Integrating Wireless Phone and Data

A redesign of the MAC protocol has offered the integration of the more
refined features of DECT (an ETSI digital cordless phone standard) and
the 802.11 standard. The idea is the creation of a digital cordless phone
on an ad hoc data network.
This device can carry voice services over TDMA protocol while implementing
protection mechanisms to avoid interference patterns. The concept
uses DECT in combination with a voice codec. The data elements
use CSMA/CA access, which is analogous to 802.11 along with MAC
retransmissions and fragmentation mechanisms, to provide an environment
parallel to a wired Ethernet.
If this does become a reality then there could easily be a 1–2-Mbps
frequency-hopping physical layer that permits as many as six simultaneous
voice connections while still providing sufficient data throughput
for regular users. In addition, the voice quality will be at least as good
as, if not better than, current digital phone implementations. However,
data throughput may be less when compared to 802.11b.