What Is VoIP?

VoIP stands for “Voice over Internet Protocol.” It means voice communication over the Internet rather than over the traditional publicly switched telephone network (PSTN). In the same way that your computer turns your keyboard typing into an e-mail and transmits it via the Internet Protocol (IP) standard, it can also turn voice data into a form that is transmitted via IP and reassembled at the receiver’s computer or, increasingly, a specially equipped landline or mobile phone. By 2010, predictions are that IP-telephony products will represent 90 percent of new phone system sales. Traditional PBX systems are clearly in decline as customers opt for more open, feature rich, hybrid IP PBX Solutions.

How Does VoIP Work?

First, voice is converted by a device from an analog signal to a digital signal. It is then sent over the Internet where it will be converted back to an analog signal for the remaining distance over a traditional circuit switch (PSTN).

What are the Advantages of VoIP?

There are several advantages to VoIP over a traditional phone service, such as, price, portability, and extra features. Many VoIP providers allow unlimited calls throughout the US and Canada at one low monthly fee. The taxation and regulation of VoIP is less than traditional phone service making the cost cheaper. A person can pick a number, rather than be locked into certain area codes and prefixes. With many providers, numerous features are offered as part of the basic monthly fee, such as call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, call forwarding on busy, etc.

What Type of Internet Connection Will I Need for VoIP?

You will need a broadband Internet connection such as DSL or Cable or others (T1, wireless, etc.). Generally, depending on variables such as the Codec in use, a connection should have at least 100kbps on both the upload and download.

Can I Use My Computer When I'm on a VoIP Phone?

Yes, you can work on the computer while on the VoIP phone. Typical VoIP installations can handle both voice and data over your internet connection at the same time. Priority is generally given to the voice traffic through the use of a router that can handle QoS (Quality of Service)

What are the things that affect my VoIP Quality of Service (QoS)?

A variety of problems can affect VoIP Quality of Service, including dropped packets (too much data arrives at the receiving server too quickly), packet delay (data takes the long way around the Internet), jitter (different packets reach the receiver at different times) and related out-of-order delivery, and other mishandling of the data packets themselves. Each problem causes delays, which in time-sensitive settings like voice leads to lowered voice quality or even the dropping of whole calls.

What is latency and why is it important on a VoIP Network?

Latency is the length of time it takes for your words to be received by a listener at the other end of a phone connection, typically expressed in milliseconds. According to a white paper from Brooktrout Technology, latency starts to affect phone conversations when it exceeds 150 milliseconds each way, and is unacceptable when it exceeds 450 milliseconds (nearly half a second). The company recommends engineering a VoIP system so that latency is always below 200 milliseconds and suggests some ways to accomplish this task.

What is SIP?

SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is a signaling protocol, widely used for setting up, connecting and disconnecting communication sessions, typically voice or video calls over the Internet. SIP is a standardized protocol with its basis coming from the IP community and in most cases uses SIP is becoming an idustry standard in that although there are other signalling protocols , SIP is now the dominate one.UDP or TCP. The protocol can be used for setting up, modifying and terminating two-party (unicast), or multiparty (multicast) sessions consisting of one or more media streams. Modifications can include changing IP addresses or/or ports, inviting more participants, and adding or deleting the media streams.

What is SIP Trunking?

SIP trunking is a way to enjoy significant savings on your current phone bill. Using an Internet connection right from your IP PBX, a SIP trunk uses SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) for a VoIP connection. Put simply, a SIP Trunk is a single voice connection (call) placed over your Internet connection. This VoIP "trunk" (or phone line) connects to a provider who routes your calls through their gateway and usually has very reasonably priced packages. These packages are so attractive that they can lower your phone costs by 30 or 40% or even more, especially if you make a lot of long distance calls, International calls or have a large amount of inbound toll free calls. Even just a fair amount of toll calls rerouted from going out over your current traditional telephone provider to a VoIP provider through a "Sip Trunk" can result in significant monthly savings.