Modern Technology Isn’t Quite So Modern

The principal that makes fiber optics possible, the guiding of light by refraction, was first demonstrated in Paris, in 1840.

A patent for the first wireless telephone was issued by Nathan Stubblefield, in 1908.

“Freephone” service, the precursor to Toll Free service, was introduced by the Post Office, in 1960.

The first modems were introduced in 1960.

Instant Messaging first appeared on multi user operating systems like CTSS and Multics in the mid 1960’s.

Email started as a way for multiple users of MIT’s time sharing mainframe computer to communicate, in 1965.

Caller ID was first invented by Theodore Paraskevakos, from Greece, in 1968.

Ethernet was developed by Xerox between the years 1973 and 1975.

VoIP was first discussed in a paper titled “A Protocol for Packet Network Interconnection” but the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, in 1974.

The earliest routers were introduced by Xerox, in 1974.

Voicemail was introduced by IBM and Xerox in 1975.

IBM introduced the first portable computer, the 5100, in 1975.

6 Reasons to us a Telecommunication Agent

• Agents can act as your customer advocate. Carrier Direct Reps don’t always act in your best interests. They are compensated by the amount you spend and continue to spend on your telecommunications. Agents are more likely to look for ways to save you money because they need to show their value.

• Agents have experience with multiple providers. Maybe there’s a carrier that’s offering attractive pricing but you’re unsure about their service. Most likely an agent would have experience with the lesser known carrier, has clients using their service, and will be able to ease your fears.

• Agents will provide you with independent information. A carrier rep is not going to point out his or her company’s flaws. Because an agent represents multiple providers, they don’t care which carrier you choose and are more likely to disclose information about a certain company’s weaknesses.

• Agents can provide you with more visibility. Some carriers allow agents to channel integrate with direct reps. This puts your agent in all the meetings related to your account, offering a level of visibility you wouldn’t receive if you dealt directly with the carrier’s account team.

• You get more but you don’t pay more. With an agent you receive expertise, customer service, product support and project management; but you don’t pay for these extras, the carrier does.

• Agents can save you time and free up your staff. Instead of having your staff members meet with multiple reps, from multiple providers, let an agent shop your services for you. Agents represent multiple providers; they can inventory your existing services, conduct audits, they know what questions to ask and what to look out for.

Eleven Ways to Save on Your Telecom Spend in 90 Days or Less

1. Request a complete spreadsheet inventory of your voice and data services from your carrier.
2. Review the inventory to see if you are being billed for unused services.
3. Eliminate unnecessary wire maintenance plans.
4. Make sure you’re receiving package discounts for your phone line features.
5. Negotiate a volume discount on your analog lines.
6. Reclassify your circuits to “Interstate” to avoid S25 surcharges.
7. Make sure the number of analog lines you have equals the number of Customer Access Line or Federal Access Line charges.
8. Call each of your phone lines to see if someone answers. If there’s no answer, check to see if it is a modem or alarm line. Disconnect lines that aren’t in use.
9. Request a usage study from your carrier to determine if you have the proper amount of lines or trunks. Your PBX vendor may be able to provide a similar report.
10. Match up your carrier contracts to their bills. Make sure there are no discrepancies.
11. If the long distance portion of your bill totals $500 or more at any one of your locations, consider implementing a long distance T1.