Mobile VoIP: How you can make use of your handset to make VoIP calls (Voice over Internet Protocal)?

What will you need?

1. Handset with internet connectivity, at least EDGE or Wi-Fi enabled.
Even if you don’t have 3G handset, don’t worry. You just need to take care that your handset should be EDGE or Wi-Fi enabled. Then for Wi-Fi, you need to search for hotspots and call within the range of WiFi network. For EDGE (Extended GPRS), You need to activate service from your operator.

2. Application installation provision on handset.
Better to have Symbian OS, Windows Mobile, Blackberry phones or Android OS (yeah, it's not yet launched ;)) These OS will allow user to install applications and many applications are already developed considering these OS. Install those to avail VoIP calling facility on phone.

3. If you have greater connectivity on handset with 3G (W-CDMA etc) or WiMAX network that will be the best.
W-CDMA is a replacement for EDGE with greater bandwidth. As per the report from the research firm Disruptive Analysis, 3G VoIP will draw more than 250 million users by 2021, as compared to less than 100 million voice users on Wi-Fi. Wireless internet access will improve soon with WiMAX technologies, which has greater range than wi-fi. For scalability, try to buy to 3G handsets.

Current problems in VoIP -
1. Many basic handsets doesn't have provision to install VoIP application

2. Even if handset has provision, Telecom operator have control over VoIP call, like they will not allow those calls from server or they will keep high price for the Internet connectivity using handset. T-mobile warns their customer that if they found customers making VoIP calls using their 3G handsets to truphone VoIP numbers, they will restrict the internet access for them.

3. There is no standardization among VoIP providers. From operator to operators they will charge for VoIP calls. In fact they allow making VoIP calls freely on their own network.

Things are changing in VoIP
Fring like mobile applications are the revolutionary step in mobile VoIP platform. It is not only creating common layer for Instant Messaging but also enabling VoIP call from Fring network to IM buddies. For Fring, you just need to log in and subscribe for Gtalk, Skype, Yahoo, AOL IMs.