Response to Private Message
Before I get started, my account does not provide for private messaging. So . . .
First, I am only giving my impression of the situation in response to your question. Second, I am a firm believer that Ojo technology for this end of the consumer market, ie. not Cisco's high end telepresence, is the absolute world's best. To be more conservative, it is at parity with Apple's Facetime.
So to your question: why did Microsoft believe that Skype will rule with inferior product when they knew that Vox and Ojo were on the horizon?
Skype has many things going in its favor. While it was not the absolute 1st VoIP provider, it was the early entrant that became a household name; its brand became a verb. It has about 500 Million registered users as a consequence, though a large majority are for the free service. It has about +$ 700 million in annual revenues, though it still is not making money. It also comes from a world that Microsoft understands and frames its world view and consequent decisions . . . the PC. Some argue that MSFT's monopolistic mindset and PC worldview has hobbled their efforts for close to 10 years in their strategic effort: Windows Mobile/Smartphone.
My guess is that it is due to it still being "early" in the VVoIP game, that MSFT thinks they have room to maneuver. They may feel that they can program around Skype's problems. That the dominant brand can get Skype built into dominant Web 2.0 platforms like Facebook. They may feel that Internet 2 functionality and 4G LTE wireless technology will let them avoid/hide Skype's short-comings.
Needless to say, I hold the view that Ojo technology and patents combined with Vox award winning service platform target critical demands and factors in the market. (Superior Service coming from: patented low bandwidth utilization, "cloud oriented" service platform server farms, capital efficient & effective server farms, operationally efficient and effective service platform.)
- Wireless bandwidth is absolutely a constraint for the network providers
- Wireless is the growth arena around the world in part because the network providers do not have to build the "last mile" to the consumers
- Wireless is also the growth arena because Apple made the Smartphone & Tablet an absolute positive addition to everyone's day to day life
- Telco firms as a general rule charge consumers for their respective data consumption to recover Telco costs (VVoIP consumes data like crazy)
- The global "Great Recession" has made capital efficiency and effectiveness a strong determinant in moving capital projects forward, ie, building out networks and service platforms.
- The Digital Revolution with the IP convergence in the telco world has made it very easy for small nimble players with excellent product/service offerings to compete against huge $ billion companies in the "Great Game". The "walls" preventing the creation of small players are falling down around the world.
- Skype quality humorously has become synonymous with poor quality. Tango is actually being used by Skype as a substitute for those situations where Skype simply fails.
- VVoIP in certain markets is growing +100%/year due to the growing acceptance of VVoIP into people's daily lives
- One of the known aspects of human nature is that for disruptive services like VVoIP to successfully enter into the mass market there must be a choice. Our VVoIP solution will participate in the consumer decision process with a superior service offering.
I hope this answers your question
All IMHO
