Welcome to The Future of VoIP, a podcast series based on several telephone interviews with key industry stakeholders.
Episode 1 – Michael Robertson, Founder SIPphone & Gizmo Project
http://sipthat.com/mp3/Future-of-VoIP/MR-FofVoIP-1.mp3
A truly inspiring interview with a man who really understands how open standards can impact an industry. Michael draws some very interesting parallels with the digital music industry and the desktop VoIP industry. Michael talks about Skype, Google Talk and his new Gizmo Project. He also speaks on the potential exit strategy for his projects and his preference over private versus public (IPO/RTO) structures.
Michael touches on why Microsoft’s latest purchase of Teleo just doesn’t matter and points out why innovation will continue to come from the smaller companies.
BIO Excerpt: In 2003, Robertson founded SIPphone.com, a company that harnesses the power of the Internet to allow customers to make free long distance phone calls. SIPphone was founded to build a VoIP platform and directory on which any hardware or software developer could offer free VoIP service. Since then the company has partnered with Web communities, universities, telcos and hardware manufacturers around the world to extend and strengthen its VoIP platform. Today SIPphone’s service incorporates all the key elements of VoIP service.
High-tech entrepreneur Michael Robertson has spearheaded a cache of diverse, high-profile companies including MP3.com, Vivendi Universal purchased the profitable company in 2001 for $372 million in stock and cash.
