SUBSCRIBE TO TMCnet
TMCnet - World's Largest Communications and Technology Community

CHANNEL BY TOPICS


QUICK LINKS




IP Connection Quality to Drive Standard, HD VoIP Adoption: ITEXPO Sponsor

TMCnews Featured Article


December 17, 2009

IP Connection Quality to Drive Standard, HD VoIP Adoption: ITEXPO Sponsor

By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor


Smartphones continue to be the mobile device of choice and as a result, the industry is intensely competitive. While Apple’s iPhone is the consumer device of choice, the BlackBerry (News - Alert) is nearly unbeatable in the corporate market, according to Alexandre Hebra, Vice President of Commlogik Corp.

 
Hebra recently shared insights in an interview with TMC CEO Rich Tehrani (News - Alert), provided in full below. On the topic of high-definition voice, wideband audio and HD VoIP, Hebra believes the current issues with VoIP are preventing strong growth as quality still needs some work.

2009 was not kind to Hebra’s company, as it saw a 40 percent revenue decrease, but corporate executives anticipate growth in the next year. When it comes to innovation in 2010, Hebra is looking to products that have interactive video everywhere as well as interactivity between user and video/voice programs that will open the door for a variety of applications. Asked for an opinion on the current government in the United States, Hebra is disappointed in the lack of action on Obama’s part in the restoration of wealth and the instances of more taxes, more government interference and corruption.

If U.S. President Hebra were a future title, patent and tort reform would be a priority, as well as more H1B visas and lower corporate taxes. As for areas of growth Hebra anticipates in the next year, HD VoIP and video conference take priority. As for why customers should turn to Commlogik, the company maintains several offices in the major LatAm markets and can provide quick delivery and local support. As to an outrageous prediction, Nokia (News - Alert) just may be interested in the promise of Palm.

Their full conversion follows.
 
Rich Tehrani: Smartphones continue to rise, find their ways into offices and homes alike. Who will dominate that market and why?
 
Alexandre Hebra (pictured left): Apple (News - Alert), Blackberry and Palm will dominate. But Palm might be acquired by a big player (like Nokia), since they have a great product (Palm Pre) but need cash to push the product in the market. Apple is the multimedia and “cool” king, thus it will always be an object of desire by the younger generation. Blackberry is practically unbeatable in the corporate world (great e-mail and messaging management, security). Palm has a hit with WebOS, and it have good chances in getting a chunk of both markets (Apple and BB)… but string backing (and money) will be needed.
 
RT: We hear more and more about high-definition voice features in IP communications products and services. What is going to drive wideband audio and HD VoIP into the mainstream market? How long will it take?
 
AH: The overall quality of the IP connection will drive VoIP (std) and VoIP (HD). There are still a lot of issues with VoIP (drop outs, echo, noise, etc.) that must be resolved 99 percent, then VoIP and HD VoIP will take off. Note: everyone wants HD, as long as the underlying technology works well. VoIP is not there yet, although it has improved tremendously in the last three years.
 
RT: What’s the most innovative product that’s going to hit the market in 2010, from a company other than your own?
 
AH: Good question. Great products will come when better broadband is available to everyone (wired and wireless). Then products that have “interactive video everywhere” will be available, and doing a video call will be as common as a voice call. It also opens the door to true interactivity between user and video/voice program, thus opening the doors to a ton of applications.
 
RT: We entered 2009 in a recession and now we’re seeing signs of the economy picking up. How did the slow economy affect demand for your products and services and what are you anticipating in 2010?
 
AH: In 2009 we had a 40 percent revenue decrease (compared to 2008). Our forecast is that we will grow 20 percent to 30 percent in 2010 (compared to 2009). If… there is no major catastrophic event in 2010, like Israel bombarding Iran’s uranium refining plants, a major (successful) terrorist attack on U.S. soil, an economic collapse of a major developed/underdeveloped country, etc.
 
RT: President Barack Obama has been in office for nearly a year. What has surprised you, whether a pleasant surprise or disappointment, about his presidency, policies and administration?
 
AH: Unfortunately his government has not focused in restoring wealth and prosperity in the U.S. So far nothing the current government did deserves praise. A huge disappointment overall. Prosperity is freedom to create and run businesses, fair (lower) taxes overall, less (and more intelligent) regulation, capital for companies to finance growth and cash flow… but we have seen the opposite (more taxes, more government interference, corruption).
 
RT: If you were president of the United States, what tech-friendly policies would you enact?
 
AH: Patent reform. Tort reform. More H1B visas. Lower corporate taxes.
 
RT: What are some of the areas of market growth in the next few years?
 
AH: HD VoIP, Video Conference.
 
RT: I understand you are exhibiting Jan. 20 to 22 at ITEXPO East 2010 in Miami. What will you show there? Describe the companies or people who should come to your exhibit.
 
AH: As a technology Value Added Distributor, we will focus on showing our product line and services to prospective customers (visitors) from Latin America, since Miami is such a great hub for everyone south of the border.
 
RT: Why should customers choose your company’s solutions? How do they justify the expense to management?
 
AH: We have several offices in the major LatAm markets, thus we are able to provide quick delivery and local tech support, including RMAs, DOA replacements, training, etc.
 
RT: Please give me one outrageous prediction pertaining to our markets for 2010.
 
AH: Palm will be acquired by Nokia. Polycom will also be acquired, maybe by HP (they won’t be able to compete alone, now that Tandberg is Cisco and Lifesize is Logitech (News - Alert)).
 
Commlogik is a Platinum-level sponsor of ITEXPO East 2010. To be held Jan. 20 to 22 in Miami, ITEXPO is the world’s premier IP communications event. Visit Commlogik in booth #407. Don’t wait. Register now.

Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Michael Dinan







Technology Marketing Corporation

2 Trap Falls Road Suite 106, Shelton, CT 06484 USA
Ph: +1-203-852-6800, 800-243-6002

General comments: [email protected].
Comments about this site: [email protected].

STAY CURRENT YOUR WAY

© 2024 Technology Marketing Corporation. All rights reserved | Privacy Policy