Google has spoken, and its words are clear for all to hear. It has decided unequivocally that it will not be including a Voip service in its new Fiber package set to be unleashed on the (American) population later this month.
The service has thus far been tested in Kansas City - where it has been welcomed with open arms and graciously received - and is now ready to be rolled out across the united states. The main advantage offered by Google Fiber is downloading speeds three times that of current service providers.
The Voip service would have required voice and data to be combined into a single connection. Google have admitted that they looked closely at offering such a service, and concluded that, "the cost of actually delivering telephone services is almost nothing, however, in the United States there are all of these special rules that apply."
The legislation in question concerns the different billing systems in place across different states. But despite these potential obstacles, had Google been intent on including a Voip service - and convinced that it would be worthwhile to do so - they would have surely been able to work out a solution.
It is still possible for Google Fiber subscribers to make use of Voip services by purchasing of a MagicJack or Ooma and registering for their own low cost service, however, this solution could prove problematic for certain customers, as Dave Greenbaum of GigaOM points out.
David Greenbaum of GigaOM explains that: "Because many people still require a landline to run their alarm and fax systems, it would prove to be an additional hassle for them to switch, even though, in theory, both can be done relatively easilyvia a third party IP phone service over the internet".
It seems clear that Google could have resolved this issue if they had so wished, but decided against it - obviously believing that a lack of voice service will not have a detrimental effect on the service's popularity. Whether they will end up regretting this decision, only time will tell.
So even in a worst case scenario, Google aren't going to be missing out on much in lost revenue, and considering the potential market share that they will soon be commanding from the rest of the industry if their competitors cannot launch a service to match the speed of Google Fiber, no one will notice - or remember - that Voip was ever an issue.
The service has thus far been tested in Kansas City - where it has been welcomed with open arms and graciously received - and is now ready to be rolled out across the united states. The main advantage offered by Google Fiber is downloading speeds three times that of current service providers.
The Voip service would have required voice and data to be combined into a single connection. Google have admitted that they looked closely at offering such a service, and concluded that, "the cost of actually delivering telephone services is almost nothing, however, in the United States there are all of these special rules that apply."
The legislation in question concerns the different billing systems in place across different states. But despite these potential obstacles, had Google been intent on including a Voip service - and convinced that it would be worthwhile to do so - they would have surely been able to work out a solution.
It is still possible for Google Fiber subscribers to make use of Voip services by purchasing of a MagicJack or Ooma and registering for their own low cost service, however, this solution could prove problematic for certain customers, as Dave Greenbaum of GigaOM points out.
David Greenbaum of GigaOM explains that: "Because many people still require a landline to run their alarm and fax systems, it would prove to be an additional hassle for them to switch, even though, in theory, both can be done relatively easilyvia a third party IP phone service over the internet".
It seems clear that Google could have resolved this issue if they had so wished, but decided against it - obviously believing that a lack of voice service will not have a detrimental effect on the service's popularity. Whether they will end up regretting this decision, only time will tell.
So even in a worst case scenario, Google aren't going to be missing out on much in lost revenue, and considering the potential market share that they will soon be commanding from the rest of the industry if their competitors cannot launch a service to match the speed of Google Fiber, no one will notice - or remember - that Voip was ever an issue.
About the Author:
Saul Saresi writes regularly about Voip systems and technology for his website which can be found here business voip previous examples of his research and writing can be found here free voip
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