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Interview on SBS TV World news tonight: How Skype changes how telecom firms add value

Ross Dawson, January 16, 2008 7:12 PM US PT

I’ve just been interviewed by SBS TV for a segment on Skype, which will air on their World News tonight at 6:30pm. There was no particular news that prompted the segment, which simply looks at what Skype is, and in particular how it is impacts the telecommunications industry.

In the interview I repeatedly emphasized how telecommunications companies have for over a century dramatically overcharged for communication, holding back progress, business, and personal relationships. Only now that there is a free alternative are international phone calls getting a fraction closer to their actual cost. Connectivity is a human and social right, which fortunately is now available to anyone with an Internet connection or who can afford 30 minutes in an Internet café. In order for telecommunications companies to continue to be as vastly profitable as they have over the years, they must find news ways of creating value. One way is to add value to the basic connectivity services they provide. Another is to shift into adjacent businesses such as content, services, or to leverage their existing relationships into new areas.

Last year I wrote about some of the strategic issues for how telecommunications firms reposition themselves, in the context of mobile search. I'll expand on this theme anon.

1 Comments

Dani said:

Hey Ross, I completely agree with you that telecommunications have overcharged customers for way too long. My family, friends and colleagues are scattered all over the globe (parents moved from Tokyo to London back to NJ, extended family in Mexcio City, friends in CA, brother in NYC, boss in Germany, co workers in S. Africa). The only way to keep my phone bill at a reasonable level is to not use it. One of our clients at work is ooVoo and their free video conferencing service is extremely convenient for meeting with six people simultaneously. Have you had a chance to use a video conferencing service like ooVoo or ooVoo itself? I would love to get your opinion on its services. Can you email me at dsevilla@abrahamharrison.com?

January 18, 2008 7:57 AM

Ross Dawson is globally recognized as a leading futurist, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, strategy advisor, and bestselling author. He is Founding Chairman of four companies: professional services and venture firm Advanced Human Technologies, future and strategy consulting group Future Exploration Network, leading events firm The Insight Exchange, and influence ratings start-up Repyoot.

Ross is author most recently of Implementing Enterprise 2.0, the prescient Living Networks, which anticipated the social network revolution, and the Amazon.com bestseller Developing Knowledge-Based Client Relationships (click on the links for free chapter downloads). He is based in Sydney and San Francisco with his wife jewellery designer Victoria Buckley and two beautiful young daughters.