Conversations surrounding the benefits of IP phones don’t generally include cell or smartphones. But as companies increasingly turn to corporate communications strategies that include seamless collaboration irrespective of location, smartphones have to get smarter to support efficient mobility and become a part of companies’ IP phone systems.

A recent Sprint (News - Alert) announcement suggests the necessary technology has already arrived. The carrier is launching Wi-Fi calling, which will in effect turn selected devices into IP phones. In other words, you can easily leverage your cell phone as an IP phone, eliminating many of the cost constraints typical of the standard mobile contract. To take advantage of the benefits, the user simply needs to be a Sprint customer.

The service will be offered free of charge of all Sprint customers. No new accounts are required as users can keep their existing phone numbers when leveraging IP calling. Calls are then routed over the Internet when connected to the Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need to use the company’s cellular network. This launch is expected to considerably lighten the current load on the cellular network while also increasing call quality.

For those who rely solely on their smartphones to stay connected, this announcement makes the smartphone even smarter, allowing for greater access and capabilities, while also boosting call quality. Sprint anticipates the roll out to include the Galaxy S4 and the Galaxy Mega before IP phone capability is expected on other Android (News - Alert) smartphones available on the carrier’s network.

Interestingly enough, turning cell phones into IP phones is not a new concept. T-Mobile (News - Alert) customers have had this capability for a number of years, yet corporate environments are still adopting the all IP approach to staying connected and merging it with mobility. As this trend continues, it’s likely the demand for extending IP phone capabilities will grow and manufacturers will follow suit. 

For Sprint, the network may be prepping its service to augment an upcoming roll out of its HD Voice over LTE (News - Alert) service. As the carrier launches this new platform, 2G voice will be phased out. Such a strategy is likely to be seen across other carrier networks as quality, flexibility and agility in collaboration will gain increased importance in corporate communications.