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Can you please introduce yourself and tell us about your background? (Where are you from, and where are you based currently? What made you want to move?)
Hello, my name is Gustavo Neiva de Medeiros, and I am a streaming TV expert and media entrepreneur. I was born in Brazil, but I was raised in the Netherlands. I have a degree in International Business from Maastricht University. I originally moved to the United States to do my mandatory study abroad at Harvard University. Currently, I reside in New York City. I am excited to be here and share my knowledge and experience in the streaming TV industry. Thank you for having me.
How do the communications and information needs of individuals change when they move abroad?
When individuals move abroad, their communications and information needs change in several ways. First, they may need to learn a new language in order to communicate effectively with the people around them. This may require them to access language learning resources, such as language classes, language apps, or online tutorials.
Second, they may need to learn about the cultural customs and expectations of the new country in order to navigate social interactions and professional relationships. This may require them to access information about the culture, such as books, articles, or cultural guides.
Third, they may need to keep in touch with friends and family back home, which may require access to communication tools such as video conferencing, instant messaging, or social media.
Fourth, they may need to stay informed about news and current events happening in both their home country and their new country. This may require them to access news sources in different languages or different formats.
Finally, they may need to access different types of services, such as healthcare, banking, or government services, which may require them to learn about different systems, procedures and requirements.
In general, moving abroad requires individuals to adapt to a new environment, which can create a number of new information and communication needs.
You are the founder of DutchPhone Holdings Inc, a company that uses the Internet to provide VOIP and IPTV services to expats. What got you interested in this venture?
As an individual who has experience with moving abroad, I have a deep understanding of the challenges that expats face when it comes to communication and access to information. I have personally struggled with many of these issues, such as language barriers, cultural differences, and the need to stay connected with loved ones back home.
During my time abroad, I found that many traditional communication and information services were not meeting the specific needs of expats. This prompted me to explore new technologies such as VOIP and IPTV, which offer new ways for people to communicate and access content regardless of their location.
I realized that there was a gap in the market for a company that could provide these services specifically tailored to expats. I saw an opportunity to use my knowledge and experience to create a company that could help expats overcome the communication and information barriers they face when moving abroad. This is what got me interested in starting a company that uses the Internet to provide VOIP and IPTV services to expats.
In your opinion, what makes expats more interested in VOIP and IPTV services than services provided in their host countries?
Expats may be more interested in VOIP and IPTV services provided by a company catering to their specific needs for a few reasons:
Cost-effectiveness: Expats often have to pay a premium for communication and entertainment services in their host country. VOIP and IPTV services can often be more cost-effective, as they do not require a physical connection or additional hardware and can be accessed through an internet connection.
Familiarity: Expats may be more comfortable using services that they are familiar with from their home country. These services may also offer access to content and communication options that are not available in their host country.
Flexibility: VOIP and IPTV services can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, which allows expats to stay connected with their home country, friends and family. Additionally, many IPTV services offer a wider variety of channels, including international channels, which can be a great advantage for expats, who often miss their home country's TV shows, movies, or sports.
Convenience: Expats may find it more convenient to use one provider that caters to all their communication and entertainment needs rather than having to navigate different providers and services in their host country.
Overall, expats may be attracted to VOIP and IPTV services that offer a more cost-effective, familiar, flexible and convenient way to communicate and access content.
What are the benefits of VOIP and IPTV services for expats? And what about the risks?
There are several benefits of VOIP and IPTV services for expats:
Cost-effectiveness: As mentioned earlier, VOIP and IPTV services can often be more cost effective than traditional communication and entertainment services, especially for international calls and access to international content.
Flexibility: Expats can stay connected with friends and family back home, regardless of their location, through the use of internet-based communication tools like VOIP. Additionally, IPTV services can offer a wider variety of channels, including international channels, which can be a great advantage for expats, who often miss their home country's TV shows, movies, or sports.
Convenience: Expats can access all their communication and entertainment needs through one provider rather than having to navigate different providers and services in their host country.
However, there are also some risks associated with using VOIP and IPTV services for expats:
Security: VOIP and IPTV services are dependent on a stable and secure internet connection. Without these, the service can be disrupted or even hacked. This can pose a risk to the user's personal information and communication.
Quality: The quality of the service may be affected by the internet connection speed, which can vary depending on the location. Additionally, the service may be affected by regulations and censorship in the host country.
Reliability: The service may be affected by technical issues, power outages or other factors, which may lead to disruptions in service.
