Although VoIP can benefit just about anyone, its rewards are particularly great for mobile phone users. That's partly because using VoIP to call overseas can help them avoid cellular carriers' exorbitant international rates. But it's also because the technology can save time and make calling more convenient. Various applications of VoIP technology to mobile communication can in fact bring users many benefits they may not have expected. Here are 12 ways to get such benefits.
1. Converge your fixed and mobile communications. Trivial as it may seem, having both your desk and mobile phone numbers on your business card can be enormously wasteful. It means people who don't know where you are may try your mobile number first, to avoid having to make two calls and leave two messages. And if you're actually at your desk, that needlessly boosts your cellular bill. Basic FMC (fixed-mobile convergence) makes it possible for incoming calls to your business number to ring both your office and mobile phones, as well as any other phones you specify, at the same time or in sequence. Most IP phone systems offer some such capabilities. Check to see how easily the one you plan to use lets you transfer calls from one phone to another.
2. Unify your communications to gain mobile access to your corporate system. Taking a big step beyond sharing calls between desk and mobile phones, UC (unified communications) lets you make use of business phone systems' functions and features via a mobile handset. You can access corporate directory information from your smartphone, for example, as well as detect users' presence and availability. That saves you lots of time finding who you want to call. You can also IM (instant message) colleagues, even if they're away from their desks. And you can access your voice mail via a PC or mobile email. UC requires downloaded client software, so make sure it works with your handset. Avaya Inc., Cisco Systems Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are leading the charge to deliver UC to companies.
3. Use Web-activated mobile VoIP. The advantage of setting up VoIP calls through a Web interface is that it doesn't matter what kind of phone you're calling from. Just go to the specified Web site and enter the number you want to call from and the one you're trying to reach. The service calls both numbers from nearby exchanges and connects the two calls via cheap long-distance circuits. You can in some cases even set up the calls through your mobile Web browser, an approach that also falls into the following category of handset-activated mobile VoIP. A slew of VoIP companies offer Web-activated mobile VoIP, including JAJAH Inc., jaxtr Inc., MOBIVOX, Raketu and Voxofon LLC.
4. Use handset-activated mobile VoIP. The main advantage of setting up VoIP calls through your mobile handset is the flexibility it provides. But since it often requires a download of client software to the device, it means you have to have the right kind of mobile phone.
There are several ways of initiating calls. The software may direct the handset to dial a local access number of the VoIP service. Or it may instruct the service to call the handset. EQO Communications Inc., 8x8 Inc., Raketu, iSkoot Inc. (which uses Skype to deliver the calls) and Truphone are among the companies offering handset-activated VoIP calling.
One approach that doesn't require client software involves services that assign you local numbers corresponding to specific overseas numbers you want to call. In such cases, all you need do is put that number in your mobile address book. JAJAH, jaxtr and Rebtel use assigned local numbers.
5. Use VoIP over cellular or wifi data networks. Cellular 3G data networks are fast enough to carry VoIP traffic. Using them for that purpose, though, requires client software, and, more importantly, the cellular operator's permission. The latter is unlikely to happen for some time in the U.S., though European and Asian carriers are more open the possibility. Fringland Ltd. and Nimbuzz are two services that let users at least make an attempt to use up their cellular data plans, although Nimbuzz doesn't natively support outbound calling to the PSTN (public switched telephone network).
VoIP over wifi using dual-mode handsets, including iPhones, is a better bet. Several companies offer such services, including fringland and Nimbuzz, as well as DeFi Mobile Ltd., JAJAH, MediaRing Ltd., sipgate Inc. and Truphone.
