FAQs

Wi-Fi is pervasive and popular wireless networking technology, with hundreds of millions of users worldwide. Voice over Wi-Fi allows a user to take advantage of Wi-Fi as the wireless technology for the home and place voice calls over Wi-Fi networks - based on VoIP services provided typically by telecom carriers or broadband service providers.

The Voice-Personal certification program addresses the correct operation of WMM for Quality of Service and tests the performance of Wi-Fi devices when carrying voice traffic, using exacting performance thresholds appropriate for voice traffic.  Devices that support voice over Wi-Fi and are Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Voice-Personal allow the home and small office user to use the Wi-Fi network as a voice network, instead of, or in addition to, landline or existing cellular technologies.

The planned Voice-Enterprise certification program will address network management issues in large corporate networks.

Femtocells are being suggested as a way for carriers to extend the reach of cellular networks into the home, for places where the coverage of the existing cellular network might not be as strong.   Wi-Fi networks offer the flexibility of allowing the user to choose from a wide variety of VoIP offerings, including technologies like Skype and service providers like Vonage, as well as cellular offerings based on UMA like that offered by T-Mobile.  Proven Wi-Fi networks allow the user to connect across a variety of Wi-Fi enabled devices in the home or small office.