Yesterday’s eComm saw an emphasis on value creation on telecom networks. Talks ranged from Dean Bubley’s instructive and provocative discussion of LTE and how it is being held hostage by ordinary telephony, through to demonstrations of applications that embed voice into the new categories of “flow” applications. Stuart Henshall showed how voice can be embedded into a twitter stream with his Phweet application, and Tim Panton showed a similar application with voice conversations embedded into Google Wave. Voxeo’s RJ Auburn showed how, with their platform, conversations can easily exist on either text or voice channels, transitioning simply from one to another, without the developer having to differentiate between media in the application.
Two investors joined the stage as well – Sean Park of Nauiokas Park, and Michael Jackson of Mangrove. A major focus of the day became value creation through disruptive technologies as a result. Adding fuel to the fire, Park argued that today’s telecom business should be two separate businesses, network management, and applications delivery because of financial considerations. According to Park, networks throw off predictable cash flows, which makes them appropriate for debt financing vehicles, while applications need capital infusions in the form of equity to get build.
Meaty stuff.
Alec Saunders is the Vice President of Developer Relations for BlackBerry maker Research in Motion. This is his personal blog, with his personal viewpoints. Prior to this Alec was the CEO and co-founder of Calliflower — the easiest way to hold a meeting, online, on a conference call, or on the go. A double-decade veteran of product management and marketing, he spent nine years at Microsoft where he helped launch Windows 95, the first two versions of Internet Explorer, the Universal Plug and Play initiative, the push into home markets, opt-in email marketing and what might well go down in history as the very first direct email list ever.
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