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Access to better call quality, streamlined operations and a lower communications bill – it’s not a long list, but it’s one that is hard to satisfy without access to the right tools. Fortunately, companies looking to realize all of these benefits can implement voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and an increasing number are doing so every day.

As VoIP demand continues to grow, another trend is taking firm hold: Mobility. Consumers embraced the opportunity to rid themselves of the confinement of the landline and businesses are following suit. Their employees are picking up the smartphone and hitting the road, meeting clients in the field and making things happen outside of the traditional environment.

Now, companies are examining ways to make these two concepts work well together. In the process, they’re embracing mobile VoIP, taking some of the same benefits VoIP provides in the corporate environment and applying them to the mobile professional. In other words, the streamlined process, access through network-based applications and calls over Wi-Fi are all enabled with mobile VoIP.

Wanting these benefits and enjoying them, however, are two different things. Companies do have to embrace a migration of some sorts to enjoy the benefits afforded with mobile VoIP. For some, that means a complete overhaul of the telecommunications system. While daunting, the IT teams leading the charge know the rising costs of traditional service is more than they want to bear and are considering Internet-based options.

At the same time, Michigan-based companies may not have landline communications as an option in the near future. Why? The Michigan Legislature is considering a bill that would set the stage for phone companies to effectively phase out traditional landline service by 2017, making VoIP the primary option for many. With support for mobile VoIP, these companies can easily embrace the opportunity to enjoy lower cost communications that also allow for the integration of mobile into next-generation technologies.

Let’s take a look at the numbers and why legislative changes are not the only thing driving potential change. The number of telecommuters in the market is expected to jump 21 percent to 3.9 million by 2016, according to Global Workplace Analytics. Mobile VoIP enables mobile professionals to leverage the same devices they use on a regular basis to access the corporate-supported communication platform for all their needs.

In other words, they’re taking VoIP with them and enjoying the benefits of the free call. With access to VoIP on both platforms, will it kill voice communications completely? It is helping to decentralize the market as companies embrace the use of the Ethernet and software to stay connected. As this same capability has moved to the smartphone, it could render the in-house VoIP phone obsolete. Do mobile professionals want to be that connected?

It appears the answer is, “Yes” as carriers are even embracing this shifting landscape, augmenting their mobile broadband networks with small cells and Wi-Fi offloads. Wireless carriers and telecommunications companies are shifting into the role of data brokers and opportunities will be found in smart and embedded devices that allow the user to take communications to the next level.

Mobile VoIP is still is its infancy, but like the momentum VoIP has enjoyed over the past few years, we’re likely to see the same out of the mobile space. Professionals and consumers alike are embracing the opportunities they enjoy on the go and mobile VoIP sweetens the pot.