VoIP solutions can avoid voice charges

Mobile users are increasingly able to avoid the cost of traditional voice plans by adopting IP telephony solutions, Gizmodo has said.

Mobile data, which transmits VoIP traffic, now often costs less than even the cheapest voice subscription, according to the gadget guide.

"Voice is less and less of a priority," Wilson Rothman, features editor at Gizmodo, said, because "Wi-Fi now handles most of our needs, even when we are out and about".

"Our phones are increasingly communicators and computers, yet we still buy a 'phone' with a voice plan, and then tack on data service," he added.

Mobile operators are reluctant to accept that "voice is not the number one priority anymore" because they fear "becoming anonymous conduits for other people's cool content and services", Mr Rothman explained.

However, "we're willing to enrich our beloved providers in other ways", as more and more devices are being connected to wireless networks and tiered data plan pricing is already expected.

VoIP solutions will replace traditional mobile phone voice plans when 4G wireless technologies are introduced, IT market research company Yankee Group said recently.