O2 UK has recently begun trialling its newest venture – VoIP (voice-over-IP) services. This will allow customers to use wireless broadband to make calls or write texts via their smarties (both based on Android and iOS).
It has been argued that this is somewhat similar to what Three (3) has been doing when it incorporated Skype into its services.
It has also been said that mobile operators have not been toying too much with VoIP services especially freeware such as Skype because they feared that these would slow down the amount of calls people were making through the networks, thus decreasing call revenue.
The essence of O2’s trial is to allow people to call over its Wi-Fi hubs such as those found in coffee shops or airports.
Head of Consumer Mobile Products at O2, Richard Porter, said:
“This trial will allow us to explore the potential of delivering VoIP services to customers.”
He also stated that he hoped that O2 Connect will see its commercial launch at some point in 2012.
The test which will commence this month will include only a “limited number of people”, who will be invited by the mobile operator itself.
Lest we forget, O2 is currently working on perfecting and expanding its Wi-Fi network.
