Aswath Weblog

Vonage TI Pact: What Does it Mean?

As you have probably read it by now, Vonage and TI announced that they are working together to provide VoIP equipment that is compatible with Vonage. I am not clear on the specific details, but I have my own interpretations and what it means for the industry.

I am assuming that TI will have components that have SIP stack and FXS and packet GW functions. Additionally, I presume that a DSL/Cable modem built with these components can be easily configured to use Vonage; that is it can register with Vonage and use its services. With this premise, the following are my observations:

• These modems are currently being distributed by DSL/Cable service providers, who will soon, if not already, have their own voice offering. Why would they allow Vonage’s SW incorporated in a product that they are subsidizing?


• Currently many of the modems have router functions incorporated in them. I know of at least one DSL provider who has disabled these functions to avoid support issues. Indeed they specifically do not support home networking.


• Finally, what will prevent a user to use this modem, but subscribe to another VoIP provider?

In short it is not clear to me why and how Vonage benefits from this partnership. But the news that TI is integrating VoIP terminal and router functions (integration of modem portion is not critical) is good for the users. This will eliminate the NAT traversal problem and we come closer to the dream of true peer-to-peer communication.

Please read alternate views on this news posted at GigaOm and VoIP Watch.