Overall, VOIP and IPTV services can be a cost-effective, flexible, and convenient option for expats, but it is also important to be aware of the risks and to take necessary precautions to ensure the security, quality and reliability of the service.
How is the demand for VOIP and IPTV services among expats? What nationalities are the most interested in your services, and which countries are the most demands from?
The demand for VOIP and IPTV services among expats can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the location of the expat, the size of the expat community, and the availability and cost of alternative services.
In general, expats who are living in countries where the cost of traditional communication and entertainment services is high, or where the availability of international content is limited, tend to be more interested in VOIP and IPTV services.
Nationalities that are most interested in VOIP and IPTV services are those that have a large population living abroad, such as Filipinos, Indians, and Chinese.
The countries with the most demand for VOIP and IPTV services are those with a large expat population, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Additionally, developed countries where the internet infrastructure is good, such as the United States, Canada, and Western European countries, are also common among the expats who are looking for VOIP and IPTV services.
It's important to note that this information is based on a general trend and it's not applicable to all cases, as the demand for VOIP and IPTV services can vary depending on the specific circumstances of each individual expat.
Did the Covid pandemic have an impact on your business? How has the demand evolved since?
The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on most businesses, including mine. The pandemic has led to increased demand for communication and entertainment services as people have been forced to stay at home and look for ways to stay connected with friends and family, and to access entertainment.
At the beginning of the pandemic, the demand for my VOIP and IPTV services increased significantly as many people were struggling to find ways to stay connected with loved ones in different countries. The need for flexible and cost-effective communication solutions became even more pressing as people have been forced to work and study remotely.
As the pandemic progressed and lockdowns and travel restrictions were put in place, people have been increasingly looking for ways to access international content, as they have been stuck at home. This led to an increase in demand for IPTV services, as people wanted to keep themselves entertained by watching their favorite shows, movies and sports from their home country.
Overall, the pandemic has accelerated the shift towards internet-based communication and entertainment services, which has been beneficial for my business. However, as the pandemic situation is still ongoing, it's difficult to predict how the demand for my services will evolve in the future.
Can you share with us your entrepreneurial journey, starting with a business focused on expats and how you became a recognized leader in the streaming TV industry?
My entrepreneurial journey started with a business focused on serving expatriates, Dutch and American, who were seeking to stay connected with their families and culture through VOIP and IPTV services. This experience showed me the importance of connectivity, especially for those abroad, and led me to focus on serving the U.S. military abroad. They shared many of the same international telecommunication needs as expatriates. As soldiers returned home, some to rural areas, we followed our customers and partnered with Rural ISPs through WISPTV.com to continue to service them. We have always been about cord extension, connecting people to the communities they are from, and home is where the heart lives. We strive to provide reliable and seamless streaming media experiences for our customers, wherever they may be.
What do you see as the future potential of your company, and how expats and the military will benefit from its continued growth?
As the streaming industry continues to grow, I see great potential for our company to play a key role in connecting people to the content and communities that matter most to them. Expats, in particular, will greatly benefit from our continued growth as we aim to provide them with a virtual "extension cord" to stay connected with their family and culture. Additionally, our work with the U.S. military has shown that there is a strong demand for high-quality streaming services among military personnel and their families.
Moving forward, we plan to expand our offerings and continue to provide the best possible experience for our customers. This includes live-streaming important military events such as the Bataan Memorial Death March, which takes place on March 19, 2023, and pays tribute to the sacrifices made by brave soldiers. Our goal is to always keep people connected to the places and people that matter most to them, and we will continue to innovate and evolve to make that a reality.
How do you see the future of VOIP and IPTV services among the expat community? What are your forthcoming plans?
I believe that the future of VOIP and IPTV services among the expat community is very promising. The need for flexible and cost-effective communication and entertainment solutions will continue to grow as more and more people move abroad and as technology continues to evolve.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards internet-based communication and entertainment services, and I believe that this trend will continue even after the pandemic is over. As people become more accustomed to using these services, the demand for them is likely to continue to grow.
In terms of my forthcoming plans, I plan to continue to innovate and improve my services to meet the evolving needs of expats. I will continue to invest in new technologies and features to provide the best possible experience for my customers.
Additionally, I plan to expand my services to more countries, especially those with a large expat population and where the demand for VOIP and IPTV services is high.
I also plan to continue to focus on providing excellent customer service and support, as well as developing new ways to communicate with my customers to ensure that their needs are met. Overall, my goal is to continue to be a reliable and effective provider of VOIP and IPTV services for the expat community.
