Skype and Netgear Announce Mobile VoIP Phone

VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol, and refers to technology used to make telephone calls online using a broadband Internet connection. Recently, one of the biggest names in VoIP, Skype, teamed up with the leader in wireless networking technology, Netgear, in order to work on a new, mobile VoIP phone that will rely on wireless broadband Internet for service.

The Skype/Netgear mobile Internet phone will look like a regular cellular phone. The first handset model will be a distinctive white and silver, and boasts three hours of battery life or 50 hours of power on standby. The model comes with all standard cell phone features as well as a microphone for conference calling. Skype and Netgear will be releasing plans for a similar model intended to replace landlines later this year.

How the Skype and Netgear Mobile Internet Phone Works

The mobile Internet phone looks similar to a regular cellular phone, but is functionally very different. The Netgear phone will be preloaded with Skype’s free software, and will be ready for use with any wireless network, whether it is a free public wi-fi node, a wireless home network, or an office’s secure wireless Internet connection.

After turning on the phone, the user logs in with his or her Skype name and password. The Skype software then pulls up the user’s full contact list, displays the connection status onscreen, and will allow the user to connect to anyone else on the Skype network once the connection is confirmed. Netgear and Skype also have plans to allow calls to other phone numbers for a minimal charge.

Advantages of Going with a Mobile VoIP Service

Calling anyone within the Skype network, however, is completely free, and is the most obvious and distinct advantage to owning a VoIP phone. The planned Skype and Netgear phone has the added advantage of being completely flexible and mobile. You can now enjoy the freedom of making free digital phone calls without worrying about the number of minutes in your plan or whether you are being charged extra for roaming or out of state calls. The new phone gives all the benefits of VoIP with none of the disadvantages normally attributed to voice over Internet protocol calls, such as the need to carry around bulky computer equipment in order to complete calls.

Using the new mobile Internet phone, however, will necessitate a wireless high speed broadband Internet connection. Only broadband and other types of high speed Internet are fast enough to effectively transmit the human voice across a wireless network.

Luckily, the minimal cost of a broadband connection will be greatly offset by the disappearance of expensive cellular phone bills, and the inconvenience of needing to use bulky or expensive computer equipment to complete free VoIP calls.