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What is a VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over IP - voice delivered using the Internet Protocol) is a term used in IP telephony for a set of facilities for managing the
delivery of voice information using the Internet Protocol (IP). In general, this means sending voice information in digital form in discrete packets
rather than in the traditional circuit-committed protocols of the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
A major advantage of VoIP and Internet telephony is avoiding the tolls charged by ordinary telephone service.
What is an Internet telephony?
Internet Telephony links the Internet technology with the global telephone network.
A regular telephone line service can now be provided through any Internet connection but particularly over Broadband,
providing the full range of features and services similar to a regular telephone line from your local provider.
This will provide the basis for a whole range of new multi-media services and features
which are not available on the current telephone network.
In addition to the cost savings and lower tariffs.
Using VoIP, an enterprise positions a "VoIP device" at a gateway.
The gateway receives packetized voice transmissions from users within the company and then routes them to other parts of its
intranet (local area or wide area network) or
using a T-carrier (T1-USA) system or E-carrier (E1-Europe) interface and sends them over the public switched telephone network.
Why VoIP-based solution?
VoIP, defined as the ability to carry telephone calls over IP-based data networks,
has become the choice of every present Service Provider.
VoIP solutions market is experiencing tremendous growth due to:
- Internet has the most popular status among the other communication methods used in the world.
- Internet becoming easily accessible and affordable to its users.
- VoIP solutions has shoestring budgets comparing with the conventional telecommunication systems (PSTN).
- Cost for the communication is much lower than conventional telecommunication systems regardless of the distance.
- Enhanced security when comparing with the conventional telecommunication systems.
Why deploy a VoIP-based system?
Due to VoIP (or FoIP - Fax Over IP) the total cost of operation has become
very low. Therefore any company or entrepreneur could take advantage of VoIP-based solutions.
More likely they are:
- Internet Service Providers (ISPs) of any size - they could make full utilization of their existing infrastructure and having Internet Telephony as an ADD-ON to their existing services.
- Internet Café owners - adding Callshop Services or Internet Telephony (Prepaid, Postpaid, or Calling Card) to their existing services.
- Traditional Callshop owners - could simply 'switch' or upgrade their systems into VoIP based solutions.
- Small or Medium Telecommunications Service Providers - could upgrade their existing systems to VoIP systems.
- Multi national organizations (Multinationals, Financial Institutions, Embassies, Travel Agencies, etc) - by implementing enterprise private telephony networks.
Placing branch-to-branch internet telephony calls results in considerable cost savings of their telecommunications expenses.
- Any System Integrator or VAR (value added reseller) offering turn-key solutions to the above.
Ways of calling using VoIP
There are four ways that you might speak to someone using VoIP.
If you've got a computer or a telephone, you can use at least one of these methods without buying any new equipment:
- Computer to computer : This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don't even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable or DSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.
- Computer to telephone : This method allows you to call anyone (who has a phone) from your computer. Like computer-to-computer calling, it requires a software client. The software is typically free, but the calls may have a small per minute charge.
- Telephone to computer : A few companies are providing special numbers or calling cards that allow a standard telephone user to initiate a call to a computer user. The caveat is that the computer user must have the vendor's software installed and running on his or her computer. The good news is that the cost of the call is normally much cheaper than a traditional long distance call.
- Telephone to telephone : Through the use of gateways, you can connect directly with any other standard telephone in the world. To use the discounted services offered by several companies, you must call in to one of their gateways. Then, you enter the number you wish to call, and they connect you through their IP based network. The downside is that you have to call a special number first. The upside is that the rates are typically much lower than standard long distance.
Although it will take some time to happen, you can be sure that, eventually, all of the circuit-switched networks will be replaced with packet-switching technology.
IP telephony just makes sense, in terms of both economics and infrastructure requirements. More and more businesses are installing VoIP systems,
and the technology will continue to grow in popularity as it makes its way into our homes.
For further details please contact us
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