Is VoIP the killer app of the Internet? Well, some think that it’s the “killer” app, all right, since it can potentially spell the demise of traditional telecommunications companies. VoIP is now challenging the dominance of telcos by giving clients dirt-cheap calling rates (and sometimes even free) with many added features and services. What’s great is that VoIP can also go mobile, with VoWiFi, or Voice-over Wireless Fidelity, the current set of standards in wireless networking.

VoWiFi is still in its infancy, as VoIP is. There are only a handful of VoWiFi phones, mostly from manufacturers of networking gear. But when a major cellular manufacturer gets into the game, then telcos are likely to take things more seriously. Top mobile phone manufacturer Nokia is said to be developing a phone that has built-in support for WiFi and popular VoIP networks. Now that’s something telcos should be afraid of.

Whatever the turnout, we can expect the consumers to turn out as the winners. We can expect better services (calling, messaging, and even video!) at low prices, with the competition further lowering the prices. VoIP, along with WiFi, can indeed change the telecom industry landscape.