Verizon Wi-Fi(nished): here are the lessons for VoIP services
Verizon has been offering free Wi-Fi at some 380 hotspots in the New York area. Located inside phone booths, the hotspots were configured for mobile DSL subscribers who use laptops.
Earlier this week, Verizon said it would be shutting down the hotspots. That's fallen out of favor, apparently, according to the Associated Press, because the giant wants to accelerate the development of fee based cell service in and around NY. This is all part of Verizon Wireless' multi-billion dollar plan to upgrade its cell infrastructure for CDMA EV-DO.
To which they will charge $80 a month. Which is $80 a month more than zero.
What's this got to do with VoIP?
Well, it shows that like any other profitable telecommunications firm, they aren't going to give away services to a demographic that will pay for them. Plus, they aren't going to cannibalize one serv at the expense of another.
The biggest lesson, though, is that BigTel may discount or even give some services away, but such promotions will never stand if viable, pricey revenue alternatives present themselves.
They can't help themselves. They are born that way. And I gotta tell ya - from a fiscal policy and governance standpoint, it makes sense.
As BigTel and Big Cable show their true colors in IP Telephony, this should become apparent. Do you want to be their friend, or would you rather sign up with a pure-play VoIP company that only offers VoIP and doesn't have all these other services that will nickel-and-dime you to death?
Be a friend to us all, and TalkBack. We value your insights.