Mobile VoIP, till recently, meant using VoIP over your mobile devices. It was never used as "mobile" VoIP. But, that may be in for a change. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has ratified the newest WiFi standard, 802.11r, which has become the de facto "Wireless VoIP standard". You may now be able to use your mobile devices to communicate over the internet, even when you are driving!!! Read on to find out more...
What is it about?
802.11r is the latest amendment to the WiFi standard (802.11) that allows almost continuous connectivity while the mobile devices are in motion. In essence, the standard allows seamless handoffs between wireless access points. The new standard permits handoffs to be completed well within 50 milliseconds (which is the interval detectable by human ear) as compared to several seconds required by earlier versions of the standard. The standard also allows for QoS, so as to enable a mobile device to choose the best access point from the candidates.
Why is handoff important?
In mobile communications, handoff refers to the process of transferring the call from channel or transmitter to the other (or one antenna to other) while the mobile device is in motion. For realtime applications like voice, even the slightest delay in
handoffs can lead to significant degradation of the call quality. Compared to cell phone towers, WiFi access points have very limited range. Hence, even for the same distance the number of handoffs required in case of VoIP over WiFi (Vo-Fi) will be significantly large than in case of cellular communication. Therefore, efficient handoffs are extremely critical for mobile VoIP.
What is in it for me (WIIIFM)?
First and foremost, you would now (theoretically) be able to use VoIP while moving. Theoretically, because you need to have the access points all over to be able to connect to. It has security provisions to prevent any abuse. It assimilates the security services of 802.11i and the QoS functions of 802.11e, to provide a secure VoIP service. But, the flip side is that your current devices (even the new iPhone 3G) may not be able to take advantage of this standard. So be prepared to shell out money ot buy the supporting mobile clients (should be available sometime soon)
Overall, it is a very significant development for mobile VoIP. We will have to wait and see how is this adopted. But with the newer and more advanced mobile devices being made available, 802.11r meets the need of the hour and is a step in the right direction to strengthen wireless voice.
What is it about?
802.11r is the latest amendment to the WiFi standard (802.11) that allows almost continuous connectivity while the mobile devices are in motion. In essence, the standard allows seamless handoffs between wireless access points. The new standard permits handoffs to be completed well within 50 milliseconds (which is the interval detectable by human ear) as compared to several seconds required by earlier versions of the standard. The standard also allows for QoS, so as to enable a mobile device to choose the best access point from the candidates.
Why is handoff important?
In mobile communications, handoff refers to the process of transferring the call from channel or transmitter to the other (or one antenna to other) while the mobile device is in motion. For realtime applications like voice, even the slightest delay in
handoffs can lead to significant degradation of the call quality. Compared to cell phone towers, WiFi access points have very limited range. Hence, even for the same distance the number of handoffs required in case of VoIP over WiFi (Vo-Fi) will be significantly large than in case of cellular communication. Therefore, efficient handoffs are extremely critical for mobile VoIP.
What is in it for me (WIIIFM)?
First and foremost, you would now (theoretically) be able to use VoIP while moving. Theoretically, because you need to have the access points all over to be able to connect to. It has security provisions to prevent any abuse. It assimilates the security services of 802.11i and the QoS functions of 802.11e, to provide a secure VoIP service. But, the flip side is that your current devices (even the new iPhone 3G) may not be able to take advantage of this standard. So be prepared to shell out money ot buy the supporting mobile clients (should be available sometime soon)
Overall, it is a very significant development for mobile VoIP. We will have to wait and see how is this adopted. But with the newer and more advanced mobile devices being made available, 802.11r meets the need of the hour and is a step in the right direction to strengthen wireless voice.
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