The Change Mariner

Voice Over IP Trends

NewsFactor Network:

But VoIP is not just a way of transmitting phone calls on the cheap, says De Beer.

"It is, and will be, a component of a range of broadband applications that will combine voice, data and other communications media to provide users with new, innovative and compelling communications choices," De Beer told NewsFactor. "As the technology grows, it will grow not as a cheaper telephone service," but rather because it "will integrate other non-voice applications as part of a richer set of communications vehicles."

VoIP will fundamentally change the economics of providing voice services to the consumer, De Beer believes, as well as alter the fundamental economics upon which telephone companies are based. The technology will "increase competition in the consumer voice-services market via third-party access to provide voice services in addition to cable and other entry media into the home," he predicts.

Expanding Wireless Options

Another realization that is taking form is that VoIP and IP telephony are not restricted to networking in the wired world. When VoIP is paired with Wi-Fi, the combination can provide 802.11-ready PDA and notebook users the option of placing their phone calls wirelessly.