disappear, TV and radio will be the way many folks get their opinions and facts. (Oh, and I would make the new FTC blogger rules apply to Fox “News”, MSNBC, etc. They have to say it is entertainment and opinion or be fined).

 

 

PR: I know we have talked about UC growing (along with VoIP) for a while, but I think there are enough providers out there ready to break out. They are putting pieces in place to make strides in providing enterprise class voice and data services to the SMB space.

 

It isn’t enterprise that will take us out of the economic situation we find ourselves in. They are the ones who pushed us into it with their near-sighted thinking. The small and medium business is the economic driver for America. It was in 2009 and will be in years to come. Make those 29.6 million businesses the priority and we will prosper.

 

The SMB space hires 40 percent of high tech workers; pays 44 percent of the total payroll; represent 99 percent of all employer firms in the US; and have generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years. So tell me again why we are propping up dinosaurs that have not helped the American economy?

 

PR: In the session, “How to Leverage Social Media for a Successful Marketing Campaign,” Suzanne Bowen and I will give real world examples of how the magic of social media can work. Social Media can help sales, marketing, and customer service. Who wouldn’t want to hear how this works? It’s a shame it’s only 45 minutes.

 

 

PR: Google (News - Alert) won’t buy Sprint and neither will T-Mobile. Level3 won’t buy XO or GC. Cogent will start giving away transit – oh, wait, at $1.50 per MB, they already are.