Competition is the key word driving businesses the world over. And in the current context, the competition is increasingly becoming more and more intense. Business houses are doing all that it takes to emerge ahead of others. Most of them are employing the latest and the best in technology to enhance their profit margins and reduce their infrastructural costs. VoIP, for one, is increasingly being used to streamline communications within several organizational contexts. The importance of VoIP business services can be understood in this context.
Voice over IP (also know as VoIP) came forward as a solution of telecommunication whereby it is possible for people to make low cost calls. As voice over IP works on the principle of transferring digital voice over the Internet, it thus paves the way for wireless transmission of data packets in contrast to the traditional means of telephony where long wires are required to complete the connection.
This has led to a cost effective way of achieving telephony services. The technology has ushered in a new revolution in business with VoIP business services. Now, it has become possible for people to go for existing broadband connections and start availing voice call along with other facilities such as video chats and recordings of a conversation. The installation of this technology is simple; and this is enhanced by the technical expertise of service providers.
These calls are not restricted to any particular country or nation. It means that one can make calls to a person living in the same country or to in a different Nation at the same tariff rate. The VoIP service does not recognize national or continental barriers. All this technology does is that it converts “voice” to digital packets and sends them over the Internet. The receiver on the other end gets the calls after it has been reconverted to analog form from digital packets. Moreover, the technology is feature-rich with options such as auto-attendant, advanced call forwarding, integrated fax support and outlook options.
It can be installed very easily with certain extra gadgets such as Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) and Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). There is a central office(CO) that determines the voice paths. Moreover, with the presence of wholesalers and resellers, the VoIP phone service sees no boundaries and brings the services to people around the globe. The carriers at the lower tiers lease services from the ones at a higher tier and resell them to their targeted customers. Thus, call termination to international gateways is a reality with the Voice over IP. It is this phenomenon of acceding to international calls that has led to the flourishing of the business VoIP service. Businesses have really seen a new light with the coming of VoIP service. Call centers have their foundation stone laid on such services.
The service providers have improved upon the VoIP business plans and made it suitable for a lot of organizations. There is no doubt about the fact that the providers are offering a platform that is simple and easy for their customers to carry forward an interaction, improve upon a business team’s efficiency and also overcome any frustration of customers. This has really led to the growth of organizations that completely rely on this high-end technology for their day to day business. The VoIP services are thus a unique means of achieving that which was never possible before.
By: Kristen Kiya
Posts Tagged ‘Data Packets’
Growth of Business with VoIP
February 11th, 2010How Does VoIP Really Work?
January 30th, 2010
VoIP stands for Voice over Internet Protocol. By using a VoIP phone and VoIP technology you can effectively use the internet to make phone calls. VoIP does this by placing the voice calls on network which encrypts the voice in data packets at one end and encrypts it in voice calls at the other end. In VoIP, encryption and decryption is from a analog signal (i.e. your voice call) into digital signal (data packets) and again into the analog signal.
You can make VOIP calls by a regular phone with VOIP adapter or even from your computer using a simple microphone. VoIP applications can generally be used with a simple microphone and computer speakers, but IP telephones or VoIP boxes can also be used, providing an experience identical to normal telephoning. Many VOIP manufacturers are designing phones which are specially meant to work with this technology, called SIP phone, and now extensively used by growing VoIP users.
In the past year, the quality and reliability of VoIP technology has improved to the point that vast numbers of users have abandoned their standard telephone contracts entirely, in favor of VoIP. Local as well as long distance calling is available for VoIP. Rates and plans can vary from one VoIP service provider to another VoIP service provider.
Advantages of using VOIP
Using VOIP you can effectively cut down your phone bills, since you just pay to your regular internet connection and small fees to your VOIP service provider. Setting up conference calls with VOIP is very easy.
You can even set up your own VoIP network and don’t need any special equipment like PBX etc. You can call to any local telephone, mobile, long distance number or any international number through VoIP phones. More importantly, the person you are calling by using VoIP technology does not need any special equipment; just a regular telephone.
Many additional features like call forwarding, call tracing, reminders, caller ID are readily available in VoIP Phones. You can even assign a local telephone number to your VOIP phone set, and just need a fast internet connection to use your VOIP service anywhere in the world.
