VoIP Technology » Voip Gateways

VoIP PBX – Next Big Thing to PBX System

admin — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:51:17 +0000

Few years back, many people thought that advanced VoIP technology is going to be the “next big thing” in the telecom domain. Yes, now VoIP has a major impact on providers in the market which has turned out to be more of a commodity than a paradigm-changer. The main reason for the popularity of voice over IP solution is mobility, flexibility and scalability. The inherent benefits such as cost effectiveness and organisational productivity cannot be ignored. As a matter of fact, these factors have motivated businesses to manage their work with utmost efficiency. For making the various things possible, one solution is VoIP PBX.

The VoIP PBX system is a hallmark for businesses to inculcate double profits in quick time. This system permits the users to save substantial amount on long distance as well as international calls. Most importantly, business that manage calls over the IP PBX VoIP solution provide comfortable integration with existing PSTN telecommunication system.

An VoIP PBX system is a Internet protocol private branch exchange. This exchange is a business telephone system which is designed to deliver voice over a data network and is interoperable with the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). With low upgradation cost, almost every business users can make the changes as it is done through a specific software. As a matter of fact, the VoIP gateways can be combined with traditional PBX functionality which enables the businesses to use their managed intranet to reduce long distance expenses as well as enjoy the benefits of a single network for voice and data. The advanced CTI features of this IP system give greater cost savings, greater mobility and increased redundancy.

To be more specific, an IP-PBX exists as a hardware object or virtually, as a software system. This is because a major part of IPBX functionality is provided in software. The best part is that this system is relatively inexpensive in nature. One can easily add other functionalities such as conferencing, XML-RPC control of live calls, Interactive voice response (IVR)and TTS/ASR (text to speech/automatic speech recognition). Moreover, these advanced system supports public switched telephone network (PSTN) interconnection ability which supports both analogue and digital circuits, Voice over IP protocols including SIP, Inter-Asterisk eXchange, H.323, Jabber and GoogleTalk.

Therefore, it can be said that this high-end technology simplifies communication infrastructure at ease. The VoIP PBX system permits the users to co-ordinate with their multiple offices all around the globe with the support of an unified platform. Interestingly, the single IP PBX VoIP server has the potential to serve more than 1,500 users at the same time. As such, it seems to be an attractive option which can support business enterprise to gain more without any concern.

In comparison with a conventional PBX system, the users require separate networks for sending and receiving the voice and data communication but, VoIP PBX employs the converged data and voice communication over a single IP network. This increases the value of systems to a significant extent.

Moreover, the IP PBX VoIP also provides flexibility to the growing or new enterprises, as it can reduce the long-term investments and maintenance costs. The biggest factor that contributes to the adoption of anything new by the enterprises is cost involved in it. In the case of the VoIP PBX solutions, the costs are within limits of the enterprises. Nowadays, the business users do not have to spend more from their pockets for this system, as cost is coming down. The users must opt for the provider that offers bundled services and features. These advanced solutions enable the business users to make the most of services such as voice extensions or updation.

To conclude, the hybrid solutions offer greater scalability advantage when compared to the traditional PBX systems.

By: Kristen Kiya

VoIP Problems?

admin — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:33:18 +0000

Well of course there’s VoIP problems, although I think problems is too strong of a word. Instead I would call this VoIP issues. (Just semantics? maybe, read on!)

Some may be old enough to remember making long distance calls where there was static or crackling on the phone line connection. Maybe you remember having to speak LOUDER in order to be heard on the line. Was that a problem? Maybe to you it was but to the companies providing the service, it was a merely a technical issue that needed to be addressed. The issue was addressed and resolved. Now you expect this high quality service right?

Ok, what about cellular phones? Maybe you’re old enough to remember when calls were dropped or barely audible. Maybe you
remember lugging around those heavy phones. This was a time when a cellular phone was just that, a phone! Was this a problem?
Maybe to you it was but to the companies providing the service, it was merely a technical issue that needed to be addressed.
The issue was addressed and resolved. Now? Well, there’s not too many cellular phones that are ‘just’ phones. You can surf the internet with them, take pictures, record short video clips, change the ringers, store your address and phone numbers, etc.

For both these ‘problems’ above, it was a relatively short time frame between ‘issue’ and resolution. We can draw comparison
after comparison between technology and technology issues. I could start talking about echo cancellers, VoIP gateways,
multiplexors, etc. and the current circuitry vs. the research and new circuitry on it’s way, but that’s not the point of this
article. The point is simply that ‘yes’ there are issues with VoIP but also, ‘yes’ issues are to be expected and ‘yes’ issues
will be resolved.

Some of the most common quality issues are echo and delay. I myself use VoIP over my residential broadband connection and
frankly I think it’s just fine. I like the service and quality of calls, but yes, at times, the echo and delay can be annoying. This is usually infrequent and not worth me canceling my service. The point I’m trying to make here is that, for me, it’s acceptable. Why? Because I understand that this is ‘relatively’ new. I understand that equipment manufactures are building better technology to address these issues. I understand that the popularity of VoIP will expedite the issue resolution. I’ve worked in information technology for over 20 years now and certainly understand this progression in technology.

Other issues are in the E911 service and of course there’s issues with most residential DSL subscribers. Both these issues are directly with the existing phone companies. The FCC is already involved in both these cases and I believe it will be sooner rather than later for these to be resolved as well.

I for one do have E911 service and I am not a DSL subscriber. So E911 for me is a non-issue and using cable access eliminates
having to keep my local telephone company for my primary phone service.

The bottom line, for me, is the cost savings. The cost savings over shadows the occasional echo and delay. E911 has already
made its way into my area and using cable internet access removes my dependency on the local telephone company.

