GOOD ENOUGH

With next-generation vendors dreaming what in this economic climate seems impossible, maybe it's time carriers begin to think the unthinkable: abandoning their carrier-grade mentality.

In what other industry does innovation have to meet such exacting standards of quality before it's allowed to come to market? In the real world, new products are introduced all the time and are allowed to flourish or flounder based on a level of quality people are willing to accept.

This is not about competition; it's about stifling new technologies such as IP telephony by holding it up to this Platonic ideal form of voice communications called the public network. It would be a shame, but maybe RBOCs and IXCs are the only ones that really still care about perfect voice quality and five-nines reliability. For those customers that require a name brand and a perceived level of quality, by all means, keep those standards in place and charge users handsomely. But give the growing number of people who were weaned on cell phones what they want, too. Give them three nines. Give them the occasional delay. But above all, give them a break.

Enterprises of all sizes need cheap alternatives for their communications needs. And despite the emergence of wholesale and competitive IP telephony service providers, they really need to get them from their telephone companies.

Consumers' requirements are changing as well. Generations X, Y and Z, the users of the next-generation network, are most interested in usability, mobility and accessibility. They aren't looking for guarantees. That may come, but for now most have grown accustomed to maturing along with the technology they use.

Cellular service was not perfect when it was introduced, and it still doesn't support E-911 or local number portability, yet people demanded it, legislators allowed it and operators got rich from it.

The public network may be a tribute to quality engineering, but look around you. Craftsmanship is dead and we accept it. The old adage that they don't make “so-and-so” like they used to is not just a geezers' lament for bygone days. It's true. Cheap imitations abound in every marketplace except the local phone service market (resellers and CLECs excluded).

Look at that old building across the street. Note the balustrade and the cornice. Compare that to the glass and steel house of cards you're sitting in. But you're not complaining, because your office has better air-conditioning, more water pressure and less-frightening elevators — amenities for which you pay dearly. There's the rub. Despite most carrier's stance that IP telephony remains inferior — which is not necessarily the case — IP telephony users will pay dearly for all the amenities it offers.