VoIP or Voice over Internet Protocol networks have slowly gained a foothold on telecommunications and are slowly replacing standard PSTN phones as the mainstream telephony devices used for personal, commercial and industrial use. As people and businesses continue to demand more cost-effective communications solutions, VoIP technologies is turning towards the mobile market. Mobile devices can be transformed into a VoIP phone with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) clients – the same signaling protocol that is used for voice and video communication sessions over the Internet.

Mobile VoIP will likely play a large part in the convergence of consumer electronics, entertainment, information technology and global telecommunications. Whether the direction is software-based integration to existing mobile equipment or the creation of new mobile hardware, the technology promises to offer a whole new world of functionalities for the mobile market.

The following is a brief overview of the trends and advances in mobile IP based communications. As this technology goes from new to mainstream, more and more wireless operators will look into providing VoIP for mobile options to consumers.

An Overview of Mobile VoIP

Making existing VoIP networks mobile has been the goal of many industry leaders since VoIP established its foothold as a reliable communications technology.

There are two factors at play here. The first involves software integration of a standards based SIP client into existing hardware while the other focuses on opening up existing platforms to allow the dual-mode calling needed to switch from standard mobile networks to IP based networks.

Some VoIP providers currently offer all on network calls free of charge. Providers like these, such as Skype, require users to purchase a fixed monthly credit or pay-per-use plan when calling standard landline phones or other mobile phones. Some providers will ask for a one-time activation fee while others do not. These charges however are minimal and still much cheaper than what standard mobile carriers charge. In the best scenario, users can purchase their own SIP client application of choice and select their ideal VoIP service provider. Since the client and service do not necessarily have to be linked, users have the freedom to choose the features they want, and how much they want to pay for them.

The mobile VoIP experience can also be integrated or upgraded with other applications that users might find useful for other telecommunication needs. For example, mobile SIP clients registered to business VoIP service providers can do extension-to-extension dialing and mimick a desk phone.

Mobile VoIP Taking the Market Lead

The total fixed broadband market in 2009 included approximately just over 450 million subscribers from around the world. It is expected to grow annually at a 40 percent rate. As mobile broadband speeds continue to approximate that of fixed networks, mobile VoIP over 3G or 4G devices is projected to reach 100 million in 2012 and over 300 million subscribers by the year 2013.

This massive leap in subscribers was forecasted by several research and analytics groups in various reports regarding next generation wireless markets. Acceptance and uptake of the various mobile VoIP offerings over 3G, 4G, and Wi-Fi networks will continue to increase and it is expected that by 2019, over half of mobile calls will be made through VoIP networks.

Saiju is a telecommunications expert specializing in business phone service solutions and mobile VoIP.