It's been on blogs for some months now, ever since someone influential on the technology blogosphere uttered what looked far-fetched but sensational, "VoIP is dead!" I couldn't care less, but after having read here and there, I'd like to throw in my two cents about it.

Analysts are sensing a slowdown on VoIP demand, mainly among SMBs. So, according to them, VoIP died because, among others, Vonage has been spotted as the only surviving pure-play VoIP provider, and we know that Vonage came back from the dead some time back, in a field of fallen VoIP companies; because these so-called carcasses are termed by some as having represented mediocrity and marginal ideas; because VoIP will fade out in the dark into behind-the-curtain mechanism like TCP-IP did some years back; because subsequently, VoIP is simply 'plumbing'; because VoIP largely relies on PSTN, which limits its full potential; etc. Finally, some squarely declared 2008 'the year VoIP died'. "Really?" I ask.

One reasoning I stand by is that VoIP is part of a continuum that involves other multimedia elements (think of IPTV, faxing etc.), and that Unified Communications may in some way overpower it, and why not, empower it too in the process. Acceptable also is the idea that 'VoIP is not dead, but just not sexy anymore', and if there is no innovation, it can fade away. But then, for the other side of the coin, think about, for example, how Nortel sees the future of VoIP, or the fact that nearly half of all IT companies worldwide have adopted VoIP, or still Verizon's recent decision to go all VoIP, leaving the copper behind. How about you? Do you think VoIP is dead? Take the poll:

Android-based Google phone G1 should this week have a Skype lite version for direct VoIP communication. No Wi-Fi or 3G will be required, as the application will use the GSM network to connect to the closest Skype server, as I explained in that last blog. Here is a video demo of Skype running on G1.

The G1 phone is worth mentioning among a hundred or so devices that so far can host the Skype lite application as it is aligned among some of those in the limelight, with Apple's iPhone leading the way; speaking of which, it will have to wait before getting its own version of Skype lite. Some skeptical users believe this is not going to happen as long as AT&T is the carrier. But Apple people hinted it was under development. In the meantime, Truphone has updated its product to allow iPhone and iPod Touch users to make Skype calls through its application.

Related Content:

• VoIP On The iPhone
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• Is Skype Still The Best?

I wrote last year about Skype finally getting really mobile, but at that time, it was still lagging well behind the key players in mobile VoIP, with support for only a handful of handsets. Skype just launched this week its lite version in Beta that runs on Java machines, and is supported on nearly a hundred mobile phones and handsets. That should make mobile VoIP available to millions more of Skype users.

Besides the enlarged device set, the mobility too has so much improved that it challenges competitors like Yeigo and Fring. Skype Lite does not require Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity to place calls - it uses the GSM carrier to do so. This implies that users can make Skype calls anywhere they get GSM coverage. This will also imply, on the other hand, that no call will be completely free (as would have been the case with a PC) since the mobile plan (GSM part before switching to an IP network on one of Skype's servers) will be charged, even on a Skype-to-Skype call. That's why Skype recommends users to avoid using this outside the reach of their local carrier (like e.g. abroad). Read more

When speaking of 3G to people, you are likely to get many funny definitions for it, such as: 3G phones are those with 3 Gigabytes of memory, or 3G phones are those that have two cameras, one in front and one at the back. It is true that 3G is most of the time associated with mobile phones, but it is not exclusively reserved for them.

3G stands for 3rd Generation, representing a different power in wireless technologies. It is a wireless technology (some people call it a mobile phone standard) that has such enhanced features as high-speed transmission, advanced multimedia access and global roaming. In short, it allows you to get IP access while being mobile with your wireless device. It has the advantage over Wi-Fi of not being limited to a few dozen meters. In the context of VoIP, 3G is a great tool for making free or cheap calls worldwide. Read more on 3G.

Related content:

• How To Make Free or Cheap Mobiles Phones Worldwide
• VoIP for the iPhone 3G
• VoIP for BlackBerry Handsets