VoIP phones 'to be fitted with GPS'

The roll-out of GPS technology on voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phones around the world looks set to gather pace.

A report issued by the Ministry of Economic Development in New Zealand said there is a need for the location-aware solution to be added to the latest mobiles and other communications devices, reported Computerworld.

It is said that the primary reason for this is to allow VoIP phones to work in the event of a natural disaster or other gloomy situation.

Although such an upgrade is likely to be costly, it will be worth it to ensure VoIP's reliability is extended further. Currently, GPS is mandatory in the US.

Once GPS is added to the phones, those answering calls at the emergency services will be able to work out exactly where a person is without them having to give an address.

Mobile VoIP users in the UK were recently given a boost by BT, which announced there are now more than 3.5 million Wi-Fi hotspots available to them in the country.