Cisco offers mobile VoIP to carriers

It may be a case of "if you can't beat them, join them" as Cisco partners with iSkoot to offer a mobile-VoIP solution to carriers. The iSkoot software allows users to make and receive VoIP calls using only their regular cell phones. It eliminates the need for special hardware, headsets, microphones, broadband connections, USB phones and PCs. Nor do consumers need to go looking for a WiFi hotspot. 

The integration of iSkoot's technology into Cisco's carrier-class switches follows several successful international deployment tests as part of 3's rollout of Skype services on its mobile network. The partnership with Cisco enables carriers to offer VoIP and other IP phone services to mobile customers at a time where the rapid take up of third-party mobile-VoIP services threatens the profitability of cellular networks. iSkoot is pitching its partnership with Cisco as a means of exploiting the demand for wireless VoIP.

"While the billions of PC calling minutes currently circumvent the cellular network, iSkoot can redirect this traffic and channel new, additional air-time minutes onto the mobile network," says iSkoot's vision statement. "iSkoot gives mobile operators a competitive edge by offering the next killer cell phone application. Internet telephony is the next frontier for the mobile operator, and the next must-have feature among cell phone users."

For more:
- ISkoot and Cisco partner mobile VoIP Release [1]

Related articles:
iSkoot was a FierceWireless Top 15 [2] company in 2007
3 and Skype launch new 3 Skypephone Report [3]