What is VoIP? Voice over Internet Protocol, also known as VoIP allows conversion of analog audio signals into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. By doing this, the VoIP has the capability to use a standard Internet connection to make long distance calls worldwide for a small part of what is charged by phone operators or service providers. For the payment of a small Internet service fee, the users can bypass the phone operators entirely and can start communicating directly through VoIP. Mobile VoIP Traditionally, VoIP usage has been limited to those users who have a personal computer or any VoIP device, connected to broadband Internet. This has limited the VoIP penetration to users who are restricted to home or office environment. Now users, who own a mobile phone and have access to data using GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), 3G (Third Generation mobile technology) or Wi-Fi connection; can use VoIP to reduce their international call rates, use of VoIP on mobile phone is thus developing its popularity among users and known as â€mobile VoIP’. How it Works To use Mobile VoIP services, a user needs to have following: â€To use mobile VoIP, you require a GPRS/3G or Wi-Fi enabled handset. â€To use mobile VoIP, you need to have a compatible handset, which supports the mobile application. Here the â€mobile application’ means the application that makes VoIP calls possible. For example Skype, Google Talk and iTel Mobile Dialer. â€To check the list of mobile handsets compatible with the mobile application to use mobile VoIP, users can check the compatibility list here. â€Mobile VoIP can run on GPRS/ 3G/ Wi-Fi enabled mobile handset. Opportunities in Mobile VoIP According to a recent survey conducted for mobile VoIP industry’s growth and opportunities- mobile VoIP market will be worth $32.4 billion by 2013 and that by 2019, half of all mobile calls will be made over all-IP networks. This is definitely inspiring news; has opened new avenues for the growth of mobile VoIP. A reason that people getting more attracted to mobile VoIP is because mobile VoIP phone calls are 50 to 75% cheaper than 3G or regular call made from GSM or CDMA mobile phone. More and more users are now switching to mobile VoIP and other ways to internet calling such as Skype, Google Talk etc. because it is cheaper than the regular call rates and calls can be made to any network and any distance, using this technology. Reasons Behind Increasing Popularity of Mobile VoIP â€Mobile VoIP is cheaper than any other mean of telecommunication like regular PSTN, GSM, CDMA mobile phone etc. Mobile VoIP is 10 to 20 times cheaper than all above media of mobile communication. Especially for long distance international calls, mobile VoIP is almost free due to its cheapest rate plans, as compared to regular mobile service’ rate plan. â€Using mobile VoIP service through internet is better in any mean. The best thing is that you are not forced to change you number to use the service. Most of the service providers allow you to keep your existing phone number to use their services. â€There are dialer applications available in the market, which give you the same functionality like call waiting, call forwarding, call log etc. Mobile VoIP provides enhanced voice quality and bad network or frequent call failure is not a problem in mobile VoIP because this technology runs over internet. â€Mobile VoIP is relatively new service so most mobile VoIP service providers are offering better services at low rates, which is relatively costly in regular mobile service providers. â€With VoIP PC-to-PC calls are free. Mobile VoIP rates plan are also amazingly cheaper than regular mobile rate plans. â€Portability is another USP of mobile VoIP. You can easily carry and use your mobile anywhere. However, in few countries where use of VoIP or Mobile VoIP is restricted due to â€n’ number of reasons, mobile VoIP usage is still low. â€In many countries, incoming call over mobile is charged. Use of mobile VoIP gives liberty from this restriction allowing free incoming call. Challenges in Mobile VoIP One of the biggest challenges for the mobile telecommunication Industry or mobile VoIP is to deliver the benefits of IP without losing control over the network services. Common users want the Internet to be free, flawless and high speed. For ITSPs, providing such a flawless service at cheaper rates of for free is again a challenge. It challenges the most valuable service in the telecommunication industry â€mobile VoIP’ and threatens to change the nature of the global communications industry. In current scenario, VoIP has limited reach due to factors like: â€Lack of awareness about mobile VoIP & VoIP. â€Limited number of broadband internet connections available in limited areas has restricted the use of mobile VoIP. â€Users still not ready to adopt the new technology like VoIP & mobile VoIP and innovations in mobile technology. â€Higher rates of Internet services. No standard rates are regularized by service providers. â€Lack of standard architecture in mobile VoIP services. â€Present online security measures can’t sufficiently tackle the mobile VoIP processing requirements. â€Change in protocols will take time for a problem free, secured mobile VoIP service. VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol is influencing the customer behavior and rapidly changing the way we communicate. Portability of mobile VoIP makes it different from PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). VoIP has always been a very promising technology, lowering the cost of communication between people, with the help of internet.
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