It is known that Apple and AT&T have an agreement to block VoIP applications from using AT&T’s mobile network. However an article on zdnet states VoIP apps using WiFi are fine.
The Apple and AT&T agreement is stated in a letter sent to the FCC by AT&T. The letter clarifies that AT&T and Apple agree that Apple will not enable the iPhone to uses AT&T’s wireless service (2G, 3G and WiFi) to make VoIP calls without accessing consent from AT&T.
It is suggested that without this agreement the price of the iPhone would have been greater than it is. AT&T frequently review their capability and feature policies, and are said to take a “fresh look” at the possibility of authorising VoIP capabilities on the AT&T 3G network for the iPhone. For more information head to phonesreview.
The Aastra 312W is the latest in the line of new WiFi VoIP phones to be released in 2009.
Targeted at consumers and prosumers the 312W supports 802.11 b/g wireless network connections, a high resolution colour screen and a memory card to store contacts. The 312W is SIP based.
Aastra are a top quality brand and one of the global communications leaders. The Aastra 57i CT desktop/cordless VoIP phone combination is one of the most popular phones on the market. Not forgetting their inventive SIP DECT solution either.
The 312W is set to cause a lot of interest, despite the $349.99 US price tag. In time this number may fall however. But, if you’re looking for a WiFi VoIP Phone the Aastra 312W is a definite consideration.
Read more here.
Supermarket Retailer Tesco Plc has launched a service called ‘TalkWiFi’ that allows mobile phone users to make free and low cost VoIP calls over WiFi.
Provided in partnership with Freshtel, the service can be downloaded to Nokia’s N95,N81,E65 and E51 phones with plans to make the service available to other phone models by the end of the year.
The network works by connecting calls made while in an unrestricted WiFi to the Internet thus offering significant savings to the caller.
With TalkWiki, a call to Australia would cost just 1.5p per minute while calls to other TalkWifi customers are free of charge, even if the other user happens to be abroad.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has approved the 802.11r Wi-Fi protocol, which allows Wi-Fi enabled devices to pass between WLAN access points more quickly.
The new standard aims to improve the quality and security of VoIP services. With existing protocols, swapping from one access point to another takes considerable amount of time.
The 802.11r standard, also known as Fast Basic Service Set Transition, takes less than 50 milliseconds to enable the security authentication of the service, during the course of switching over. This is less than half the time taken by existing standards.
The 802.11r standard was developed in 2004 and approval for publishing the final draft of the standard was given by the 802.11r task group in January.
