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VoIP in Different Countries

admin — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:40:05 +0000

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

VoIP Phone Reviews – Helping You Choose the Best VOIP Phone

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 23:57:08 +0000

You are one of those persons who adore technology and all of the great things it brings. And so, you always want the best in what the world offers you. You are willing to pay the right price for a good product or service. You believe that there are ways by which you can get the best things in life as long as you know where and how to look for them.

If the above-mentioned are true, then it is highly probable that you want to get the best possible VoIP phone available on the market. You value the fact that Voice over Internet Protocol technology helps you get connected to loved ones near and far without the attached high expenses. If you are after a great VoIP phone that can make all your calling experience topnotch, then consider VoIP phone reviews as crucial tools to your phone shopping plans.

Take note of the following pointers when in search for the best phone and service:

1. Reading Online Product Reviews

One way to get interesting VoIP phone reviews is by reading online product reviews. There are product review websites which focus on the latest gadgets and technologies. Since VoIP technology is hot topic, you are sure to find various reviews on the different phone models, brands, and services. Take note of all the pros and cons when reading reviews and of course, it helps to choose sites which are unbiased.

2. Reading Blogs

You can also read blogs to get informal yet very valuable information about VoIP phones and services. Bloggers are known to be very vocal about their opinion especially when it comes to products and services that they have personally tried. Reading blog entries also give you more realistic information that are based on a user’s point of view so it would not be difficult to relate.

3. Reading Online Forums

Another method to get useful and valuable information about different kinds of products and gadgets is to access forums and other online communities. These forums and online communities are often useful in providing both positive and negative feedback on certain products and services. Beware, though, as you need to discern which ones are honest and which ones are pushed by advertisers.

Immersing yourself in the rich bed of information provided by online resources is wise. You get to have valuable first hand information that can also serve as both formal and informal product reviews. When searching for a VoIP phone, it would be wise to first get your dose of VoIP handset and service reviews so you can have value for your money. With such reviews, you can be led to the best products that can last you for years and on a product that meets your expectations.

Even if you are willing to pay for a high price for the coolest handset, it would still be the best move to first get a taste of real and honest VoIP phone reviews so you will not have to regret your purchase in the end. You can get a product that can connect you to loved ones clearly and economically.

By: Derrick Richardson

Small Business Telephone System with VoIP

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:41:46 +0000

If you are changing your small business telephone system from a traditional dedicated fixed landline to the newer VoIP technology, there are some things you need to have in place to change successfully.

1. Internet Connection

To route your calls over the Internet instead of over the existing telephone fixed landlines, you need to have a powerful Internet connection and equipment to connect and communicate with.

If your small business is using a DSL or cable modem for your Internet connectivity, you need to research the bandwidth needed for of VoIP communications (Voice over Internet Protocol).

If you are one of 1-2 employees, then DSL or cable should work fine to meet your needs. DSL and cable modems are not ideal for VoIP, but they do work acceptably well for a very small office of just one or two people.

If your office grows to more than 2 users, your small business telephone system needs to grow also. It is time to consider a more robust Internet connection.

The standard DSL and cable modems offer you a quicker download than upload speed. This generally works fine for general computer usage, but it won’t work so well for voice communication.

So, you will need to make sure that your Internet connection can support both the upload and download speeds that you need to have clear and consistent voice communication.

2. How Much Bandwidth?

The industry standard is enough bandwidth for about 1/3 rd of your employees to be on the telephone at the same time … so if you have 30 lines, you should then have enough bandwidth for 10 to be used at any one time. With a business of this size, your small business telephone system will usually require a T1 connection to the Internet.

One of the best things you can do is to work with a provider who can support both your VoIP and Internet connection needs. This will insure that you have the bandwidth necessary to get both your calls and data needs taken care of.

3. Hub vs. Switch

In addition to bandwidth to the Internet, internally you should be using switches on your network rather than hubs. While hubs are fine for electronic data transmission, the transmission of voice over your network necessitates the need for switches to be used.

4. Media Gateways

If you already have a small business telephone system in place, such as a small PBX system, you can purchase a device called a “media gateway” to connect your existing phone system to the Internet without having to replace all of your phones and equipment.

This will save you money from the equipment that would have to be replaced to upgrade to VoIP services.