VoIP Dilemma
VoIP applications and services require data transfer in real time. During a call an interactive data voice exchange takes place. Unfortunately, TCP/IP is not well suited for this purpose. Sometimes you have to wait for a few seconds, to hear the other side answering. But with recent developments streaming the flow of voice signals has improved. PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone calling quality is still not as sharp as regular PSTN calls. However, with SIP phones and a reliable high speed internet connection there is little or no difference….and sometimes the quality is even better.
SIP Phones
SIP Phones are the phones which are specifically designed to work as VOIP phones. SIP phone can be considered as a network endpoint routing voice via its IP address. This allows a DID (direct inward dialing) number to move with a user. With SIP phones you can use advanced features like voice mail to email etc. Using a SIP phone also closely resembles a regular analog phone in look, feel, function, and ease of use.
FCC and VoIP
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates VOIP Services in the USA. They are in charge to create and promote telecommnuication regulations….such as VOIP services….to benefit consumers. In November, 2004 FCC ruled that individual States do not have the jurisdiction to impose taxes on VoIP services, which made the cost of VOIP services even more attractive in relation to standard PSTN phone services.
By: Michael Lemm
Free VOIP Phone Calls – VOIP Technology is Explained in Detail
December 29th, 2009
VoIP is a break through invention which lets you make free or very cheap local, long distance and international calls. You may have a few questions in your mind such as how VoIP works, what are the benefits of VoIP.
VoIP relationship with Computers and Networks.
Put VoIP aside for now and lets start learning about computer networking, you may have heard about computers, networks, switches and wireless networks. Computers communicate with each other via a set of copper wires, fiber optic cables and wireless spectrum waves. Computer communication takes place in the form of data. For example if you are sending an email to someone that email is converted into data packets which are transmitted over the network of computers, switches and routers and when transmitted packets arrives at destination these are again converted back into email. This whole process takes less than few milliseconds to complete. That is how a computer network communication takes place.
VoIP is very similar to computer data communication in nature therefore it is important that you understand how computer data network works.
How VoIP works and how a VoIP call is transmitted over data networks?
Now since we have discovered how computer data network functions therefore it will be easier for us to grasp how VoIP works. VoIP stands for (Voice over Internet Protocol), VoIP calls feel and sounds no different than a standard PSTN call. The only difference is that the VoIP calls are transmitted over computer data networks rather than PSTN exchanges.
When we make a VoIP call, a communication channel is established between caller and called party over IP (Internet Protocol) which runs on top of computer data networks. A telephony conversation that takes place over VoIP are converted into binary data packets streams in real time and transmitted over data network, when these data packets arrive at the destination these are again converted into standard telephony conversation. This whole process of voice conversion into data, transmission and data conversion into back voice conversation takes place within less than few milliseconds. That is how a VoIP is call is works over data networks. I hope that now you understand basics of how a VoIP call takes place.
What are speech codec’s and what role codec plays in VoIP?
Speech codec play a vital role in VoIP and codec determines the quality and cost of the call. Let me explain you what exactly VoIP codec’s are and how they work. You may have heard about data compression, or probably you have heard about air compressor which compresses a volume of air in enclosed container, VoIP codec’s are no different than a air compressor. Speech codec’s compresses voice into data packets and decompresses it upon arrival at destination. Some VoIP codec’s can compress huge amount of voice while maintaining QoS which means use this type of codec will cost less because it will consume just a fraction of data network. Some codec’s are just not capable of encoding huge amount of voice they simply consume huge amount of data networks bandwidth hence the cost goes up.
Following is a list of VoIP codec’s along with how much data network bandwidth they consume.