VoIP can be a great way for you to save money on your phone service, but don’t go into this blindly. Most consumers are
intelligent enough to understand the progression that occurs with any technology. It’s pretty good as it is and yes I would agree it needs to be better. I also know, heck I’m confident that the quality of service will continue to improve.

So what’s the bottom line? Go for it. Find a service that will provide you with a free trial period. Take it for a test drive, kick the tires, etc. The higher your existing monthly phone bill is, the sooner you should try out this service.

It’s ok to demand perfection, but perfection takes time. Change is hard and change takes time. Change is upon us and VoIP, in
my humble opinion is here to stay. Give it a try, be realistic. Get the information, get your quote, get your free trial period, you really have nothing to loose and quite possibly money to save!

By: Michael Weaver

VoIP – Future Developments For Users

admin — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 05:05:04 +0000

VoIP is a telephony term for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using Internet Protocol (IP) and is the future of communication.

Here we will look at changes that are coming that will increase what is already substantial growth in the industry.

With Voice over IP — businesses have the ability to manage calls at the IP layer which enables operational and productivity benefits that have never been available before at such affordable price.

Worldwide revenues from Internet voice technologies are expected to grow from about $13 billion in 2002 to nearly $200 billion by 2007.

The Future Of VoIP Projected Growth

When it comes to VoIP technology already available long-distance phone calls, conferencing, e-mail, and other communications are now affordable and flexible.

VoIP technology however is developing and some of the developments that will ensure the future of VoIP are outlined below

The Future Of VoIP SIP

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) retrieves server responses and handles client requests.

This technology is able to determine the end system that will be used for a communication session, automatically sets the relevant parameters of the communication at receiver and user ends and then manages call transfer and call termination.

In addition, SIP allows users to initiate and receive communication from any location and networks are also able to identify users, wherever they are.

This technology is an alternative to H.323, which is the protocol, used for IP videoconference transmissions for VoIP up to now.

SIP has taken VoIP technology forward in terms of operational efficiency and many VoIP vendors are now including SIP as standard, bringing SIP to a growing audience.

VoIP The Future – VoIP Gateways

Another influential element in the future of Internet-telephony is improvements VoIP gateways.

Gateways are developing from PC-based platforms to more robust embedded systems, which will be able to handle an increased amount of call traffic.

The economies of scale of placing all traffic- data, voice, and video-over an IP-based network is highly attractive to corporate users.

The reason for this is:

IP will act as a unifying agent, regardless of the actual underlying architecture (i.e., leased lines, frame relay, or ATM) of a companies network.

VoIP The Future – Corporate Intranets & Commercial Extranets

Currently, the most promising areas of development for VoIP are corporate intranets and commercial extranets.

Their IP-based infrastructures enable operators to control who can use a network.

Commercial extranets, based on conservatively engineered IP networks, will deliver VoIP and facsimile over Internet protocol (FAXoIP) services to the general public, by guaranteeing specific parameters, such as packet delay, packet jitter, and service interop.

Companies are already looking to remove fax traffic off the PSTN and relocate it on to the Internet and corporate Intranet, through FAXoIP gateways and via IP-capable fax machines.

Video conferencing

Another area of growth will be video conferencing.

Video conferencing (H.323) with data collaboration (T.120) will become a popular method for corporate communications in the future, as network performance and interoperability increase.

VoIP The Future Expanding Services & Lower Cost

More user-friendly devices and increased promotions are starting to be seen by wider audience and this education, combined with ease of use of VoIP technology is needed for any new technology to gain trust and grow.

For instance, new VoIP telephones are being offered at cheaper prices in a variety of colours, with touch screens that are getting easier to use.

Prices in all VoIP services will continue to drop, as the market grows and competitivness increases.

The future of VoIP as a major communication method over the coming years is therefore assured. VoIP Telecommunications are here to stay.

By: Sacha Tarkovsky

VoIP Technology – Talk is Cheap!

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:03:05 +0000

VoIP products are integral to the most advanced and reliable VoIP and Voice over ATM platforms currently sold by leading VoIP telecom and networking companies worldwide. VoIP products based on VoIP enabled technology products employ Voice over Packet chip processors, VoIP PCI and cPCI communication boards and VoIP media gateway modules (PMC form factor).

VoIP companies provide voice over packet (VoIP) processors for OEM implementations of voice communications over packet networks or “VoIP”. Each VoIP processor features low bit rate Vocoders, a State-of-the-art Echo Canceller and T.38 compliant fax relay. High and medium density gateways, residential gateways and integrated access devices (IAD) are among the major users of VoIP chip processors. These VoIP solutions power client applications from small gateways and IP phones… An As an indication of market size… one major VoIP provider has over 10 million ports installed and growing rapidly.

VoIP Products – Gateway Network

The entire VoIP gateway network is based on continued advances in VoIP media boards that offer field proven solutions. Product design of proper PSTN interfaces is a critical factors in VoIP deployment. How can small or medium-sized gateways compete in the market? By implementing cost-effective solutions for enterprise or small POPs and fast market penetration into new and emerging markets. On the other hand, large VoIP gateways are designed to meet major carriers’ operational requirements.

VoIP Products – Market Driven

The rapid VoIP market expansion for VoIP Gateways led to the large diversity in VoIP products. Today, VoIP providers may choose from different sized gateways for VoIP networks of different sizes. Also, Mediant VoIP gateways enable carriers to address multi-regional requirements and strengthen economics of deployment. For instance, providing PSTN signaling and compression technology deployed in over 75 countries is quite a challenge. Fortunately, VoIP technology may quickly enter new regions and conserve precious bandwidth in hard-to-reach offices.

By: Johnny Mayer