Internet Phone Service.

Smart Choices in VoIP For New Users

The buzz surrounding Voice over IP technology has been growing for quite some time, but only recently has the notion of ditching standard telephone service grown so compelling that companies like Skype can claim over 215 million downloads of its product. In this article, we’ll explore the current offerings and help you make wise choices while embarking on the VoIP path.

Let’s start with vocabulary. The most important and oft-repeated acronym you must learn and understand in regards to Voice over IP is SIP. SIP stands for Session Initiation Protocol, a well-established, open-standard protocol that is the glue to the VoIP world. It allows a vast array of services, software, and hardware to work together to create flexible, feature-rich calling solutions with many attractive benefits. If it doesn’t support SIP, you shouldn’t support them.

WHAT DO I NEED

At minimum, you need a high-speed Internet connection, a SIP phone number, and a softphone. A softphone is a software version of an IP phone that lets you make calls using your computer.

Some services, like Stanaphone and Gizmo, will provide you with a softphone to use with their system. Most of these will only let you configure SIP numbers that belong to their network. If you want to utilize multiple SIPs across different networks, your best option is to use X-Lite, a free softphone from Counterpath (formerly known as Xten Networks). With X-Lite, it appears you can configure up to 9 different SIP numbers. Like Gizmo, X-Lite comes in Mac, Windows, and PC versions.

If you want to use your existing phone, rather than a headset or microphone and speakers, you’ll need an analog phone adapter. Dedicated, SIP-compatible IP phones are also available. Wi-Fi IP phones can be carried with you and used wherever there’s a wireless Internet signal. There are also WiFi mobile phones available.

You should also receive a SIP URL which looks similar to an email address and is a simple way to share your new contact information. You can easily dial a SIP URL in your softphone application or link to it from a web page. If you’re using a hardware phone, SIP Broker has a free service that can maps the SIP server names to short numeric codes, allowing you to easily dial users on over 200 different services.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT

You can make free calls to other IP phone users worldwide. You can make calls to traditional phone numbers or attach a local phone number that routes to your SIP number, allowing regular phone users to call you. If you travel, you can carry that same phone number with you wherever there’s an Internet connection, and the folks back home won’t incur long-distance charges when they call you. Free voice mail, too, and messages are delivered to your e-mail.

In a business situation, you could slash or eliminate your long-distance charges by setting up free calling between remote or international offices. Videoconferencing also becomes possible without dedicated line charges. For the more adventurous, you could also setup a PBX. Asterisk is a powerful, open-source PBX system with a feature list that can give any sized business the advantages of a full-fledged digital phone system.

If you work in a scenario where 2-way radios are utilized, DingoTel offers a product which can turn these in to VoIP walkie-talkies while making use of the radios full reception range, sometimes up to 12 miles depending on the model.

For the budget-conscious, with some services like Gizmo and SIPphone, standard phone users in major cities can dial a free access number, enter your SIP number and speak to you via your IP phone. SIP Broker also maintains a few numbers which allow callers to dial SIP numbers on any of their 220+ supported networks.

It may seem tedious, but programming the entire of sequence of numbers in to a phone’s contacts directory is quite straightforward. Just remember to insert pauses to allow for the phone system’s menu options to respond. If your friends have free long-distance calling plans, they could reach you via any of the available access numbers mentioned above at no cost to either of you.

IPKall and Stanaphone will give you a free local number as long as you don’t mind it being in Washington State or New York City. IPKall will forward your number to any SIP URL, but Stanaphone’s will only work with the SIP number provided through them.

Free World Dialup and SIPphone have peering agreements allowing you to SIP dial users on a number of different VoIP networks using a short prefix. SIP Broker can also help you reach anyone on a service that allows incoming SIP calls, which Vonage and CallVantage do not.

There are also SIP-compatible softphones available for the Pocket PC, Palm OS, Symbian, and Linux handheld markets that can turn your handheld in to a cordless Internet phone.

