City WiFi and Mobile Phone WiFi: Match Made in Ether?
With a large number of cities around the world from Boston, Dublin, Pasadena, Burbank, Paris, Taipei and many more deploying citywide WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) networks, it seems that there is now pretty good wireless network coverage on these metropolitan areas. These networks are ripe for pre-UMA WiFi+VoIP calling since all the ingredients are present.
With the introduction of mobile phones that come with both WiFi and Voice-over-IP calling capabilities (typically called Internet Call in mobilespeak) by vendors such as Nokia, it is now possible for users to switch to low cost VoIP calls when within a WiFi zone. Migs Paraz raises a question about operator support for these initiatives. It is common knowledge that this is unpopular amongst mobile network operators.
Inspite of the apparent MNO rejection, we are definitely not far away from having a purely IP-based mobile network operator. The ingredients are falling into place faster than I have imagined possible. Today, WiFi calling is simply an alternative. It cannot possibly provide the range and coverage needed to become a full MNO. However, when a more pervasive mobile WiMAX is introduced. Market dynamics will definitely have to change.
October 2nd, 2006 at 12:40 am
[…] An interesting point raised was that the common reason why mobile network operators are refusing to introduction mobile voice-over-IP services on their mobile networks is fear of cannibalizing their bread-and-butter voice minutes. T-Mobile and some other operators, such as Verizon and Cingular in the US, have taken a dim view of VoIP over mobile data services, claiming the “poor” quality affected customers’ perception of their services. Most analysts agree, however, that the real reason is the fear of cannibalization of voice minutes, the mainstay of operators’ businesses. Consumer pressure, and an increasing flow of Wi-Fi-enabled devices are chipping away at this, however. […]