Generally speaking, the VoIP industry has done whatever they can to replicate the telecom networks of old. Feature for feature, function for function, it works the same way with a VoIP provider as it does on a normal landline. The only difference is the price and the reliability. It's one of the reasons this particular beat is kind of hard for me to follow at times.

Meanwhile, VoIP pioneer Jeff Pulver has issued a call to innovation on his blog. He claims the industry has failed to take advantage of the IP platform and instead has chosen to replicate the old phone system. He plans on offering seed money to those who can pitch him the best ideas.

I welcome the idea of new, innovative applications of the IP network, particularly when it comes to communications. I'm sure Jeff can sort through all the ideas and find the ones that will change the industry. What do you think? Share your ideas in the comments.