New Skype Phone Could Usher In Mobile VoIP Era
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) has taken a beating of late with SunRocket's demise and Vonage's patent problems. But the mobile phone is about to give new life to VoIP, and become the king of all-around cheap calls (at least in the U.K.).
The BBC reports that 3G-heavy mobile provider Three will deliver a Skype phone (Video report) in the U.K. that will allow free calls -- minus the computer, headset or USB phone, and hassle.
Skype will be "fully integrated" in the Three phone, coming in November, allowing "free mobile to mobile calls anywhere in the world," the BBC report says.
The move to "all you can eat"-style calling on a VoIP mobile phone will drive prices down with all carriers, one analyst told the BBC.
Looking into my crystal ball, I'd say the rumored Google Phone, or Gphone, will be the first to fully integrate Skype in the U.S.
But it will not be the only player. With Vonage shares sagging following multiple patent rulings, Sprint Nextel, which now licenses its patent to Vonage, could take over Vonage and integrate VoIP services more cleanly than even Skype.
With 3G services in the U.S. less uniform and ubiquitous than in the U.K. and Asia, unified communication services like RingCentral and newish technologies like Femtocells, which boost home cellular reception and offer VoIP access over cell accounts when at home, could prove popular for centralizing cheap communications on the mobile phone.
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> I don't think the above posters read "The plan is to get
> hardware makers to absorb the cost of a $5 monthly
> subscription" the right way here.
bens0n, I think they actually understand the situation better than you. Don't be fooled by the phrase 'absorb the cost'.
First, that's NOT the way that the free market works. The manufacturers WILL pass on the cost to the end users. This is only 'free' in the same sense that utilities are 'free' when you rent, and your landlord pays them. Their not your mom, they'll both pass on their costs in the form of higher prices.
Second, the manufacturers can't afford to NOT pass on the costs, they'll go broke! Last time I heard, the average markup for something was 30%, that means if you buy a $200 player, they're making about $60. If they assume ONLY a 12 month lifespan for the player, that eats up the ENTIRE profit! 5*12=60
And I bet they'll claim AT LEAST a 3-year lifespan: an extra $180 per player. 5 years would add $250.
oops, got on the wrong article when I logged in
This site describe an interesting method on how
to use VoIP to make cell phone calls without paying for airtime:
http://www.pay-no-airtime.com
This site describe an interesting method on how
to use VoIP to make cell phone calls without paying for airtime:
http://www.pay-no-airtime.com