TMCnews Featured Article
November 02, 2011
VoIP Phones - Changing the Way We Communicate
By Susan J. Campbell, TMCnet Contributing Editor
Voice over Internet Protcol (VoIP), a fancy name for an approach to telecommunications that enables low-cost communications, is becoming an increasingly pervasive technology. As the quality has improved and new vendors continue to enter the market, small businesses are finding that VoIP and VoIP phones are a cost-effective way to communicate.
This Telecom Circle report highlights the growth of VoIP and VoIP phones as calls can easily be streamed to anywhere in the world using a mobile provider. Phone (News - Alert) calls made with VoIP are sent through the IP network and has proven effective in a wired environment. Can the same be true over wireless connections?
Consumers and businesses alike have flocked to the use of VoIP, leveraging the significant cost savings over traditional landline service providers. VoIP phones that enable wireless connectivity with the quality and cost of VoIP is readily available. To ensure optimal use, however, a few factors have to be taken into consideration.
VoIP phones require a clear connection, free of any service interruptions. High quality calls are ensured when bandwidth is generous enough within the wireless network to support the VoIP call. Any application used on a VoIP phone must still compete with other large data downloads, especially if taking place on a PC.
To optimize the experience on VoIP phones, users will want a provider offering a latency of 150 milliseconds or less. Anything higher and the call can be slowed down and the audio is likely to be delivered more in segmented packets, distorting the sound and eliminating the ability to truly communicate. This latency standard can also eliminate echoes or overlapping noises that can also interfere with the experience.
Security is another legitimate concern when using VoIP phones, especially if the VoIP call is taking place over a wireless network. Encryption and password protection must be in place to ensure secure communications.
VoIP phones are attracting users due to the cost advantages offered by the VoIP platform. Some providers in this space offer their service for free, while others may only charge a minimal rate. Users, both residential and commercial, will pay only a fraction of the cost of the traditional phone bill.
Aside from being portable and convenient, VoIP also allows for making and receiving calls wherever Internet service is available, providing access to voicemail, call-waiting, call forwarding and more.
The most popular provider in the VoIP space is Skype (News - Alert), a provider of voice and video services that enables families, friends and colleagues to communicate face-to-face across the planet. Calls between Skype users are free, offering even more value for VoIP phones. Other competitors in this space include Vonage (News - Alert), Lingo and InPhonex.
For those who have already taken advantage of the flexibility and cost savings in VoIP phones, the benefits are obvious. Others may just have to take the leap and find out how Voice over Internet Protocol is changing the way we communicate.
Susan J. Campbell is a contributing editor for TMCnet and has also written for eastbiz.com. To read more of Susan’s articles, please visit her columnist page.
Edited by Stefanie Mosca