SERVICE PROVIDERS

You have to pay when you want make calls to regular telephone numbers. If you want a local number that links to your SIP number, that’ll usually cost you, too. The good news is that the prices are very reasonable. There are many service providers, plans, and packages out there to suit home and business users. Here are some important questions to ask:

The Benefits Of VoIP

There are various benefits of VoIP. These days VoIP is becoming increasingly popular. The reason for this is its low cost to the consumer. That above anything else is a key benefit of VoIP. The cost per call is far less expensive than you’re regular phone service.

This technology been somewhat new has some people apprehensive as to its functionality. They have questions as to the reliability and quality. I myself had these questions and it was not until the company I worked for transitioned to VoIP that I was forced to use it.

I admit initially I was very skeptical, but after a period of time using it, I found myself getting more comfortable with it. To be honest there are times when there are problems such as if you have an internet connection failure. However these issues are few and far between.

VoIp has many benefits. The phones and software have numerous features, like call waiting and conference calling. You can put up to six lines on hold depending on your phone. The conference call feature is great if you want to get family members together on the phone. You can also get call recording. This is a great benefit if your having a detailed phone conversation you can record it and play it back later.

The benefits are many and the service and reliability are getting better everyday. Remember you can always transition slowly and as many people have cell phones, if for some reason it does not work you can use your cell phone temporarily.

VoIP - Future Developments For Users

VoIP is a telephony term for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using Internet Protocol (IP) and is the future of communication.

Here we will look at changes that are coming that will increase what is already substantial growth in the industry.

With Voice over IP — businesses have the ability to manage calls at the IP layer which enables operational and productivity benefits that have never been available before at such affordable price.

Worldwide revenues from Internet voice technologies are expected to grow from about $13 billion in 2002 to nearly $200 billion by 2007.

The Future Of VoIP Projected Growth

When it comes to VoIP technology already available long-distance phone calls, conferencing, e-mail, and other communications are now affordable and flexible.

VoIP technology however is developing and some of the developments that will ensure the future of VoIP are outlined below

The Future Of VoIP SIP

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) retrieves server responses and handles client requests.

This technology is able to determine the end system that will be used for a communication session, automatically sets the relevant parameters of the communication at receiver and user ends and then manages call transfer and call termination.

In addition, SIP allows users to initiate and receive communication from any location and networks are also able to identify users, wherever they are.

This technology is an alternative to H.323, which is the protocol, used for IP videoconference transmissions for VoIP up to now.

SIP has taken VoIP technology forward in terms of operational efficiency and many VoIP vendors are now including SIP as standard, bringing SIP to a growing audience.

VoIP The Future - VoIP Gateways

Another influential element in the future of Internet-telephony is improvements VoIP gateways.

Gateways are developing from PC-based platforms to more robust embedded systems, which will be able to handle an increased amount of call traffic.

The economies of scale of placing all traffic- data, voice, and video-over an IP-based network is highly attractive to corporate users.

The reason for this is:

IP will act as a unifying agent, regardless of the actual underlying architecture (i.e., leased lines, frame relay, or ATM) of a companies network.

VoIP The Future - Corporate Intranets & Commercial Extranets

Currently, the most promising areas of development for VoIP are corporate intranets and commercial extranets.

Their IP-based infrastructures enable operators to control who can use a network.

Commercial extranets, based on conservatively engineered IP networks, will deliver VoIP and facsimile over Internet protocol (FAXoIP) services to the general public, by guaranteeing specific parameters, such as packet delay, packet jitter, and service interop.

Companies are already looking to remove fax traffic off the PSTN and relocate it on to the Internet and corporate Intranet, through FAXoIP gateways and via IP-capable fax machines.

Video conferencing

Another area of growth will be video conferencing.

Video conferencing (H.323) with data collaboration (T.120) will become a popular method for corporate communications in the future, as network performance and interoperability increase.

VoIP The Future Expanding Services & Lower Cost

More user-friendly devices and increased promotions are starting to be seen by wider audience and this education, combined with ease of use of VoIP technology is needed for any new technology to gain trust and grow.

For instance, new VoIP telephones are being offered at cheaper prices in a variety of colours, with touch screens that are getting easier to use.

Prices in all VoIP services will continue to drop, as the market grows and competitivness increases.

