Photo 1 Photo immediately after the presentation at ISS
Konishi on far left and author on far right

We felt tremendous weight off of our shoulders as the presentation at ISS was finished (photo 1). We received words of appreciation from many, starting with people participating in the symposium. However, there were also adverse reactions upon our return to Japan from some regarding why we had made such a presentation.

To the eyes of those with criticizing remarks, VOICEHUB must have been a product that would make enemies of telecommunication carriers that are regarded as important clientele. In the domestic communications industry at the time, widespread deployment of ISDN was just starting. Even for OKI, delivery of ISDN related products to telecommunication carriers was a major business. Under such circumstances, our presentation using the word "VoIP" may have had a revolutionary ring to it.

Especially, many found the statement of "I firmly believe there will come in time a world of VoIP" to be inflammatory, and thus causing controversy. Our firm belief was based on the result of honest thinking. If communication lines can be effectively used with VoIP, we believed the generation of IP telephony is a matter of time once the cost of devices drop and quality is established.

At the time, however, telecommunication carriers never dreamed of providing calls at cheaper rates using VoIP. Their viewpoint was fixed on increasing the efficiency of communication within the company, and use of dedicated lines provided by communication carriers were considered as communication infrastructures for outside communication.

The concept originates from the fact that voice communication will be integrated with data networks just as PCs will become the common tool for deskwork in offices. In such a way, our presentation was in no way rejecting the infrastructure of telecommunication carriers. Regardless of the fact, we received much criticism from within the company. Thus, we had to continuously explain the primary theme of the presentation at ISS to the accusing members.

The details of explanation made at the time are summarized below.