'Are you there?': encouraging users to move from peer-to-peer to Voice over Broadband

Peer-to-peer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) offers a no or low cost alternative to Australian fixed-line telephony with added advantages for its users such as video calls and increased social presence. Most current users of VoIP use a peer-to-peer based system such as Skype because it is ISP independent, offers voice and video calls, and is easy to use and install. More sophisticated services are possible if users moved from a peer-to-peer model to a voice over broadband service (VoBB). This paper draws on a series of interviews with Australian families and their experiences with Skype. It hypothesises on future services for families if they can be encouraged to move from a peer-to-peer model to voice over broadband connections. Copyright 2009 Scott Rickard. No part of this article may be reproduced by any means without the written consent of the publisher.