The future of VoIP as a major communication method over the coming years is therefore assured. VoIP Telecommunications are here to stay.

VoIP Calling With Free Call Planet

Free Call Planet allows VoIP calling to 39 countries for free if the call originates from within the USA.

The way to use this internet phone service is by calling one of the so called gateway numbers placed throughout the States. If one lives outside toll free zone for that number then there is naturally a landline or cell phone company charge for calling it - unless one has a domestic or mobile phone plan that covers that. Otherwise, if one lives in the same call zone to which the gateway number corresponds then the call to it is automatically free.

For mobile phone users additional fees from their cell phone providers might apply. On unlimited minutes cell phone plans the call should be free although one needs to be careful not to press the ’send’ or ‘call’ button or retrieve the number from the cell phone’s directory - after calling the gateway number - otherwise one can be billed the high rates by the given mobile phone provider.

On December 6th, this year - there is also to be released a list of additional 40 or so countries to which unlimited VoIP calling can be done for a flat fee of $10 per month, paid monthly.

Some other details include being able to call only from a pre-specified by user IP or phone number as well as $0.25 per minute charge to most countries not listed in the free call plan and $0.75 per minute to special access countries - when subscribed to their Free Call Planet Plus plan.

According to the company the free call plan has no termination point at this time although it is a part of their promotion program and can be withdrawn at any time.

A unique and nice feature of the Free Call Planet service is that it allows originating the calls through regular PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) service. In other words you can make the VoIP calls by using regular phone - no computer or IP phone is needed.

Internet Phone: The Good, the Bad, and the Solutions

Internet phone is undeniably a great service that allows users to place calls with their high speed internet connection and to save significantly on long distance and international calling costs. Another attraction of the service is its portability. Internet phone users can go virtually anywhere with their adapter or SIP phone and use it just as if they were sitting in their own living room as long as they have access to a high speed internet connection. The popularity of internet phone for both residential and business customers has grown tremendously in recent years and customers are reportedly well satisfied.

A large part of satisfaction with any product is related to customers knowing what they’re getting and identifying their expectations/needs before purchasing. For all of its wonderful features, new consumers need to realize that internet phone services are still somewhat in their infancy as compared to regular land line telephone services which are over 100 years old. Because of the youth of internet phone service there are still a few issues that are being worked through. So, what “kinks are still in the system?

Originally, call quality was a concern but quality is now rated as similar to traditional calls in most surveys. Reliability is also good in general although new users need to realize that when power is lost or their internet connection is down, calls can not be made. This can be easily circumvented however by using an auxiliary, uninterrupted power supply, and back up communication in the form of a cell phone or land line for use in such emergencies. However, the biggest hurdle still being addressed by internet phone providers is assuring that customers have access to 911 or E911 services.

In 2005, the FCC mandated that internet phone providers give customers access to 911/E911. Providers are still struggling to make this happen. In some instances, gaining access to the 911 system is limited but in many instances the difficulty is due to the portability of the service. Here is an example. With traditional phone services, the 911 system allows emergency response operators to identify the location or address of the person calling based upon their phone number; operators basically receive the information from a sort of reverse telephone directory database. However, with internet phone a caller’s number is attributed to the device and if the location of the device changes (i.e. they take it with them on a trip) the system can not automatically identify their location. Currently, it is the responsibility of the consumer to assure they notify their internet phone provider of their location/address to keep the information up-to-date in the database. Obviously, if a caller away from his identified location reaches 911 and is able to tell the operator their location the call would then need to be re-directed to the correct 911 center for the area. However, this becomes a much bigger issue when the caller is unable to speak for any reason.

For some internet phone customers, the limited 911/E911 access is not an issue. For these users, their phone is used exclusively in one location, such as their home or office, and once registered their location is easy to pinpoint. Others maintain a land line or cell phone for other purposes and would be able to use those lines to make any necessary 911 calls. Certainly, for consumers simply wishing to take advantage of the cost savings and portability of internet phone there are options to deal with some of the current shortcomings of internet phone but for others, the prospect of using other technologies such as satellite GPS to resolve problems in identifying the location of callers will make internet phone services more desirable in the next year or two.

