VoIP UK traffic could be boosted by mobile broadband expansion

Using VoIP solutions on the move in the UK is set to become more practical, with two of the country's leading mobile operators set to expand their mobile broadband network.

T-Mobile UK and 3 UK recently announced plans to complete their joint network infrastructure upgrade by the end of 2010.

The companies' joint 3G network is set to reach 98 per cent outdoor coverage across the UK after being awarded a £400 million contract to help provide infrastructure and planning.

The widespread availability of 3G coverage would make it more practical for UK smartphone, netbook and tablet computer users to adopt IP telephony solutions as their primary means of communication.

Stéphane Téral, principal analyst for mobile and FMC infrastructure at Infonetics Research, said that telecom companies "want to migrate as many existing 2G and 2.5G subscribers to 3G [as possible]".

Mobile network operators "need to provide [existing subscribers] with the same coverage as that of 2G and 2.5G", which is motivating them to upgrade their 3G networks, Mr Téral explained.

Using VoIP phones via 3G networks can be as cost-effective as any other means of communication if you are already a 3G user, Nadeem's Voice Over IP Blog said recently.