Mobile VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) telephony offers lower rates and portability, especially for businesses in diverse locations.

As the technology advances, wireless VoIP phones are acquiring more features, eventually rivaling and then surpassing traditional analog business office telephone networks. Traditional business office phone network features now available for VoIP mobile services include:

1. PBX (Private Branch Exchange) linking multiple employee extensions along with incoming and outgoing calls within one telephone system
2. Ethernet ports enabling connectivity to LANs (Local Area Networks)
3. Speaker phone
4. An automated receptionist function that switches between an incoming mobile VoIP call and an outgoing call, connecting these calls to conference calls and more
5. Wi-Fi connectivity
6. Voicemail
7. Fixed Mobile Convergence, or the ability to switch back and forth between landline calls and mobile VoIP calls

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

For more technical information, visit websites of mobile VoIP technology developers for business

Websites of leading mobile VoIP providers may include lists of 'partners' that are wireless VoIP developers.

I recommend: Telecommunication equipment manufacturer Nortel Networks has a website that includes a list of mobile VoIP developer partners and contact information. Mobile VoIP hardware and software developer CounterPath Corporation has a list of "Interoperable Products" for its Bria and eyeBeam softphone products. Microsoft Corporation offers Microsoft Response Point, the software giant's mobile VoIP-compatible small business phone system. Microsoft Response Point has partnered with telephony hardware developers, such as Syspine Digital Operator Phone System.

Find developers of higher-end VoIP for mobile business offices

Mobile VoIP features, like virtual PBX, give small to medium-sized businesses the telephone functionality of larger businesses.

I recommend: Digium, Inc. is a key developer of IP PBX business phone technologies compatible with mobile VoIP call smartphone features. BROADSOFT, another leading Mobile PBX developer, includes its BroadWorks Receptionist feature that can transfer and set up remote conferences for incoming mobile VoIP calls. Sprint offers Mobile Extension, a mobile VoIP development partnership between Sprint, Nextel, and Research In Motion (Blackberry). Their mobile VoIP products include mobile PBX as well as other business office-specific telephony services.

Visit mobile VoIP developer websites specializing in Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) products

Some business users may prefer mobile VoIP services and products that include both landline and mobile phone to Internet connectivity.

I recommend: Centrepoint Technologies has TalkSwitch, a phone system that specializes in developing FMC phone products, with a focus on Remote Extensions. CounterPath Corporation develops Fixed Mobile Convergence phone products, as well as more cost-conscious wireless VoIP products.

Visit mobile VoIP developers of mobile VoIP products that don't require an Internet connection

For mobile business users who still don't yet trust Internet connectivity, there are mobile VoIP products for you.

I recommend: A leading manufacturer of computer networking equipment, NETGEAR offers its SPH200W Wi-Fi phone enabled with Skype Limited, a software product that allows business users to make free or low-cost VoIP calls over a network. Software Cellular Network Ltd offers Truphone, a mobile VoIP service provider, and has developed its Truphone Anywhere service geared to mobile-only users.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Note that Netgear Skype free calls are only available to other Skype users.
• •  Since mobile VoIP is an emerging technology, bugs and glitches may occur more often than with a traditional landline business phone system.