TT: You have said that P2P is a form of disruptive technology, which has haunted the music and telecom industry. How do you see the effect of P2P?
Zennstrom: The disruptive technology is something that doesn't haunt anyone. The first personal computer did not haunt the computer industry, but liberalized it by making computers available for everyone. When the first PC came to the market many years ago, big companies that made big mainframe computers said there is absolutely no market for personal computers and wouldn't believe anyone would like to have a PC at home. These companies that ignored the new innovation had big problems in surviving. Companies that could embrace new technology and move with the market can survive. The best example is IBM. It was the leader in mainframe computers but transitioned itself to a PC and service company when the new idea came.It's the same thing with telecommunications now. As broadband is growing, it's so much more cost-efficient to communicate via computer software than through a telephone network. If telecom providers ignore that fact, they are going to lose customers over time and still see the same costs in telephone networks and others. Some phone companies like Skype and file-sharing software, because Skype encourages users to buy broadband connections. People want to use applications rather than broadband itself, and Skype is a good reason to have broadband. So whether P2P is a threat or driver to the industry really depends on the mindset of phone companies and how they deal with change.
TT: Some have called you a troublemaker to the music and telecom industries, and some said you resemble Bill Gates. How do you take these comments and criticisms?
Zennstrom: I don't think I'm a troublemaker (laughs). I think maybe one out of five million people would think so, while others are happy with the product. So far Skype has 22 million users, and most of them like it. Maybe a few executives of established capitals think Skype is a problem. So I have to listen to the majority. What I try to do is to make a difference by changing the game. One cannot achieve success by following others and being a copycat. About the Bill Gates comparison, I take it as just a comment.
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