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A number of U.S. Internet telephony manufacturers have joined forces to form an industry organization to enhance people's understanding of VoIP and promote the benefits of this technology.
This organization, known as the "Internet Voice Campaign", is part of the "VON Collaborative Organization". Members of the "VON Collaborative Organization" include companies such as Cisco and AT&T that are striving to increase the popularity of VoIP. The founding members of the "Internet Voice Campaign" include Earthlink, Google, Level 3, Pulver.com, Sonus Networks, USA Datanet, and Skype.
Market research firms have predicted that the popularity of VoIP technology among consumers will continue to increase. IDC predicts that by 2009, the number of people using this technology will increase from the current 3 million to approximately 27 million. However, the "Internet Voice Campaign" expects the number of people using VoIP technology to grow even faster. It believes that too few people truly understand how VoIP will change their communication methods. Jim, the executive director of the "VON Collaborative Organization", said that we hope to help consumers understand the new services, increased choices, better prices, and improved functions that VoIP technology can provide. By joining forces, we hope that more Americans will take full advantage of Internet telephony services.
The initial measures taken by the "Internet Voice Campaign" include conducting a survey and holding promotional activities to publicize the cost and ease of use of VoIP technology. The survey questions not only include the awareness level of VoIP, but also which functions consumers hope to use.
Analysts pointed out that although the focus of the "Internet Voice Campaign" is to increase the "visibility" of VoIP technology, it may also address other more political issues. Cowles, an analyst at Gartner, said there are still some regulatory issues with Internet telephony services. Cowles pointed out that VoIP is a disruptive technology and more effort is needed to persuade consumers to use it. He said that the consumer market may be changed through VoIP, but this requires time and more effort.
