Source: www.voip-news.com
Vopium has entered the Android market. Read about it on VoIP News of the UK.
Time Magazine has named Vonage a failure … VoIP Watch disagrees.
Incoming! for Skype was just approved for the iPhone. Read about it on VoIP & Gadgets blog.
Source: www.voip-news.com
VoIP & Gadgets Blog compares OpenSky and SkypeForSIP.
Smith on VoIP comments on Vonage’s latest ad campaign.
ChannelWeb talks about the new FCC rules on VoIP.
Source: www.voip-news.com
How did Vonage do in the first quarter of FY 2009?
According to their results release today, they earned $21 million before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization — something they are calling a record high. That’s up from $8 million in the same quarter last year. Holy moly.
“We continued to improve our financial performance during the first quarter of 2009, with solid gains in adjusted EBITDA as well as increased cash flow from our existing customer base. We also expanded initiatives during the quarter to improve productivity and reduce costs across the company, while continuing to invest in new growth opportunities including mobile applications and international products and services. Additionally, we announced in April the selection of TBWA\Chiat\Day, a firm known for creating impactful messaging on highly regarded brands, as our new advertising agency. We expect the launch of a new marketing campaign in late spring and look forward to improving the Company’s media strategy and marketing efficiency,” said Marc Lefar, Vonage Chief Executive Officer.
More good news about Vonage’s earnings:
Vonage reported positive income from operations of $5 million, up from a loss of $4 million the prior year and income of $3 million sequentially. Revenue of $224 million was flat year-over-year, and increased 1% sequentially. The Company reported GAAP net income of $5 million or $0.03 per share, up from a loss of $9 million or $0.06 the prior year. Net income in the first quarter 2009 includes a $13 million mark-to-market adjustment relating to the derivative liability in the Company’s convertible debt. Net loss excluding this adjustment(2) was $8 million or $0.05 per share.
On the slight downside — but not a negative — revenue was flat from one year ago at $224 million.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Good news for Vonage and its customers in Nebraska. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Nebraska Public Service Commission’s appeal that attempted to force Vonage customers to pay taxes on the service, like traditional phone service.
The court ruled ruling in favor of Vonage will continue to keep the internet phone service free from taxation.
According to InformationWorld:
Several states have argued individually that they are seeking to follow their own state regulations and are not necessarily bound by the federal decision in Minnesota, which argued that the U.S. Congress wanted federal regulations to take precedent over state laws. Some states have never sought to tax VoIP services.
The decisions have all swung on whether VoIP service is viewed as an information service or as a telecommunications service. VoIP providers argue that their service, which flows over the Internet, is an information service and therefore can’t be taxed. Congress had initially exempted VoIP service from state taxation because it wanted to encourage the development of the Web.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Good news for Vonage.
You may remember that back in February I told you all about Vonage being in danger of being delisted by the New York Stock Exchange. Basically, the internet telephony company had fallen below the minimum average global market capitalization of no less than $100 million over a consecutive 30 trading day period.
Well, a few days ago, the NYSE accepted Vonage’s plan of compliance — which is a plan saying what they will do to ensure they remain compliant in the future. The document includes operational and financial initiatives, projected impact on the company’s bottom line and more.
So, Vonage is safe from delisting … for now. But they now need to submit to quarterly reviews by the NYSE to ensure that they are following the plan.
Day’s never finished …
Source: www.voip-news.com
It’s that time. Companies everywhere are rushing to pull together first quarter numbers and public companies are gearing up to share their results on calls and webcasts. VoIP companies are no exception.
So, how did the ultra-quiet Vonage do during the first quarter of 2009? Vonage Holdings Corp. will report is financial results on Thursday, May 7 and also make their earnings release available at http://ir.vonage.com.
A webcast is planned to discuss the results at 10 a.m. on May 7.
Here’s the detes:
To participate, please dial (877) 795-3649 approximately ten minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial (719) 325-4835. A replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call until midnight May 21, 2009, and may be accessed by dialing (888) 203-1112. International callers should dial (719) 457-0820. The replay passcode is: 8834295.
The webcast will be broadcast live through Vonage’s Investor Relations website at http://ir.vonage.com. Windows Media Player or RealPlayer is required to listen to this webcast. A replay will be available shortly after the live webcast.
Source: www.voip-news.com
For a while, we heard lots from Vonage. The broadband internet telephone service with more than 2.5 million users was keen on releasing news often and in bulk … then over the last few months it became radio silence.
Don’t worry. Vonage isn’t going under. At least, not now.
