All U Wanted

FierceVoIP Names Pactolus as one of the "Fierce 15" VoIP Companies of 2008

2008-11-09T08:20:00.000-08:00

Pactolus Communications Software named to the annual FierceVoIP "Fierce 15" list, designating it as one of the top IP communications companies of the year. FierceVoIP editors evaluated hundreds of organizations, and found Pactolus to be amongst the "fiercest," proven by their creativity and innovations in the marketplace.

The award recognizes the industry-leading scale of Pactolus IP voice services, and the unlimited service creation capabilities enabled by Pactolus' RapidFLEX Service Creation Environment, whose rich, easily-usable object palette allows developers to create any IP voice or voice/Web 2.0 hybrid applications they can envision. The foundation for unique services now successfully deployed by Tier 1 and innovative service providers, the RapidFLEX SCE does not require advanced developer mastery of C++, Java or protocols such as SIP and DIAMETER. The RapidFLEX SCE and SDP are freely downloadable at the SIPdev.org open developer community website

more at:
http://www.pr-inside.com/fiercevoip-names-pactolus-as-one-of-r904370.htm

Jaxtr lays off some staff, CEO steps down

2008-11-03T19:45:00.000-08:00

VoIP and social network startup Jaxtr Inc. has laid off 13 of is employees and its chief executive has stepped down.

In June the Menlo Park-based company raised $10 million to expand its Web-based service that allow users to make less expensive long-distance calls, and said that along with that as-yet unspent funding and its revenue streams, the company will be able to stay afloat for at least 18 months.

On the company's blog, interim CEO Bahman Koohestani said Konstantin Guericke is stepping down to spend more time with his wife and two young daughters. "I like to thank Konstantin for his leadership, marketing insights, and social networking know-how to get jaxtr past its initial phase," Koohestani said. "I’m also glad that Konstantin will remain with us as chairman, and I am very excited and look forward to working with the stellar team here to deliver all the enhancements our members have been asking for..."

Earlier this year Guericke said the service has registered more than 10 million users in 220 countries and spent no money on advertising.

Guericke was also co-founder and CEO of Mountain View-based social networking site LinkedIn Corp.

Read more at:
http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2008/11/03/daily8.html

Who Killed the VoIP Revolution?

2008-11-02T23:16:00.000-08:00

"VoIP is dead," Skype General Manager for Voice and Video Jonathan Christensen declared at an industry conference a few weeks ago. He spoke figuratively, of course, but he may well have been right. While proponents of Voice over Internet Protocol had long promised a decade of creative destruction, they themselves appear to have become the victims.

The full potential of a technology is not always realized once it converges with market forces. In this case, the gravitational pull of the incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) has always proved difficult to resist. Most of the VoIP industry, while loudly proclaiming the "session-initiation protocol" SIP era as the beginning of the end for monopoly communications, secretly courted the incumbents in hopes of profiting from replacing their long-amortized investments in the fixed-line business. By tying their fortunes to the whimsy of the ILECs, many of the upstarts suffered, destroying billions of dollars in shareholder value in the process.

Recently, PulverMedia, which spurred the VoIP crowd and rode its financial crest, shut its doors amid a swirl of controversy. As of this writing, Sonus Networks (SONS), once a highflier trading at 95 a share in 2000, goes for about 2.29. Even Cisco (CSCO) has thrown in the towel, discontinuing its BTS series of softswitches, which provide the routing logic for VoIP networks. These dismal stories perfectly mirror the ride of the VoIP industry in general.

read the complete article at:
http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2008/tc20081031_668626.htm?chan=top+news_top+news+index+-+temp_technology

VoIP Providers Using IP-Based E911 as Cost-Effective, Competitive Differentiator

2008-10-30T20:25:00.000-07:00

E911 is commanding even greater attention in the voice-over-IP (VoIP) market as Monday's FCC ruling became more stringent and reports of casualties related to VoIP E911 limitations are publicized. Not only could the liability of ignoring emerging 911 capabilities be disastrous for a VoIP company, sales could also suffer as consumers are beginning to seriously evaluate 911 functionality in their voice buying decisions. To be competitive, VoIP companies are getting in front of FCC compliance and consumer demand for public safety. Historically, 911 technology enhancement was cost-prohibitive for VoIP providers, but rising IP-based E911 companies are allowing them to compete both on technology innovation and price, due to a lower cost infrastructure.
E911 companies are catering to the safety-conscious market. VoIP providers are using companies like VIXXI Solutions, an IP-based, nationwide E911 provider that focuses heavily on product innovation. They have developed efficient geospatial technology that far exceeds current compliancy standards while reducing costs for VoIP providers. In addition to supporting nomadic VoIP users, they provide unlimited caller-customized data, such as pre-existing health conditions, to a public safety answering point (PSAP). Additionally, they offer the ability to simultaneously notify relatives when a 911 call is made, with strong implications for the elderly living alone or parents of traveling teenagers.
These VoIP providers can now improve their time-to-revenue and the safety of their customers with immediate address validation in the 911 master street address guide (MSAG). The new Internet-based technologies additionally allow for real-time PSAP boundary updates ensuring correct call routing, a current FCC ruling. Also for compliancy, VIXXI uniquely provides their VoIP customers with 711 (deaf relay).

for full details, ref:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/VoIP-Providers-Using-IP-Based/story.aspx?guid=%7B99D42E90-7684-4461-B0F8-74D2D5323A52%7D

VoIP salaries in high

2008-08-31T19:39:00.000-07:00

It is reported that the salaries in VoIP are going northbound. It is recommended you to switch to VoIP if you have right qualifications,
]
ref http://news.tmcnet.com/news/-voip-salaries-rise-sharply-q2-/2008/08/31/3626731.htm

Ramesh

CallCopy Introduces New VoIP Call Recording Solution for Businesses

2008-08-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

CallCopy, Inc., a leading provider of call recording and quality monitoring software, today announced the availability of CallCopy Essential, the company's new VoIP call recording solution that will help small businesses to quickly and easily capture and archive inbound and outbound calls. CallCopy Essential was developed specifically for the small office to help companies improve customer service, increase productivity and meet compliance regulations.
R
ead more at:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/callcopy-introduces-new-voip-call/story.aspx?guid=%7B5C409D4E-27EF-42A2-ADDA-AFCBE152EA17%7D&dist=hppr

Intel to Add Wake-on-VoIP Technology to Mobos

2008-08-15T01:44:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, Intel said that four new unspecified motherboards would include a capability called Remote Wake, an improved version of the Wake-on-LAN or Wake-on-WAN technology that has been around for about a decade.

The new addition to the technology is the ability for a VOiP call to wake up the PC, a feature that's obviously geared toward Skype and other VoIP providers. VoIP provider Jajah announced support for the technology. However, both Orb Networks and CyberLink did as well, evidence that Remote Wake will be used for media management, such as recording TV shows, in addition.

read more at:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2328083,00.asp

VoIP in Qatar

2008-07-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

Clarification of the legal position of VoIP technology in Qatar from the Supreme Council for Information and Communications Technology (ictQATAR), the country's telecommunications Regulatory Authority:
----

VoIP is a technology for the delivery of voice services using existing internet infrastructure and services. There are no laws or rules that prohibit the use of such technology within the State of Qatar. The Telecommunications Law 34 of 2006 does, however, make it illegal for any person to provide telecommunications services to the public for a direct or indirect fee without a license issued by ictQATAR for that purpose. Currently the only two entities licensed by ictQATAR to provide such voice services to the public in Qatar are Qatar Telecom (QTel) Q.S.C. and Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C.

In summary, the position on VoIP is:
1. Any person or business within the State of Qatar may use VoIP services for voice calls for their own use; and
2. No person or business within the State of Qatar may sell VoIP calls or services to the public or businesses without a license issued by ictQATAR. The only two companies currently licensed for that purpose are QTel and Vodafone.

ictQATAR is committed to encouraging the availability of the latest technology to Qatari citizens and residents.

Any person with further questions about Qatar's VoIP policy may contact ictQATAR by email at consumervoice@ict.gov.qa or by calling our consumer help line at +974 499 5353.
-----

source:
Press Release 2008 from ictQATAR
http://www.mysolutioninfo.com/news-display.aspx?Code=10850&t=Qatar%20Voice%20over%20Internet%20Protocal%20(VoIP)%20Policy

Enhancing Business Continuity with Hosted VoIP

2008-07-16T20:51:00.000-07:00

Cypress Communications, specializing in hosted VoIP solutions, operates a national private network designed specifically for VoIP. The network, which has been engineered for 99.999 percent availability and local site survivability with no single point of failure, is designed to automatically detect potential faults and self-correct and is supported by redundant devices to ensure maximum availability of voice communications.

The hosted VoIP functionality is offered via distributed, carrier-grade, Nortel (News - Alert) CS2000 switching and Nortel MCS5200 multimedia platforms. The Nortel CS2000 located in Dallas acts as a central-office-grade switching platform. It is comprised of two identical hardware components that mirror each other at all times. Each half of the platform operates using distinct power supplies on separate power feeds and hence, in the event of any disruption or problem in the hardware or software component of the platform, its workload is assumed by its redundant counterpart without interruption to any process or call handling.

- TMCnet Special Guest
Heather Whitt, Marketing Communications Manager, Cypress Communications

Read complete article at:
http://www.tmcnet.com/channels/hosted-voip/articles/34269-enhancing-business-continuity-with-hosted-voip.htm

Microsoft Taiwan and Chief Telecom Partner to Provide VoIP Service

2008-07-07T20:48:00.001-07:00

The collaboration will have Chief Telecom offer VoIP service on Microsoft`s MSN instant-messaging program. Consumers click on a telephone logo on MSN instant messaging option list on PCs to sign up as members and buy credit points for the service offered by Chief.

