VoIP for cellphones over WAN may not happen till late '07

Daily Wireless is reporting that carrier-sponsored VoIP functionality won't be integrated into handsets until the next generation of data networks is rolled out- probably towards the end of 2007, they claim. GSM networks need to complete the uplink component of their HSDPA networks, HSUPA, and CDMA carriers will need to upgrade EV-DO to the Revision A standard in order to provide the necessary upload speeds for Internet telephony. DW also reports that Lucent  is working on its own EV-DO Rev. A network along with SIP client software (with help from Samsung) that it claims will bring cellular VoIP to the masses sometime in 2006. Meanwhile, those of us already making Skype calls over current 3G networks are wondering what all the fuss is about. [Horsey graphic via: HSUPA.com]