180 Degrees of Freedom

There otta be a rule that says that if you don't like the way something looks, you are duty-bound to turn it around and look at it after a 180 degree perspective change.

Up until now the big telecoms have been resisting encroachment in their wireless voice domain. iPhone App Store keeps rejecting Google Voice. Over the Top VoIP applications have been prohibited. In general the carriers have been "defending" their network.

The appropriate change has started. There are rumors about Skype being enabled by AT&T. Google Voice is something that Verizon will apparently now permit on android devices. It is starting to move from defend to leverage.

So for now the big guys are demonstrating a willingness to be pushed to understand the value of the phase shift.

On the "what's next" front I'd advocate that the carriers continue the shift the recommended 180 degrees. The carriers are in a position where they don't control the application. They should reach out and contract for transparent-label variations of applications that might advantage their wireless/business/data/video/residential subscribers. Integrate with Skype and Google Voice. Retail the application value to their subscriber base at competitive prices(Free?). Terminate and originate calls on behalf of the application. Use the app rather than run from the app.

And most of all ensure that the income from data plans is "fair" (read profitable).

OTT is a reality. Leverage the future.