6. Dial and transfer by speaking instead of by pressing keys. Those using mobile phones often find it inconvenient or impossible to dial using their tiny cellular keypads, In such situations, it's good to be able to dial by voice alone. MOBIVOX is a leader in providing voice-activated VoIP. Once you've set it up, it lets you call someone just by speaking their name. You can even add a person's name to your contact list by saying it. The list remains on MOBIVOX servers, so there's no need for client software. That means the service is not limited to users with specific types of handsets. You can also transfer calls between cellular and landline phones by speaking a command such as "transfer home," "transfer mobile" or "transfer office." One bit of manual dialing is necessary, however: You have to initially call (or speed dial) a local MOBIVOX access number to reach the pleasant-sounding automated "MOBIVOX assistant," who will ask you whom you want to call.
7. Send voice messages to lots of people at once. When you need to send an urgent message to many people on short notice, you have several options, each with its own limitations. You can email them, but many may not be at their computers. You can text them, but that takes time and provides limited information. You can call them and, if they don't answer, leave a voice mail message, but that takes even more time. It's easier if you can just call in from your mobile phone, record a message and have it delivered by automated calls to people's phones — sort of like personalized robocalls. Phonevite offers such a service and has strict safeguards so that recipients can block calls from people they don't want to hear from. Calls to up to 25 recipients are free.
8. Keep business and personal cellular voice mail separate with YouMail. Like many active people, you may now receive almost all of your calls on your mobile phone. If so, you'll want to treat personal and business callers differently. YouMail Inc.'s voice mail service lets you record different greetings for different callers or categories of callers. Greeting buddies with "Whassup" and business callers with "Your call is very important to me" could make all the difference in both your social and professional lives. YouMail also lets you "ditch" callers, who hear a message but are unable to leave one for you. You can of course also listen to voice mail as audio files in email or on the Web. Voice-to-text transcription, which lets you read your messages online, as email or as mobile text messages, is in beta.
9. Listen to your mobile voice mail messages as audio files. It's almost routine for VoIP users to be able to receive their voice mail messages as email. It's a little trickier to do so with mobile voice mail, since mobile users are likely to be away from their computers. One popular way of getting voice mail more conveniently than through dialing into an automated key-press system involves using a smartphone with appropriate client software. The service generally sends messages to the handset as a .WAV or other audio file. Other services may send not the audio message itself, but rather a text-based message containing information about who called, providing more detail about the caller than typical cellular "missed call" notifications. Pinger Inc. and YouMail offer different variations on such capabilities, as do the previously noted UC players.
10. Read your voice mail as text. There are also times when it's easier to read messages than listen to them. That's especially true if you spend a lot of time in meetings. Calling and key pressing your way through a voice mail menu could earn you unwanted attention, especially if you have a couple dozen messages in your inbox. A good solution is services that turn your voice mail into text using voice-to-text transcription. That lets you read your messages as email, including mobile email, or as text messages. You may also be able to text a reply that the service will convert to voice and deliver to phones you specify. GotVoice Inc. and MOBIVOX offer such services, and YouMail, as noted above, offers it in beta.
11. Send audio messages other than voice mail. Sometimes you don't want to talk to people, you just want to send them a short message. But most methods for doing so have limitations. For instance, your intended recipient may not have access to email at the moment, and you may not be able to cram everything you want to say into a text message. After setting up an account, Pinger lets you send individuals in your contact list a short spoken message by simply dialing a special number and speaking their name. Record the message, and the person soon receives a text message that says there's an audio message from you. The person dials another special number and can immediately listen to your message. It's perfect for those who have to communicate quickly and efficiently while on the go.
12. Talk to anyone in China without learning Chinese. This one will save you five or 10 years of pricey language lessons. Call a local JAJAH number in China, and say the phrase you desperately want to convey. JAJAH, in partnership with IBM Corp., will translate the phrase. Give your handset to your Chinese companion, who can then hear the phrase in Mandarin Chinese. It costs nothing but the price of a JAJAH VoIP call. In addition to the cost of language lessons, it could save you a fortune in fares. It also works in reverse, which can help you avoid having food the likes of which you weren't expecting appear on your plate in a restaurant.
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