Introduction to VOIP

 

What is VOIP?
The first question which comes in our mind is What is VOIP? The acronym VOIP stands for Voice Over IP, also called as Internet Telephony, Broadband Phone and voice over Broadband, it is a technology that provides telephone service over the Internet. VOIP transforms voice signals from a telephone or computer microphone into small data packets, and then sends them over the Internet.Earlier in 1945 VOIP was debuted as a networking channel similar to
chat rooms, with the exceptions of microphone and handsets. The first ever service of this kind was limited to computer to computer communication, people were attracted to this service because by the use of this technology they could easily avoid long distance telephone bill. People could now communicate with each other free even by sitting on the opposite ends of the world by using this service. In the past few years, VOIP service providers have enhanced the technology to include telephone to telephone calling just like a land line (analog) telephone service. To better understand VOIP technology, it helps to describe how analog telephone service works compared to the Internet.

Working of Analog Telephone Service
When an analog telephone call is connected to the other telephone, a circuit on a telephone line is opened and remains open throughout the connection while a stream of voice signals travels over the line. If tens of thousands of circuits are open at the same time over one telephone line it can become crowded and affect the speed and quality of the connection. Similarly a dial-up Internet
connection uses a telephone line to transfer data but it is much slower and less efficient due to low data transfer rate than a high-speed broadband or DSL Internet connection, which in turn allows more data to pass through it in a second.
The Internet in turn uses a line with much more space (bandwidth) available than analog telephone lines. Any thing which transfers through the Internet is done by transferring the data or signals into data packets, which uses less space, it's for this reason cable television and the
Internet can use the same line. When a data packet is sent over the Internet, a circuit is opened, the packet is sent, and then it closes. The other end of the circuit only opens when the packet reaches its destination. This process requires less bandwidth and the line doesn't become crowded, which translates into a more efficient, high-speed transfer of data.

Essential Equipment
VOIP services require a high-speed Internet connection (dial-up connection doesn't work). Most providers will use any Internet service, anyhow, some require their customers to use their Internet service. For computer to computer communication a headset and microphone and computer are required and for telephone to telephone service only a telephone adapter and a telephone are required.

Drawbacks
One drawback is the difficulty in sending faxes due to software and networking constraints in most home systems, another drawback of VoIP service is its reliance upon another separate service - an Internet connection. The quality and overall reliability of the phone connection is entirely reliant upon the quality, reliability, and speed of the Internet connection which it is using, another drawback of VoIP is the likely inability to make phone calls during a power outage, though this problem is shared with some conventional phones which require more power than the landline itself can supply.

Benefit
VOIP service is popular among consumers because of the over-all cost savings compared to analog telephone services. Most VOIP services offer the same (if not more) features as analog telephone services at a lower price and long distance calls between users of the same service are usually free. Technology has improved the reliability and voice quality over time and will continue to improve VoIP performance as time goes on. With hardware VoIP solutions it is possible to connect the VoIP router into the existing central phone box in the house and have VoIP at every phone already connected. Software based VoIP services require the use of a computer, so they are limited to single point of calling, though handsets are now available, allowing them to be used without a PC.

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VoIP: the way of new telecommunications future.

 

As technology has improved, the features associated with VoIP calling mean that cost reduction is now no longer the only reason that business are taking up a VoIP business solution. The benefits of a VoIP business solution include:
Free Calls- VoIP to VoIP- if you are a business with multiple sites, you would be silly not to get a VoIP business solution as it offers you the ability to have free calls between all your sites.
Low Call Rates- VoIP call rates WILL be much cheaper than whatever rates you are currently paying.
Simple Administration- Current business phone systems require specialized knowledge to maintain, whilst with a VoIP business solution it can all be managed very simply from a computer.
Simplified Infrastructure- You will no longer have to pay for expensive phone systems if you implement a VoIP business solution in your workplace.
Scalable- A VoIP solution can grow as your business grows quite simply.
Future Friendly- VoIP is the way of the future, so you may as well get on the bandwagon now before all your current telecommunications technology becomes outdated.
Video Conferencing- With a webcam and a broadband connection, A VoIP business solution makes video conferencing extremely easy.
Presence- Many VoIP solutions allow you to show people when you are online and available to take calls, and when you are busy.
Text Messaging- If you cannot make a call, VoIP solutions offer you the chance to have a written conversation through the ability to instantly text message.
File Sharing- VoIP business solutions conveniently allow you to share files with colleagues and clients whilst you are on the phone to them.
VoIP has come a long way since the early buzz, and it is time to make the switch to a VoIP business solution for your business.

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Pros and Cons of VOIP

 
Pros
One advantage of using VOIP is the cost of the service. Phone service using VOIP costs less than similar service offered from traditional phone services, especially in regards to long distance telephone calls. Long distance calls through VOIP are offered at flat rates, which will ultimately benefit the consumer. Also, VOIP allows the consumer to share its voice and data equipment, which means that the costs are also shared. In other words, if you have an Internet connection already in place, VOIP can be used at almost no extra cost, and any network capacity that you are not currently using can be used for making calls. Another key benefit of using VOIP is the fact that incoming calls can be automatically routed to your VOIP phone regardless of where you are connected to the Internet. This is especially important for those who go on business trips. VOIP phones can also be integrated with other Internet services, such as videoconferences and file transfers. A user can send or receive messages or data while on their VOIP phone.

Cons
One cause for concern with VOIP is emergency 911 service. Before the government stepped in, 911 was not an optional feature for VOIP service providers, and 911 calls made after-hours were not guaranteed to be routed to the local areas emergency call centers of the caller. Another disadvantage of the VOIP service is the lack of encryption, which means that it is relatively easy for someone to eavesdrop on a VOIP call and even change the content of the call. There are a few solutions to this problem, but they do not guarantee full security of any calls. Airtight security would require the user to utilize encryption and cryptographic authentication, which are not yet readily available to consumers. A third drawback is the inconsistent sound quality of the calls made with VOIP. The sound quality is oftentimes fickle and calls often have delays and echoes as well. This means that some calls made with VOIP might not be as smooth and natural as calls made over landline phones.

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