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As much as we rely on Internet connectivity in our work and everyday lives, there are still mysteries to the technology. For instance, if the Web is an open and free movement of data, shouldn’t VoIP calls fall into the same category? Should businesses assume that their calls should be free when supported across this medium?

It’s an easy assumption to make, especially in an environment where regulation is met with fierce adversaries. When it comes to the corporate VoIP connection, however, the evolution of a regulatory framework was good for business. A recent NetworkWorld piece examined the differences. If yours is a VoIP environment and you hope to adopt mobile VoIP capabilities, it’s important to understand the best way to protect your business communications.

For users in North America and across the E.U., any VoIP connection that leverages the PSTN is regulated. And to quiet any assumptions, yes it is about money. This regulation is in place to ensure legacy carriers receive fair compensation for the use of their networks. Business users still get lower cost telephony, but in an environment where the VoIP connection has to adhere to legacy standards, which is a good thing when quality is a concern.

By comparison, VoIP that is not regulated does not touch the PSTN and therefore has no requirements placed upon it. Skype (News - Alert) leverages this type of connection, allowing users to communicate PC-to-PC. And while businesses do make use of such technology options at times, the free method is not always preferred when quality connections are a must. Plus, the limited features and lack of integration capabilities leave a lot to be desired.

If you’re competing in parts of the world that incorporate both regulated and unregulated VoIP, the experience for your users and those you are connecting with can vary greatly. If you partner with a proven provider that can support your communication efforts seamlessly, you can avoid these problems and focus on running your business. The key is understanding the questions you need to ask and how it will play out in real use.

Taking that one step further, you also have to assess how a provider can support your focus on mobility. Whether you are using mobile solutions now or not, they will likely be a requirement in the future if you hope to compete. Can you leverage mobile VoIP as an extension of the corporate network, or will you have to select a completely different vendor and implement patches to ensure seamless connectivity?

These are questions that you need to ask if you hope to gain the most value from your mobile VoIP deployments. There are benefits to be had, but you have to know where to find them.