Basics of VoIP And Its Future trends.

Basics of VoIP

Standard telephones are based on Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), which works on circuit switching. In earlier days, the telephone operator used to physically connect some cables in the control rooms. Then automatic telephone exchanges were introduced.

Internet enables packets of information to be transmitted from one computer to another. These packets of information are also called data packets. For example email uses packet switching. VoIP technology leverages also leverages packet switching to send voice across the internet. Audio formats are converted into data packets and transmitted over the internet in Packet Switching. These data packets are reassembled on the receiver’s end.

Newer technologies enable VoIP to let users communicate with or without PC, but through Internet. In the first model, software like softphone may be used on a PC to talk across with another PC on the Internet. However, the constraint in this model is that the users at both end need to have the same software installed. In the later model, one can connect an adapter that can be connected to the broadband directly.

Newer developments enable VoIP users to make calls to the regular PSTN or cell phone users. Low cost adapters are available now to connect a regular analog phone to leverage VoIP. If you have an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA), it is very easy to connect an analog phone and make calls. Plug in the regular analog phone into the ATA and plug the adapter into the modem or router that connects to high speed internet. Once you connect using VoIP using high speed internet connection, the voice quality will be as good as regular landline conversation quality.

Instant Messaging applications leverage VoIP to provide voice chat. You may connect a microphone and can talk directly. Your friend on the other side can listen to you if he has speakers/head phone connected to the same Instant messenger and is connected to you. Similarly, if he has a microphone, you can listen to him/her. This clear quality two way communication is possible through VoIP and at a very low cost as no telephone charges are involved.

With the developments in VoIP, the application providers are now able to manage data, audio, video and E-Mail simultaneously. We see this happening in the Instant Messaging applications today.

Companies like AOL, Sprint, Verizon etc offer VoIP plans with monthly billing. Telecom service providers can now offer VoIP service with features like Voice Mail, Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Call Blocking etc.

VoIP - What Do I Need?

If you want to use your Computer and use VoIP, ensure that you are subscribed to High speed Internet access. Update audio and video Codecs. Compare the various parameters and pricing of different service providers and decide on the one service provider, you think suits your requirement.

The VoIP service provider provides you a Telephony Adapter, using which you can use your conventional phone for VoIP communication. Connect the cables as suggested by the Service between the Phone, Adapter and the Internet. And there you go VoIP.

How VoIP Works?

Making and Receiving Calls

If you have connected the Phone, adapter and the modem/router for Internet connectivity are properly connected, making and receiving calls is easy. It is as simple as using up your regular telephone. If you want to call, just pick up the phone and dial the number. Similarly, when some one calls you, you simple pick up the phone and talk. You will never know the difference.

This happens, because, the Broadband VoIP Router splits your high-speed broadband and converts your analog signal to digital. The digital signal is sent through the modem.

When someone calls you, they dial your regular telephone number. Behind the scenes, your number looks similar to an e-mail address. This number instructs the call to travel over the Internet to the D-Link Broadband VoIP Router, your phone rings, and all you have to do is pick up and answer it.

Analog Telephone VoIP Adapter ( ATA )

The ATA is an adapter that is used to connect a standard telephone (corded or cordless) to your internet service and can be used along with the VoIP service. It connects an Analogue Telephone to a VoIP network. It has an RJ45 Ethernet jack to connect to your switch or router, and an RJ-11 phone jack to connect a standard phone.

It is an analog-to-digital converter. The basic principle of this adapter is that it converts the signal from the telephone in analog form and changes it into digital format be sent across the Internet.

The Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) helps customers to migrate legacy analog telephones and conference speakerphones to modern IP devices and deliver feature-rich carrier-class Voice over IP service to small-businesses and residences.

The ATA converts voice into data packets seamlessly, transfers the packets over IP network and delivers clear sounding toll-quality voice to any destination. This intelligent technology enables customers to extend their investment by leveraging their existing broadband connection, DSL or cable modem, for extremely affordable Internet phone rates.

This technology uses a protocol defined as SIPv2 (RFC3261) and has various other features like Inband & Outband DTMF (RFC2833 / SIP INFO ), Call progress tone generation, Dynamic jitter buffer ( adaptive ), Packet loss concealment. It also has full duplex audio enabling both users to interact properly.

Some of the other fascinating features of this ATA are G.168 Line Echo-cancellation, VAD - Voice Activity Detection w / silence suppression. It uses the Voice codecs: G.711 A / µ law; G.729 A / B.

The administrative and management part of the ATA include Password protected system reset to factory default and Password protected access Web configuration. It has Web-based configuration via built-in Web server with Convenient Internet access profiles. It has a Touch-tone telephone keypad configuration with IVR support with Auto provisioning and the firmware can be upgraded via the web browser.

It’s Networking Features include a DHCP client (RFC 2131) / PPPoE / Static IP with PPTP support and automated NAT Traversal (STUN, RFC3489).

The physical interfaces present are One port, 10 / 100Base-T, RJ-45 connector and One port, FXS, RJ-11 connector.

VoIP FXS1 Adapter

The VoIP FXSI adapter is a one port telephone adapter with a a four port switch/hub. It provides data transfer by 10 Mbps, telephone services and T.38 fax over IP network .The VoIP FXSI adapter is most suitable for SOHO and a small-to-medium Internet communication environment.

The main features of the VoIP FXSI adapter are Easy access to IP from phone set or PBX, Easy interface to ADSL/Cable Modem or Leased line equipment .It is highly economical as it is Cost Saving - Telephone call from VPN or public Internet. It follows the existing telephone call dial plan

The Future of VoIP

The basics of VoIP will not change much. The concepts remain the same. However, the bandwidth is likely to increase many folds and at cheaper rates. VoIP equipment suppliers become innovative and leverage Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) also.

Standards

the International Multimedia Teleconferencing Consortium (IMTC) and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) take care of the H.323 family of standards which are very important for VoIP. These standards include standards for voice -G.711, G.722, G.723, G.728, G.729 and video -H.261, H.263.

Signaling/control standards like H.225 may also be important. The IETF has Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Moreover, Cisco has its own protocols.

Currently the vendors are making their products to the standards that are convenient to them as there no strict adherence to the same. This is also due to the fact that, there are no rigid rules for following.

In future, the standards will be defined to take care of interoperability and to leverage each others’ strengths.

Benefits of a VoIP System :

One Wire system

You no longer need separate cables for phone and data. The same data network cable can support your telecommunication needs using VoIP.

Instant messaging This already is a standard practice for many corporate companies. However, one had to use browsers on Internet to establish instant messaging or chat. Future VoIP equipment will enable you to have all in place without connecting to a computer.

Remote users A call comes in to the corporate head quarters in NY for an employee, currently stationed remotely at Texas branch can still attend the call. Thanks to VoIP and its features.

Investment Protection The investment in VoIP equipment is expected to be much above others. This is due to the fact that you realize a quick ROI on the savings. Also, the VoIP equipment of today is likely to work in future upgrades of the infrastructure. However, some features may not be available for the users. This is same as your PSTN phones. Every one thought the Standards phones are waste and we have to through them out as VoIP will not support them. However, the suppliers soon realized the impact and came with the adapters that allow conventional phones getting connected to the internet.