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As consumers and professionals alike become increasingly mobile, there need to be solutions available to meet the growing demand. One of the biggest challenges isn’t a lack of available services or applications; instead companies sometimes struggle to let go of the traditional phone system. Sometimes it’s a connection to the way they’ve always done things; in other cases it’s a matter of investment.

Still, companies are embracing the opportunities afforded with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) due to the cost and efficiency benefits. But how does this technology blend in with the need to support the mobile worker? In many cases, it requires the adoption of a mobile VoIP strategy that allows for the necessary access, while still protecting the user and the network.

It’s a challenging task, one that not all companies are ready to undertake. Its one thing for the residential location to embrace VoIP as it’s a simple switch. For the larger enterprise, however, there are still benefits enjoyed with the landline that VoIP has yet to match. This is especially true in situations where companies have built a strong brand presence with the use of toll free numbers. Shifting mid-campaign is a risk.

As reliable as the traditional telephone line has been throughout the years, the Federal Communications Commission has recognized that this dependability is waning. Phone (News - Alert) lines are deteriorating and training for technicians rarely focuses on maintaining antiquated technology. These challenges led to the creation of the National Broadband Plan to extend broadband capability to all Americans.

In response, even the largest of landline providers are seeking to change their infrastructure to meet this demand and better accommodate new technologies. AT&T is at the forefront and has already petitioned the FCC (News - Alert) for permissions to start the transition away from traditional switched-circuit phone systems toward all-Internet and wireless.

For businesses ready to embrace the change in available technology, they really have two choices: VoIP or an all mobile system. Both have their pros and cons, but the good news is they are not mutually exclusive. Companies can embrace a mobile strategy that includes VoIP. The deployment of all VoIP internally can extend to the mobile worker in the field.

The two main reasons companies are turning to VoIP is the ability to streamline communications and eliminate the need to manage the system in-house. When this capability is extended to the mobile professional, the company is able to realize the full benefits of the VoIP connection, including streamlined costs and consistent performance. If a customer calls the office to reach a particular person, the call is easily transferred to a mobile device in another state. The experience is seamless for both parties.

Whether mobile employees travel throughout the world or simply want to present a consistent experience for the customer, mobile VoIP satisfies the need. If you’ve implemented VoIP internally without a mobile element, you’re missing a key benefit.