More on VoIP over WiFi

Last week I posted, regarding the readiness of current WiFi technologies to deliever low-cost VoIP. My argument was mostly about the complexity and additional cost for handsets, and VoIP gateways etc.

But according to this article over at Newsfactor [via Werblog], there are concerns that 802.11b just isn't stable enough for real-world applications of VoIP.

I disagree, but while I've tried to do single VoIP sessions as well as stream video over a 802.11b link, I have no real good technical counter-arguments to the basic concerns of the article.

It all depends on what requirements you have for QoS, and how you design the specific system...

It seems that the only point this article even attempts to make concerns the lack of QoS in the current 802.11 standards. I would reply to that, that it is possible to guarantee a certain service effectively simply through design, ie. limiting the number of users on the system, ensuring separate AP's (cheap) for VoIP services etc.

Also IEE is working on QoS systems to add to 802.11 standards, although I have no idea whether that will ever happen.

It is important also to recognize that the potential cost-savings offered by a correctly implemented VoIP system may be so significant that users, especially large organisations, might be willing to forego some stability and quality.

The greatest inhibitor is still lack of cheap and easy to set-up equipment more than any inherent shortcoming in the technology.

IMHO of course...