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