“Consumers are going to drive what applications are successful,” said Doug Wenzlaff of Solarus, in this video interview with Roger Bindl. Wenzlaff points out that one of the big changes in the telecom industry is that providers have had to shift from a culture of “build it and they will come” to one where the “customers build the services they want”. Wenzlaff points out that telecom companies need to build networks that are flexible enough to adapt to unforeseen customer-driven applications.
Wenzlaff describes how this philosophy is not much different than when Wood County Telephone, Solarus' former name, started its operation more than 100 years ago. The focus on customers, service and improving community was the impetus for launching Wood County Telephone and those same motivations were behind its offering of video and broadband products more than 10 years ago. In this video, Wenzlaff explains some of the lessons learned as they have transitioned to a broadband company and that they have enjoyed, "interesting times," this past decade.
Highlights from the 2009 WSTA Annual Convention. This edition of ViodiTV at WSTA was sponsored by Solarus and Central Cable Contractors. Highlights include Wisconsin PSC Commissioner Mark Meyer, Daniel Hardy and Judd Genda of Axley Brynelson, Gary Evans of Hiawatha Broadband, Jerry Wilke of RTG, Rob Riordan of Nsight, Andrew Walding of CellStream, Ann Anderson of Lemonweir Valley Tel, and Matt Eversmann of Freeman Phillips LLC. The video wraps up with bagels, brunch, golf, and fish. Check ViodiTV for full interviews with Jerry Wilke on femtocells, Rob Riordan on femtocell applications, Andrew Walding on Evolving TDM to IP, and Matt Eversmann on leadership. A special thanks to Margaret Hines of Inspire Marketing for assisting with interviews.
An interview with Andrew Walding, CellStream, at the WSTA 2009 Annual Convention. Andrew talks about moving from TDM voice to IP voice, and how we’re not really inventing a new wheel, but adapting it. We talk a bit on the flexibility of SIP and his favorite new application and gadget. ViodiTV at WSTA was sponsored by Solarus and Central Cable Contractors.
Rob Riordan, Nsight, talks about Femtocells. Margaret Hines – Inspire Marketing – interviews Rob at the WSTA 2009 Annual Convention for ViodiTV. Riordan suggests some innovative uses of femtocells, including as a sort of location detection device to remind teenagers to do their chores and homework when they arrive home from school. Beyond improving signal quality, femtocells could facilitate personalized advertisements. Riordan also discusses how femtocells combined with an IP backbone can extend wireless into applications for 1/10 the price of traditional methods. This edition was sponsored by Solarus and Central Cable Contractors.
The next two video interviews are a definite upgrade in terms of the on-air talent. Dave Burstein of DSL Prime fills in for me as he interviews Steve Ross of Broadband Properties. Ross prescribed a high fiber diet to reduce churn as well lay the groundwork for new services and increased economic development in rural areas. He suggested that the current approaches to video are being commoditized and that telcos need to look for value-add services.