The challenge of providing consistent and reliable access to 911 for internet phone services will be temporary just as it was a number of years ago for land line based phone services and subsequently for cellular services. For internet phone customers today, it is important to check with the service provider regarding access to 911 and to assure that their address/location is up-to-date with the provider at all times.

VoIP Call Center Solutions

In recent years, companies have realized the value of call centers, as they have the potential of effectively expanding a business. Call centers allow businesses to operate on a 24/7 basis and provide customer service to clients wherever they might be in the world. However, setting up a call center involves high costs that most small businesses cannot afford. Fortunately, there are a number of options borne out of developments in technology that businesses can choose that enable them to set up a call center without having to incur huge costs. One of these includes using a recent innovation in communications technology — Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP — aimed to render long distance calls obsolete. This technology bypasses traditional telephone company infrastructure to deliver phone services over a broadband Internet connection.

Apart from the benefit of being a more convenient and affordable option for communications, as opposed to having multiple phone lines installed, there are also a number of benefits that VoIP provides its users, specifically for businesses. You can establish a business presence in different locations through the network that VoIP provides that allows a business to set up a number of toll free lines that their customers can access.

In other words, VoIP allows businesses to set up a mini call center that provides immediate solutions to their customers in different locations. Through the network, a business can take multiple calls at the same time. VoIP also has features that give customers a number of options on how to get assistance including click to call capabilities, integrated conferencing, auto-attendant capabilities, call routing and web based voice mail.

Nowadays, businesses are realizing the benefits of a call center to a business, as it allows a business to provide services to their clients in different locations and to operate on a 24/7 basis. Fortunately, recent developments in technology such as VoIP allows more businesses, especially the small ones, to take advantage of the opportunities that having a call center provides. This is because VoIP provides both a convenient and an affordable way for a business to find immediate solutions to their clients anywhere in the world.

IP Telephony Solutions

IP Telephony is the transport of phone calls through the Internet. IP Telephony services are available between computers and telephones. PC-to-PC is suitable for users who already have Internet access and an audio-equipped computer. Software is available for free. Integration with Internet services such as instant messaging and e-mail are provided. PC to telephone uses a gateway for call conversion from digital to analog and analog to digital.

Telephone-to-telephone requires two gateways, GSTN-to-Internet, and Internet-to-GSTN. IP Telephony services are either network-centric or end-system-centric. Mobility features are included in IP Telephony. IP Telephony services use either VoIP or SIP based services. VoIP systems are more popular, and their applications are generally used with a simple microphone and computer speakers. However, IP telephones or VoIP boxes can also be used. In recent years, the quality and reliability of VoIP technology has improved to a great extent, and a vast number of users are opting for VoIP based telephone systems.

IP telephony applications require firewalls to pass their Real Time Transport Protocol (RTP) streams. SIP technology has a better mechanism to tackle this problem. SIP server can act as a registrar, proxy or redirect server. It features an application-server interface, presence support, SMS gateway, simplified accounting and authorization and server status monitoring. Linux based SIP software supports numerous codes and phonebook.

The traditional telecommunication operators have been providing special call services using their existing infrastructure that has been accomplished with Intelligent networking architecture. In IP Telephony, router congestion is the main hindering factor, because the audio quality is not on par with PSTN services. Quality wise, IP Telephony services are yet to match their PSTN counterparts.

What Are The Benefits With VoIP?

VoIP is Voice over Internet Protocol. PSTN works on circuit switching. VoIP is Packet Switching. VoIP operates in different forms. For a monthly fee, you will receive VoIP services, the same as you pay for your regular telephone services. You can choose to use your VoIP service over the Internet, or you can choose to connect your VoIP to your standard telephone. By connecting a VoIP phone adapter to your modem and standard phone, you will be able to use your VoIP service and your telephone as you would with any other telephone service provider.

Many people prefer to use a VoIP service provider because the cost of local and long distance calling with VoIP is very inexpensive. Many providers offer unlimited calling plans. By choosing your VoIP service provide and installing a phone adapter, you will be on your way to making low cost VoIP calls in minutes.

