Seamless Roaming Nears Reality: Page 5 of 5

Without VCC, any approach to seamless call handoff between multiple access domains would be proprietary. But the standard falls short in addressing key features, such as data-session maintenance and supplementary service support, and offers only a simplistic roaming algorithm. For enterprises that require PBX integration, VCC as an architecture is a nonstarter, but carrier support of an FMC standard means that there will be a multitude of SIP-savvy dual-mode handsets. Although UMA has just begun, sales of UMA-capable dual-mode handsets by Nokia and LG have blown by those of single-mode Wi-Fi only handsets. Handset vendors will compete to integrate lower-powered radios and extend battery life, all built around a SIP-based voice solution, and enterprises will benefit.

In the meantime, businesses looking for seamless voice solutions today will need to look toward proprietary solutions from the likes of DiVitas Networks, FirstHand and Siemens.

Frank Bulk is an Nwc Contributing Technology Editor and works for a midwest-based telecommunications company. Write to him at [email protected]