Op Ed: Rumorama

Okay, so Yahoo is denying they want to enter the VoIP space.

This, of course, underscores the old journalistic saw that single source stories are suspect. I was amused to note just how many articles (I counted over a dozen) cited one Piper Jaffray analyst Safa Rashtchy. And no one else.

The article from Silicon.com we cited here in our earlier post (see Rumor Mill) featured another analyst from Daiwa, but he was only suggesting that should Yahoo take on VoIP that it would put pressure on Skype. Many other publications were perfectly happy to go on Rashtchy's quote alone.

Moving on, new grist for the rumor mill:

This article mentions coverage by the Wall Street Journal alluding to Google's reasons for IPO, Part Deux: Acquisition tear in Asia, and "secret plans" for entering the VoIP space.

Now, let's assume this rumor is true, and Google wades into the VoIP space.

I see two major effects: First, that smaller VoIP providers that don't happen to have $4 billion in their coffers will have to adopt the Galapagos strategy, and adapt by specializing. Second, consumer awareness about VoIP is going to get a big shot in the arm.

Whether Safa Rashtchy is right or wrong, the fact remains that Yahoo is already in the VoIP space through its Messenger service. If Google ultimately lurches into the VoIP space with its warchests full of cash, Yahoo will likely have to move defensively in order to flank their biggest competitor.