But late last week. Vonage broke the silence, announcing that they’ve hired TBWA\Chiat\Day New York for advertising and PHD for media relations.
“We ran a thorough review and were very pleased with the level of engagement and quality of thinking from everyone that participated,” said Jamie Haenggi, Chief Marketing Officer for Vonage. “TBWA\Chiat\Day and PHD demonstrated exceptional thought leadership, compelling creative concepts and innovative media approaches. We’re delighted to be working with them going forward.”
It will be interesting to see if the new advertising team will mean more (interesting) news coming from Vonage …
“Vonage has a compelling vision for its brand and clearly articulated business plans. We are excited to partner with PHD to deliver strategic and creative ideas that will drive greater growth and results for Vonage,” said Jamie Gallo, President TBWA\Chiat\Day New York.
Source: www.voip-news.com
It slipped a little under the radar when it happened, but earlier this month, Vonage was put on notice by the New York Stock Exchange that they had fallen below the minimum average global market capitalization of no less than $100 million over a consecutive 30 trading day period. Failing to comply with NYSE requirements could lead to de-listing in the future.
But for now, Vonage is planning to submit a plan for compliance, which will be done sometime in the next month. The company will have 18 months to rebound to standards. However, if the NYSE doesn’t agree with the plan, the board can reject it …
If it’s rejected, then Vonage will be subject to delisting.
Ouch.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Are you in the holiday spirit yet?
Well, if you have Vonage, then you have a link to the big jolly, red man himself. Yes, sirree. Vonage customers can call 1-700-CALLSANTA from a Vonage phone. On the other end of the line will be a recorded greeting from Santa Claus, and callers will have an opportunity to leave a message for the big guy too.
According to Vonage:
As an additional customer service, the recorded message will be sent to the account holder’s e-mail address so they know exactly what their child asked Santa to bring them. The audio attachment can be forwarded to other family members and friends, or even set aside as a keepsake.
Starting at 5:00pm EST on December 24, callers can track Santa’s whereabouts as he delivers toys around the world by dialing 1-700-CALLSANTA.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Vonage Holdings Corp. has announced its third quarter results. Revenue grew by seven percent over the previous year to $226 million.
“We reported our fourth consecutive quarter of positive adjusted operating income delivering a record level $15 million in the third quarter. Pre-marketing operating income also represents a record high of $91 million. Shortly after the quarter ended, we refinanced $253 million of convertible debt despite one of the most difficult capital market environments in our nation’s history,” said Marc Lefar, Vonage Chief Executive Officer.
According to Vonage:
For the third quarter of 2008, adjusted operating income(1) was $15 million, an increase from an adjusted operating loss excluding certain charges(1) of $1 million in the year-ago quarter and adjusted operating income of $12 million sequentially. The Company reported a GAAP net loss of $8 million or $0.05 per share, compared to a net loss excluding certain charges(2) of $12 million or $0.08 per share reported in the third quarter 2007.
“As we look forward, we continue to maintain our focus on fixing the business fundamentals. We are becoming more selective in our product investments, continuing to improve customer care and reevaluating our marketing messaging and media investment. Although we anticipate modest growth for the balance of the year, the changes we are putting in place should position us for accelerated growth in 2009,” said Lefer.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Vonage has a new patent. It’s for something called “Method and Apparatus for Enhanced Internet Telephony.” According to the company, “The invention, which was filed for patent in 2003, makes it less likely for customers to encounter dropped calls, incomplete attempted calls or other communication problems resulting from typical router function and behavior.”
“This is an exciting moment for Vonage as we continue to expand our patent portfolio to help create a more reliable calling experience for our customers,” said Louis Mamakos, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President. “This patent further reflects the depth of talent and creativity we have here at Vonage.”
According to Vonage:
The patent — No. 7,417,981 — pertains to improvements in Internet telephony where Network Address Translation (NAT) is required. The patent addresses the issue of a router losing an outbound port during an Internet telephone connection. To avoid the router timing out and closing the outbound port, the patent causes the media terminal adapter to send an outbound message to the Internet telephony regional data center.
Source: www.voip-news.com
Ike Elliot of Telecosm is taking a long-term hiatus from blogging due to taking a job with Level3. Apparently he and the company think that blogging then becomes a conflict of interest . . . Folks, tell that to some of the most successful corporations in the world. I think they’d disagree. Having a transparency into the inner workings of a company is beneficial. Seriously people. (via VoIP Watch)
Vonage is getting all hot and heavy about Skype’s refusal to comply with emergency calling rules in the UK. Read about it on VoIP and Gadgets Blog.
VoIP Watch reports that 3 is rolling out VoIP in Indonesia.
