Telephonation VOIP Information Archives

The Lowdown on VoIP


It seems like technology is headed for a massive telephone change over. The traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) is looking to be replaced by VoIP. VoIP is short for Voice over IP. VoIP is the routing of conversations over an IP network or the Internet. VoIP uses a packet-switched network instead of the circuit-switched voice transmission lines used by traditional telephone networks. VoIP does not need an Internet connection to work. A company that has a LAN connection with all of its computers can utilize VoIP technology.

VoIP is a great technology, but has a variety of issues with implementation. VoIP may face problems with latency because IPs do not provide Quality of Service guarantees, nor do they provide their packets of information in sequential order. High-speed Internet connections are required for VoIP and firewalls often prove tricky for VoIP technology. To combat this, many people use Session Border Controllers (SBC).

VoIP technology has many advantages. There are more new features with VoIP because of the lack of an International Telecommunications Union. VoIP is still very much an open market for developers, so the technology is constantly being improved. VoIP also has a lower cost than traditional sources because of the monopolies that exist or traditional phone companies being controlled by the government. Some users even see VoIP phone calls as free because they do not have to pay extra for the service. The user only pays the Internet service provider, and therefore the usage of VoIP seems to be free. You can also take your VoIP phone wherever you go because all you need is a network connection to make it work. VoIP technology will also benefit network agents who work for call centers. Agents can help callers from anywhere in the country with an Internet connection. Finally, because VoIP is on the computer, there is increased functionality. Conference calls can be held, information can be sent, and things like address books can be updated and shared over VoIP.

While VoIP has many advantages, there are a few drawbacks to the service. One of the biggest drawbacks is reliability. Telephone lines have back up generators in case of power outages, so phones can keep working. Because VoIP is connected to the Internet, a power outage will end a VoIP call when the computer shuts down. To combat this, users must buy an expensive uninterruptible power supply or a generator that must then be installed on the premises. Internet connections are also subject to disconnection, depending on crowded networks, and the quality of the ISP. If the Internet connection drops, then the VoIP call will be dropped. VoIP is also a problem for emergency calls. Because of the nature of the Internet and VoIP systems, emergency workers cannot trace calls. In the event that someone with an emergency has a problem but is unable to give an address, the emergency worker will not be able to trace the call and find the person. VoIP carriers are already attempting to fix this problem by implementing a technical work-around. Finally, it will be very difficult to integrate VoIP on a massive scale, because while the standard Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) has a common standard, VoIP does not.

VoIP has many advantages as well as some large drawbacks. The main roadblock in the way of global VoIP adoption is reliability. When VoIP proves that it can be just as reliable as traditional telephone services have been over many years, then it will start to be adopted. VoIP technology is always improving, so the problems with VoIP today are likely to be solved sooner than many people expect. VoIP can truly revolutionize both the business world and home life.

Mike Schuda is fascinated by new technologies and writes for VoIP Lowdown ( http://www.voiplowdown.com ).


MORE RESOURCES:

Connect Stat

Google to roll out VoIP package to Middle East
8el
Consumers in the Middle East could soon be able to access Google's VoIP service, according to reports. The firm recently launched its web-based VoIP ...
Google plans to Expand Voip Services in Middle EastConnect Stat
Google denies Mideast VOIP roll-out rumoursArabianBusiness.com
Local Versions of Google's Voip To Be LaunchedGulf Jobs Market News
ITWeb -Techwatch -Emirates 24/7
all 32 news articles »


Apparent Networks Simplifies VoIP Testing
CTO Edge (blog)
That appliance measures the amount of loss, latency and jitter on the network to determine its suitability for running VoIP applications, which Melvin noted ...
Apparent Networks Releases Cloud-Based VoIP Testing SolutionPhone Plus (blog)

all 10 news articles »


AudioCodes to Present at the Rodman & Renshaw Growth Conference in NYC on ...
MarketWatch (press release)
AudioCodes is a VoIP technology leader focused on VoIP communications, applications and networking elements, and its products are deployed globally in ...

and more »


Verint Systems Granted U.S. Patent on Call Center IP Recording
MarketWatch (press release)
RE41,608) to the company in the area of data packet--eg, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP or IP)--recording. This patent significantly strengthens ...

and more »


InnoMedia's ESBC 8528-4B With Smart-DQoS(TM) Technology Added to Product ...
MarketWatch (press release)
Located at the network edge, the ESBC 8528-4B enables NAT and firewall traversal, permitting VoIP traffic to enter the network while preventing unauthorized ...

and more »


Three arrested for offering VoIP services
GulfNews
... Dubai: Police say they have arrested three men for offering illegal international calls using the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology. ...
Three arrested over illegal cheap international phone callsNational

all 3 news articles »


Dialexia: VoIP on any scale you want it.
Enterprise VoIP Planet
Dial-Office is an Internet alternative to the traditional circuit-switched enterprise phone system, delivering a reliable, low-cost VoIP communications ...
SMBs look to cost savings with VoIP solutionsTelappliant VoIP News
Cheap International Calls at Its Best With VoIPBoosh News (press release) (blog)
Great Long Talks Thru Cheap International CallsBoosh News (press release) (blog)

all 4 news articles »


Skype Debuts Formal Channel Partner Program
ChannelWeb
... will bring on solution providers as both Skype integrators and Skype evangelists as the popular VoIP service furthers its business enterprise ambitions. ...
Skype Launches U.S. Channel ProgramPhone Plus (blog)

all 13 news articles »


ITEXPO West 2010 Speaker: The Importance of VoIP Peering
TMCnet
His session at ITEXPO West 2010 will cover the state of VoIP peering. Attendees are expected to take away an understanding of the critical elements for ...



Telegraph.co.uk

Use Gmail to make VoIP calls: Hands-on review
CNET
Specifically, a plugin that lets you surface a dial pad so you can launch VoIP calls from the Gmail.com in-box, or from within iGoogle. ...
Google Reaches 1 Million Calls On New Gmail VoIP ServiceChannelWeb
Voice Calling Coming to Gmail?PC World
Google Sees A Million Calls On First Day Of GMail/VoIPDslreports
InternetNews.com -TMC Net -TG Daily
all 1,862 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2006