VRS Projection/Actual
23 12 2009All..
Self explanatory..
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
Long Link:
http://www.edsalert.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/VRSact_proj-21.pdf
Ed’s Telecom Alert
POSTS ALERTS REGARDING TRS & ITS RELATED ISSUES
All..
Self explanatory..
eyes open & thumbs up,
Ed
Long Link:
http://www.edsalert.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/VRSact_proj-21.pdf
I actually had a hunch this was going to happen!
I noticed this trend a couple of months ago, but I’m curious as to how they got these projected figures? Also, are the rates based on these projections? If so, will they have to be adjusted?
Also, does anyone know how many registered 10 digit numbers there are for VRS? Also, by provider as well? (This information should not be considered confidential!)
Also, how many VRS providers are out there right now? Seems as if a new one pops up every month or so…
I am very curious about Oct to Dec on actual !
Interesting!
Self explanatory, how indeed.
Please post again in 1Q10.
I noticed the actual # was starting to drop earlier this year; I think it start going down in March/April time. I wonder if it is because more deaf people joined the unemployment line like rest of the country?
Billy, we won’t know the October to Dec actual # until Feb or March of next year. The monthly data are about 3 to 4 month behind.
Very abvoiusly, When FBI started questioning, all VRS providers began to behave.
Rick, I think the number started to drop off before FCC & FBI got involved. Unless Dr. Ed tells me otherwise.
CNW – the projections are based on minutes – not rates. As for how many VRS providers – if you meant “certified” VRS providers – there are only about 9 VRS providers. If you meant white label companies? Depends on definition of “white label”. If definition meant those “white label” companies with intend of becoming certified, I think it is less than 10 – that’s where Convo falls under. If definition meant those VRS names with no intention of becoming certified, then there are probably zillions of them (exaggeration – my educated guess about 50).
Rick – I believe you got it!
Dave responding to Billy – Dave, yes you’re right. Come next year, I’ll post the data and we’ll see if trend continues or not.
eyes open & thumbs up…
Dave and Rick,
VRS did drop off before FBI arrests, however, VRS industry did get wind of “impending” FBI actions and VRS Industry (most of the certified VRS providers) did have their data reviewed by the FBI, and OIG of FCC – so presumably they can read crystal ball so acted on it.
eyes open & thumbs up…
Ed – As you stated self-explanatory, I am not as surprised of the drop in the stats due to the public notice from the FBI back in the spring time. If I am not mistaken, I noticed the start of the drop at the July report. Hopefully this time we will have a stable of honesty reports forthcoming.
Happy Holiday!
Interesting numbers there.
10 million minutes a month currently.
10 million minutes X $6 a minute = 60 million in revenue for all VRS companies monthly X 12 months = 720 million dollar industry annually and increasing.
Sorenson has anywhere between 70%-90% of the market share meaning on the low end their annual revenue is roughly about 500 million (@ 70%).
While it is not close to Wal-Mart’s annual revenue (about 1/700th actually), that’s still an 800 pound gorilla right there.
I wonder why many VRS (as you say about 50 “white label” VRS) have no intention of being certified…what’s going on? If I was running a VRS I would like the credibility of being certified and to deal with NECA directly. (??)
Is the certification process a big headache? Costs money?
Anyone who thinks the drop has nothing to do with the FBI investigations is kidding himself.
As was pointed out, the providers knew this was coming, even before the actual raid on Viable. They have sources. People talk.
Some plateauing was inevitable because the current market is oversaturated. But the DROP is because providers know the cops are watching. Plain and simple.
Remember when someone tried to explain away the June drop by saying people were on vacation? Well…what does that person say now?
Thinking..
First of all Happy New Year to you and everyone on edsalert subscribers.
To answer your question. Yes, it is not easy to become a certified VRS provider. Cost lot of money to do that: must own a call center, have its own technical platform, understand FCC regulations, and all that (this is really a tip of the iceberg of that short list I just typed).
It is reason why one of the panelist of FCC Workshop suggested “provisional” certification to give start ups a chance to build and create its own bona fide VRS provider. I support that idea fully as these start ups by deaf/hoh do not have lots of money like the hearing people do and need some head-start to try and build up VRS to where it can be certified. (I am biased in saying that, but it also benefits other non-certified VRS providers run by deaf/hoh who want to be certifed, too).
eyes open & thumbs up…