August 19th, 2005
Block off the old chips: here comes a single-chip VoIP handset solution
VoIP wireless handset sales are filtering down from mainly systems-integrator enterprise distribution and use to the shelves of consumer electronics retailers.
To achieve major penetration, and really kick-start a move away from today’s phone-router-PC model, VoIP handset prices need to come down to the point that they won’t be a separate ticket item. They’ll need to come down in price to the point where VoIP service providers will be able to assume the cost, and offer you such a handset if you sign up.
Since part of the cost of manufacturing these handsets is chip-related, the more efficient and integrated the chips the better. That’s the impact of new products such as the 88W8618 system-on-a-chip just announced by Marvell Technology Group.
Marvell says it is currently offering the chip to key manufacturers and service providers for testing.
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
