Posts Tagged ‘Ip Telephony’

VoIP in Different Countries

March 30th, 2010



The popularity of VoIP is grows rapidly. Voice over Internet protocol is changing the existence of conventional phones. Many PSTN or Public Switch Telephone Network is switching their phone to Voice over Internet Protocol. It makes the use of VoIP is increasing significantly. There are different legal issues coming from different countries regarding to this growth technology of mass telecommunication services.

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission is requiring all interconnected VoIP service. The aim is to comply with traditional telecommunication services and providers. VoIP in the U.S. is required the support providers to the local number portability. The growth of this technology in U.S. is very rapid. It is because many people switching their use of PSTN and conventional phone service to it, even though VoIP is not covering the emergency phone service, such as 911 services.

On the contrary with the growth in U.S., in India and Guyana, VoIP is being prohibited. The government does not allow this technology is being use in the country. The India government is restricting the use of this technology only for the retail commercial sales only and it is only for the long distance service. In Ethiopia, it will be assuming as criminal offense if using Voice over IP. It is because the Ethiopia government is monopolized the service of telecommunication.

Japan is known as the country with high technological influence. All telephone lines are covering with the VoIP technology. Moreover, the IP telephony was being signed as the telephone numbers since 2003. Later, this IP telephony is covering the service of video phone or video conferencing services. Responding to several complaints, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan is regulating the IP telephony over Japan because telecommunication is very important in people live.

By: Dita Nadia

Working of VoIP – The Next Generation Phone

February 27th, 2010



Voice over Internet protocol or VoIP is the newest innovation to the years old audio communication technology. The IP telephony transmits voice, video and data over the broadband networks. The process of calling over the VoIP is quite akin to a normal phone; however, it uses high-speed Internet service, which makes it all the more invaluable. It reduces per-minute call as the technology is based on the packet switching technique of the Internet.

IP telephony caters to the need of international market by offering lower rates for long distance and international calling. Features like cost efficiency, reliability, functionality, security and scalability in IP telephony has made it right choice for the ‘next’ Generation people.

For availing the benefits of VoIP calling, users must be equipped with an Internet service, ATA or Analog terminal Adapter, a handset as well as an IP service. A VoIP call is based on the packet switching technology that converts the audio or analog signals into small packets of digital data. These data is converted using Analog-to-Digital Converter or ADC. The digital packets are compressed into the set standard format and then routed over the Internet connection. These compressed digital standard packets absorb the noise on the way; consequently, the packets get transferred faster and more efficiently. While routing over the Internet, packets are in compliance with standard communication protocols. The packets are routed over the various paths; when they arrive at the destination, there is a re-conversion of the digital packets to analog signals. These data is converted using Digital-to- Analog Converter or DAC.

These conversion and re-conversion process takes place in the real time and the end users enjoy continuous speech flow without any delays. The services of VoIP are based on the packet switching technique, so calling over longer distance is made easier and cheaper. While opting for a VoIP phone or service, users must check features like caller ID with name and telephone number; call blocking, call waiting, 3-way calling, call forwarding, and voice mail.

By: Kristen Kiya

IP Telephony, VoIP, & The Syllogistic Fallacy

February 16th, 2010



To the telephony novice, the world of modern communication can be an intimidating place. In a world so acronym-laden and thick with trade-jargon, it can be tough to know just what it is that you’re reading about in the first place. If you’re a small business-person, it’s even worse (and let’s face it, who else is reading this?): not only are you supposed to be familiar with these technologies, you’re expected to be able to make informed decisions regarding their use and implementation.

Faced with the daunting array of telecommunications options, you’ve turned to that trusted informant and advisor of the contemporary techno-savvy citizen, the Internet. A quick search for ‘IP Telephony’ or ‘VoIP’ will reveal that it’s easy to find virtual heaps of “information” about VoIP or IP phones (try it now!), but it will also present as many problems as it solves. On the one hand you’ve got the technical articles that immediately lose the reader in thick forests of acronyms that only the technologically initiated can sift through, and on the other (in much greater abundance) you’ll get hundreds of thousands of matches (seriously, try it) which at best are links to places to buy something and at worst are thinly veiled advertisements, clumsily disguised as informative articles.

On the Internet, as in the rest of life, nothing is free. The problem is that every company would love for you to believe that the “quality” content they churn out is an act of pure altruism for the benefit of the consumer at large. I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending that I don’t have an ulterior motive. But today, friends, is your lucky Internet-browsing day! That fact that I’m not pitching any particular brand of anything gives me the rare opportunity to furnish information that I think you might actually find useful. Now that I’ve gained your trust, let me proceed.

So what exactly is IP Telephony, and how is it differentiated from VoIP? If you refer back to your hypothetical search, you’ll find that most companies simply don’t distinguish between the two – it’s just another synonym that their copywriters can use to avoid using the term “VoIP” too often. But there is a difference. IP Telephony, in it’s strictest sense, refers to the use of VoIP, likely in conjunction with other products and services, in a company’s communications network.

Let me put it another way. If a company is advertising VoIP and raving about what it can do for your business, take a good look at what it is they’re offering to sell you. All that VoIP means by itself is the capability to send voice data over digital lines. This could be as simple as a media gateway, or an IP enabled phone. IP Telephony depends upon VoIP, but VoIP is not IP Telephony.

Don’t get me wrong – this is a powerful tool, but by itself it is by no means the business revolution that is so often billed. If all you’re looking for is a way to cut down long-term telephone costs a little, that maybe all you need. Most companies, however, are looking for something a little more useful.

All the fancy extras that you’ll hear about – vemail, virtual call centers, mobile technology integration, and so on – are actually facets of an IP Telephony platform. IP Telephony refers to the actual service – the package deal from a provider including software, hardware, and knowledge that gives you something more than an advanced phone or a specialized router. When you really think about it, the idea of a company offering to sell you VoIP is an absurd one. That would be like a company advertising TCP/IP or trying to sell the concept of packet switching.

Most websites advertising VoIP are simply trying to capitalize of off a trendy buzzword. It is rare to find an actual IP Telephony platform for sale other than the industry standard (which for reference is Avaya IP Office), though they do exist. One such is a small business-oriented virtual call center affair by the company GotVMail called VirtualOne.

But of course, it’s not that simple. There is no standard differentiation in the terms observed by all technology providers (there seem to be few standards on the Internet at all), and this will inevitably lead to confusion. Many companies are as already noted simply trying to sell you an expensive phone by impressing you with the word VoIP, but some more legitimate businesses simply refer to their entire IP Telephony platform as “VoIP service.” Frustrating. It would be nice if we could trust companies to be honest with us, but it’s simply not the case. In the end, the burden of research falls squarely upon the consumer. Good luck.

By: David M Roberts