The Wireless Report

Here's a disturbing thought (for cellular carriers, anyway). Would a Metropolitan Area Network (oh, MAN) deploying WiMax be able to offer dual-mode handsets that work on VoIP as well as (or displacing, yikes) traditional cellular? VoIP is such a cheaper way to offer voice (data is already IP) that this could disrupt the landline-dependent and switched cellular market. Yes, VoIP also relies on an interconnection to the landline network at some point (you have to call the office, don't you?), but the delivery method pf packets instead of circuits gives VoIP over wireless some HUGE cost advantages over carriers (take your pick: Verizon, Sprint Nextel, Cingular, T-Mobile USA, Alltel, etc.). UMA may be a strategy some may use to head this threat off.

But...imagine paying a flat fee for VoIP (just like you do for broadband data service to your home or office) and having *unlimited* minutes. No more minute plans, mobile-to-mobile, weekend minutes, bleh. Just "anytime" minutes, as much as you want. Of course, the bandwidth need this may create would burden infrastructure to the hilt most likely. Ahh, if we all lived in South Korea where broadband is regularly 25 mbits/second.

Let's say it together - convergence can be confusing. But, take a look at what Dartmouth is doing...