WiMAX-enabled VoIP phone showcased at Mobile World Congress

Ridiculous quantities of 3G handsets weren't the only things showed off at this year's Mobile World Congress -- oh no, NetIndex, Kaga Electronics and Runcom shook up the norm a bit with their WiMAX-enabled portable VoIP phone. Reportedly, the trio joined forces to develop a VoIP handset that utilized a 802.16e module, and aside from "realizing all-IP voice communication," it also sports a web browser and integrated WiFi for times when a plain ole hotspot will do. Sadly, we've no idea where this thing will go after it leaves Barcelona (nor what it looks like), but here's to hoping it makes a commercial debut -- and can decide on a single logo -- in the not-too-distant future.

[w00t @ Feb 14th 2008 4:30PM]

Wouldn't it be great if the only wireless service you paid for was a high speed WiMax internet connection and you could use any mobile VoIP device with any provider you wanted just like fixed VoIP?

It'll never happen, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who wants to see an end to these ridiculous 18-24 month contracts and handset/provider lock-in...

[kempcross @ Feb 14th 2008 4:51PM]

Agreed.

[Deadley @ Feb 14th 2008 6:28PM]

I don't think it is dreaming.

Currently, I am rocking an all VoIP setup (three numbers including a 1-800 number) at the ridiculously low rate of

[ethana2 @ Feb 14th 2008 11:00PM]

It will happen. They won't get me to pay for anything fancy until then. What they're doing now is wrong.

data = data = data. I'll use whatever connection i have to to realize that.
Right now I'm using clearwire in anchorage. Skype works fine.

[CraigJ @ Feb 14th 2008 4:56PM]

That's what I want in the iPhone. Just give me mobile broadband and let me use my Vonage account. Hell, if it's fast enough, I don't need the cable company either. I'd gladly pay $100 a month for nationwide mobile broadband of at least 5 mb. I could cancel my AT&T account ($75+) and my Cox account Internet ($50), have a single phone number, etc.

Dreaming, I know.