* Reader feedback on carrier user groups
In the past two newsletters, we’ve been sharing some of the feedback we received when we asked whether user groups are still relevant. This week’s newsletters will wrap up that feedback for the time being.
One reader responded that the move to IP-based networks has decreased the need for groups that influence carrier services. The reader wrote: “I would say at a high level that as the world is ‘migrating’ to IP/Internet that it is much more difficult to ‘control’ or add influence to what is taking place and ask for certain ‘features’.”
The reader continued: “AT&T used to have several forums for Data and 800 services, but those were cut to the bare bones ‘Customer Advisory Council.’ That council still meets with AT&T executives and product people, but it no longer has the visibility that the previous user groups used to perform. I think as ‘IP’ takes over everything, if I was a client, I would be more inclined to try to work with Cisco/Microsoft and possibly IBM as a means to gain influence.”
This is a trend that we may see gain momentum as the various vendor-specific user groups gain more clout. Another reader wrote: “I have also observed this at a regional level. I have difficulty attending monthly meetings but always attend Nortel’s INNUA show. I believe we have Nortel’s ear and did when even when they were rolling. Also, workshops – 1 hour – are extremely valuable and perhaps the networking with peers is most beneficial part. I think if you can get five people to attend, four will come back. People have to be shown the value for the time commitment.”
Of course, we also received some feedback that, while not necessarily as optimistic, was more pointed. In particular, a reader responded, “Once SBC gobbles up AT&T and MCI goes to Verizon, we will soon be back in the bad old monopoly days. I think we will see a rise in user groups as prices go up and services go down.”
