Voice over WiFi, more mentions
Fortune.com - Fast Forward - Will Wi-Fi Revolutionize the Phone?
Yet another article about the up-and-coming combination of WiFi and Voice-over-IP systems. This one from Fortune.com
Again, a lot of people seem to agree that the cellular companies need to take the threat of really low-cost voice over various public networks, seriously. While, of course, cellular can live a long time on the convenience of near 100% coverage, and the ease of use and ubiquity, there is a lot of money to be saved in certain niche areas, from alternative communication networks. One of the most promising might be the use of PDA's or dedicated devices to get really low-cost international telephony from the road.
The bandwidth requirements of Voice-over-IP are negligable compared to the average throughput on a commercvial WiFi network, and it is possible to have a decent conversation on as little as 20kbit/s.
In short, if you have serious telecom bills, a need for international voice communication while on the road, and the willingness to experiemtn a little to get a significant saving, voice over WiFi might be for you and your company.
If you don't, it may well get to you anyway in the next 3-5 years. In the meantime, my company specializes in WiFi consulting, and that includes Vocie over WiFi, in theory and in practice.
Will Wi-Fi Revolutionize the Phone?
As Wi-Fi grows to envelop cities, 'Voice over Hot Spots' could replace cell services
[via EMERGIC]