The world of VoIP service has grown substantially in the last few years. With the explosion of the new form of technology, the possibilities have begun to seem endless. The integration of almost every possible internet and computer technology with voice messaging has meant the growth of the industry at unprecedented rates.
However, with the development of so many new services, all offering the same old options, the innovative aspects of VoIP seem to have fallen behind a little bit. Where are the new features and massive integration? Just as Skype fell behind with the growth of services like Vonage and Packet8, it’s possible that the future doesn’t bode well for the new brand of at home services if innovative new services take hold of the market. With that, here are the top 10 innovative services currently in development or in need of development that could truly change and push forward the VoIP market.
VoIP and IPTV Integration
The development of IPTV in recent years has been slow, but with VoIP exploding and cable companies that already offer internet access, digital cable TV and digital voice, the inevitable use of advancing internet technology to transmit television signals is on the horizon. Already integrated with Map and Search services, VoIP will soon be closely integrated with internet television. The possibilities are endless with infomercials likely taking immediate advantage of any direct integration and request shows following close suit.
Free VoIP
In the late 90s, there was an explosion of free internet access providers that loaded down their service with advertisements. It didn’t last too long as broadband grew too fast and most people wanted speed over cost effectiveness. However, free service has worked for the television and radio industries for years with advertisements to support the service. If a clever VoIP service is smart enough, free VoIP could be as simple as the new Google Video model with a small audio clip preceding each phone call.
Call Forwarding Options
Call forwarding has long been an option available for business phones and expensive at home plans. VoIP could easily integrate similar services. In fact, business plans already have the software to do just that with FMFM (Follow me, Follow me), which sends calls to cellular phones, home phones and hotel phones according to where the user designates the call should be forwarded. A small fee and a few quick setup options could make this a very easy option to integrate.
Web Based Integration (Voice 2.0)
This is less of a future possibility and more of a feature in development. Windows Live is already using Verizon’s VoIP services to integrate calling into their map features and Google has long since integrated VoIP functionality into their Google Talk and Map features. Full integration is a ways off, but sooner or later, basic computer setups will allow users to point and click to call their friends and local businesses.
Toll Free VoIP Service – No PCs Involved
Eventually, it will be possible to call a toll free number and gain access to VoIP service via an internet ready phone. The service will hold a small charge, but instead of utilizing circuit based traditional phone access, it will utilize the developing IP network to cut costs.
Satellite VoIP Service
Whether or not satellite service eventually makes its way into the homes of those that are trying to establish true VoIP service, the satellite companies are trying to make it happen. Offering the same digital options that Cable companies have begun to tout for home phone service, satellite internet providers are hard at work. Unfortunately, technology limitations make it hard to keep up with Cable and the oft times undesirable outages of Satellite service make the entire proposition hard to improve.
VoIP Consolidation – The New AT&T is on the Way
Eventually the forty-seven different VoIP services will begin to fall. Only this last week Sunrocket announced they will be closing shop and shutting down their services. The market cannot support so many newcomers to the field and as was witnessed with the telephone industry in the middle of the 20th century, eventually one or two major players will rise to the top and buy out the competition. When there are only a couple of major companies left, the availability of VoIP service will explode. Unfortunately, innovation will take an inverse dive as features are diverted in favor of expanding coverage areas. It is likely, however, that the VoIP king will be someone other than the traditional champions of phone services. It remains to be seen where the phone monopoly will lay in 10 years, but there will surely be less VoIP options in the months to come.
Video Conferencing and Calling
Video conferencing and data integration to VoIP services has recently exploded with the development of new technology and software from the likes of Microsoft. Because the bandwidth support is there and the cost of web cameras and microphones has dipped to mass-consumer lows, the possibility of accessing nearly anyone via video chat is as real as ever, only now it is much more viable for nearly all of your calls as millions of people switch to VoIP every year.
Enhanced 911 Support
This is a small feature upgrade, but an important one and eventually a possibly problematic one. The enhanced 911 features that emergency services use now to track phone numbers for use in finding the locations of fires and crimes is easily integrated into VoIP services, even if it is has not been fully done yet. The IP tracking technology available though is well developed and soon will allow emergency crews to easily and quickly track any calls made. This means that the industrious stalker or scam artist could easily do the same though. With E911 service comes the inevitable development of better safeguards and firewalling of VoIP connections.
VoIP Business Features for All
Businesses, small and large, currently enjoy incredibly diverse functionality in all of their VoIP services. For this reason, it is safe to reason that in the coming months, those features will begin to trickle down to the masses and reach the mass market. Cost is a matter of demand more than operational services and when the masses learn of the different features available to their business counterparts, features such as full integration and advanced voice mail are sure to make the cross over.
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