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Voice Over IP On Wireless Mesh

Posted by timothy on from the network-is-the-network dept.

infractor writes "ZDNet is reporting that the Linux based LocustWorld Mesh system now has SIP routing at every node. The LocustWorld boxes have been widely used in community broadband projects where DSL is not available, so successfully that they have been seen as a threat to next generation mobile networks. With the addition of VoIP support, these mesh networks can now compete with the telcos on voice as well as data services. More details here."

7 of 109 comments (clear)

  1. Wireless VoIP isn't feasible yet... by mindless4210 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    With the addition of VoIP support, these mesh networks can now compete with the telcos on voice as well as data services.

    I would have to disagree with that comment. Yes, these networks can now provide voice services, but they cannot effectively compete. In reality, wireless VoIP is still being developed and will most likely not be of acceptable quality for another year or so. Mainly, latency is the biggest issue to be conquered at this time. I think until they are able to reduce latency times significantly in these applications, it won't be widely accepted. It's just too frustrating when theres a couple seconds in between speaking and hearing a response from the other person.

    Furthermore, while a mesh network can still carry a high data rate, the high number of hops to a wired connection from some locations along the network could make talking over VoIP rather unbearable. I imagine that on a larger mesh network you could experience latency upwards of 1000 ms.

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    1. Re:Wireless VoIP isn't feasible yet... by LOL+WTF+OMG!!!!!!!!! · · Score: 5, Informative

      Mainly, latency is the biggest issue to be conquered at this time.

      I live in Los Angeles and communicate with an FWD SIP with which I call a conference in Japan almost daily. Latency with that is very low, and that's with a free service!

      I really don't latency is the problem as much as it is making the technology easier to use for the average joe ( X-Lite is NOT easy to set up if you have router ).

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    2. Re:Wireless VoIP isn't feasible yet... by kennybain · · Score: 5, Informative

      In the real world, this isn't the case. You have multiple uplinks into the "wired" interent, so you are only going 3 or 4 hops into the mesh. Ping times to the internet never exceed 100ms on a properly designed mesh network. I use Packet8 over my network... http://www.fastlineinternet.com , we are the first US deployment of the LocustWorld system. So this is a voice of experience.

  2. Where's the beef? by Brento · · Score: 5, Informative

    If it supports SIP, it's not obvious from their downloads. Their ISOs haven't been updated since 2002...

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  3. Quality by lukewarmfusion · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Compete? Maybe not. Remember when NPR discussed this and one of the callers started having problems - right in the middle of his praise for VoIP?

    That said, I'm anxious to find an inexpensive way to replace my $90 cell, $50 broadband cable, and $40 landline. If I can cut these bills down significantly (by using my broadband to provide my landline) I'd be happy. And I'd bet that most bill-paying consumers would be too.

  4. This is precisely by iminplaya · · Score: 5, Interesting

    the kind of "wireless internet" that I have been babbling about in other threads. This is what can liberate us from corporate control of internet access. I want to see this "wireless cloud" cover the planet. The latency issues will be worked out. In the meantime, this is great for "little" community internets where latency is not that bad. Even if they can't access the net at large, they can communicate, completely free from interference from the gov't, with each other. Maybe (hopefully) it can bring about completely anonymous, untracable communications. Just because it's not codified into law, anonymity is a right, and anything that can bring it about is a good thing.

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  5. my greatest dream by ericbrow · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I've always thought that this should be. Wouldn't it be great if wireless networking were as easy to come by as electricty, but without the wires.

    I know it's a little communistic in thinking, but I really believe that to gain true freedom of information, we need to make the information superhighway free to use.

    While I know many problems would have to be worked out, like security, but it would change everything. Imagine every student being able to turn in assignments anywhere. Imagine doctors being able to monitor patients real-time, as they were being rushed to the emergency room. Yes it would put the telcos and cable companies in an uproar. But I think that would be the price of progress.