Integrating Cellular and VoIP Services Using In-Home Wireless Technologies
Cellular subscribers in the U.S. and elsewhere are increasingly using their cell phones at home,
where cellular networks traditionally have relatively poor coverage. A trend towards wireless
substitution for wireline telephony will likely drive home-based usage even further. In order to
meet the rapidly increasing capacity demands in residential areas, cellular carriers are faced with
the expensive and time-consuming proposition of building out new transmission capacity. An
alternative solution to this problem, however, appears to be possible through the use of in-home
wireless technologies as the over-the-air interface for cell phones within the home. Integration
with a Broadband Voice over IP network provides a signaling and transport mechanism for the
voice traffic, as well as enables a variety of interesting features.