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thanks. but there are reasons i care not to share why i do not agree,
How necessary is PSTN?
Currently, I have two methods to dial PSTN, from my mobile and if I buy minutes through Skype or another VoIP. As an employee, I am provided with a virtual extension that uses Broadsoft/Cisco. I never use the virtual extension, I don't share the number, colleagues reach me using Teams, email and whats app.
Occasionally I have to use PSTN, but most of these are on my phone for personal needs like utilities and healthcare.
In my employment, I use PSTN (direct dial) when I can't raise someone over Teams, whats app, facetime audio. However most of my communication is not sporadic, it's scheduled and we use a meeting link such as Zoom, Webex, Teams, Hangouts...
Of course, there will continue to be use cases for PSTN, where IP doesn't reach and reliability isn't acceptable, and that's why PSTN still exists and the market for Teams breakout. Let's be clear this is a declining market.
Circa 2010 Gartner and other leading communications groups forecast PSTN to be all but dead by 2016. They got it wrong, the timing at least. What they did get right was the adoption of VoIP. We use it when we don't realise. Our home PSTN phone only uses copper to the cabinet or exchange, then it goes IP. Mobile phones can go IP from the device, mobile calls often no longer break out to PSTN.
Now there's a HUGE business case to be had offering PSTN connect when the worlds dropping it, many including incumbent telcos will be closing costly subsidiaries that run their non core market overseas operations. Think BT and how they have all but pulled out from most of Europe. The legacy cost base of these traditional players outside their prime markets will be HUGE compared to a Loop. So the opportunity for a Loop to provide outsource to these incumbents (established providers) is significant, or is it?
This is where Loops single proposition of VoIP for Teams limits their appeal. Competitors exist that also bridge services to PSTN, but also for Zoom, WebEx, in fact any onramp to offramp you can imagine, and beyond voice to include messaging. Think Nexmo (now Vonage), there are others.
Significant enterprises whose business is worth winning, no longer contract to the likes of BT who traditionally bundled/integrated smaller components, instead, they buy from a Nexmo who bridge telcos, SaaS etc...
Nexmo doesn't need a Loop, they compete. That said a Nexmo may want to acquire a Loop as a quick way to spin in a regulated presence, should Loop cover territories they do not.
Loop are not forthcoming with thought leadership, publically. However, I am very sure the BoD have a plan, they have a vested interest. If the end game is to be acquired before PSTN is absolutely dead, wouldn't they benefit more with a management buyout, which will be a lower cost while the share price is down? More so, if that happened, as investors our loyalty won't be rewarded should their offer per share be below our average opening.