Saturday, August 8, 2009

VOIP - VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL

Considered as one of the latest advancements related to the use of computer networks, Voice over Internet Protocol (also known as VoIP) has been a helpful tool in improving digital communication. Other terms that are used by computer users to refer to VOIP are broadband telephony, voice over broadband, IP telephony and Internet telephony. These systems feature session control protocols to manage the calls efficiently. When it comes to encoding the speech as an audio stream and a digital audio, Voice over Internet Protocol uses audio codecs. To know more about VoIP, let us look at the benefits from using the system as well as the challenges faced by VoIP users.

Implementations

What is VOIP? Voice over Internet Protocol (also known as VoIP) refers to a set of technologies used for the delivery or transmission of voice communications through the Internet, packet-switched networks and other IP networks. It is implemented in different ways with the use of both open and proprietary protocols. The different implementations of this system include Skype, H.323 and IMS.

Benefits

The use of Voice over Internet Protocol is very advantageous. The use of this system allows people and corporations to save money because the billing is based on the amount of data transferred through the use of the Internet. Aside from this, VoIP has several interesting and helpful features such as call forwarding, conference calling as well as automatic redial. In addition, this system allows computer users to transfer several calls with the use of different protocols or standards like the Secure Real-Time Transport Protocol. Other services available with this digital communications tool are audio conferencing and video conversation.

Challenges

Before using this system, it is important to know the limitations of Voice over Internet Protocol. One of the challenges or limitations of using the system is that it does not offer Quality of Service guarantees. Aside from these, users can experience congestion of information because data are transmitted in a computer network that commonly implements a fixed bandwidth. To avoid the congestion of data, some companies that use the system employ teletraffic engineering technologies.

To make sure that the use of VoIP will be efficient and fast, it is best to follow protocols that are associated with Physical Layer and Data link Layer such as Quality of Service standards. Aside from these, the other protocols that can be used to ensure efficient transmission of data are SIP RTCP Summary Reports, MGCP extensions as well as H.460.9 Annex B.

The Economics of VoIP

VoIP has become popular largely because of the cost advantages to consumers over traditional telepone networks.

VoIP calls can be placed across the Internet. Most Internet connections are charged using a flat monthly fee structure.

Using the Internet connection for both data traffic and voice calls can allow consumers to get rid of one monthly payment. In addition, VoIP plans do not charge a per-minute fee for long distance.

For International calling, the monetary savings to the consumer from switching to VoIP technology can be enormous.

VoIP Telephones

There are three methods of connecting to a VoIP network:

  • Using a VoIP telephone
  • Using a "normal" telephone with a VoIP adapter
  • Using a computer with speakers and a microphone

Types of VoIP Calls

VoIP telephone calls can be placed either to other VoIP devices, or to normal telephones on the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

Calls from a VoIP device to a PSTN device are commonly called "PC-to-Phone" calls, even though the VoIP device may not be a PC.

Calls from a VoIP device to another VoIP device are commonly called "PC-to-PC" calls, even though neither device may be a PC.

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