The incredible growth of two leading technologies, wireless LAN and voice over IP, has come together to provide an exciting new application, Wi-Fi Telephony.
The 802.11 wireless LAN standards have delivered a practical solution for multi-vendor, multi-application wireless networks. The Wi-Fi Telephony product have been interoperability between wireless LAN access points (APs) and wireless clients from various venders.
VoIP has also proved to be a viable and cost effective alternative to circuit-switched voice networks. In the IP world, particularly in the LAN (Local area network) where bandwidth is ample and there is a high degree of control, voice and data can peacefully coexist on the network. The ubiquity of IP networks has opened the door to reliable, high-quality voice applications on either wired or wireless networks.
VoWiFi The Next Mobile Communicator
There is no question, the phenomenal popularity of WiFi and growing acceptance of Voice over IP (VoIP), in combination with dual-band WiFi/Cellular handsets, is going to enable more competition. Dual-band WiFi/Cellular handsets offer a wireless carrier the ability to extend their services to locations served by WiFi networks, where otherwise they might not reach due to lack of network access, cellular service brownouts or blackouts.
Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) provides cost and performance benefits to a wireless operator, by delivering voice services over inexpensive, license exempted multi-service WiFi networks. Reducing airtime costs, producing voice quality nearer to that of wire-line, and allowing WiFi networks to be used to augment cellular service coverage.
As Wi-Fi grows in popularity converged WiFi/Cellular services will emerge as basic and beneficial services in a carrier’s portfolio. It will empower the wireless service provider with the capability to satisfy market demands for; reduced airtime costs, improved voice quality and cellular coverage, as well as seamless integration with enterprise telecom applications.
The ideal model is one in which Wi-Fi networks are leveraged to establish WiFi calling areas, from which a rate plan and continuity of service is produced, which may entice subscribers to completely substitute their fixed line service in favor of the convenience of mobile phone service. Effectively using VoWiFi in such away as to complement cellular service and intensify the market trend of substituting wire-line service with wireless service.
To Find Wireless Internet Srevice Providers
Boingo provides software technology and roaming services that help bring the wireless Internet to the masses. The company has assembled a large and rapidly growing roaming system with over 11,000 Hot Spot locations under contract around the world.
EarthLink offers what every user should expect from their Internet experience: high-quality connectivity, minimal drop-offs and ISP-generated intrusions, and customizable features. Whether it‘s high-speed or wireless Internet service, EarthLink provides the tools that best let individuals use and enjoy the Internet on their own terms.
To Find Your Worldwide Wi-Fi Hotspots
The WiFinder registry is the largest independent resource of networks, locations, and vendor solutions for public access Internet. The WiFinder online directory delivers over 120,000 worldwide hotspot searches monthly to many thousands of qualified Wi-Fi users and functions as the white pages and the yellow pages for the global Wi-Fi market.
JiWire's international hotspot directory lets wireless users zero in on the best places to hook up with an active wireless network.
