Japan to launch mobile VoIP network

Japan is working on a voice over IP network for mobiles, according to reports.

The high-speed, low-cost network could be up and running by 2007, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications said.

The network, which will be used for voice and data, is under review by government officials, with a final decision on the mobile VoIP network expected to be reached by December.

The VoIP speeds could potentially reach around 15Mbps, government officials said, although such speeds are not likely to be available when the service is being used by a significant number of mobiles.

Operators have so far been reluctant to consider mobile VoIP (wVoIP), preferring to milk their sizeable investments in 3G technologies.

However, analysts have suggested that VoIP could potentially shape up to be a threat to traditional mobile connectivity by offering higher speeds and cheaper calls.

Research firm Analysys found that last year, 143,000 Wi-Fi VoIP handsets were sold and predicts such phones will start to see significant take-up from mid-2006.