Report: Wireless Voice over IP: technical and commercial prospects

Authors: Mark Heath and Alastair Brydon with Katrina Bond (Analysys Research)

Publication date:  February 2005

Product overview

In principle, Voice over IP (VoIP) can be carried by a variety of existing and forthcoming wireless technologies, including:

• cellular technologies (W-CDMA, HSDPA, EUL, CDMA2000 1x EV-DO and 4G)
• short-range technologies (WiFi and Bluetooth
• broadband wireless access (BWA) technologies (Flash-OFDM, IPWireless and WiMAX).

The concept of wireless implementation of VoIP has been received with enthusiasm by some existing fixed and mobile operators, new entrants, virtual network operators, ISPs, WISPs and VoIP service providers. After all, it could enable better integration of voice and data services, cost savings, increased fixed–mobile convergence and opportunities to compete with existing fixed and mobile voice services. Several equipment vendors and some network operators are developing a wide variety of wireless VoIP products and services to address these opportunities.

However, many challenges stand in the way of wireless VoIP services becoming technically feasible and commercially attractive. This report identifies the factors that will determine the prospects for wireless VoIP services, and explains why mobile operators hold the key that will determine whether such services flourish and become a threat to their existing voice businesses. It reviews the latest developments in wireless VoIP, including case studies of projects such as BT’s Project Bluephone and corporate WLAN/cellular solutions from NTT DoCoMo and Motorola.

The report provides a list of actions that mobile operators must take to protect their businesses against the potential threat of wireless VoIP, as well as recommendations for vendors, fixed operators and others seeking to pursue the opportunities that wireless VoIP presents.

Wireless Voice over IP: technical and commercial prospects answers your key questions:

• Which wireless technology options are feasible and which are commercially attractive?
• What new business opportunities are presented by VoIP over wireless technologies?
• What is the threat to traditional mobile and fixed telephony?
• What will be the key factors that determine the success of VoIP over wireless technologies?
• What is the impact of VoIP on the business cases for WiMAX, Flarion, IPWireless and other emerging wireless technologies?
• What actions can operators and equipment vendors take to benefit from or defend themselves against VoIP on wireless technologies?