Although the wealthy have spent millions on specially-designed machines, Hawkes says the future of this technology is looking a lot more affordable.

FORBES: Submarines For The Super-Rich

Mr. CLELAND: Well, you really can't project the future from looking at the past because when you start doing voice over technology--and we call it techcom, which is a convergence of technology and telecom--you're really changing from a service to an application.

NPR: Firms Vie to Dominate Messaging Convergence