| A wireless IP Phone can be described as a | | | | WLAN and public wireless network. Mobile PCs such |
| sophisticated, next generation mobile IP communication | | | | as laptops and palmtops can be carried anywhere and |
| device. The concept of Wireless IP Phone originated | | | | can run on various applications but they lack the |
| due to the spread of Wireless LAN (WLAN) in | | | | compact portability of cellular phones. Public wireless |
| business organizations. | | | | networks such as cellular phones cover wide |
| It integrates the regular IP phone with wireless | | | | geographical areas but have limited data bandwidth. |
| installations and facilitates parallel voice and data | | | | Therefore, the new models of Wireless IP Phones are |
| support to enterprise desktops on the same wireless | | | | developed combining the open architecture of laptops |
| prop. The technology supports not just the standard | | | | and the easy portability of cellular handset so that they |
| packet-switch IP telephones but also the traditional | | | | can switch to public wireless network after coming out |
| circuit-switch PBX (Private Branch Exchange) | | | | of the purview of WLAN. There will not be any |
| interfaces. Primarily developed to be used within the | | | | interruption in service during the switch. |
| offices, it combines the cost-effectiveness of an IP | | | | The Wireless IP Phone works on battery and needs to |
| Phone and the convenience of a mobile phone. | | | | be charged just like a regular cellular phone. Older |
| Originally the wireless IP Phones were not intended to | | | | models battery requires greater power; talk time and |
| replace the traditional mobile phones but were meant | | | | stand by time are also lower than those offered by a |
| to be used exclusively within a restricted environment | | | | regular cellular phone. But the latest models claim to be |
| like the premises of a business organization or a | | | | on par with regular cellular phones and offer similar |
| house. The earlier models work only through WLAN | | | | features like caller ID, call hold and transfer, conference |
| which has limited geographic application. The range of | | | | calls, selectable ring tones, phone book etc. |
| operation, both indoor and outdoor, of the phone would | | | | However, security is the major problem. Signals are |
| depend on the capacity of the hardware providing the | | | | broadcast over the air in the wireless system and can |
| wireless access and it goes without saying that | | | | be easily intercepted by outsiders who are within the |
| performance would deteriorate with distance. | | | | range of reception. Wireless link must be secured to |
| The latest models are designed to support both | | | | avoid such risks. |