Moving your small business telephone system over to VoIP requires some pre-planning and consultation with an Internet provider. An experienced provider can offer the equipment and the know-how to make your move to VoIP quickly and without any inconvenience for your employees.

By: Andrew Stratton

How Do Businesses Benefit From Having a VOIP System?

admin — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 08:54:08 +0000

Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP technology is capable of cutting costs in telecommunications as well as improving the productivity of a business. Is it right for your business? Here is a look at what kinds of benefits VoIP can bring to business.

1 – VoIP service technology quality has really come a long way since its original inception. VoIP may have been extremely limited in the past, but this no longer the case. Today’s Voice over IP services have evolved significantly, allowing for you to make calls and receive calls using not only standard phones but also IP phones, which are rich in unique features. The sound quality has also vastly improved to the point where many companies have abandoned their traditional telephone systems in favor of the VoIP service.

2 – Using VoIP technology is capable of significantly reducing the costs you pay for telecommunications. The operating costs associated with VoIP services are generally quite significantly lower than when you are dealing with a traditional phone company, because the existing phone infrastructure is expensive to maintain and so are the industry regulations. VoIP providers have lower expenses and so they can charge a lot less for the services that they offer.

3 – VoIP services make your entire phone system a lot more flexible. They make it possible for you to do things which simply cannot be possible using traditional telephone technology. For example, they allow you to bring your phone system along with you since you can plug in anywhere where there is a broadband connection such as at someone’s home or in a hotel room. They also allow you to talk using your laptop, and to get your voice mail and your faxes through your e-mail. With this increase in usability, VoIP services make it possible for you to increase the productivity of your business significantly.

One thing is for sure: VoIP technology is continuing to evolve, and there are a number of compelling new features and benefits that are being developed in order to cater to small business. As an example, dramatic increases in mobility are being provided by combining VoIP services with wireless phone and PDA combinations to decrease cell phone charges while boosting functionality and productivity by a great deal. This is just one example of the exciting things that are happening in terms of VoIP service and technology advancements.

It does not matter what size your business is, VoIP technology happens to be a flexible as well as affordable technology that is capable of offering the same level of sophistication in communication tools that enterprise-size companies are using, meaning that VoIP will allow you to stand up against your competitors in terms of communications technology no matter how large or how small your own company happens to be.

By: Amy Nutt

How Does VoIP Work? Understanding The Basics

admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 05:17:01 +0000

How does VoIP work? Like many people, you may have already heard of VoIP. If you weren’t born in this decade, you may still wonder what it really is. What can VoIP do for you and how exactly is it useful?

Basic Concept

VoIP stands for voice over internet protocol. These days, it is considered an alternative to the typical method of communication involving telephones. Instead of using telephone sets that transmit analog signals, VoIP converts these signals to digital chunks. These are reconverted to audio data when it reaches the recipient. The entire transmission happens over the internet. Although VoIP technology is still far from being preferred and considered standard, some people think that VoIP will eventually replace telephones. It could very well be the next step in communications technology.

The Specifics

So how does VoIP work exactly? VoIP is best understood by understanding typical phone calls first. Regular phone calls make use of what is called circuit switching. When you make a call, your call is passed through a series of switches starting from your phone carrier. Once the other party answers the call, the circuit between the two of you is opened.

Instead of circuit switching VoIP uses packet switching. In this technology, your voice is converted to little packets of data. These packets of data come with their instructions of where they should be sent. They are then sent through a variety of possible routes. They take the nearest router and are passed on to succeeding routers until they reach the recipient. When the packets are received, they are reassembled into a form that can be understood.

Advantages of VoIP

VoIP can offer all the features and benefits of a phone service. Its advantage over traditional phones is that VoIP calls can be made from almost any part of the world. Wherever there is an internet connection, you can have VoIP. The technology can provide cheaper calls than standard telephone technology. This is mainly because VoIP does away with costly circuit switching.

Disadvantages of VoIP

VoIP can be fast, convenient and cheap. It has, however its own disadvantages. These disadvantages are basically due to: (1) the current reliance of present systems on telephone technology; and (2) the shortcomings that plague computer technology.

Telephone Connections – Such services for example as security and cable still rely on telephone connections. Unless the whole country or world agrees to switch to VoIP, these services are likely to stick to their old methods.

This is not the biggest concern though. Since VoIP relies on internet technology, it is also susceptible to the problems that confront the internet and computers. You can therefore expect such problems as viral attacks, crashes and stolen packets.

