It seems that 2014 may be the year of mobile VoIP. This is because, according to Toronto-based VoIP provider Epik Networks (News - Alert), more businesses and service providers will recognize its cost-saving potential.
Indeed, more businesses are seeking to rein in communications costs. Just like with landline telephony before it, it seems traditional mobile service — and the long contracts, high prices, roaming fees, and overage minutes that go with it — may fall by the wayside in favor of the cost savings and flexibility offered by VoIP.
Increasingly, mobile service providers are offering service bundles that create a single solution for office landline and work-provided mobile phones alike. Not only does this reduce the number of lines needed while eliminating interoffice long distance charges, it streamlines cell phone expenses.
“Traditional phone systems and rigid carrier plans are on their way out, certainly for smart businesses across North America,” said Claudio Nespeca, VP of Operations and Marketing at Epik, in a statement. “The benefits and advantages of VoIP are now well known and widespread with early adopters giving way to mainstream businesses. Like the traditional phone before it, VoIP has become the nervous system of the business world.”
Of course, just as with standard VoIP, mobile VoIP requires some form of data connectivity to function. It’s safe to assume that many employees will leverage their home or workplace Wi-Fi, but a data connection will be needed between trusted Wi-Fi sources. As such, it’s likely VoLTE (voice over LTE (News - Alert)) will see an uptick in 2014 as well.
For customers, an LTE connection means an overall improved experience, particularly in terms of voice quality, as compared to 3G. However, it’s clear that telecommunications providers need to fully embrace VoLTE too, since widespread adoption of mobile VoIP means further stress on already overburdened mobile data networks.
Edited by Blaise McNamee