Wireless telecommunications are experiencing a surge of activity. Internet phones are equally “hot.” Place them side by side, and you have a combination that could completely transform how people use mobile phones in the future.
Last week, at the 3GSM exhibition in Barcelona, major players in the tech industry such as Microsoft, Nokia, and Skype collectively unveiled VoIP products and services for mobile phones.
So far, when we mention accessing the internet from mobile phones, most of us only think of sending/reading emails, MMS messaging, or video calls. However, in a short time, we will be able to chat via instant messaging and make VoIP calls at “penny-pinching” prices right from our phones.
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Source: Reuters |
That is, if the technology that Microsoft showcased in Barcelona hits the market soon.
CEO Steve Ballmer, after expressing his “endless love” for the mobile industry and partner phone networks, announced software called Microsoft Office Communicator Mobile. Set to be released soon, this software will enable VoIP calls on mobile platforms.
Excitement for Some, Anxiety for Others
While consumers are excited, the general reaction from all mobile networks is one of “hot faces” and concern. It is easy to see that this technology will eat into their golden egg-laying chicken, potentially costing them billions of dollars in mobile revenue.
Just one hour later, another significant announcement was made. This time, the “spokesperson” was Hutchison 3 Group, a European 3G mobile network, which announced it would provide Skype’s VoIP software in a range of high-end smartphones running Windows Mobile 5.0. This product line will be available this year, allowing users to access VoIP services at very low costs.
“We do not view VoIP as a cannibal that will tear into our current phone revenue. To use it, customers still need to pay access fees,” said Christian Salbaing, CEO of Hutchison 3G. “In our eyes, VoIP simply opens up a new channel of choice for customers, and we hope to attract more users through it.”
In contrast to Salbaing, the majority of mobile network leaders are expressing a negative attitude towards VoIP. They believe that VoIP on mobile networks will take several more years to develop to meet the demands for quality and security.
Meanwhile, mobile phone manufacturers have nothing to lose. This is why giants like Nokia and Motorola are eager to quickly roll out new phone models capable of seamlessly and automatically switching between mobile networks and wireless LANs.
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Source: Infotech |
The Nokia 6136, expected to debut in the second quarter of this year, is built on the UMA (Unlicensed Mobile Access) standard. With the Nokia 6136, your mobile calls will automatically switch to calls over any Wi-Fi access point, helping you save significantly on mobile charges. You won’t need to install anything extra on the device, yet you can still use the UMA phone to access 2.5/3G services such as picture messaging, video calls, and VoIP calls.
Not to be outdone, the giant Motorola also introduced the A910, a phone with similar features. Philips Electronics is also aiming to “shrink the subscription bill” for users with UMA technology. BenQ and Alcatel have also launched their own UMA solutions. VoIP phones and Skype phones from smaller brands have also started appearing over the last few months.
Thien Y