The service is priced around 50 percent below the average charge on traditional telephone service. For instance, making local calls on the service’s network costs only NT$0.66 per minute and making mobile calls on the network costs around NT$3.2 per minute.

more at:
http://voipservices.tmcnet.com/feature/articles/33230-microsoft-taiwan-chief-telecom-partner-provide-voip-service.htm

Microsoft Taiwan and Chief Telecom Partner to Provide VoIP Service

2008-07-07T20:48:00.000-07:00

Watch out these VoIP vendors

2008-07-01T21:27:00.000-07:00

There are good companies coming out with good VoIP products.

Look out for

AllWorx http://www.allworx.com/
Broadvox http://www.broadvox.com
Digium http://www.digium.com/
Talkswitch http://www.talkswitch.com/
VarPhonex http://www.varphonex.com/

Ramesh

iCall to switch between VoIP, GSM calling on iPhone

2008-06-30T20:33:00.000-07:00

Intersting development to allow iPhone owners to place VoIP calls over WiFi networks. It is callad icall.

It is developed as part of the iPhone Developer Program and will be available to all iPhone users.

Read more at:
http://arstechnica.com/journals/apple.ars/2008/06/30/icall-to-switch-between-voip-gsm-calling-on-iphone

Cisco Security: patches now available for Cisco VoIP holes

2008-06-26T20:34:00.000-07:00

As expected, Cisco Security on Wednesday announced software updates to fix two holes in its VoIP prodcuts. The Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM), formerly Cisco CallManager, contains a vulnerability in the Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) Manager service that may allow a denial-of-service attack. Also, Cisco's Real-Time Information Server (RIS) Data Collector contains an authentication bypass hole that may expose information that is useful for hackers to mount other attacks. Both of these holes are fixed with software updates available now.

read more at:
http://www.networkworld.com/community/node/29366

US Passes VoIP bill to dial "911" in emergencies.

2008-06-24T20:59:00.000-07:00

US passes VoIP bill

Washington - The US House of Representatives late on Monday passed a bill giving internet phone subscribers the ability to dial "911" in emergencies.

The measure reflects a compromise between House and Senate versions, and both bodies have passed separate bills on the issue with virtually no opposition.

President Bush is expected to sign the bill before the end of the week, Capitol Hill sources said.

The Senate passed the same bill last week. It is expected to be signed into law before the end of the week.

source:
http://www.news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2345818,00.html

New Skype Beta Makes Video VOIP a Snap

2008-06-18T20:39:00.001-07:00

Skype, the popular free VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protcol) unit of eBay, June 18 released a revamped platform that makes it easier for the service's 309 million users to make video calls from their computers.

The new Skype 4.0 Beta for Windows aims to leverage the factoid that in the first quarter of 2008, 14 billion Skype calls, or 28 percent, were video calls.

That's the biggest change and it is a slam dunk at a time when users are increasingly using the Web as a preferred means of communication with friends, colleagues and business partners.

Read complete article at:
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/VOIP-and-Telephony/New-Skype-Beta-Makes-Video-VOIP-a-Snap/

New Skype Beta Makes Video VOIP a Snap

2008-06-18T20:39:00.000-07:00

Hidden messages buried in VoIP chatter

2008-06-03T22:37:00.000-07:00

Polish researchers have revealed the many ways you can hide messages within the bit stream of Voip phone calls.

If secret policemen didn't like Skype and its IP telephony cousins before, they'll really hate it now.

Burying hidden message in internet phone calls represents the latest evolution of steganography. Steganographic techniques for hiding messages have been around for as long as cryptography and have evolved with technology. Steganography once included messages hidden in wax tablets by the ancient Greeks and invisible ink and microdots on paper. Now it involves concealing messages within digitally transmitted images or sound files.

more at:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/03/voip_steganography/

Mobile VoIP cuts free from Wi-Fi

2008-05-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

May 27, 2008 (TechWorld.com) Mobile voice-over-IP (VoIP) provider Truphone is extending its service to give users free or cheap calls over the cellular network, when they are away from Wi-Fi hot spots. Meanwhile, a rival consumer service has launched with backing from U.K. retailer Tesco.

Truphone Anywhere dials a gateway on a local number, which then connects through to the destination number, saving money if it is an international call. Unlike some other services, this is transparent, with the call setup handled automatically after the user dials the remote number. It is partly enabled by a recent Truphone acquisition, SIM4travel Ltd., which provides cheap international calling through gateways in Europe.

"We've put together our mobile numbers and interconnect, with SIM4travel's home location register," said James Tagg, CEO of Truphone. The company has its own number range, which has enabled it to act as a mobile operator, and win against operators, including T-Mobile, which challenged this. In April, it raised another $33.6 million in venture funding to add to about $25 million, which it raised in 2007.

The idea of mobile VoIP is gaining ground in the U.K., with Australian operator Freshtel Pty. Ltd. launching a trial backed by a Tesco, and with a "buy one get one free" offer. Freshtel uses a VoIP client similar to the one that Truphone is installing on Nokia E and N series phones, and operates on any Wi-Fi.

New Freshtel subscribers get about a $4 credit for a text, which costs about $2, in a limited beta-test deal, launched at the Wireless 08 show in London. The text starts an installation process that -- in Freshtel's demo to Techworld at the conference -- was quick and painless, needing no Web registration. The company claimed benefits compared with Truphone, including the use of the subscriber's regular mobile number.

"We're using other brands to access their customer base," said Rhonda O'Donnell, CEO of Freshtel, explaining the tie-up with Tesco, which owns around 10% of the company.

Truphone's Tagg said that Freshtel was behind Truphone, in that it does not save money on incoming regular calls and does not work away from Wi-Fi.

Both services are likely to go for a higher profile -- with Freshtel hoping for more direct promotion by Tesco after this trial, and Truphone hovering on the verge of services that could put it on a more even footing with regular operators -- for instance, perhaps, offering its own SIM.

Reprinted with permission from techworld.com by computerworld.com

ref:
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&taxonomyName=lan_wan&articleId=9089458&taxonomyId=80&intsrc=kc_top

Microsoft Adds VoIP Services for Response Point Phone System

2008-05-20T20:29:00.000-07:00

Microsoft (News - Alert) Corp. recently introduced a new service pack (SP1) for its Microsoft Response Point phone system software, adding Voice over IP (VoIP) phone service. Microsoft Response Point was initially introduced in beta code in March 2007 and became generally available last November as a flexible, easy-to-install, affordable phone system for small businesses with up to 50 employees.

The solution, which combines software from Microsoft with hardware from Quanta Computer (News - Alert) Inc. or D-Link Corporation, is currently available for purchase from each vendor’s Web site or through their channel distributors as the Quanta Syspine Digital Operator Phone System or the pictured D-Link VoiceCenter IP Phone System. This summer, a third version, based on hardware from Aastra (News - Alert) Technologies, will become available. Aastra's Response Point will come preloaded with the most recent version of Response Point, SP1 and will support business class SIP phones that include personal mobility solutions. (Aastra Response Point is separate from Aastra’s recently announced AastraLink Pro product also for SMBs.)

At first release (November 2007), the SIP-capable Microsoft Response Point allowed VoIP calling for internal calls only and used PSTN gateways for calls outside the system. With SP1, due out this summer, the system adds VoIP phone service (SIP trunking via service providers) for end-to-end VoIP calling, both internal and external.

Read more at:
http://internetcommunications.tmcnet.com/topics/sip/articles/28487-microsoft-adds-voip-services-response-point-phone-system.htm

SOS on VOIP phone ? Better use landlins!

2008-05-01T23:21:00.000-07:00

Canadian emergency agencies are urging people to consider the risks of using Internet phone services following the death of an 18-month-old boy in Calgary.

Sylvia Luck called 911 on Tuesday night using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone -- which routes calls through the Internet -- after her nephew, Elijah, appeared to be in medical distress, his left hand and leg quivering. An ambulance arrived more than 30 minutes later, and only after a neighbour called 911 from a land line.

Alison George, a spokeswoman for Comwave Telecom Inc., the VoIP provider for the Luck family, said its call centre heeded Ms. Luck's plea and sent an ambulance to the address on file. Unfortunately, it was the family's former address in suburban Toronto.

Internet-based phone services do not relay the caller's location. When a land line is used, emergency services can see the person's name, address and phone number.

For complete article, visit:
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=485635

Yahoo to Hand Over Messenger VoIP to Jajah

2008-04-30T22:32:00.000-07:00

Yahoo said Tuesday that it will outsource its Yahoo Messenger VoIP calls to Jajah beginning in the third quarter.

At press time, it was not known whether the switch will be transparent to users, or whether Jajah will insist upon its own branding. As of now, the two models are relatively similar: users prepurchase a number of credits, and then spend them to pay for outgoing and inbound calls from the PC.

Jajah competes with Skype, among others. Now, however, Jajaj gains access to Yahoo Messenger's 97 million users. Skype claims 276 million users, according to a company presentation posted online.

"The seamless integration of web and voice interaction is clearly important to our strategic partner, Yahoo!," said Trevor Healy, Jajah's chief executive, in a statement. "We are honored to be selected by Yahoo! to meet their voice needs. Through this relationship, we have the opportunity to extend our innovative global calling services with an industry leader that can leverage the power of our platform and network."

However, the change could affect the rates users will be charged. Currently, Yahoo charges a penny a minute to be connected to a U.S. landline; Jajah charges 2.9 cents per minute. On the other hand, Yahoo charges 20.5 cents per minute to call a mobile phone in the U.K., while Jajah only charges 18.9 cents to that same line. Yahoo has not said whether it will subsidize the new service via ads.

Jajah will also take over the provision of the telephony infrastructure, payment processing, and customer care for Yahoo's premium voice users, the companies said.

source :
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2288938,00.asp

Skype tests mobile VoIP app

2008-04-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

Skype has released a mobile version of its VoIP application, giving owners of Java-enabled handsets access to the communication service while out and about.

The product is still in beta, but is freely available to download and offers most Skype features, including chat, group chat, presence and receiving calls through SkypeIn.

