Mobile VoIP is becoming more and more popular among consumers and business organizations. The ubiquity of Wi-Fi hotspots and the faster speeds of mobile data networks using 4G LTE technology have undoubtedly contributed to this phenomenon. Many people appreciate the convenience of being able to make VoIP calls from a mobile device, no matter where they are, as long as they have a decent Internet connection.

Most phones sold in the US are locked to a particular telecom carrier. This means that the phone can only be used on the particular network owned by the carrier where the phone was purchased. Consumers may not use the same device on another network, even if the device is technically capable of operating on that network. Similarly, if a person travels to another country, the device cannot be used with a local network. You have to buy a new cheap phone or pay roaming charges.

The reason telecom operators block phones on their network is simple: they don’t want their customers to switch to another provider that offers better services or lower prices. They offer phones at lower prices in exchange for higher monthly rates spread over a two-year contract. Naturally, they don’t want customers to leave before the contract ends, which would be possible if the phones weren’t locked.

With locked phones, consumers are tied to their carrier. Although they can download VoIP applications and make calls, they still have to pay the monthly charges for traditional voice service. Phone lock also allows carriers to dictate which apps can be used on their network. For example, some carriers restrict the use of FaceTime and Hangouts on their data networks while allowing their use on Wi-Fi. If the customer doesn’t like it, they can’t switch providers as their phones are locked to that network for the duration of the contract. .

It’s not hard to imagine a similar scenario where carriers restrict the use of VoIP applications on their networks, since the more people use VoIP, the less money they can make selling standard calling plans. They could even start charging for allowing VoIP calls on their networks, meaning businesses could have to pay more for VoIP: once to their VoIP service provider, once for the data connection, and once more for permission. to use VoIP calls on the operator’s network. .

While unlocked phones are definitely more expensive than locked phones, they offer more flexibility in how they can be used. In the long run, they are a better option to secure the future of mobile VoIP.