History
WVoIP gained traction in 2004, when some hospitals and health-care facilities were attracted to this technology. It was considered to be an effective and affordable way of providing on-site, wifi-based mobile voice service to doctors, nurses and other personnel. This technology has also found use in office buildings, campuses, factories and other business locations that are easily covered by a wifi network. The advent of WiMAX, a long range microwave-based wireless technology based on the 802.16, extended the reach of VoIP, as it can provide wireless broadband coverage to an entire metropolitan area or large rural area, as WiMAX transmissions can span up to 75 kilometers.
Requirements
In order to use a wireless VoIP phone, you need a high-speed Internet connection and also a Wi-Fi router, though this is only necessary if you have a self-contained handset or a base that can only connect to your home network via Wi-Fi. There are some wireless VoIP phones that use a base which connects to your Internet modem either with a network cable or USB cable. There are also models that plug into the USB port on your computer. You should also choose a service provider that is capable of routing your VoIP calls to other phones.
Benefits
As regular VoIP services, WVoIP's biggest advantage is its cost-effectiveness. WVoIP adopters escape the high-priced calling plans and contract terms offered by many mobile carriers. International-call savings are particularly substantial. WVoIP is more flexible than conventional mobile-phone technology. Instead of being tied to a single mobile phone, users have a choice of making calls on a WVoIP handset, mobile/wifi hybrid phone, wireless-enabled laptop computer or PDA. When you make VoIP calls using wifi network you pay only the cost of your VoIP service,which is usually cheaper than the cost of cell phone service and may offer free unlimited international calling. Being wireless, you can use your phone anywhere you have access to Wi-Fi, without cords or wires. VoIP phones usually include additional features which aren't available on conventional phones including the ability to record phone calls in MP3 format.
Drawbacks
Though it's hard to beat WVoIP's cost advantages, the technology has disadvantages as well. The greatest barrier, which blocks widespread consumer and enterprise adoption is the limited coverage range currently provided by wifi networks. In fact, a WVoIP handset works well inside organization offices or campus wide wireless networks, coffee shops, hotel rooms or airport departure lounges located within wifi hotspots, but it isn't available when walking, driving or cycling along public streets. Another challenge facing WVoIP adopters is the QoS (quality of service) over wifi and mobile networks. Wifi hotspots can become overloaded when too many people use WVoIP or other bandwidth-intensive applications simultaneously. Security is also a major concern, as with transmissions going over the airwaves instead of cables and thus subject to easier interception. Any Wi-Fi network that carries VoIP traffic must be secured, and this traffic should be protected by authentication and encryption.
I hope my article helped you deepen your awareness of WvoIP technology and you will make the best use of it.