What Is Mobile VoIP?

A handset can be used to integrate mobile VoIP.

Voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP, is a group of standard guidelines, rules and transmission technologies used to facilitate voice communication over computer networks. Mobile VoIP is essentially an extension of VoIP technology.

Definition

Mobile VoIP refers to a delivery system for VoIP technology that is done over a mobile handset. Two methods of integrating a handset into a VoIP network include SIP client conversion and use of a softswitch.

SIP Client Conversion Method

An SIP (session initiation protocol) client is software that accesses a service remotely using SIP protocol. SIP is a kind of protocol designed to control multimedia communication sessions that typically involve voice and video calls over a network. Turning a handset into an SIP client requires that the handset be connected to a data network that sends and receives SIP as well as RTP, or real transport protocol, a standardized format protocol for delivering video and audio over the Internet.

Softswitch Method

Softswitch integration uses a softswitch to connect SIP and RTP into the mobile network. A softswitch is a telecommunications device used to connect telephone lines via computer software. The softswitch allows the handset to be controlled by an SIP server that provides SIP services.

References

• Mobile VoIP Review: What is Mobile VoIP?
• "IMS Multimedia Telephony Over Cellular Systems: VoIP Evolution in a Converged Telecommunication World"; Shyam Chakraborty, Janne Peisa, Tomas Frankkila, and Per Synnergren; 2007

Resources

• "Scalable VoIP Mobility: Integration and Deployment"; Joseph Epstein; 2009