Mobile VoIP

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Mobile VoIP or 'Mobile Voice over Internet Protocol' is the application of voice over IP technology to mobile handsets.

Mobile VoIP requires a mobile handset that supports, at minimum, high speed IP communications. Most commonly this is using Voice over WiFi or VoWiFi, but the same protocols (typically SIP or jabber) can be used over any broadband IP-capable wireless network connection such as the various 3G standards, EVDO rev A (which is synchronously high speed - both high speed up and down), HSDPA or potentially WiMax.

Mobile VoIP will require a compromise between economy and mobility. For example, Voice over WiFi offers free service but is only available within the coverage area of the WiFi Access Point. High speed services from mobile operators using EVDO rev A or HSPDA with probably have better audio quality and capabilities for metropolitan-wide coverage including fast handoffs from mobile base station to another, yet it will cost more than the typical WiFi-based VoIP service.

Mobile VoIP will become an important service in the coming years as device manufacturers exploit more powerful processors and less costly memory to meet the users' needs for ever-more 'power in their pocket'. Smartphones in mid-2006 are capable of sending and receiving email, browse the web (albeit at low rates) and in some cases watch TV.

The challenge for the mobile operator industry is to deliver the benefits and innovations of IP without losing control of the network service. Users like the Internet to be free and high speed without extra charges for visiting specific sites versus other sites. Delivering mobile VoIP is a service that challenges the most valuable service in the telecommunications industry - voice - and threatens (or promises, depending on your views) the pace of innovation in the global communications industry.

1 Technologies
2 Recent developments
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Technologies

There are three main technologies used for mobile VoIP:

UMA - The Unlicensed Mobile Access Generic Access Network, designed to allow VoIP to run over the GSM cellular backbone

SIP - The standard used by most VoIP services, and now being implemented on mobile handsets

Skype Protocol - a proprietary modified version of Jabber

[edit] Recent developments

Mobile VoIP took a significant step forward in the summer of 2006 when Nokia included not only a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) stack but a VoIP client in their new E-series dual-mode WiFi handsets (E60, E61, E70). Theses E-series handsets are intended for business users, but Nokia have announced they will release a consumer handset, the N80 Internet edition, in November 2006. In theory the user can enter the necessary VOIP settings using the user interface, however this process requires nearly 200 key presses so very users will be able to these handsets up without assistance. The first mobile VoIP operator to begin using these handsets is the UK-based Truphone, using an OTA (Over The Air) provisioning method: users send a text message to a particular Truphone number in each country, which sends a text message back containing a link which then downloads and runs a provisioning "wizard".

Motorola Mobile Devices and Sony Ericsson have also announced their intention to support VoIP in the future.

Skype are offering their service as a beta trial on certain Windows Mobile devices, and are developing for the Symbian platform but have been forced to delay their launch date in this case due to technical difficulties.