« IBM Pushes IT Automation   |   Main   |   Desktop and network search developments »

Data and voice over wireless networks - current technology and developments

Among all the conflict and poor service of US carriers, I’ve been tracking the potential for wireless broadband technologies (delivered by your particular technology favorite- WiFi, WiMax, point to point, sensors) to provide a blanket wireless MAN (metropolitan area network). In thinking about convergence, mobility, and the increasing relevance of VoiP technology for both enterprises and users, it becomes apparent that we face the real possibility that seamless voice and data connectivity are perhaps best delivered over conventional data networks. SBC is already looking at augmenting their conventional networks with WiFi bandwidth.

On the technology side, it’s clear that the value in wireless networks is shifting to the systems for data, minimizing the importance of voice. Eric Lin over at TheFeature has a piece discussing the current, very technical state of the industry as they start to consider the greater operating efficiency of using VoiP for their own networks.

The value that VoiP can bring, through its presence and universal locator attribute can help users overcome the complexity associated with managing multiple channels of communication. HP’s new iPAQ h6315 (PCWeek review) comes with WiFi and can be used with Skype’s VoiP service. US carrier T-Mobile sells most of these with voice calling plans in addition to unlimited data plans - but for some users, relying on Skype for calls could be practical and cost effective. Right now, this iPAQ user would remain a customer of T-Mobile, but we do have to wonder if a network of hot spots could provide much of the same level and quality of service, perhaps at a lower cost. For a look at what might be coming, see the Enterprise Mobility weblog for a discussion of the FCC’s approval of a broadband-over-powerline service.

Really, we do have to wonder about all that dark fiber out there that’s just waiting to be enabled.

But dialing back to the present and to now-realizable sources of innovation and convergence, NextWest, Avaya, and Altigen are among companies working to extend functionality associated with office PBX systems to mobile users. This will raise the ‘experience expectations’ of the mobile worker, leading in time to extension of these services by mobile carriers.