Additional features, such as Skype-to-Skype and SkypeOut calls, are initially supported only in Brazil (Rio de Janeiro), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Poland, Sweden and the UK.

"These are still the early days for making Skype calls on mobile phones, but we have already made great strides in this space," said Gareth O'Loughlin, general manager of mobile and hardware devices at Skype.

"We have a great relationship with 3 which has brought the mobile Skype experience to eight markets through the 3 Skypephone and a range of other packages and phones. Skype for your mobile will expand the available options even further."

Some Skype-phones are already available, and a handful of other dedicated mobile devices can run versions of Skype, but a rollout to most other handsets is available from today.

Skype hopes that the public beta will help gauge the response of tech-savvy users whose feedback will help tweak the application.

"We need to hear what delights users and where there is still work to be done," said O'Loughlin.

"But this product underscores our commitment to innovation and to putting Skype conversations in the pockets of today's mobile masses."

The Skype mobile client can be installed on the phone or downloaded to a computer and then transferred to the device

source:
http://www.vnunet.com/vnunet/news/2215477/skype-tests-mobile-app

VoIP Manufacturers

2006-09-22T02:52:00.000-07:00

Aastra
www.aastra.com
abp Technology Partners
www.abptech.com
Adtran
www.adtran.com
Allworx
www.allworx.com
ArtDio
www.artdio.net
Atcom
www.atcom.cn/
AudioCodes
www.audiocodes.com
Axcess Communications
www.axcesscommunications.com
Azatel
www.azatel.com
Bandwidth.com
www.bandwidth.com
Belkin
www.belkin.com
Bogen
www.bogen.com/
Brooktrout
www.brooktrout.com/
Carrier Access
www.carrieraccess.com
Cisco
www.cisco.com
Citel
www.citel.com
Clarisys
www.clarisys.com/
ClearOne
www.clearone.com
Clipcomm
www.clipcomm.co.kr/
Digium
http://www.dialogic.com/
Dialogic - IP, Wireless and Video
www.digium.com
DLink
www.dlink.com
DrayTek
www.draytek.com
DualPhone
www.dualphone.net
Edgewater Networks
www.edgewaternetworks.com
Eicon Networks
www.eicon.com
Epygi
www.epygi.com
Fonality
www.fonality.com
GN Netcom
www.gnnetcom.com
Gnet
www.gnet.ca
Grandstream
www.grandstream.com
Hitachi
www.hitachi-cable.co.jp/index_e.htm
InGate
www.ingate.com
Intertex
www.intertex.se
IP Gear
www.ipgear.co.il/
ipDialog
www.ipdialog.com
Ipevo
www.ipevo.com
KeySpan
www.keyspan.com
LeadTek
www.leadtek.com
LG Electronics
www.lge.com
Linksys
www.linksys.com
Mediatrix
www.mediatrix.com
MKC Networks
www.mkcnetworks.com
Motorola
broadband.motorola.com
Multi-Link
www.multi-link.net
MultiTech Systems
www.multitech.com
MVox
www.mvox.com
Net-2Com
www.net-2com.co.jp:8080/english/
Netfabric
www.netfabric.net
Netgear
www.netgear.com
Netopia
www.netopia.com/
O'Reilly Media
www.oreilly.com
Panasonic
www.panasonic.com
Pandora Networks
www.pandoranetworks.com
Patton Electronics
www.patton.com
Phoenix Audio
www.phnxaudio.com
PhoneGnome
www.phonegnome.com
Pingtel
www.pingtel.com
Planet Networking & Communicatio
www.plantronics.com
Plantronics
www.plantronics.com
Polycom
www.polycom.com
PowerDsine
www.powerdsine.com/
PowerSense
www.power-sense.com
Pulver Innovations
www.pulver.com/
Quintum Technologies
www.quintum.com
Radian Technologies
www.eradian.com
Red Hawk
www.red-hawk.com
RedFone Communications
www.red-fone.com
Rhino
www.channelbanks.com
Sangoma
www.sangoma.com
SEI Power
www.seipower.com
Senao
www.senao.com
Siemens

Signate
www.signate.com
SIPCPE
www.sipcpe.com
Sipura
www.sipura.com
SNOM
www.snom.com
SonicWall
www.SonicWall.com
SOYO
www.soyousa.com
SuperMicro
www.supermicro.com
SwitchVox
www.switchvox.com
TalkSwitch
www.talkswitch.com/
Teliann
www.teliann.com
thirdlane
www.thirdlane.com/
TRENDnet
www.trendnet.com
TrippLite
www.tripplite.com
Tyan
www.tyan.com
Uniden
www.uniden.com
USRobotics
www.usr.com
UTStarCom
www.utstarcom.com
Valcom
www.valcom.com/
Vcon
www.vcon.com/
Vegastream
www.vegastream.com
Viking Electronics
www.vikingelectronics.com/
Viper Networks
www.vipernetworks.com
Vizufon
www.vizufonusa.com
VoipSupply.com
www.voipsupply.com
VXI Corporation
www.vxicorp.com
WellTech
www.welltech.com.tw/
WorldACCXX
www.worldaccxx.com
Xorcom
www.xorcom.com
Zoom
www.zoom.com
Zyxel
www.zyxel.com

VoIP Myths

2006-09-19T20:32:00.000-07:00

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Strategies for Future Of VoIP

2006-09-18T20:17:00.000-07:00

The technology changes very rapidly. While great future is predicted for VoIP, more innovative products and services are required that leverage VoIP. VoIP is likely to give way to many other technologies, which take the basis from VoIP.

All the market leaders in VoIP have their strategies for future in case of VoIP. It is difficult to have a very long term strategy for VoIP as in future voice could be a part of a bigger technology framework.

CISCO came out with their strategy for VoIP by stressing the importance of enterprise application development. Though Cisco manufactures IP phones, which bring in considerable revenue, Cisco aims to address developing IP infrastructure for Service providers and large enterprises. This also addresses the need for increase in bandwidth and the development of wireless connectivity standards like as 3G.

The need to provide innovative end-user tools, comes from the fact that, though the VoIP market is increasing rapidly, the PBX sales are going down. Cisco is aiming to bring about IP phones with high-end applications.

The strategy also includes to build value added applications. For example, they have already demonstrated a voice based application that pulled stock quotes from a web site. They also plan to build an application engine that helps programmers to create XML based applications.

Another strategy is to address four application categories. They are unified messaging, voice recognition, high-quality wideband voice, and "find me" services. Cisco is also addressing to build applications that can integrate corporate directories, communities, voice mail application etc. Cisco seems to be willing to shed down ‘Hardware vendor’ face and concentrate on software solutions.

After Skype has revolutionized the VoIP market, Google declared its strategy to adapt to VoIP and Wi-fi. This is likely to threaten Mobile operators. Google aims to provide free wireless connection. The websites already have advertisements based on page content and location of the visitor. The mobile operation is expected to support location based advertising. Predictably, Google aims to become the leader of mobile search market. Google is likely to continue their strategy of partnerships with manufacturers and service providers. Google is reportedly pursuing the mobile search market and already partnered with Motorola, Sony Ericsson, BenQ, Siemens, Vodafone etc to provide mobile internet search facilities

Google’s strategy seems to become one of the first Wireless Virtual Network Operators using VoIP and Wi-Fi and provide free service in exchange for advertisements. Are we going to hear about getting ‘ear lobes’ like we had ‘eye balls’ in case of advertisement based free web site hosting etc?

Many companies would be aggressively pursuing business VoIP services as a package including Hosted VoIP Communication Service.

NEC is planning to target enterprise market with wireless VoIP strategy. Their strategy is to provide the enterprise with multiple devices that allow them to communicate. NEC already launched low end wireless VoIP handset with voice capabilities and is planning to launch a SIP-based Wi-Fi, VoIP handset that also has data capabilities. WiFi coverage within buildings is generally better than that of cellular.

The new strategies may also bring out innovative products like dual-mode IP phone, which works on WiFi network inside the building and on cellular network outside the network. Imagine the cost savings by the company and/or individuals. And the comfort of having same telephone handset, instead of two or more handsets and two different telephone numbers.

One market research has indicated that VoIP may have the same fate as the dot-com and the telecom bubble. Pure VoIP seems to be not making much headway. Hence the strategy of the companies may be to integrate applications around VoIP.

Microsoft’s Microsoft Speech Server (MSS) is a step into Voice segment. Microsoft has been working on enterprise-class real-time collaboration server Live Communications Server (LCS) 2005, the integrated VoIP and IM client Office Communicator 2005, and its SharePoint Portal Server 2003. Microsoft also works closely with IP-PBX vendors (Alcatel and Siemens) to facilitate future delivery of fully-integrated VoIP solutions. Microsoft seems to be having a good strategy to enter this telecommunication company dominated market of VoIP, by offering software solutions and applications around MSS and by partnering with the hardware manufacturers.

Target Markets in VoIP

2006-09-17T21:13:00.000-07:00

While different types of telephones leverage VoIP, the innovative companies aim to bring out products based on VoIP that will benefit different segments of the industry. The concept of all will revolve around Voice over Internet, you may never know if the communication is through Internet or through copper or wireless.

We can broadly define the target markets of VoIP into four categories:

1. Consumers
2. Educational
3. Small and medium Enterprises (SME)
4. Enterprise

Consumer Market

Practically every house has Internet connectivity – either through dialup or Broadband. In many cases the same copper line of the standard telephone is used to provide broadband. Dial-up internet connectivity has already become part of History. Probably we use it as an emergency back up. Broadband allows the users to use telephone as well as Internet simultaneously. In future VoIP replaces the standard telephone and allows more than one person to talk on different ‘channels’ of the same VoIP line. This eliminates the need for multiple telephone lines for the same house. The features will be same across the products offered by different suppliers under VoIP. However the main difference will be the quality of voice and the prices.

