Cell phones and VoIP are two major communication technologies that contribute to the growth of a global communication skin - a layered networks of communication channels that allows everyone to connect to everyone else at every location at anytime. Most consumers are familiar with cell phones and use them everyday. But they may not know as much as you like to know about VoIP. VoIP is the acronym of Voice over Internet Protocol. To put it simple, VoIP technology allows you to make phone calls (local, long distance or international) with an Internet connection. Beside a standard phone and an Internet connection, all you need is a VoIP router to make and take phone calls. You don’t have to have a computer to use VoIP for phone calls. To get better voice quality, you’ll need a high speed Internet connection, such as Cable Modem or DSL (digital subscriber line).

The integrationof cell phone with VoIP is the combination of further convenience with low cost. There’re two different approaches to make cell phones work with VoIP.

1) Cell phone service providers have taken the approach to make your existing cell phones to connect to their wireless Internet connection or hotspots. For instance, TalkPlus launched the world's first cellular VoIP service in 2005. The service allows people to make VoIP calls with existing cell phones without needing a broadband network. This is a huge advantage compared with the standard VoIP which requires a broadband Internet connection.

2) VoIP providers have taken the approach to manufacture wireless Internet phones to work with their existing wireless Internet access point worldwide, instead of connecting to your own broadband Internet connection. For instance, Vonage WiFi UTStarcom F1000, a wireless Internet phone, allows current Vonage customers to connect to wireless Internet access points worldwide, also known as WiFi hotspots.

The difference is about the cost of using cell phone with VoIP. If you use a VoIP from a mobile phone service provider, you don’t have to buy a new Internet phone to use the VoIP, but you’ll have to pay extra for every minute you use. To use mobile phone with a VoIP service, you do need to buy an Internet phone, but you don’t have to pay extra regardless how many minutes you use a month.

If your current mobile phone service provider doesn’t offer VoIP service and you happen to have a GSM type of cell phone, you could unlock your current cell phone to easily switch to cell phone service that supports VoIP. This will allow you to switch services, but still keep the cell phone that you are using. By downloading cell phone unlock codes; you are able to switch services without any of the hassle. Cell phone unlock is one of the best features on a cell phone!