(keitai-l) Re: Article: Wi-Fi Could Make Cellphones Obsolete

Let me add this.

WiFi operators don't even have Roaming figured out.  There's a worldwide
standard ... but I couldn't use my WiFi in Korea because I didn't have
an account (laptop computer) on the local system ... even though I have
a monthly account with T-Mobile in the USA.

Perhaps before the WiFi folks take on mobile phones, they should first
fix  the problems they have.

Bill

> -----Original Message-----
> From: keitai-l-bounce@appelsiini.net [mailto:keitai-l-
> bounce@appelsiini.net] On Behalf Of Benedict Evans
> Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 1:42 AM
> To: keitai-l@appelsiini.net
> Subject: (keitai-l) Re: Article: Wi-Fi Could Make Cellphones Obsolete
> 
> The author thinks AT&T is selling AT&T Wireless, doesn't encourage
faith
> in
> the rest of the piece :). In general, full of sloppy phrasing and
> half-understood concepts. The 'calls over wifi are set up quicker',
for
> example, simply confuses the fact that you use VOIP over WiFi with a
> claimed
> advantage of VOIP over PSTN. WiFi has nothing to do with it.
> 
> Wi-fi phones today are only being used in closed systems - wireless
PBXs,
> in
> effect -  and have no effct at all on conventional telcos per se. They
> only
> have an effect if coverage is good enough for people to use them
instead
> of
> cellular phones. We had a huge argument here over this last summer,
but
> the
> key points are:
> 
> Will wifi coverage ever be good enough? Or would you have to look
around
> for
> a sign on the wall?
> Will people bother to sign up for a separate service?
> Will handsets be able to do wifi/cellular handover? Because if not,
> someone
> making a wifi call would have to stand still.
> With people already buying bundles of more cellular minutes than they
can
> use, is the 'cheaper' angle offered by wifi (even if it were true)
> relevant?
> 
> Essentially, the only way to do a usable 'public wifi' voice service
is in
> partnership with the cellular operators.
> 
> B
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: keitai-l-bounce@appelsiini.net [mailto:keitai-l-
> bounce@appelsiini.net]
> On Behalf Of James John McGuire
> Sent: 16 February 2004 08:46
> To: keitai-l@appelsiini.net
> Subject: (keitai-l) Article: Wi-Fi Could Make Cellphones Obsolete
> 
> Interesting perspective.  Curious as to people's opinions
> 
>
http://www.netstumbler.com/article.php?sid=1116&mode=thread&order=0&thol
d=
> 0
> 
> Some interesting quotes:
> 
> "Wi-Fi can be used to route calls over the Internet typically at much
> higher
> speeds than traditional dial-up connections. "
> 
> "Cisco Systems, Inc., one of the nation's largest telecommunications
> equipment providers, has equipped 1,000 corporate customers with Wi-Fi
> phones since last summer. The company says its Wi-Fi phones are
replacing
> about 6,000 traditional phones each day."
> 
> James
> 
> 
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> 
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