Educational Sector

Many Educational institutions currently use Satellite broadcast, where one way Video and two way audio is enable in case of distance education. As the Educational networks get smarter, the campuses and distance learning system will leverage VoIP. Instructor led training with Interactive voice responses may deliver better results. VoIP will certainly be an optimum solution for all educational institutions aiming for imparting distance learning.

Small to Medium Enterprises (SME)

Big enterprises may have the necessary infrastructure and the budgets. When it comes to Small and Medium enterprises, optimizing the telecommunication costs is very important. For any one, Money saved is money earned. VoIP offers a great range of phones and phone systems at lower monthly rates. In future, more products are expected in this segment that can increase productivity by leveraging VoIP. Customer support, Inventory management, Vendor relation ships would be benefited with the third party tools leveraging VoIP.

Enterprise Markets

Most of the large Enterprises may have been using VoIP in one way or other. Many have customer care service on VoIP equipment. In future we mat see them going for IP based PBX system with hundreds of extensions. The equipment which will be available for Small businesses can also be used in the Enterprise markets. This depends on the size of the department and the ability of VoIP equipment to integrate at the enterprise level. Hence all the VoIP equipment is expected to be of certain standards and scalable. A variety of third-party desktop applications that run on VoIP will be available to enhance productivity. However, it will be the responsibility of IT managers to educate the potential users and develop the requirements for these applications.

Barriers to further deployment of VoIP

2006-09-15T22:20:00.000-07:00

Any kind of unreliable communication systems pose substantial risk. Deployment of VoIP is no different as compared to any project. Network infrastructure plays a major role. The Network capacity and capability must be reviewed along with the Network requirements of VoIP. Let us see, what are the barriers for further deployment of VoIP?

Government regulations sometime play spoilsport. For example, in Philippines, non-telco providers are required to ride on telcos. VoIP service providers were supposed to pay Two Hundred thousand dollars as paid-up capital and post performance bonds worth Hundred thousand dollars. If a regulation forces VoIP to ride a telco infrastructure and spending dollars, does not make VoIP affordable.

Iowa have barred VoIP providers accessing telephone numbers. Alabama Public Service Commission was considering to regulate VoIP providers as transportation companies. California an wanted VoIP services be subjected to the supervision of the Public Utility Commission.

The prerogatives of regulators may slow down the development of any new technology, particularly, if they lack complete knowledge. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plays a major role. Unless VoIP is declared as an interstate service, VoIP will have an entry barrier.

The industry is undergoing constant pressure to invest in technological changes. The companies strive to win and maintain the customers. To make the customers happy and be loyal, the companies need to provide the appropriate and the best solutions to the customers. But most of these markets are also very capital intensive. This creates an entry barrier.

If a new company wants to enter VoIP segment and win over customers, they need to show much higher value than the customer’s current Service provider. Again this is related to the heavy investments leading to the entry barrier to the smaller player.

Lack of Knowledge of customers/ clients is another big entry barrier. You have come out with a great product and no one knows about it. It is in the interest of the product, the potential customers must be educated. Give them free downloads, presentations, road shows etc to come over the entry barriers.

Policy and Regulatory Framework

Voice services are subject to the telecommunications regulatory regime set out in the Telecommunications Act, the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act 1999 and Parts XIB and XIC of the Trade Practices Act 1974 apart from other subordinate regulatory instruments and self-regulatory industry codes, standards and guidelines.

VoIP services attract the classification as they come under ‘carriage service’, and ‘carriage service provider’ in the Telecommunications Act and ‘standard telephone service’ in the Telecommunications (Consumer Protection and Service Standards) Act in certain countries, while others may not classify as so.

If a voice service is a carriage service for the purpose of voice and is used to provide ‘any-to-any’ connectivity like making calls to and/or receive calls, then it is considered a standard telephone service. Hence VoIP services connected to the public network fall under this definition of a standard telephone service and attract regulatory obligations. These Regulations may also cover emergency service access, Provision of CLI, Access to the NRS etc.

Many jurisdictions around the world like USA, UK, Japan, Korea, Canada, the European Union, Hong Kong etc have been and are examining the policy and regulatory framework for VoIP.

The United States treats VoIP service as computer-based ‘information services’ and seems it is relatively unregulated. The discussions are on to address emergency service access, legal interception, disability access and USO contributions.

Emergency service organizations like police, fire and ambulance are insisting that VoIP shall provide full functionality for emergency services.

Carriage service regulation requires compliance with the Numbering Plan, number portability requirements, requirements related to legal interception and/or provision of information to the IPND etc. These minimum obligations may have to be satisfied in the interest of consumer as well as the Nation.

It had been quite a long debate, as the traditional phone companies lost revenue to VoIP. The current regulatory framework may not present an unreasonable barrier to VoIP services. But, no one sure about the feature offered by VoIP in future and we will not be able to predict how the regulatory frameworks looks at that.

Hence, it helps if the VoIP product/technology providers keep all the concerned involved from the initial phases, the entry barriers can be taken care of.

Third Party VoIP Tools

The technology shall motivate companies to produce products that work in the technology in discussion. All major software thrives on the third party tools. When software becomes popular many companies /individuals bring out products that can leverage a specific feature and can piggy ride on the software. How many games are being developed for mobile phones? More the popularity of the software more third party tools and vice versa. This is a closed end – one leading to the other. So VoIP shall attract Independent Software Vendors (ISVs).

Skype made people look at VoIP very seriously. Innovative products like Skype are required to boost any new technology. Lack of enthusiasm to create third party tools may hamper the future deployments on VoIP.

Developer forums

It is very important to educate developers. As you go towards open source, more and more developers join to bring out desk top applications. Linux is a classic case. It evolve everyday. New features get added by day. The other side is MSDN of Microsoft. You create suite of software and then provide all the information needed to the programmers/developers.

In many cases, developers who are enthusiastic about software, may start their own community or forum. LISTSERVE and mailing lists create some enthusiasm. Currently, we find very few powerful forums on VoIP.

Poor Planning

This is typical of any project and applies to VoIP too. Any wrong calculation or over expectations or ability to see the failure before it happens are all critical.

Poor Call Quality

You may have observed a great quality of voice in the demo of the equipment. Then, when you install the same, it may be pathetic. This may be due to the fact that, the equipment may not deliver to the huge traffic. Hence, selecting proper equipment to cater to your load will be the key to your success. If the call setup delay is more than 4-5 sec, you will notice the telecommunication system crumbling.

Simulation and lab tests

Full load test may not be possible and it may be too late to test with actual load. VoIP network assessment tools may have to be used to simulate the traffic. Without this simulation, the chances of identifying the ‘bottle necks’ later may lead to the collapse of the entire network.

Keeping calibrated equipment calibrated!

We often take the calibrating equipment as ‘standard’. We buy the best from the best. And presume that it gives the accurate measurement. However, no one can guarantee that the ‘standard test equipment’ is accurate. Hence get these ‘standard’ test equipment need to get calibrated periodically. Else the simulation equipment may indicate that the VoIP network is fine, while it is crumbling.

Beware of Hidden Costs

You may have got the best offer for the VoIP equipment. Check all the aspects of pricing and scalability of equipment. For example, the routers designed to work at 64 kbps, could also work at 128 kbps. However, if you are upgrading the network to 512 kbps, the router will never work. Check with the suppliers about the monthly charges, upfront charges and the repair/upgrade charges.

Beware of Hackers

Any technology that gets popular attracts hackers. Online banking transactions are encrypted. Similarly, many websites encrypt the data, wherever they fear intrusions. VoIP Calls are not encrypted. This makes VoIP susceptible for hacking. ‘Cain and Able’ is already in circulation which is designed to intercept VoIP calls.

Typically, VoIP relies on Firewalls or any other measures used by ISP and VoIP providers. Using encryption is still in the "concept stage” and is likely to take some time. It is advisable to have a Firewall installed on your network, either at home or at office. Many existing Broadband routers offer some protection. Check with the hardware vendor.

As VoIP get popular and more software is developed, the vulnerabilities will be noticed and exploited by the hackers. Softphone may attract Trojan horse virus specialists to create a look alike user interface and collect vital information from you and your machine. It does not mean that you stop using Softphone. Be alert. In fact, we can not plan for a product which is hacker-free.

Catalysts to further deployment of VoIP

2006-09-14T23:19:00.000-07:00

VoIP has come a long way in the last decade. The improvement in the bandwidth and the quality of networks certainly helped the growth of VoIP. Broadband had been the biggest catalyst for the deployment of VoIP.

Integrated communications applications are expected to drive VoIP in future. The consumers are likely to look for technology rather than small cost savings. Emerging telephony applications are likely win over customers and tempt them to use VoIP.

New generation of VoIP tools are likely to be the biggest catalyst in drawing more consumers to VoIP. But, what are these new tools? We are not certain. We need to wait and watch.

We already have seen services/products (like Skype) which allow customers to leverage VoIP to transfer voice mail to email and capability to launch three-way calls. Developers will be able to integrate various Instant messages/chat applications with text, voice and video communications. And this is already happening.

Future products may include the features like ability to take two simultaneous calls, get alerts on some other device like mobile or block the users based on profile.

Customers may no longer look at VoIP as a cheap replacement for their standard telephone line. The expectations will on the features. The VoIP developers may need to come out with intelligent call management. The future VoIP enabled devices need to address efficiency and customer support apart from the cost savings.

One VoIP application to integrate with Microsoft office tools, such as Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer may find its way into the market soon. Other future applications may specialize in Voice recognition and Contact Center functions.

Third party developers will be major catalysts. Skype provided a major break through and people started looking into VoIP as a feature rich service provider. New products will be able to send call information into your email system as well as automatically block the out going calls, if the called number is in the d0-not-call directory.

VoIP may soon facilitate multimedia telephony with video messages. Enterprise VoIP applications with conference calls which can transcribe automatically into a log may be one reality in future. Enterprise users will be able to search using voice.

