Hey, guess what? Microsoft is going to rule the Web, just as it has dominated the desktop. That's the gospel according to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. "We have won the desktop. Now're we're going to win on the Web," he told analysts today in Redmond. Just to keep things interesting, Ballmer also said Microsoft will jack up sales by - wait for it - introduce higher-priced versions of Windows and Office. With all due respect, I hope Microsoft fights the good fight for a strong Web position but I fear the day it wins the Web. You could easily argue the worse thing to happen to the operating system and browser markets is Microsoft's stanglehold on them. IE, for example, is still built on old Spyglass technology and its flaws are becoming more apparent as Firefox becomes more popular. To his credit, Ballmer has no qualms about beating the Microsoft drum. I wonder how his comments are resonating within the executives suites of Google and AOL?

According to Infonetics, worldwide WiMax equipment sales are expected to hit $124.5-million this year, driven by use as wireless backhaul solutions. I suspect a big chunk of this spending must be done by Craig McCaw's Clearwire Holdings, which plans to build a high-speed wireless network in 100 U.S. cities.

To nobody's surprise, Bell Canada and Telus are appealing the CRTC's controversial VOIP decision that regulates ILECs while letting rivals such as cablecos and piggybackers such as Vonage and Primus the freedom to set their own prices. At a press conference this afternoon, I'm sure Telus and Bell will complain about the unfairness of it all, and how their inability to compete fairly in a brand new market will stifle competition. Not that there's anything wrong with this approach but what I want to know is what Bell and Telus plan to do with VOIP while Canada's cabinet considers their appeal - a process that could take a year to complete. Bell is only offering its Digital Voice service in a few Quebec cities while Telus has yet to get into the game. Bell, in particular, can't avoid to remain passive because Videotron is starting to make major inroads in Montreal with 42,000 subscribers since February. Meanwhile, Vonage has stepped up its marketing efforts in a huge way with an extensive television campaign, while Rogers has moved into the market - albeit cautiously to control demand.
Update: Not surprisingly, executives from Aliant, SaskTel, Bell and Telus have demanded the federal cabinet change the VOIP rules - citing a list that include: restrained abilty to compete, hindrance to innovation, the active VOIP marketplace and the need for a regulatory playing field that provides fairness. They also warn about artificially high prices for consumers, while giving Shaw, Vonage and Rogers, et al a "powerful advantage" in the marketplace.

Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame is welcoming its first members in October at a big, swanky gala in Toronto. How about Lawrence Surtees, who covered the industry on a level I can only dream about from the mid-1980s to 2000 at the Globe & Mail. He also won a National Newspaper Award, and has written two books: Pa Bell, a history of BCE; and Wire Wars, the inside story of the long-distance competition battle. Now an analyst with IDC, Surtees continues to be one of the most influencial members of the telecom community. In fact, I think he should be given consideration as a CRTC commissioner some day.
Update: Got a lot of good feedback on my Hall of Fame nomination for Surtees. Someone also suggested Terry Matthews, which is a no-brainer. Any other ideas? Maybe we could start a write-in campaign like they used to have for all-star games in baseball.

Om Malik has an interview in Businesss 2.0 with Opera Software CEO Jon von Tetzchner about the browser's company strategy. A couple interesting points made by von Tetzchner are Opera's ambitious plans for the wireless market and the fact some people actually pay to use the software. To be honest, I'm not keen on Opera's prospects other than its abiity to serve niche markets. In May, Opera had only 0.51% of the browser marketing, according to Netapplications.com - ranking it even behind Netscape. As a former avid Opera user, I'm now far more excited about Firefox. Not sure why I tired of Opera given it is similar to Firefox but I think Opera had an opportunity at one time to gain major momentum against IE but it never really materialized.