One of the major trends in the communications technology industry is the development and deployment of SIP trunking solutions geared specifically toward small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Large and small service providers, along with info tech companies like Microsoft and Cisco are making big investments in SIP trunking.

 

The SIP trunking trend is interesting because it’s taking the lead despite the fact that SMBs have other options available to them, such as hosted PBX (News - Alert) and legacy interfaces. I asked Cbeyond’s Greg Rothman (who heads up the company’s SIPconnect development) for his perspective on the SMB SIP trunking trend, and he said key drivers are demand for interoperability and fixed-mobile convergence solutions.

 

Rothman will be presenting three sessions at INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO West 2008 next month: “The Service Provider Perspective,” “CASE STUDY: American Idol Gets In Tune with SIP Trunking,” and “SMB Networking Alternatives.”

During these session he’ll continue the discussion started here with a Q&A in which he shares his perspective on market trends.

GR: It has been a great year for Cbeyond! Despite the challenging economic environment, during the second quarter of 2008, we achieved significant growth in revenue and customers and improved results in adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).We continued to grow our customer base in the San Francisco Bay Area, and launched services in Miami and Minneapolis. All of this was achieved, while also posting organic revenue growth year-over-year of nearly 26 percent.

 

We also successfully launched two new services: Hosted Microsoft Exchange (provides small businesses with an enterprise-class e-mail solution, featuring appointment setting, shared contacts, task management and over-the-air syncing with mobile devices) and Secure Desktop (integrated antivirus and anti-spyware solution for Windows PC systems).

 

GR: During the next 12 months, Cbeyond will continue its market expansion entering three new markets by the end of 2009. We will also continue to expand and enhance our suite of value-added applications.

 

GR: We will continue to see the widespread adoption of SIPconnect for interoperability and more service providers focused on Fixed Mobile Convergence (News - Alert).  

 

GR: The biggest contribution in the industry has been made though the collective efforts of many service providers, equipment and software vendors that have contributed to the SIP Forum’s (News - Alert) efforts to develop and deploy standards for SIP trunking interoperability.

 

GR: Google has brought technology and innovation to the market.

 

GR: Apple has driven market innovation by delivering solutions like the iPhone to consumers.

 

GR: BlackBerry.

 

GR: The consumer.

 

GR: Hosted PBX solutions will be a niche service and the SIPconnect specification will be so pervasive in its adoption that installing SIP Trunking will be as easy as installing PRI and analog services is today .

 

GR: All three of my sessions will allow attendees to gain a better understanding of the SIP Forum’s SIPconnect specification and the benefits of SIP trunking. We installed our first SIPconnect customer in January 2005, which makes Cbeyond the most experienced SIP trunking service provider in the industry. During my sessions I will share the lessons we have learned and offer insights to success.

 

GR: Attendees who are interested in learning more about SIP trunking — such as PBX developers, PBX dealers, interconnects, IP consultants, and Data value-added resellers (VARs) — should attend my sessions.

 

GR: If you’re a small business, no other provider is more committed to offering you innovative solutions at affordable prices. We get up every morning thinking about how we can better serve the small business community.

 

GR: On our way down to ITEXPO East in Miami, Michael Herrmann of Cincinnati Bell (News - Alert) and I will stop in Tampa to watch the Bengals play the Falcons in the Super Bowl.