Future Deployments of VoIP

2006-09-14T06:36:00.000-07:00

Standard telephones work on Circuit Switching Network and the system is known as Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). VoIP basically works on Packet Switching Network and enables voice to be transmitted through Internet.

Revenues are projected to touch $ 6 Billion and the number of residential VoIP subscribers worldwide is likely to rise to 18 million by 2010 as compared to an estimated 4.8 million users and $ 1 Billion revenue in 2005.

While there is a school of thought that says, VoIP will vanish in few years, there is another school of thought that strongly believes in VoIP’s future.

We have seen ‘pager’ and ‘paging equipment’ that took all of us by storm in early 1980s, That was a good technology for that time, where one could send a message. This was typically a one way communication. Every one felt that the pagers shall offer two way communications. But by the time, the technology of pagers evolved, Mobile phones /cellular phones started tapping the market. The lack of vision killed the pager market. But, one thing pager market made mobile companies implement is Short Messaging Service (SMS), which is a good feature in the mobile technology.

Learning from these legacies, one has to see what is right and what is wrong with today’s VoIP technology.

While users are forced to move to VoIP to leverage the features, there is still a need to have the interface with traditional PSTN phones. No one may replace the old phones yet.

Let us explore the advantages of the next generation hardware design and the future VoIP technology and how they can help increase your productivity. VoIP enabling hardware has been available for some time now. These include E1/T1 connectivity cards and media processing resource cards.

As the VoIP was booming, many companies started building products/solutions without much value addition. This kind of hype basically dampens the enthusiasm of the users.

Innovation will be the key.

IP Based PBX

The future deployments of VoIP may include IP-based PBX, which will have the functions of a traditional PBX, but can allow Standard phones and VoIP compliant devices. This allows both standard telephones and multimedia PCs/VoIP phones to connect to either the PSTN or the Internet. This provides seamless migration path to VoIP, without actually connecting a specific equipment to a specific network. An IP-based PBX can be expected to have additional features of switches and routers. This facilitates connectivity network based equipment like servers and Firewalls. Another feature could be its ability to real-time and non real-time communications.

IP-PBX is highly featured and designed to address the needs of business-critical requirements. Medium size IP-PBX is suitable for up to 500 extensions, and is a scalable PBX solution .It features a range of traditional telephony and emerging VoIP technologies. Some of its standard features are 16 PSTN/voIp trunks, it has up to 128 voicemail boxes and 18 IVR auto attendants. You can also have four conferences using this. It provides an easy system administration. Its allows auto updation. It provides optional system backup and online self care. System image is also available. Its also provides 24/7 support. It also provides Flexible extension logic, which provides Unified dial plan which means any phone can dial any other phone by extension number, regardless of location

An incoming call may simultaneously ring more than one telephone, it can serially ring extensions to find an employee and it can be forwarded to any other number (including cell phones). It also facilitates Voice mail, which is a very useful feature. Presence of voice messages can be known in the following ways:

Message waiting indicator light on telephone set indicates presence of voice message(s).
Stutter dial tone indicates presence of voice message(s).
Email notification for each voice message.
Voice messages can also be forwarded to another voice mailbox.

It facilitates call forwarding, which forwards the call even if its busy and even when there’s no answer. One more important facility is call transfer. IP-PBX allows three-way calling. It also allows call parking and call retrieval and call pickup groups. There are also different menus for hours and weekends. It provides a Conference Bridge. An unlimited number of conference rooms are available.

It also provides several methods of call distribution. IP-PBX also has quite a lot of advanced feature like provision of 128 DIDs and multi-server administration. Auto provisioning is also available. Using this music can be kept on hold. Provider templates are available too. It has miniLCR. It provides optional time based dialing. It also maintains records of your call details. It provides remote access and optionally records calling. It has a caller ID and shows you the last caller. Its also makes available Optional Receptionist Console .These feature make it unique in their own way.

‘Thick-pipe’ connection

Today’s VoIP is being used primarily for voice communication. As the bandwidth grows, future VoIP is expected to support multimedia applications. Call centers may leverage this and enhance their unified messaging services. The huge ‘tick-pipe’ connectivity allows the companies to implement various multimedia based communications between the offices, customers and suppliers. Remote offices and home offices will be fun to work with. We may be able to use Internet or any IP based connection to have voice communication based on VoIP. Availability of greater Bandwidth is critical for this kind of deployment.

Multiple calls

Currently, chat and instant messaging allows you to have multiple communications. However VoIP allows having one-to-one talk. In future, VoIP may allow you to have multiple calls simultaneously down one line. While as an Individual, we can not talk to multiple people simultaneously, the network allows multiple calls on a single connection, thus reducing the Call overheads dramatically.

Managed VoIP Service

A Standardized managed service will be available which includes comprehensive support, service monitoring, scalability and predictable operational costs. This allows you to integrate data, voice and video services, unified messaging, interactive multimedia response systems, multimedia video conferencing and collaborative contact centers. The biggest benefactors could be the Contact centers as they can offer hive value addition at low cost to their customers as Managed VoIP service provider will take responsibility of the entire infrastructure. This will also enable you add vendor independent facilities seamlessly.

Reach me, if you can!

The VoIP based network equipment would become smarter to locate a person, where ever he/she is, without the person logging into the network. The mails and messages shall reach him/her automatically, irrespective of the location.

X over IP

Soon VoIP may give way to X over IP where X can be voice, data, video or anything else depending on what is being transmitted through IP. There could be one single integrated application that runs all!

Super class carriers

Super class carriers are carriers that provide converged communication services without restricting them selves providing only local phone service or a cable TV service or an Internet Service. Currently, even if you have your own PBX, you need a service provider who can get you connected to the global telephone network – either national or international. Similarly, you need a Internet service provider just to have Internet connectivity. This will happen as the consumers of these individual services prefer to have a single service provider, to make every ones’ life easier.

Super class carriers are likely to offer many benefits

Deliver where you want: You shall be able to get the content like local and long distance voice and data services anywhere you are located or where you want.

Comprehensive services: All services under one roof, with one provider.

Host Independent: The services may be delivered to you irrespective of hosting provider or enterprise equipment-based.

High Quality: High quality (though difficult to explain this now!)

Compliance to law: VoIP generated lot of heat as the telecom providers felt the heat of loss of revenue; Regulatory authorities had to step in to provide necessary laws/amendments. The Super class carriers are expected to handle all legal issues before they are implemented

Wireless IP Phones

More and more deployments of VoIP may turn to Wireless. As per a published report, by 2009, there may be more than 57 million business IP endpoint on wireless out of the total over 155 million IP end points in operation. It is also projected that 73% of all VoIP users will use wireless equipment.

It will be interesting to see if standards-based SIP phones and wireless phones make business desk sets obsolete.

Games

Games are expected to leverage VoIP. Interactivity based games with the voice commands may play major role. Imagine creating a character and playing with another character across internet in real time.

Current Deployments of VoIP

2006-09-13T03:18:00.000-07:00

It is always challenging to deploy new technologies. The change in process makes it much more difficult for the implementing agencies. They have to manage the cultural issues as well as manage productivity with cost. Protecting the current investments by using the existing infrastructure is another big challenge.

Let us take an example of an existing Local Area Network (LAN) and want to deploy VoIP on the LAN to handle both Voice and data. First we need to analyze if the network is capable of taking the load of both Voice and data.

There are three main VoIP implementation scenarios. They are Hybrid IP, Pure IP and Hosted IP.

Hybrid IP

Hybrid IP or IP-enabled VoIP installation is aimed to lower overall telephony charges. The Hybrid IP setup can be used to connect physically separated call centers over existing IP network to form an integrated communication platform.

The problem with hybrid setup is scalability. You may tend to get locked into vendor specific hardware or vendor applications. This is sufficient for a small organization to roll out in hurry and not looking for a long term solution.

Pure IP

Pure IP or end-to-end VoIP installations combine voice and data on the same network. They are scalable and they are cost effective, though the initial costs are higher.
Typically a big call center with offices in multiple locations can implement these kind of networks.

Hosted IP

Hosted IP installation is where a Vendor hosts your services. There could be minimum set up costs. The roll out will be faster than you can imagine. The vendors offer periodical upgrade the systems and offer you more features as new technologies/equipment are introduced. This way, your investment is worth it.

However, you tend to get stuck with one supplier and moving from one vendor to another will be difficult. Hence you need to study the vendors and their offerings, their infrastructure, their vision for future.

For Small centers with limited budgets, a hosted IP is a great boon. More often the vendors offer many applications that will go well with VoIP as a value add.

Bandwidth requirement

Data on a network may not have any problem. However, voice is sensitive to the traffic congestion on the LAN. VoIP needs lot of bandwidth.

Generally 100Kbps of bandwidth is required per call. If you have 100Mbps bandwidth in your Fast Ethernet 100 Base T LAN, you can make 1000 calls. Similarly, if the LAN is of Gigabit Ethernet of 1 Gbps, you can make 10,000 calls. This is only an indicative and not actual figure. One need to analyze the number of calls made during the peak office load (typically 10:00 Am to 2:00 PM) and calculate the peak bandwidth during that period to arrive at the total bandwidth required for VoIP alone. Data transmission bandwidth requirement may be added to arrive at the total bandwidth required for the organization.

Quality of Service (QoS)

Any loss of bandwidth may not affect data much. But the VoIP will suffer and he call quality will be an issue. Hence, when you calculate bandwidth and allocate the same, ensure that VoIP gets that much bandwidth. You shall have a clear Quality of Service (QoS) policy and ensure that the calls do not suffer poor quality reception, delays and dropped calls. Configure your router for QIS for VoIP to enable the organization to leverage VoIP.

Separate Data from Voice

Some experts recommend creating a separate Virtual LAN (VLAN) for IP Telephone on the network. This enables you to keep data network separate from Voice network and the necessary bandwidth can be allotted, as required. This also ensures that incase of failure of one network, other network could be functional.

