Mobile, VoIP and geographic phone numbers

By Phil Dobbie on 29 May 2009

Will we see mass adoption of VoIP calling on our mobile phones? Does VoIP over 3G provide the quality of voice call that we've grown to expect? Given the threat to their traditional voice revenues can we expect the mobile carriers to fight its adoption and control access on their networks?

Today on Twisted Wire Phil Dobbie talks to Skype's APAC VP Dan Neary and Graeme Dollar, COO for Australian VoIP provider engin.

Mobile VoIP could create a headache for ACMA, which is responsible for managing the numbering plan. The portability of VoIP devices has already challenged the charging regime of local call zones. Will the situation become more pronounced with the advent of Mobile VoIP? ACMA's Robert Johnson talks about the authority's Numbering Discussion Paper.

We also ask whether the demand for VoIP on a mobile device is ill-placed. Are we looking to save money or do we really want a unified communications solution, where calls find us wherever we are? In which case, do we care how the call is delivered? And do the limitations of the geographic phone numbers still apply?

Tell us what you think. Have you tried VoIP over 3G? How did it sound? Do you think we'll see widespread adoption of VoIP on mobile devices? Add your thoughts in the Talkback section at the end of this post. Or leave a phone comment on Phil's answer phone — call 02 8006 1257.

Topics: acma, communications, internet, mobile, skype, telephone, voip, adoption

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Comments (1)

  • EVO commented on 22/06/2009 02:55 Report abuse

    As a person who travels from North America back to OZ and enjoys low rate calls and internet service's similar to those provided by "engin"'all the time. I see no reason why the ripoff the Australian phone networks has run for years should continue. $50AUD per month for the whole communication bundle including cell/mobile with international transportability/mobility would not be un-reasonable. It would still provide good profits and room to provide the nescessary infastructure. Q. So why not!
    A. Greed!

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