AOL Canada has started offering VoIP service in Canada, according to Mark Evans. I think it is a baby step for the company; if it works and has a good uptake, then expect this service to be rolled out in the US and elsewhere. They are doing something similar in France as well. Canadian prices are high, which is a pretty dumb marketing strategy. But then AOL is by the dummies, for the dummies.
AOL’s baby step in VoIP
2 comments so far
4:52 PM PT
Hope you’ll remember that they are still pretty big in AIM. Having innovated “presence” so to speak — they know a thing or two.
Don’t underestimate AIM. Lots of folks use it — even the execs at big time VoIP service providers are using AIM.
Close your eyes and imagine that AOL wasn’t an Internet Service Provider. Now you see this software — AOL Instant Messenger … kinda looks like Microsoft now doesn’t it. A software company … So even if they never run the biggest VoIP network on the planet — which I’m sure is the case — they are a player in VoIP because of their brand name (which I am not an expert on) but most certainly because of the depth of reach of AIM and the associations with presence and communications.
4:52 PM PT
Hope you’ll remember that they are still pretty big in AIM. Having innovated “presence” so to speak — they know a thing or two.
Don’t underestimate AIM. Lots of folks use it — even the execs at big time VoIP service providers are using AIM.
Close your eyes and imagine that AOL wasn’t an Internet Service Provider. Now you see this software — AOL Instant Messenger kinda looks like Microsoft now doesn’t it. A software company … So even if they never run the biggest VoIP network on the planet — which I’m sure is the case — they are a player in VoIP because of their brand name (which I am not an expert on) but most certainly because of the depth of reach of AIM and the associations with presence and communications.
Leave a Comment