Now you know the basic answer to how does VoIP work. In reality, this piece of technology does hold a lot of potential. Like everything else, the old ways of communicating over long distances can change. VoIP is the first logical shift that can be taken. It may take a long time however, before VoIP can become a fully integrated and snag free system.

By: Torrie Cantor

Advantages and Disadvantages of VoIP

admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:56:21 +0000

VoIP technology has resulted in serious changes in the way we communicate with each other. It has succeeded in integrating both voice and data and utilizing the Internet for communication as well. Telecommunication is continually evolving and as people we can only continue to benefit from this evolution. Internet based phones will be the telephony service of the future but are its advantages being overemphasized? All things may not be as they seem.

VoIP has a great number of benefits and advantages. The only requirement that VoIP has is that you use a broadband DSL or cable connection. Provided you have this sort of connection, you can easily use Voice over IP. If you use yours through a PC-to-PC connection calls are usually free just as long as the person you are calling has VoIP as well, other than this most VoIP providers tend to offer unlimited calling plans for calls made outside a certain geographical area for a flat monthly fee. Traditional telephone services are much costlier than internet phones. This technology also offers additional services such as call forwarding and caller id, free of charge.

One other benefit of the integration of voice and data is that the person needs only a single system. It makes it easy to install and save money as well. Each phone is identified by a single IP address regardless of wherever it is plugged into. This makes it easy to move from one place to another or to add it to other networks as well.

These VoIP phones may also be utilized anywhere just as long as they have been connected to an IP network. This assists a lot with telecommuting and international offices as well, saving companies and individuals a lot of money. These devices also tend to be light and very easy to carry.

Regardless of these numerous benefits, there are disadvantages. The biggest disadvantage would be that VoIP is run by a lot of power. If a power outage occurs all voice communications cease, unlike the traditional telephone service which can still be made use of if there is no electricity.

Problems also exist with the calling of 911 emergency numbers. When you usually make a 911 call it is traced back to the sender and sent to the nearest 911 communication center in the area. However with VoIP these calls cannot be traced back to a particular location and cannot lead rescuers to find you.

Voice quality with internet telephony is generally efficient but the use of cable broadband could mean poorer qualities. This is because the data is broken down in order to be transmitted and the delay or a packet of data will sometimes mean that it needs to be dropped. This then results in silent periods.

Phone equipment may also need to be updated since voice over IP only tends to work with newer phone versions. Depending on the number of phones that need to be replaced, this could a substantial expense.

VoIP also has some minor annoyances that have to be sorted out but the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. From all evident aspects this alternative telephone technology is the phone of the future but the future may already have arrived for all we know.

By: Darren Williger

What Are The Benefits Of Employing VOIP Predictive Dialers?

admin — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:37:34 +0000

VoIP predictive dialers provide ultimate business solutions to augment the productivity of your business. The reason behind the effectiveness of VoIP predictive dialers is the technology supporting it i.e., VoIP technology. This technology help dialers in handling all types of call flows whether inbound or outbound and further guarantees proper running of your business’s day-to-day functions and activities.

Literally, VoIP predictive dialer is the most recent call center friendly technology that can take your business to new heights within the shortest time period. That’s why call center and BPO industry is propagating at a much faster speed, so are its obstacles in managing huge call flows. Even a fraction of a seconds’ delay in answering calls can cost you immensely.

Running a call center is quite an expensive deal because it includes all day to day expenses spent on either repairs or maintenance which may burn a hole in your pocket. As a matter of fact, businesses can not count upon outdated in-house call facilities to survive competition. So, that makes VoIP predictive dialers the most appropriate communication system for those who are already running or are planning to set up a call center of their own. These dialers are easy to install and are quite simple to use.

When it comes to supervision, dialers handle all your calls without no or little human command. The famous built-in characteristics of VoIP predictive dialers include:

• Runs multi campaigns simultaneously

• Checks agents’ accessibility and automatically transmits the call

• Check voice mails automatically

• Call back on missed calls automatically

• Verify call management, logging and recording of calls

Above all, VoIP dialers simplify all your business troubles & tensions and work towards ensuring trouble-free work environment.

