An article published this week in Wireless Review suggests that the merger between Wi-Fi and VoIP is a ways off (ten months). The short article makes a good point, suggesting that newer access points and phones are about ten months away. Indeed, if one desires the Quality of Service (QoS) algorhythms that are key to the functioning of existing VoIP wire-based systems, it makes sense that newer access points would also have to be deployed, not just Wi-Fi phones. So, perhaps realistically, the Wi-Fi VoIP telephone may take even longer to get into the market and sell as a complimentary product substitute to wire-based VoIP products.

I’m anxious to see. Even if the Wi-Fi (or possibly even Wi-Max) matrimony with VoIP is ten months away — or even two years — there is no question in my mind that at some point these products will compete with mobile customers.

The list of network operators who are embracing VoIP technology in general is growing. As this article explains, Qwest is one of the most enthusiastic in the United States. What about Europe? According to The Register, BT is making a fairly aggressive move. Computer Weekly reports that Deutsche Telekom is also gearing up for deployment.