VoIP mobility solutions still growing in popularity

Aastra’s recent announcement of the 312W 802.11 b/g wireless VoIP phone last week is the latest in a growing number of mobility solutions for VoIP users.

As Cory Andrews pointed out in his 2009 WiFi VoIP phone round-up, as soon as some manufacturers pulled out of the wireless VoIP game, new ones have entered. And the new offerings in this space aren’t just of the 802.11 b/g variety – DECT is also growing in popularity.

Manufacturers don’t usually release new products unless there is a need and demand. So who are those in need driving the growth of these mobility solutions?

Not surprisingly, the customers are all over the place.

From the home user looking to replace their legacy cordless handset to the enterprise executive who spends their days all over the corporate campus, mobility solutions are increasingly coming up in conversations.

And with good reason.

Wireless VoIP technology has continued to evolve and today is  much more reliable than it was even two years ago. Price points for end points and associated infrastructure have also fallen making them much more accessible.

Sprinkle in the ever increasing “work from anywhere” (even inside your own building) sentiments and it is no wonder VoIP mobility solution offerings are continuing to pop-up.

The story of the growth of VoIP mobility solutions isn’t complete though. There is still a lot of debate over which technology, 802.11 or DECT, will eventually win out as the dominate technology.

Having used both technologies extensively, DECT has won me over.

But given the continued investment in 802.11 solutions by manufacturers, 802.11 isn’t dead. And with demand continuing to grow there is seems to be room for both.

Or will there be?