March 11th, 2005
Google VoIP? Why Ben's wrong, and I'm right (I think)
This week, colleague Ben Charny posted an item that indicated several Google execs met with several VoIP providers at the Spring 2005 VON Show.
Ben seems to think these meetings could be an indication that Google is thinking about offering VoIP services - perhaps as a reseller.
Given Google’s Gmail initiatives, I could see Google offering Internet access in the SBC-Yahoo! mode. But VoIP? That’s just too much of a stretch for me. Too far from the core mission, at least the way the mission currently appears.
I think those who predict Google will offer VoIP haven’t fully grasped the real meaning of an ad Google placed for a "Strategic Negotiator - Global Infrastructure." In a previous post entitled Google VoIP/ No way: read the ad again, I explained my take about what this all about.
That’s my analysis,and I’m stickin’ to it.
And as to thoseconfabs at VON, How much you want to bet the reason Google execs took all those meetings was to improve their internal data communications networks? As I posted earlier today, the show was mostly about enterprise infrastructure.
What do you think? Post a TalkBack.
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
