VoIP on Mobile Phones - Playing Around With Networks

VoIP is a prime example of how technology has changed faster than the businesses which provide it. First smartphones made an appearance and caught the carriers flat footed as data usage skyrocketed on their wireless networks. Then VoIP started to make inroads into their revenue streams and caused knee jerk and clumsy attempts to block it like AT&T did with Skype on the iPhone. Telcos then imposed data caps on wireless traffic and also attempted to scuttle the principles of net neutrality.While all this was going on, VoIP has continued to grow and shows no signs of stopping. And it's time for the next technology feature to be incorporated into applications - or perhaps at the OS level itself. Most people these days have multiple pipes to the outside world. They have the regular voice network, their wireless data networks and also the wifi pipe. Depending on the situation and the person using it, they might prefer one network or the other to be used when available. And when more options become available they might want to switch networks in the middle.
A good example is if you're using your wireless 4G network to make VoIP calls while driving. You reach home, still attached to your phone. At this point, you'd like your wifi network to take over. It's more reliable, faster, and free. You should be able to program your phone into detecting home wifi and make the switch seamlessly. And when you move out of your home, your phone should then switch to the 4G network again.
Unfortunately not many applications provide this kind of service - which is sad since it's a natural extension of technology today. More and more people live in wifi worlds where they have access to free wireless Internet connections - specially with the proliferation of work from home capabilities. Such individuals need a way for the phone to switch on and switch off certain networks automatically.
A few applications like Rebtel have begun offering these services. But it's a far cry from the kind of deep operating system level integration we're looking for. VoIP is the ultimate flexible Internet application. You might even call it the pinnacle of Internet technology. And the demand of consumers is going to drive wireless data technology forward like never before. And for that, we are grateful. Because technology changes fast - and we want to make sure that we have the best tools available to us.
Bhagwad is an expert consultant on Secure SIP Providers. He also specializes in Secure Mobile VoIP Systems.

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