Handling power problems

VoIP phones need external power supply, unlike the traditional phone, which draw power from the telephone line. Hence the power failure may lead to loss of communication network too. So, Power requirement also need to be analyzed while implementing VoIP.

Security issues

Your traditional telephone exchange is a typical hardware and virus attacks and spam are not heard of. However, when you move to VoIP, you will be installing a server that will work as voice gateway. If your Voice gateway is on a different server than the data network, the security threat is comparatively less.

Moving to VoIP

2006-09-11T23:37:00.000-07:00

We communicate in many ways. It has been the regular telephone and telegraph. Then Internet changed the way we communicate. Email is certainly the best thing that happened to us. Instant messaging and Chat rooms opened up another mode of communicating in real time. Innovative chat rooms with audio and video are being used effectively by many either for personal or for business purposes.

Money saved is money earned. Every company try to cut costs on all possible expenditure. Communication is one such area one can optimize the costs, by leveraging technology.

The standalone phone systems may vanish in a few years from now. This will be particularly true to midsized to large enterprises as their communication costs run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) allows voice communications over the Internet and has been steadily gaining ground. Corporate spending on VoIP is likely to touch $5.5 billion by 2008. The cost of VoIP based office equipment is becoming cheaper by the day and it is expected to cost between $75 and $600 per line, down from the current pricing of $375 to $1,000 per line.

To Move or not!

There is no hard and fast rule that a solution fits all. One needs to analyze the need for change and study the advantages and disadvantage of any new process. While there are many benefits to having a VoIP system, it doesn't mean that VoIP technology is right for you. It may benefit you or may not make a big difference.

You may have budgets and willingness to move over to VoIP. But it is advisable to seek an expert opinion. If you have good technical resources, form a committee to undertake a thorough telecommunication assessment. Else, you may opt for a neutral third party consultant, who specializes in all aspects of telecommunication. Do not hire a consultant who specializes in VoIP alone.

Define the goal of the project clearly. Do not indicate your intension of moving to VoIP. The telecommunication assessment shall study the needs of the organization and the available solutions.

Let the telecommunication assessment undertake evaluation of the following:

Current scenario

Without looking into what is required, first the current situation shall be studied and identify the issues as well as advantages. Even if the current system, you feel, may be good, but the market may offer something better. Take stock of all minute details. Compile data of Internal calls ( with in the company), Customer communication, Cold calls of sales/marketing teams, Contact center/support calls, fixed line telephone costs, mobile communication charges of all staff, National calls, international calls, Video conferencing etc

Network capabilities

Data network of your company plays a major role. It is important to ensure that, it strong enough to handle data and voice loads. The quality of service (QOS) is very important. A small delay of few second may not effect the data transfer. Probably the data transfer may take a bit longer. But any delay in signals, the voice transmission becomes an issue resulting in unclear communication.

Telecommunications equipment

Take stock of the telecommunication equipment. You may be surprised to know the existing system has some advanced features, which you are not using. The features may include VoIP capabilities. Even the older analog phones can be used by procuring some additional Adapters.

Once you have completed the above, look for the appropriate technology that suits you. And VoIP will certainly be one of the options. VoIP helps because most of the analog phones and/or the existing phones can easily work with VoIP as mentioned above.

Deployment costs

Though you are able to make use of the existing phone, you need to allocate some finances for new VoIP phone system. This depends on the number of employees, divisions, location and not to forget scalability in future. The investment could be between $20,000 and $150,000.

Return on investment (ROI)

This is where you really appreciate VoIP. You have already documented the total expenditure on communications in your organization. Now, you have the deployment costs. Estimate the training needs and the expenditure. Calculate the amount you are going to save due to VoIP. VoIP certainly cuts the Long-distance phone bill.

Other benefits to Moving to VoIP

Telecommunication infrastructure

Any organization would look for telecommunication and may have installed a telephone system much before the actual operations have started. More often, they would select a system they think is suitable then. And as the company grows, the system gets loaded. The company would replace the Telephone system, once they find it is performing below the expectation. Some companies would replace, if the equipment is 3 or 5 year old.

If you are running old system, the equipment is prone to failures. While the disruption of telephone systems not only result in the loss of revenue in case of missed potential business calls as well as unsatisfactory customer service.

Moving to VoIP will not only solve the phone system problems but also offer more reliable and deliver cost savings. VoIP also eliminates voice leased-line costs.

Reliability and cost savings

VoIP offers better service at lower costs. As the Broadband and the dedicated Internet connectivity has improved significantly, it is becoming easier to implement VoIP. Internet Service Providers, now, offer greater uptime and hence your VoIP enables you to be available for voice communication as long as your Broadband is on. Hence Moving to VoIP ensures reliability along with great cost savings.

Improved customer interaction

The VoIP deployment enables many features as it is an integral part of Internet connectivity. One could even integrate online chat and instant messaging for increased productivity and improved customer service. The customer service agents can share data/information with clients easily.

You need to study your needs and decide to move on to VoIP. And you are sure to benefit from it. If you are upgrading your Internet connectivity infrastructure, have a look into Telecommunication infrastructure too, as you can leverage the new technologies and achieve a better ROI.

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Member of

Telephones & VoIP

2006-09-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

Telephones ruled the communication field for a long time and they will continue to do so. PSTN or IP PBX, phones are required.

When Voice over Internet was designed, probably, they may not have envisaged that phones can be used to leverage the same so quickly. VoIP was designed to communicate through internet using Microphone and head phones.

Then Skype entered the field and innovative manufacturers brought out a phone that can be connected to internet and make calls as if you are using a regular telephone line. The difference is that, it is connected to your internet.

New Adapters are introduced that can be plugged into the Internet one side and the regular phones are plugged into the other side. Using this adapter, ordinary telephone can work on VoIP.

New developments in future will see dual-mode IP phone that works as WiFi phone inside the building/campus and as cellular phone outside the network.

We are likely to see cellular phones in future with software that can identify the location of the target and routes the call to the user by identifying the best available connection. If a user receives a call at the workplace IP PBX number, the PBX checks if the person is available at the regular telephone extension. If the person is not reachable, it looks for the person’s cell phone and routes the call to the cell phone. Here, the difference in rates of call will be an issue. Who pays for this? Enterprise is expected to pick up the bill as people and communication are important to any business.

Cell phones are likely to become intelligent. The equipment installed in shopping malls, will know where you are at a particular time. They follow you where you go and when are next to apparel store, a message will prompt you to enter into that store to avail discounts. And this discount may be just for 5 minutes, to tempt the buyers.

Similarly, when you are in a conference, you may set the parameters you are interested in as well as define your preferences. The system searches for similar profile and establishes a contact. These can be made possible using VoIP.

A typical VoIP USB Phone may be supplied with an LCD screen to show call information, call time, time and identify which of your contacts are online and available. The main features include controls for your voice, ring and key tone volume. To make it fun to use, many ring tones will be made available. One can make and/or receive phone calls even if the monitor is turned off. Echo cancellation and noise reduction are taken care of.

The audio is independent from the computer and you can listen to music or play a game while making a call.

Other typical features are PC-to-PC and PC-to-phone operation, compliance with USB1.1 specification and compliance with H.323, MGCP, SIP protocol.
These neither need a sound card nor the external power supply. Handles Full duplex communication.

When it comes to software, they generally support Windows 2000/XP/Me/98 in OS and come with VoIP Software compatible with MSN, NetMeeting, Yahoo Messenger, Skype etc.
Generally these products require an existing internet connection for operation. The keypad can only be used with VoIP telephony programs, which may require subscription and/or additional cost.

Main advantage in future will be your ability to carry your wireless VoIP phone anywhere you want and enjoy the same number. Imagine a phone in future , your wireless VoIP phone tracking the nearest Internet service provider, login into the network and you are ready to talk!!

Wireless VoIP

2006-09-11T06:40:00.000-07:00

Wireless VoIP is Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) running over a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), which are typically the 802.11 standard compliant. The callers can make and receive calls over WLAN using VoIP enabled handset, within the WLAN access point.

Skype bought a revolution in voice based solution through internet. Wireless VoIP got a good support from Skype, which introduced special handset to link callers to the Skype service via Wi-Fi connections. The users can log into the WLAN Access point with their user ID and passwords. Once they are logged in, they can access internet as well as place and receive calls. This avoids the need to have a computer or Laptop to log into the regular network which is connected to Internet.

While the users can leverage the Wireless VoIP using handsets, Internet Service providers (ISPs) will need to offer better services to their customers. ISPs can now offer Wireless VoIP services using the products/services of xG Technology or other similar companies.

These users may use a phone that supports Wireless VoIP to make calls. These phones communicate with the local access point/antenna. The call would then be relayed to the ISP handling the VoIP. The ISP facilitates the calls to other IP phones or the traditional phones.

Wireless VoIP is very useful in industries like health care and retail. The problem with Wireless VoIP is that, implementing and maintaining could be time consuming and expensive. Another problem is the risk of eavesdropping.

VoIP has already affected the revues of the fixed land line telephone network. Wireless VoIP could pose a threat to the mobile network operators. Wireless technologies like 3G, Bluetooth, WLAN and broadband wireless access can change the dynamics of voice revenues of mobile network operators. One advantage for mobile operators now is that the voice quality is better than that of VoIP and at cheaper cost.

However wireless voice applications in a limited area can leverage Wireless VoIP, as the mobile operators may find it difficult to provide a customized solution. WLAN may soon replace Bluetooth, which has limited range.

One problem with wireless VoIP is the coverage area. While WiFi, the most popular wireless solution, can support broad-coverage network, the WiFi access points can cater to a short range.

Wireless VoIP typically relies on active communications mechanisms. Due to the constant pinging, both the receiver and transmitter leave a dedicated communication channel open, leading to a very large load on the access points. Hence the system needs an automatic means of load balancing that hands signals off from an access point that is loaded more to a less busy access points.