By: Alka Chauhan

VOIP – Cheap and Unlimited Phone

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:25:42 +0000

If you have a good connection and access of Internet, then you can make a digital quality of a cheap, and sometimes free, phone with unlimited access. Introducing VoIP, a voice transmission over Internet access technology that is brings you an unlimited call. To start making and using this technology is very easy. All you need to have is a computer with Internet access and a headset or microphone. With those tools only, you can start to make the unlimited call with VoIP. Using this technology, you will save more cost for phone and calling, also you are taking the advantage of Internet telephony revolution today.

The VoIP technology is able to transmitting the voice to all over the world. However, the telecommunication providers in the world are sometimes not able to transmitted voice over the world wide, but certain countries only. But, there are several providers that are able to transmit your voice. It is an unlimited technology, but it will cost you with certain value of fare or cost. Having an unlimited calls, and even unlimited international calls, with lower cost and sometimes free is very attractive. But the question is what VoIP is? VoIP is a voice over Internet protocol. A technology that is able to transmitted voice over the internet connection. The technology of VoIP is carrying the digital radio signals, therefore people using the speech data compression techniques to reduce the data rate.

This technology also can be adapted by using the public switched telephone networks, or also known as PSTN. Even though it will cost some, but the connection between VoIP to PSTN is also perform good access. The demand of telecommunication today is very high. Therefore, add your own knowledge and be experienced with the technology of VoIP.

By: Dita Nadia

5 Steps to VoIP

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:35:30 +0000

So you’re ready to enjoy unlimited long distance calling and lower monthly phone bills. Well, before you make the switch, here are five steps that will help you get the VoIP plan that is best for you.

Make the Decision

Yes, it is new technology, and sometimes we are scared of the unknown. VoIP technology is on the rise and many high profile computer companies are already switching to VoIP and in return are becoming service providers. AOL, Sprint, and Verizon are offering VoIP as well as Internet Messaging services such as Yahoo, MSN, and AOL IM. First you must come to the decision that VoIP is best for you, your family, or your business needs. Research VoIP on the web and its providers. Talk to people that you know have already made the switch. Once you have made your decision to switch to VoIP, you are ready for the next step.

Choose the Plan that is Right for You

A good idea is to make a written list of your needs, wants, and features in a phone. This will help you compare different plans and choose the service provider that will best fit your needs. If you are looking for residential or business service, make sure that you note that in your list. Residential plans usually come in two forms- basic (which is a certain amount of minutes) and unlimited (which will give you unlimited local and long distance talk time). Business plans can include amenities such as multiple phones, greater minute talk time, greater unlimited calling plans, business features bundled with your plan, faxing and voicemail to your computer capabilities, and extras such as yellow page listings. Check with the company to find the plan that meets your requirements.

Setting up the System

Some service providers will send you the equipment that you need to begin using VoIP. You will first need to make sure that your computer system is compatible with the VoIP service. You will also need to have high speed Internet already installed with your computer. If you are using VoIP for a business or for a call center, it is best to leave the installation to a professional. Installing VoIP for a residence or home office is typically simple enough for most residents to do themselves.

Choosing your Phone Number

One of the best features that VoIP has to offer is the freedom to select your own telephone number. If you just want to transfer your old number to your new VoIP system, check with your service provider before making your final decision. Many VoIP providers will allow you to transfer your phone number.

If you want to select a different area code, this option has many advantages. First, for friends and family members who don’t have unlimited long distance calling, selecting the same area code as them can save them money. They will appreciate being able to call you as if it were a local call.

This strategy is also very beneficial for those whose businesses are targeting specific areas. Say there is a California company, yet they want to increase business in Tampa, Florida. By selecting the Tampa, Florida area code, they can increase sales and productivity by having a local number for customers to call. This also reduces the need for a toll free number.

Install your Features and Accessories

VoIP comes with many features included in your service plan. For residential customers these include Voicemail, Caller ID, Call Forwarding, Call Block, and Do Not Disturb. Always check with your service provider for a detailed listing of the features included with your plan. For Small businesses, amenities such as multi phone users, free fax lines, and integrating your VoIP and web features are all available. VoIP also contains many of the same features bundled with basic plans as well. When you are choosing a provider, compare their business plans and select the one that best fits your business needs.

As VoIP technology continues to advance, a new array of accessories appears on the market. Today you can choose from VoIP phones, headsets, and even VoIP videophones that work as a web camera incorporating video with your audio.

By: Olivia Tan

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