* AMR Codec
* BroadVoice Codec 16Kbps narrowband, and 32Kbps wideband
* GIPS Family – 13.3 Kbps and up
* GSM – 13 Kbps (full rate), 20ms frame size
* iLBC – 15Kbps,20ms frame size: 13.3 Kbps, 30ms frame size
* ITU G.711 – 64 Kbps, sample-based Also known as alaw/ulaw
* ITU G.722 – 48/56/64 Kbps ADPCM 7Khz audio bandwidth
* ITU G.722.1 – 24/32 Kbps 7Khz audio bandwidth (based on Polycom’s SIREN codec)
* ITU G.722.1C – 32 Kbps, a Polycom extension, 14Khz audio bandwidth
* ITU G.722.2 – 6.6Kbps to 23.85Kbps. Also known as AMR-WB. CELP 7Khz audio bandwidth
* ITU G.723.1 – 5.3/6.3 Kbps, 30ms frame size
* ITU G.726 – 16/24/32/40 Kbps
* ITU G.728 – 16 Kbps
* ITU G.729 – 8 Kbps, 10ms frame size
* Speex – 2.15 to 44.2 Kbps
* LPC10 – 2.5 Kbps
* DoD CELP – 4.8 Kbps
What are VoIP Devices, VoIP Phones and VoIP PBX?
VoIP device are mini computers, they contain CPU, Memory (RAM), ROM, Software, Operating Systems, Speech Codec’s and they are customized to work as VoIP device. These devices are responsible for converting voice conversation into data streams, data compression, decompression, transmission, ring tones, bells and etc,. In order to use VoIP devices you will need to connect your standard PSTN, or a cordless phone to make and receive calls.
VoIP phones are no different than a VoIP device, they contain VoIP device plus a built-in phone, as explained above VoIP phone also contains CPU, Memory (RAM), ROM, Software, O/S and codec’s. Some VoIP phones also contain a LCD screen which you can use as a internet browser.
VoIP PBX (Private Branch Exchange) are mini telephone exchanges, VoIP PBX are full computer server type hardware which contains OS, FXS, FXO, T1, PRI, E1 and various other telecommunication interfaces. Many VoIP PBXs also contains all the above mentioned speech codec’s which can be selected as a preferred codec. VoIP PBX can provides hundreds of features and extensions. To find out more about VoIP PBX read the last paragraph of this article.
What role a VoIP Provider plays?
VoIP providers play a vital role with provisioning your internet phone service. They are responsible for terminating your voice calls to different VoIP and PSTN networks. VoIP providers have agreements and arrangements with other VoIP service providers all over the world in different countries for exchanging, terminating and origination of VoIP and PSTN calls. Some VoIP providers will let you make free unlimited calls for a fixed amount of money.
To find out which VoIP service provider is best suited to your needs please visit following website. VoIPBazar.com
What features are available with VoIP Technologies?
ADSI On-Screen Menu System
Alarm Receiver
Append Message
Authentication
Automated Attendant
Blacklists
Blind Transfer
Call Detail Records
Call Forward on Busy
Call Forward on No Answer
Call Forward Variable
Call Monitoring
Call Parking
Call Queuing
Call Recording
Call Retrieval
Call Routing (DID & ANI)
Call Snooping
Call Transfer
Call Waiting
Caller ID
Caller ID Blocking
Caller ID on Call Waiting
Calling Cards
Conference Bridging
Database Store / Retrieve
Database Integration
Dial by Name
Direct Inward System Access
Distinctive Ring
Distributed Universal Number Discovery
Do Not Disturb
E911
ENUM
Fax Transmit and Receive (3rd Party OSS Package)
Flexible Extension Logic
Interactive Directory Listing
Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Local and Remote Call Agents
Macros
Music On Hold
Music On Transfer:
- Flexible Mp3-based System
- Random or Linear Play
- Volume Control
Predictive Dialer
Privacy
Open Settlement Protocol (OSP)
Overhead Paging
Protocol Conversion
Remote Call Pickup
Remote Office Support
Roaming Extensions
Route by Caller ID
SMS Messaging
Spell / Say
Streaming Media Access
Supervised Transfer
Talk Detection
Text-to-Speech (via Festival)
Three-way Calling
Time and Date
Transcoding
Trunking
VoIP Gateways
Voicemail:
- Visual Indicator for Message Waiting
- Stutter Dialtone for Message Waiting
- Voicemail to email
- Voicemail Groups
- Web Voicemail Interface
Zapateller
VoIPBazar proudly promotes VoIP Technology and provides information how to make free or cheap calls to over 10,000 cities across the globe.
By: Imran Khan Malik
