Big savings can be made for large and small companies with the purchase of Mobile phones with integrated VOIP / WIFI / Web Access and if they are the hybrid WiFi / GSM even while technology is still in it's infancy you can get the best of both worlds.

With the release of dual network mobiles they will not only be able to take advantage of VoIP but also GSM so the device can easily switch between both modes depending on connectivity.

WiFi VoIP not only offers better voice quality, but it also allows video conferencing and other data services like instant messaging.

There are a few solely WiFi phones on the market at current including Skype's Netgear VoIP mobile who are charging $300 for their phone, the other makers include Belkin, Edge-Core and SMC all to be released in September time.

Two of the current dual connectivity phones due on the market are the GW1 GSM/WiFi phone complete with MP3 playback, IPTV, web browsing and POP3 e-mail, and a phone called the E28 made by a company called E28 limited, both phones are set to be on the market this year but with high demand for dual mode phones will these two please consumers?

Most of these mobiles are being produced by Japan and china, a personal favourite awaiting release is the Sandgate VP.

Like anything in its growing stages their are bound to be problems to overcome for wide spread use, major companies such as Cisco Systems are promoting this technology. The large phone companies such as Motorola, Samsung and Nokia are all planning to introduce these new phones in GSM/WiFi Dual mode connectivity. Samsung has already begun selling a Dual mode phone in Italy called the Samsung P200.

The only problem these phones hold is a major threat to the cell phone companies, it however offers great savings to the consumers which is why of course the cell phone companies are worried, Providers like verizon wireless are not following the VoIP path as yet saying they do not want unhappy customers who are getting poor service at a hotspot and saying Verizon is responsible.

The cell phone companies have invested billions in networks of cell towers and are certainly worried about consumers using WiFi in favour of these towers.

Fon a company based in Spain is trying to hurry the coverage of wireless by selling wireless routers cheap to anyone who agrees to let other people access their connection by paying an access fee. The company has been backed by Google and Skype.

Although as many with wireless devices have already discovered, WiFi is something that you do not always have to pay for you can sometimes just find a wireless connection in the area, this can be someone purposefully or unintentionally leaving their wireless access point unsecured, meaning you can access the wireless points in some places you would not expect to.

Currently a few companies are already using WiFi phone technology to cut down costs within the business. It should not be long till these phones reach the consumer market.

With the advances of WIFI phones using VOIP possibly the first to see the real benefits will be companies with existing WiFi enabled routers currently installed throughout the organisation at a number of offices.

Some company’s mobile phone bills in the tech industry or service industries are a major burden, so the combination of WIFI VOIP Mobiles together with Internet access and personal organiser will be the way to go.

They will be able to use VoIP calls through your their own PBX, to collect e-mail, upload data and make good use of time management.

The new mobile devices could become the universal business tool which once purchased costs next to nothing to run and use.

Implementation of these mobiles across a company is reasonably easy as long a wireless facility is available and the cost savings will heavily outweigh the cost spent on purchasing this future technology.

The devices will be packed with functions that were until now unusable such as Internet TV, universal e-mail pickup and instant messaging with a program like MSN messenger.

Unlike many other new technology released in the last few years the latest releases of hybrid VOIP / GSM phones will allow companies to introduce the technology much earlier as the cell phone can pick up the slack for poor distribution of WIFI using GSM.

We are only just at the start of this technology but many of the things from the world of Science / Fiction this new technology can make happen for example all calls could be made with video and sound.

For those who are not fully conversant with terminology

VOIP = Voice Over Internet Protocol
WIFI = Wireless Fidelity
Cell = Traditional service mobile phones currently used where each minute incoming and outgoing is paid for.
GSM = Global System for Mobile Communications