Google
Traditional telecom giants feel the pain
The concept of the Internet-based Google phone was introduced last year, amid heavy protest from the telecom giants that provide landlines and cellular service. Companies such as Verizon
These telecom giants have already been facing significant revenue landline losses, as more and more customers began using their cellular phones as a primary means of voice communication. The proliferation of the Google Gmail phone as an easy-to-use built-in phone line will only continue to pressure these providers.
The old office phone conference device
While the telecom giants remain hardest-hit by new online communication programs, they won't be the only companies to suffer. Polycom
You may know Polycom better as the makers of the funny spaceship-shaped devices your company might use for conference calls. Polycom mainly competes with Cisco
Speaking of Skype...
The company was recently spun off from eBay
Skype lets customers make free computer-to-computer video calls; however, computer-to-phone calls can cost anywhere between $0.01 or $0.02 per minute.
In October, Skype will roll out its new corporate packages, which include subscription fees. The packages will allow the corporations the same sort of teleconferencing abilities offered by low-end Polycom or Cisco systems. While pricing for these packages has not yet been established, they will certainly cost corporations much less than Polycom or Cisco's services.
Back to the point
In the current tumultuous economic environment, businesses and consumers will do whatever it takes to cut costs. The online Google phone does not eliminate the need for the businesses I have mentioned in this article, but it certainly lowers switching costs dramatically. Google can't match these companies' service and expertise, but you can bet it won't take the Big G long to improve its model and programs. Next time you're on a conference call in the meeting room, make sure to let your boss know that he never even had to leave his desk.