Mobile VoIP
BBC News predicts Mobile VoIP to be big in 2008.
Extract from a BBC News Website item published 1 January 2008.
VoIP is a technology that allows users to make cheap phone calls over the internet. Although some firms such as Jajah and Truphone have offered VoIP on mobiles the technology is still relatively nascent. However, 2008 could be the year the technology takes off.
Towards the end of 2007, network operator 3 launched a Skype phone that allows users to make calls using the service, already popular for making calls from PCs.
Handset-maker Nokia also offers four phones with the ability to use the technology. “We plan to add VoIP enabled devices to the existing range,” said Mark Squires of the firm.
But even with the backing of a heavyweight such as Nokia, not everyone is convinced that 2008 will be the year of mobile VoIP. Said Mike Roberts of analysts Informa Media and Telecoms. “It’s very disruptitive, but could be a slow burn”
On-Communications CEO, Ian Roberts comments:
It will be a slow burn, but the prize is enormous, and we have firmly set our sights on being an enabling network for Enterprise Mobile VoIP. WiMAX is the foundation for that capability, then the world gets really very interesting.