Although VoIP technology has now been around for long enough to be considered mainstream, it’s still evolving and maturing. It’s still growing at a rapid pace too, with some analysts predicting the VoIP market could quadruple over the coming four years.
Market shifts
Traditional telecoms operators are already feeling the pressure from VoIP and indeed many are embracing the technology themselves, with BT intending to switch to an all IP network by 2025. But mobile operators are beginning to feel the impact of VoIP too as big players including Google start to work on VoIP systems of their own.
This plus the numbers of subscribers to consumer services such as Skype and WhatsApp offering mobile apps is understandably making mobile service providers a bit jittery. WhatsApp and similar services have already seen a drop in SMS traffic and it seems likely that mobile VoIP apps will see operators’ call revenue hit too.
Mobile technology
As mobile handset makers have exploited the availability of faster processors and cheaper memory to make their offerings more powerful, so the smartphone has become what is essentially a portable computer. Naturally what follows from this is the ability to do a lot more than make calls and send texts, and that includes the ability to use IP-based communication.
Most mobile VoIP (mVoIP) uses standard VoIP protocols over any IP compatible network, either Wi-Fi or 4G for example. But it’s also possible to bridge the VoIP protocol into the mobile’s SS7 infrastructure, so the phone works in the normal way but can receive services via a VoIP server. In most situations there’s no loss of call quality either, offering a seamless experience for both users and callers.
Using mVoIP helps get around the problem of making and receiving calls in areas of poor reception too. You have the option to make calls via Wi-Fi instead, so it’s ideal where – for example – home workers may be in an area with a poor 3G signal.
Choosing wholesale az VoIP termination
From a business perspective, VoIP offers more flexibility too. Calls can be diverted from office phones and employees can be in touch via a business landline number even when they are out of the office. When selecting a wholesale VoIP termination provider, therefore, it’s essential that you choose one that can provide a service across all platforms.
There is, of course, a cost implication depending on the underlying technology being used. VoIP over a 3G or 4G network will incur data costs that are not present when using a wireless network. Business users need to consider carefully where most usage is going to take place and weigh this against the advantages to be gained from using mVoIP.
For companies that need to communicate internationally, in particular, there are major savings to be gained from mVoIP. This is especially true where staff need to travel overseas on business, as a VoIP service can help avoid incurring roaming charges during international travel, yet still maintain seamless contact.