A good wireless VoIP system shall handle collisions very quickly. VoIP signals are unpredictable in nature. When the access points get overloaded or too many signals are received at the access point, the delay in signals may compromise the voice quality.

Wireless VoIP device remains active both in a call and out of a call in order to properly handle the signal. Hence the battery life is reduced and the manufacturers of Wireless VoIP devices are working on technologies to preserve power during VoIP communication.

Voice over IP in future on WLAN on a single Chip

Many communication services using WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) are being introduced. Wireless local data networks are now finding their way into residential, commercial, industrial and public areas. In earlier days, it was practically impossible to log into Internet from your Laptop in a hotel or Airport. Now all major air ports offer wireless hotspots and you can log into the Internet, if your laptop supports wireless access. Similarly Hotels, Shopping malls, coffee shops offer Wireless LAN.

It is very easy to add client access once the basic infrastructure of WLAN is in place. WLAN provides flexible network configuration and access with a low cost. WLAN is now on the increase in campuses and conferences. WLAN caters well incase of data communications such as e-mail, web browsing and internet. As new Voice over IP applications are being launched at regular intervals, voice over WLAN is becoming popular.

A typical VoWLAN (Voice over WLAN) system may be as below:

Voice over WLAN needs to address various discrete components like Microprocessor, LCD controller, peripherals, Keypad, WLAN MAC, Memories, RF etc. It also need to address user interface logic, audio interface etc.

All the above elements, if handled separately, it costs money. Hence the manufacturers and researchers are planning to integrate as many functions as possible into a single Chip.

Models and Suppliers

Motorola has launched its T31 Series VoIP handset for Windows Live Messenger service. This VoIP phone consists of a base station and a handset, where the base station connects the PC for enabling calls over Windows Live Messenger service and to a phone jack for placing standard PSTN calls.

This can display online contacts and phonebook. This facilitates caller ID with visual call waiting features. The advantage is its ability to contact users online quickly using the PC Connect button. Once can access low cost long distance Internet calling to standard landline phone numbers from T31 handset. Alarm clock, speakerphone in the handset, Mute and Hold facility, Voice mail are some other features.

Uniden and Philips are the other two vendors who offer a cordless solution for Windows Live Messenger. Microsoft claims that there are more than 240 Million registered users on Live Messenger.

Wireless VoIP - Future Changes

Many VoIP devices that provide excellent voice quality are available for you. They may offer some features very specific to the vendor and vendor’s VoIP equipment. You need to evaluate your requirement and the suitable product for you.

Demands and requirements of the users keep changing with time. Hence, pick up a phone/equipment that is scalable.

Changes in Wireless

Though most of the WLAN products follow 802.11b or WiFi, ever increasing demand of bandwidth by VoIP applications and/or wires video etc, new high bandwidth standards are needed to satisfy the future growth. Access Point proximity dictates the exact effective data transfer rate. Newer standards are expected to meet the demands of the bandwidth hungry applications.

ISM band seem to be crowded and poses a possibility of interference problems in case f Bluetooth, RFID tags, cordless phones, microwave ovens etc. 802.11a based wireless voice devices are not readily available on the market.

If one has 1Mbps bandwidth, it is good enough to have a good quality wireless voice quality. Some vendors who are mostly 802.11b compliant have announced support of 802.11a or 802.11g for a wireless VoIP application. However, in future when they do actually become compliant, they need to address the battery life.

Other standards to be addressed are Quality of Service or voice prioritization (QoS) by 802.11e and Security to address authentication and encryption by 802.11i. It is important to see how enhanced encryption can be utilized on existing hardware.

It is important to understand the impact of the new standards with regard to the required voice quality of the wireless voice application. One need to address the latency burden also. The existing mobile devices may need to be replaced, if the new encryption standards are to be implemented.

VoIP PROTOCOL

As VoIP technology is changing rapidly, the vendors have their own VoIP protocols, that suit them well. This is due to the fact the global/international standards are not mature for implementation across the world.

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is emerging stronger, but does not seem to meet the requirements of many corporate customers and is still in the process of evolving to a richer set of features. However, we need to see the standards sooner to avoid interconnectivity issues arising later, as user shall not get stuck down with vendor specific VoIP and wireless equipments.

Broadband & VoIP

2006-09-10T20:41:00.000-07:00

VoIP strives on bandwidth. Lower the bandwidth, lower the VoIP quality. Broadband suits well for the growth of VoIP. Let us see briefly what Broadband is all about.

What is Broadband?

It is simply high speed Internet access. The broadband service allows 256 Kilobits per second onwards and can handle up to several Million bits per second data transfer. As the Broadband can handle large bandwidth, the users can enjoy high quality Internet services including streaming media, VoIP (Internet phone), interactive services and games.

Traditional dialup networking used to block the telephone line as long as the modem is connected to the internet. In the case of Broadband, the phone line is not blocked and the Broadband is always on and there is less delay in transmission of content.

Broadband Communications Services

Broadband opened up a new avenue to provide access to new telecommunications technologies. One such benefactor is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) which provides voice communication using the Internet.

Broadband includes several high-speed transmission technologies like Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Cable Modem, Fiber, Wireless, Satellite, Broadband over Powerlines (BPL) etc.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

DSL technology uses the traditional copper telephone lines which are working for so many years. Hence no additional investment, other than the Modem is required. DSL-based broadband can provide transmission speeds ranging from 128 Kbps to millions of bits per second (Mbps). DSL transmission can be either Asymmetrical or Symmetrical. Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology provides faster downloads and suits the users well who do not upload much data. Typical users of this are the residential customers. Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) caters to people who need high bandwidth for upstream as well as downstream for Video conferencing etc. The business users, who want still higher transmission speeds may look for High-data-rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL) and Very High-data-rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL).

Cable Modem

Cable Television has been there for quite some time. To leverage this user base, Cable operators offer Cable modem service to provide broadband using the same coaxial cables that deliver Television transmission. The cable modem may have two connections, one to the cable wall outlet and the other to a computer. The transmission speeds may start from 1.5 Mbps onwards and subscribers can watch their regular TV Channels as well as login into the Internet

Fiber

Fiber optic technology converts data to light and sends through transparent glass fibers at speeds far exceeding DSL or cable modem speeds. Hence fiber optic cables suit the Broadband. The same fiber providing your broadband with Internet access can also simultaneously deliver VoIP and video services like video streaming and video-on-demand.

Wireless

Wireless broadband uses a radio link between the customer’s location and the service provider’s facility. Mobile or Fixed Wireless broadband can be provided by the service provider. A tower with an external antenna is usually provided by the ISP. This is extremely useful where cable laying is an issue.

Airports, Shopping complexes, Coffee shops and many other public locations now are installed with Fixed wireless broadband service. This allows the people to login into the Internet easily and many times, for free.

Mobile telephone service providers look for value addition to their clients and one of the regular feature is the Internet access through the mobile phones. A special card with a built in antenna is offered by the ISPs. One need to plug the card into the laptop and dial the ISP to go on to the Internet.

Satellite

Satellites are used extensively for telecom and entertainment industry like Television and Radio. Some satellites offer wireless broadband. This is very useful to provide Internet access to remote areas. Many Educational institutions are offered satellite broadband at concession tariff.

This service depends on the weather conditions and the connectivity may be lost in some extreme weather conditions. The bandwidth offered is lower as compared to DSL and cable modems.

Broadband over Powerline

This is a new technology. While DSL is aimed to leverage existing copper lines of telephone, Broadband over Powerline, as the name suggests, leverages the existing low and medium voltage electric power lines to deliver Broadband internet. This is still relatively new and we need to wait some more time to see this take off in a large scale.

VoIP & Broadband

With so many types of Broadband are available, you may choose which is appropriate and economical for you. If you use telephone extensively, you must look into VoIP and take advantage of Broadband. VoIP can save you a lot of money. One problem is that, if you depend on VoIP, you lose communication channel, if your broadband fails.

Service providers offer different plans for VoIP on broadband. One can select 500 minute outgoing or unlimited outgoing. And generally, for incoming VoIP calls, there is no limit. Many tariffs from $12.95 per month to $199 per year are available to choose from.

As indicated earlier, Broadband is required for VoIP to work. You may be residing in one area, but can opt for a different area code, say Texas, when you sign up. You will be supplied with an adapter. Once you connect the standard telephone, the adapter and the broadband, you are ready to make calls using VoIP. As you have the area code as that of Texas, any one calling from Texas to you (though you are in a different place), will be considered local calls.

Cable operators and DSL service providers are now able to offer VoIP to their existing residential customers and small business customers. This is a good value addition and the customers will find it very helpful, while the Cable operators and DSL service providers make some additional money.

Broadband –key to the future of VoIP

While different types of Internet connectivity are being exploited and the research is on for different way, Broadband is here to stay. While many move towards Wireless, still the backbone may be broadband.

In future we will be seeing and experiencing very high bandwidth Broadband and residential users will be benefited more as the VoIP equipment will bundle many applications and all they need to do is connect a phone ( either standard or VoIP) to the broadband.

Some Good books on VoIP

2006-09-10T10:45:00.000-07:00

Switching to VoIP by Theodore Wallingford	Voice over IP Fundamentals by Jonathan Davidson, James Peters, and Brian Gracely	VoIP For Dummies (For Dummies (Computer/Tech)) by Timothy V. Kelly
VoIP Hacks: Tips & Tools for Internet Telephony (Hacks) by Ted Wallingford	Practical VoIP Security by Thomas Porter and Jan Kanclirz Jr.	SIP Beyond VoIP: The Next Step in the IP Communications Revolution by Henry Sinnreich, Alan B. Johnston, Robert J. Sparks, and Vinton G. Cerf
Taking Charge of Your VoIP Project by John Q. Walker and Jeffrey T. Hicks	Building a Voip Network with Nortel's Multimedia Communication Server 5100 by Larry Chafflin and Larry Chaffin	Softswitch : Architecture for VoIP (Professional Telecom) by Frank Ohrtman

Types of VoIP Networks

2006-09-10T00:35:00.000-07:00

The model for the next-generation network is evolving as the market for VoIP and other real-time, packet-based services is maturing. The session controllers play a critical role by enabling cost-efficient VoIP peering. They also play an important role in the delivery of advanced traffic-management capabilities across the network. They are also offering critical telephony functions such as VoIP call routing and billing.

