VoIP Myths
There has been lot of pessimism in case of VoIP as the voice quality was the suspect. While technically it was possible, people did not realize that high quality voice can be transmitted through internet. Development in VoIP has proved that it can be done if the necessary bandwidth is available.
Without doubt, VoIP is here to stay and it can only become better. Generally, any new technology evokes excitement and some times unrealistic expectations. Many a time, marketing hype may dampen the user expectations. End users must be educated and informed about the present and the future of VoIP to take informed decisions.
There are lots of myths around VoIP.
Trivial Myths!
Myth 1: VoIP is only for the Computer literates.
False. When VoIP started, it was mainly through Computers connected through Internet and the users to download same VoIP software. They used to dial each other and have voice communication. Later the technology simplified the connectivity and new gadgets are available which can be connected with ease once you subscribe to a VoIP provider.
Myth 2: You can call other VoIP users using only VoIP.
False. In case of peer-to-peer type service, VoIP users talk to VoIP users. There are many ways to use VoIP to call landlines, mobiles, international numbers and selected special service numbers.
Myth 3: Call quality is poor in VoIP
False. This is directly related to the infrastructure. Better the bandwidth better will be the quality. One can have a good quality call with 512 Kbps broadband. Better compression and decompression technologies will enable the finest call quality.
Myth 4: You need to have a computer to make and receive calls using VoIP
False. There are VoIP phones that connect directly to the Internet and you can make calls. Alternatively, you can use a traditional phone with the adapters supplied by VoIP service provider to connect the ordinary phone and make calls using VoIP.
Myth 5: You need uninterrupted power for VoIP.
False. Generally, the VoIP equipment will have their internal power backup. New technologies will enable the VoIP equipment to automatically switch over to the traditional landline connection that you may have. However, it depends on your Internet connectivity. If the Internet connectivity fails, your VoIP communication fails.
Myth 6: Emergency services can not be called using VoIP.
False. This was a confusion related to Area codes. If you live in Texas and do most business in New York, you can apply for area code of New York, so that all calls from New York will be local calls. It is as if you are ‘living’ in New York. So when you call Emergency numbers, they may be routed to Emergency services of New York, not Texas.
Myth 7: You need to drop your existing telephone number if you switch to VoIP.
False. There will be equipment available that connects with your existing landline telephone line. This allows you to have two telephone numbers connected to the one telephone handset – one of landline and the other of VoIP. Your outgoing calls will be routed through VoIP, while receiving will be from both the channels.
Trivial Myths!
Myth 1: VoIP is only for the Computer literates.
False. When VoIP started, it was mainly through Computers connected through Internet and the users to download same VoIP software. They used to dial each other and have voice communication. Later the technology simplified the connectivity and new gadgets are available which can be connected with ease once you subscribe to a VoIP provider.
Myth 2: You can call other VoIP users using only VoIP.
False. In case of peer-to-peer type service, VoIP users talk to VoIP users. There are many ways to use VoIP to call landlines, mobiles, international numbers and selected special service numbers.
Myth 3: Call quality is poor in VoIP
False. This is directly related to the infrastructure. Better the bandwidth better will be the quality. One can have a good quality call with 512 Kbps broadband. Better compression and decompression technologies will enable the finest call quality.
Myth 4: You need to have a computer to make and receive calls using VoIP
False. There are VoIP phones that connect directly to the Internet and you can make calls. Alternatively, you can use a traditional phone with the adapters supplied by VoIP service provider to connect the ordinary phone and make calls using VoIP.
Myth 5: You need uninterrupted power for VoIP.
False. Generally, the VoIP equipment will have their internal power backup. New technologies will enable the VoIP equipment to automatically switch over to the traditional landline connection that you may have. However, it depends on your Internet connectivity. If the Internet connectivity fails, your VoIP communication fails.
Myth 6: Emergency services can not be called using VoIP.
False. This was a confusion related to Area codes. If you live in Texas and do most business in New York, you can apply for area code of New York, so that all calls from New York will be local calls. It is as if you are ‘living’ in New York. So when you call Emergency numbers, they may be routed to Emergency services of New York, not Texas.
Myth 7: You need to drop your existing telephone number if you switch to VoIP.
False. There will be equipment available that connects with your existing landline telephone line. This allows you to have two telephone numbers connected to the one telephone handset – one of landline and the other of VoIP. Your outgoing calls will be routed through VoIP, while receiving will be from both the channels.
Myths related to Future
VoIP is only short time solution.
False. VoIP is a good technology. You will see many applications based on VoIP. There will be Ip based PBX which will go a long way.
VoIP helps only in cost saving.
False. The advantages of VoIP are not only the savings in communication costs. You will see may VoIP applications and equipment that can be readily plugged in. VoIP equipment is expected to be future-proof. Meaning, if your Network infrastructure is properly planned, you can take maximum out of VoIP technology in future.
VoIP in future will be Plug and Play.
While it may be true in case of residential consumers, Enterprises need to address software customization by vendors. The media servers, switches and the Application servers will need to be configured for a given Enterprise.
While it may be true in case of residential consumers, Enterprises need to address software customization by vendors. The media servers, switches and the Application servers will need to be configured for a given Enterprise.
VoIP will be a completely open technology in future.
No. It is still a proprietary technology. But you will see many Independent Software Vendor (ISV)s developing applications and equipment based in VoIP. Even if the applications will be run on open source servers, vendors would offer proprietary extensions like Cisco's AVVID (Architecture for Voice, Video and Integrated Data).
The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) will replace VoIP.
SIP addresses vendor interoperability issues and enables switches and handsets from different vendors to work together well. But they may not offer all the features. VoIP has better grip on the technology and more vendors are developing tools and equipment.
SIP addresses vendor interoperability issues and enables switches and handsets from different vendors to work together well. But they may not offer all the features. VoIP has better grip on the technology and more vendors are developing tools and equipment.
Irrespective of technology, Traditional PBX will survive.
False. IP PBX offers many features as it leverages the latest technology and VoIP. As per a research forecast the IP PBX market will exceed the legacy traditional switchboard market by 2007 to US$6bn while traditional PBX sales may drop to US$3.5bn.
False. IP PBX offers many features as it leverages the latest technology and VoIP. As per a research forecast the IP PBX market will exceed the legacy traditional switchboard market by 2007 to US$6bn while traditional PBX sales may drop to US$3.5bn.
Future upgrades of VoIP systems will prove expensive
The Vendors are likely to offer free software upgrades as they are released. If the customers are using the same equipment, there may not be any recurring costs. However, if the hardware with new features is introduced, there will be cost factor involved. As the Returns on Investments (ROI) in case of VoIP is very high, one is expected to realize the returns on investment within one or two years, depending on the equipment and the investment. Even if one is replacing the latest VoIP equipment, they need not replace the entire infrastructure. Network and the adapters and handsets may still be able to be used. Hence the relative cost of upgrading will be low.
The Vendors are likely to offer free software upgrades as they are released. If the customers are using the same equipment, there may not be any recurring costs. However, if the hardware with new features is introduced, there will be cost factor involved. As the Returns on Investments (ROI) in case of VoIP is very high, one is expected to realize the returns on investment within one or two years, depending on the equipment and the investment. Even if one is replacing the latest VoIP equipment, they need not replace the entire infrastructure. Network and the adapters and handsets may still be able to be used. Hence the relative cost of upgrading will be low.
posted by rameshkumarb @ 8:32 PM
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