In light of all the hoopla around unified communications--especially at today's Microsoft UC event in San Francisco --and in light of the fact that the backbone of any UC platform is VoIP [Voice over IP], I just thought I'd inject a brief note of realism into the discussion of the future of UC and the current reality. In other words, when it comes to VoIP, the emperor has no clothes. Or at least let's say he is In light of all the hoopla around unified communications–especially at today’s Microsoft UC event in San Francisco –and in light of the fact that the backbone of any UC platform is VoIP [Voice over IP], I just thought I’d inject a brief note of realism into the discussion of the future of UC and the current reality. In other words, when it comes to VoIP, the emperor has no clothes. Or at least let’s say he is scantily clad.What do I mean? Simply this. VoIP is not half as good as my old AT&T service. I not only speak for myself here but friends and relatives who are using it as well. What are we using? Comcast and Vonage to name two.Problems? Where do I begin. Let me count the ways. 1. Scratchy connections with lots of static. 2. Dropped calls in the middle of a conversation. 3. Spotty coverage within a single household with dead spots. 4. One-way conversations, that are supposed to be two-way, but unfortunately, I can’t hear the other person although they can hear me. 5. Certain local numbers not accessible. I am told I have reached a non-working number. [Go figure.]I’m fairly certain that some day it will be better. But I’m just saying it’s not there yet. I don’t care how many commercials they have on TV with supposedly independent customers singing the praises of VoIP, it just isn’t so.How independent are they I wonder? I So let me not be a lone crier in the wilderness. Let’s hear it from others out there who can add to my VoIP reality check. Technology Industry