Mobile VoIP Integration, converging data and voice and slashing costs!
Mobile VoIP(mVoIP) is the application of VoIP technology to mobile communication devices (Smartphones, Mobile Internet Devices, UMPCs). With a unit capable of high speed IP communications, this implemetation turns the mobile device into a standard SIP client that uses a data network to send and receive SIP messaging, and to send and receive RTP for the voice path. In this application, VoIP protocols (typically SIP) are used over any broadband IP-capable wireless network connection.
mVoIP over CDMA or over GSM
On a CDMA based netwok, SIP is used over EVDO rev A(an enhanced version of EVDO boosting download speeds from 400Kbps to 3.1Mbps with 100Kbps upload speed) while on a GSM based network, SIP is used either over EDGE(473.6Kbps maximum), HSPA(Both parts of High Speed Packet Access have a download speed maximum of 14.4Mbps, with an uplink speed of 384Kbps for HSDPA and and uplink speed of 5.76Mbps for HSUPA), or over UMTS(currently using WCDMA transmission protocol offering maximum transfer rates of 14.4Mbps).
mVoIP over Wi-Fi
WLAN(Wi-Fi) is an IP-based, non-cellular technology that can handle data transmission as well as voice calls via the Internet. However, it was intended for LAN use and never to be a large-scale voice-calling network. On a Wi-Fi network, SIP is used over a 802.11 IP LAN with real-world data rates of 100 Mbps when using a 802.11n router. While on a cellular and Wi-Fi coverage, you have the advantage of a dual VoIP mode; one across the data network and the other over the Wi-Fi network.
mVoIP and 4G Networks
To qualify for 4G, a network must offer data rates of at least 100Mbps while in motion and 1Gbps while stationary. 4G networks are being built to enhance the multimedia experience and will integrate ultra mobile broadband(UMB) IP wireless connections to support applications such as video conferencing, streaming HD video, streaming music and gaming
On a 4G MAN, WiMAX(802.16x) will carry SIP to join together all the WLANs and hotspots within its much wider wireless network.
On a 4G GSM network, SIP will go over Long Term Evolution. LTE(3GPP Release 8 specifications) is a collection of technologies built around OFDM, MIMO and an enhanced Universal Mobile Telecommunication System(UMTS) also known as EUTRAN(Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Acces Network). LTE uses packet switching to transmit data and voice streams to and from multiple antennas, making much more efficient use of frequencies currently supporting 3G communications. LTE will also reduce VoIP latencies from 120ms on a 3G network to 20ms. LTE will require new phones and basestation equipments.
On a 4G CDMA network, SIP will go over UMB(Ultra Mobile Broadband).
Recent solutions of mobile VoIP integration use a free thin client, a softswitch like gateway to bridge SIP and RTP into the mobile network’s SS7 infractructure. Here, the mobile handset continues to operate as it always has (as a GSM or CDMA based device), but now it can be controlled by a SIP application server which can now provide advanced SIP based services to it allowing VoIP connections while on a 3G, 3.5G or Wi-Fi network.
Mobile VoIP requires a compromise between economy and mobility. For example, Voice over Wi-Fi offers potentially free service but is only available within the coverage area of a Wi-Fi Access Point. High speed services from mobile operators using EVDO rev A or HSPDA may have better audio quality and capabilities for metropolitan-wide coverage including fast handoffs among mobile base stations, yet it will cost more than the typical Wi-Fi-based VoIP service.
VoIP New Challenges
Within an organization, there may be a strong budgetary push for VoIP. Before caving in, you need to examine carefully what implementations are acceptable or inacceptable. It is a fact that if you link an IP network to your voice/fax/pager system you open yourself up to denial of service attacks and spoofing. In environments like, chronic and acute care Hospitals, VoIP in some areas such as patient phone extensions can be examined – but for critical areas such as Electronic Medical Record, VoIP not properly implemented could prove catastrophic since losing EMR and voice services would be fatal.
In a VoIP environment, one minute of poor voice quality in one-hour conversation may not even be reported by voice network tools since no downtime was detected and any data loss fell into an acceptable range of fault tolerance. However, anyone who has experienced a dropped call or inconsistent service knows that even one minute of bad call quality is unacceptable and does not happen in the legacy phone world. That is why traditional networks solutions for real-time resolution and intra-site and site-to-site end-to-end monitoring cannot be used. VoIP needs new processes, new skills to manage new VoIP challenges. Other common objections include:
- Mixed feelings from experience at home with VoIP on the internet
- Roaming requires fast handoff to avoid interruptions
- Network downtime due to bandwidth drain in an environment with multiple types of traffic. Fear no consistent QoS
- Fear that jitter, latency and packet loss peculiar to IP protocol could not guarantee quality of experience(QoE) or meet business end-user expectations
Emerging Solutions
- Many enterprise systems like Cisco VoIP systems provide better user experience
- 802.11r standardizes Fast Transitions to allow smooth roaming
- Bandwidth policing and applications maximum limit allocation
- New state-of-the-art algorithms, advanced QoS techniques and features can prevent congestion
- End-to-end measurement and QoS(802.11e) management, not just probbing for # of dropped packets
- Wi-Fi Multimedia or WMM is a certification using a subset of the 802.11e draft standard to provide QoS features for VoIP or multimedia streaming devices.
- Call assessment through measurement of QoE at the application level between users
A private CDMA or GSM Hotspot?
Sprint and T-Mobile have femtocell devices(like a miniature cell tower) that connect to your home or office broadband data service and creates an indoor CDMA or GSM signal footprint (covering up to 5,000 square feet) for your mobile phone Ð thus providing you with an enhanced and more reliable coverage within your home or office if your existing wireless coverage is poor or unavailable. More importantly however these devices are more than just a cool little “mobile signal booster”. They come with a very low cost cost Unlimited Voice Plan(at least 50% less than traditional phone service – excluding broadband Internet access) giving you the opportunity to make and receive calls on your existing CDMA or GSM phone number from the location where the device is installed without using a single one of your precious and expensive mobile inbound or outbound voice plan minutes. Femtocells are an alternative way to deliver the benefits of Fixed Mobile Convergence. The distinction is that most FMC architectures require a new (dual-mode) handset, while a femtocell-based deployment will work with existing handsets. More solutions for businessses will be offered during 2008.
VoIP Many Faces
wVoIP, Vo3G, VoIPo3G, VoWiFi, VoWLAN, VoWiMAX, … all refer to VoIP implementations seeking to initiate VoIP connections with anyone, anywhere and anytime there is a data network connection available. VoIP comes not only with many more features than the current PSTN but is vastly less costly to use and administer. The greatest cost savings for VoIP is realized through the shared use of network components, cabling, and technicians. The diagnostic is clear: VoIP is here to stay and we are here to help you benefit!
Our VoIP Solutions
- First consider if there is a better choice than going VoIP
- Offer QoS and QoE Enterprise VoIP systems and hold VoIP vendors accountable
- Fully educate members of the Executive Staff and Properly plan new network infrastructure investment
- Tools for Network Engineers to diagnose problems since any network problem interrupts the phone service and the environment has become much more complicated
- Train people who will be managing the new system so they can have a positive experience
Any alternative to VoIP?
Increase in cellular will eventually negate any gains proposed by VoIP. Phones are moving to cellular technology. The move is based on the need for unlimited and transparent accessibility. New TDM systems provide all the bells and whistles of VoIP at a greatly reduced total cost of ownership compared to the old PBX units while still providing the legendary dependability and for a conversion cost that is much less than VoIP.
