Wouldn't it be possible to use VoIP over GPRS or EGPRS that is already supported by cell phones, thus, minimizing the number of minutes used from a regular plan?
I think technically it should work, since in both networks, data and voice 'calls' are made simultaneously using different time slots. So, if using one time slot per voice call is OK (that's what everyone is doing when calling), using the remaining time slots for data (one or more if paid for more) should allow encoding VoIP packets and transferring them via data channel.
The problems that need to be solved here are: (1) mobile hardware/software to allow fast packet creation and extraction and (2) cost effectiveness of this method. Cell phones are quite fast these days with majority of new cell phones and hand held devices supporting video decoding and even streaming over fast data connection (i.e. iPhone over WiFi). That means that hardware is fast enough to be able to packetize the voice. The second problem can depend on the data plan that a user pays for. Does it make sense to pay more for data and squeeze more minutes from a mobile plan over data channel? I think unlimited data plans can solve these problems.
Data plans are usually quite pricey. However, just last week Virgin Mobile in Canada announced Unlimited data plan option for just $10 on top of a regular cell phone plan. That should push other providers in Canada to decrease their rates soon as well!
References:
$10 Unlimited Data Virgin Mobile plan: link
Easy explanation of GPRS and EDGE: link
Thursday, October 18, 2007
VoIP over GPRS or EDGE/EGPRS
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1 comment:
It was extremely interesting for me to read this post. Thank author for it. I like such topics and anything that is connected to this matter. I definitely want to read a bit more on that blog soon.
Alex
Phone jammer
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