The approach of leveraging softswitch and session-control technologies is to eliminate traditional scalability limitations and manageability issues. This also helps in spurring accelerated adoption of VoIP and other advanced services. Future developments must address Advanced IP Communications networks to interconnect as well as share network information with one another.

Some companies claim to have fifth-generation network with expertise in providing IP networks and VoIP solutions. Today the network companies offer appropriate solutions to the clients. For example one company that provides communications infrastructure can offer pure Advanced IP Communications network. The network can support Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), H.323, Media Gateway Control Protocol (MGCP), etc and offer a range of voice, data, video and multimedia applications, such as IP peering, hosted IP telephony (HIP-T), direct Internet access, data and voice virtual private networks, termination, toll-free and local origination, conferencing and voice mail. These could be used by all kind of customers including cable systems providers, wireless providers, Internet service providers, enterprises, multimedia companies and residences.

The VoIP networks have proved their maturity and can now processes more than a half billion VoIP calls per month. Generally the providers will have a MPLS backbone with a configuration that prevents service disruption through diverse routing and carrier-class redundancy. This level of quality is achieved by processing each and every session individually and applying a set of accurate and unique rules to each session.

As the customer base and protocol complexity expands, the Network providers must enhance their infrastructure with greater flexibility in order to keep their customer’s prices low and protect their own profit margins.

Several protocol-interoperability challenges arise due to the fact that different vendors interpret H.323 and SIP protocol recommendations for message format, timing and sequence in different ways. This creates limitations in interconnecting with various IP networks. The network provider shall come out with their method to overcome these limitations and maximize cost efficiencies by peering with virtually any other service provider, inside or outside the country. Additional traffic management capabilities are to be addressed to improve call-completion rates.

Session controllers

Softswitches represent an architecture change, whereby network control is no longer embedded in the hardware in a proprietary way. This softswitch-based architecture is open and distributed in nature. This allows service and control to be distributed. They need low investment and minimize cost of ownership and provide capabilities necessary to introduced advanced services.

Service providers need to look to both softswitches and session controllers to enable voice and other real-time services over IP and accommodate cost-effective network expansion. Softswitch technology takes care the cost efficiencies and functionality that service providers require to interconnect with the PSTN.

Session controllers deliver the advanced management functionality to overcome network security, signaling inter-working and multi-vendor interoperability issues. Session controllers take care of interconnection of SIP- and H.323-based networks via IP as well as enable a service provider to interconnect with carrier partners via VoIP peering.

Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) ports were used by service providers on media gateways to interface with other VoIP carriers. Digital signal processors (DSPs) on media gateways linked back to back, in TDM peering, convert voice traffic from VoIP to TDM and back to VoIP again at the edge of the network. However, in VoIP peering, the service provider converts voice traffic to TDM only when it originates or terminates calls on the PSTN.

The session controllers enable network to route and manage authorized traffic to optimum peering points, resulting in a more scalable network, delivering improved call-completion rates.

Service providers can achieve profitability with wide-scale deployment of VoIP by controlling the network border and efficiently routing and managing real-time sessions across their IP networks. End-to-end session control has a critical role in the evolving model for next-generation networks.

VoIP Network Components

The components of a VoIP network are similar in functionality to those of a circuit-switched network. VoIP networks must perform all of the same tasks that the PSTN does apart from performing a gateway function to the existing public network.

There are three major pieces to a VoIP network.

• Media gateways
• Media gateway/signaling controllers
• IP network

Media Gateways

Media gateways are responsible for call origination, call detection, analog-to-digital conversion of voice, and creation of voice packets. Media gateways also have optional features, such as analog and/or digital voice compression, echo cancellation, silence suppression, and statistics gathering.

Typically, each conversation is a single IP session transported by a Real-time Transport Protocol that runs over UDP. Media gateways exist in several forms like a dedicated telecommunication equipment chassis, or even generic PC running VoIP software. Media Gateways may have features and services as below:

Residential gateways - To provide a traditional analog interface to a VoIP network like cable modem/cable set-top boxes, xDSL devices, and broadband wireless devices.

Access media gateways - to provide a traditional analog or digital PBX interface to a VoIP network, like small-scale enterprise VoIP gateways.

Trunking gateways - To interface between the telephone network and a VoIP network for typically managing a large number of digital circuits.

Business media gateways - to provide a traditional digital PBX interface or an integrated soft PBX interface to a VoIP network.

Media Gateway Controllers

Media gateway controllers are designed to house the signaling and control services that coordinate the media gateway functions. Media gateway controllers could be considered similar to that of H.323 gatekeepers and have the responsibility for some or all of the call signaling coordination, phone number translations, host lookup, resource management, and signaling gateway services to the PSTN. The functionality depends on the VoIP enabling products used.

You can breakup the role of a controller into signaling gateway controller and media gateway controller, in a scalable VoIP network. Only a media gateway controller is needed to complete calls for the calls that originate and terminate within the domain of the VoIP network. However, a VoIP network is frequently connected to the public network.

IP Network

VoIP network can be seen as one logical switch as a distributed system, rather than that of a single switch entity. The IP backbone provides the connectivity among the distributed elements in the network. The IP infrastructure shall take care of smooth delivery of the voice and signaling packets to the VoIP elements. The IP network must treat voice and data traffic differently. When an IP network carries voice and data traffic, the different traffic types must be able to be prioritized.

VoIP High Density Gateway System – some features

The VoIP Gateway is fully SIP and H.323 standard compliant residential gateway that provides a total solution for integrating voice-data network and PSTN. By simple installation, this revolutionary compact voice over IP (VoIP) gateway could be configured as 8 channels high density FXS/FXO VoIP Gateway which provides voice connectivity over the IP network and to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).The Gateway is equipped NAT router function that provides Internet access using only one IP address.

Besides, it provides high voice quality and optimized packet voice streaming over managed and public (Internet) IP networks.

The key features of a VoIP gateway are that support SIP and H.323 protocols: SIP Registration and Digest Authentication and H.323 Gatekeeper Registration. It has Polarity Reversal Detection: Type I and Type II

There is even NAT traversal: This feature allow gateway to operate behind any NAT/Firewall device. There is no need to change any configuration of NAT/Firewall like setting virtual server. Another important key feature is that it has Smart-QoS: This feature provides good voice quality when user place a VoIP call and access internet at the same time. The gateway will automatically start to reserve bandwidth for voice traffic when VoIP call proceeds. It also has Voice Channels status display: This function display each port status like as onhook, offhook, calling number callee’s number, talk duration, codec.

Future VoIP Network

VoIP can be deployed in many different network segments. So far, it has been mostly deployed in the backbone and enterprise networks. We need to address additional constraints for deploying VoIP as an end-to-end Next-Generation Network solution.

Basics of VoIP And Its Future trends.

2006-09-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

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.

History of VoIP - An Introduction to VoIP

2006-09-08T22:17:00.000-07:00

History of VoIP
How could people communicate with others in different place prior to early 1800s? Write on a paper and mail it across? Yes. It was something like that. And then there was ‘telegraph’. It was very popular and useful with its Morse code. Morse code dealt with sending and receiving messages in dots and dashes. And then people de-code to understand the message. In early stages it was just either send or receives the message. Meaning, both sending and receiving were not possible at the same time. Later transmitting multiple messages became possible.

Alexander Graham Bell was working on ‘Harmonic telegraph’ to send several notes simultaneously. He believed that if notes or signals differed in pitch, several notes could be sent simultaneously along the same wire.

Elisha Gray and Alexander Graham Bell designed ‘some device’ without knowing each other that; both were working on something similar. In 1870, both could display device that could transmit speech electrically. Alexander Graham Bell patented his device first and it was called Telephone. Telephone seems to be a result of Alexander’s attempt to improve telegraph.

On 10 March 1876, Bell could talk to Thomas Watson, who was in the next room using the instrument. They made history, just then. We all realize how important a telephone is today to all of us. We find various technologies of telephone. While wireless and mobile/cellular phones underwent many changes in technology, newer ways of communication are being experimented.

Birth of VoIP

Internet had revolutionized the way people communicate. The websites, chat rooms, message boards, email systems, auto-responders, Instant messaging systems and even sending Short Messaging Service ( SMS) through Internet.

It was necessary to have unique identification of computers on the internet to enable proper communication. U.S. Department of Defense has developed the Transmission Control protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) to have unique TCP/IP address for each and every computer.

Irrespective of country and Service provider, every computer shall have unique IP address to get connected to Internet. IP uses packet-switching method where the data is sliced and bundled into packets. Packets are nothing but pieces of information. These packets are transmitted from the source to the destination by relaying from router to router till they reach the destination.

Elon Ganor graduated with an M.D. from Israel's Tel Aviv University Medical School in 1975. He served in the Israeli Defense Force as a field doctor and medical officer in the Golan Heights. He believed that voice can be successfully transmitted through Internet and started exploring the same at Vocaltec.

Vocaltec introduced Internet Phone in 1995. They could compress the voice signals and translate it into IP packets for transmission over the Internet using a Personal Computer. The signals were processed on the receiving end and. While the technology breakthrough was significant, it suffered due to the congestion and quality of networks. Hence it could not become an instant success.

However, better network, greater bandwidth and new products leverage VoIP to have cheaper and better communication using Internet as medium of communication.
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Lets take coders for a ride at Rentacoder.com :-)

2006-09-08T01:07:00.000-07:00

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