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Quick Jump Menu to this Issue’s ArticlesAugust 18th, 2004 OverviewUSF Overview:My Dream as to how to Restructure USF’s Funding:The Independent Telco Space According to Viodi:

THE VIODI VIEW

by Ken Pyle ([email protected]), Viodi, LLC

In this Issue: Telco Meets Comic Strip, Mkt Size, Radical USF, Much More……

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August 18th, 2004 Issue

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The last issue of the Viodi View commented on some of my strange dreams. I am afraid of what a physiatrist might suggest after studying these columns and my associated dreams. Since I don’t have the money to pay a shrink, I figured I would explore one of my dreams in this issue. After you are done reading this, you will see what a nightmare world my sleep state can be.

As I mentioned, I woke up a few weeks ago with a dream about the Universal Service Fund lodged in my cranium. What prompted this dream was probably the extensive review I did on the Packet 8 VoIP service. Like many other VoIP services, Packet 8 considers itself to be an Information Service, exempting it from the Universal Service Fees required of telecommunications services, such as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS). The challenge for regulators is to maintain the integrity of the Universal Service mandate in the face of quickly changing technologies and ways of doing business.

• Click here to read “USF Overview”
• Click here to read “My Dream as to how to Restructure USF’s Funding”

To get a very technical view of a related topic – intercarrier access fees – check out http://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/ecfs/retrieve.cgi?native_or_pdf=pdf&id_document=6516287716. Stuart Polikoff provided a good summary of the report embodied in this PDF in yesterday’s issue of the OPASTCO 411.

A few quick observations from a quick review of the ICF’s (Intercarrier Compenstation Forum) proposal are that it would spread the burden of Universal Service to cable modems and it doesn’t seem like it would address VoIP services originating outside the U.S. Also, from a political standpoint, it will be interesting to see the reaction from the major MSOs as their services could be seriously impacted by the ICF proposal. Interestingly, none of the major MSOs were listed as contributing to the ICF.

Telco Turns to the Comic Pages…..

In the last issue, we discussed the importance of positioning a telco’s brand such that customers and prospects are aware that a telco provides more than just telephone service. Adding a recognizable character is one way to shift people’s perception of a telco’s offering. Hancock Telecom, an Indiana independent telco, did just that by licensing the comic strip character, Garfield, to be an integral part of their brand.

Their new tag line, “Hellooo…we’re more than just a telephone company,” does a great job of informing people that Hancock provides more than just POTS. Expect more cool marketing innovations from this Indiana independent that is also on the forefront of technology innovation with their extensive Fiber to the Home efforts.

The Independent Telco Space According to Viodi

So, I received requests this week from two colleagues asking for general numbers on the size of the independent telco video market. These numbers are not easy to come by and I have been building a database of useful information on this market for nine years. I am still amazed at how many independent telcos there are and how many are providing various kinds of advanced services. To get a glimpse of my view of the market size, please click here.

Streaming & Screaming Media:

The Streaming Media West conference is making its way to my home town of San Jose (actually, the San Jose suburb of Santa Clara). This is a conference I would highly recommend for any telco that is thinking of adding streaming components to their web site. Send an email if you are coming out to it….if there is enough interest, we will hold our local content workshop in conjunction with this event.

The Streaming Media web site has also become a bit of a clearinghouse for all information regarding Acacia Research and their efforts to enforce their patents on any sort of video delivery by digital means. If you have received one of Acacia’s letters or are afraid you may receive one, then check out this site at http://www.streamingmedia.com/patent/.

Lastly, the Interactive Television Alliance’s Summit set for this week has been moved to coincide with Digital Hollywood’s conference in Santa Monica. Tickets for this event are limited, so act soon. Full details can be found at http://www.itvalliance.org/rts92904.htm

The Korner: These Dreams…….…..

In the 1970s, the Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, were pioneers in the male-dominated world of rock and roll with their band Heart. Their hits continued in the 80s and early 90s and have become staples on classic rock stations. I bet you did not know that Heart just released a new album (I am showing my age by using the term, album).

The point is that even bands with proven track records can find it difficult these days to get airplay or much attention for any of their new material. An alternative method of distribution and promotion, which may help both established artists, such as Heart, as well as newcomers, is a service called Weed from a Seattle-based company, Shared Media Licensing. A future issue of the Viodi View will provide more analysis of this service and what it means to telcos.

In the meantime, please enjoy Heart’s song “Oldest Story in the World” from their latest album, Jupiter’s Darling. It has the classic Heart sound coupled with strong vocals from Ann Wilson.

Download “Oldest Story in the World” (Right-click & choose “Save Target As…”)

You can listen to this song three times for free!

P.S. Thanks to Marty Lafferty of the DCIA for letting me know about this interesting service.

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