VoiceSA 2010 synopsis

2010 saw the inaugural VoiceSA conference, where over 200 of South Africa’s finest telecoms decision makers and industry professionals alike filled the Bytes Conference Centre to learn from leading local and international industry professionals. Topics ranged from the latest developments in business communication solutions and trends in the local telecommunications landscape, to regulatory issues.

Douglas Reed, group MD of Vox Telecom, encouraged players to take advantage of emerging opportunities: “There are more opportunities for alternative providers now than ever before. The market is highly unpredictable, and the incumbents are slow to adjust.”

Rob Lith, director of Connection Telecom, cited Cloud Computing as a catalyst for growth: “VoIP providers currently only account for 10% of telco industry spend. Cloud Computing is a driving force that will shake up the hosted telephony market, as more companies become more comfortable with this technology paradigm.”

Steve Song, of the Shuttleworth Foundation, outlined this vision of the “Village Telco” – a localised, low-cost, self-installed network built on WiFi technology that can be used in communities where communication need not cover large distances. “In Africa, among the bottom 75% of earners, approximately 50% of disposable income is spent on mobile services. Using a simple, low-cost device, communities can build their own networks to significantly reduce the cost of telecommunications.”

In addition to the informative presentations and networking opportunities, the event also included an exhibition area which presented delegates with live demonstrations of the latest hardware developments and solutions from a variety of exhibitors, including: Even Flow Distribution, Vox Telecom, Gigaset, Sangoma, Patton Electronics, Yealink, Networking Technology LTD, CommuniGate Systems, RSAWEB.

VoiceSA 2010 was proudly sponsored by Vox Telecom, Yealink, Sangoma, Patton Electronics, Gigaset, and presenting sponsor, Even Flow Distribution.

2010 Speakers

Brian Seligmann – Cell C: Executive Head of Product Innovation
Rob Lith - Connection Telecom: Director
Wayne Speechly - IS: General Manager of Voice
Frederic Dickey - Sangoma Technologies: Director of Product Managment
Steve Song - Shuttleworth Foundation
Doug Hill - Patton-Inalp Networks: Director
Gerrit Hurter - Voipmagic: Founder & Owner
Douglas Reed - Vox Telecom: Group MD