You can also purchase a specialized VoIP phone. The cordless VoIP phones work the same as standard cordless phones. Other companies are working on creating VoIP phones and VoWiFi phones.

VoIP offers many services and benefits that are not available to standard telephone users. Either another computer then receives the packets, a VoIP enabled phone, or a standard telephone.

People love VoIP because it is cheaper than standard landline telephones. There are currently no tax charges involved with VoIP services, and many of the features that are normally offered for a fee are often included, free of charge with VoIP services. When the unlimited local and long distance calling plans are selected, home users can even greater enjoy their VoIP service.

The FCC has issued some regulations regarding VoIP and the ability to call 911. Because VoIP is Internet Protocol, a call made from a VoIP phone to a 911 dispatcher will not result in your address or location being displayed for the dispatcher to see. Some VoIP providers do not even provide 911 calling. Others have instituted the Enhanced 911 service.

Business owners are embracing VoIP with open arms. VoIP offers businesses other advantages as well. Mobile employees are also finding VoIP an incredible blessing. One of the other benefits included with VoIP, is that employees can take their VoIP phone numbers with them. Wherever they have a High Speed Internet connection, they can plug in and accept phone calls. Call centers are also embracing the flexibility of VoIP. Thanks to the power of VoIP, call centers can hire virtually worldwide. VoIP is providing many benefits for residential users and business users, it is clear that people love the freedom, flexibility, and high quality of VoIP. For many, it is as simple as transferring their old telephone number to their new VoIP service.

VoIP - Future Developments For Users

VoIP is a telephony term for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using Internet Protocol (IP) and is the future of communication.

Here we will look at changes that are coming that will increase what is already substantial growth in the industry.

With Voice over IP — businesses have the ability to manage calls at the IP layer which enables operational and productivity benefits that have never been available before at such affordable price.

Worldwide revenues from Internet voice technologies are expected to grow from about $13 billion in 2002 to nearly $200 billion by 2007.

The Future Of VoIP Projected Growth

When it comes to VoIP technology already available long-distance phone calls, conferencing, e-mail, and other communications are now affordable and flexible.

VoIP technology however is developing and some of the developments that will ensure the future of VoIP are outlined below

The Future Of VoIP SIP

Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) retrieves server responses and handles client requests.

This technology is able to determine the end system that will be used for a communication session, automatically sets the relevant parameters of the communication at receiver and user ends and then manages call transfer and call termination.

In addition, SIP allows users to initiate and receive communication from any location and networks are also able to identify users, wherever they are.

This technology is an alternative to H.323, which is the protocol, used for IP videoconference transmissions for VoIP up to now.

SIP has taken VoIP technology forward in terms of operational efficiency and many VoIP vendors are now including SIP as standard, bringing SIP to a growing audience.

VoIP The Future - VoIP Gateways

Another influential element in the future of Internet-telephony is improvements VoIP gateways.

Gateways are developing from PC-based platforms to more robust embedded systems, which will be able to handle an increased amount of call traffic.

The economies of scale of placing all traffic- data, voice, and video-over an IP-based network is highly attractive to corporate users.

The reason for this is:

IP will act as a unifying agent, regardless of the actual underlying architecture (i.e., leased lines, frame relay, or ATM) of a companies network.

VoIP The Future - Corporate Intranets & Commercial Extranets

Currently, the most promising areas of development for VoIP are corporate intranets and commercial extranets.

Their IP-based infrastructures enable operators to control who can use a network.

Commercial extranets, based on conservatively engineered IP networks, will deliver VoIP and facsimile over Internet protocol (FAXoIP) services to the general public, by guaranteeing specific parameters, such as packet delay, packet jitter, and service interop.

Companies are already looking to remove fax traffic off the PSTN and relocate it on to the Internet and corporate Intranet, through FAXoIP gateways and via IP-capable fax machines.

Video conferencing

Another area of growth will be video conferencing.

Video conferencing (H.323) with data collaboration (T.120) will become a popular method for corporate communications in the future, as network performance and interoperability increase.

VoIP The Future Expanding Services & Lower Cost

More user-friendly devices and increased promotions are starting to be seen by wider audience and this education, combined with ease of use of VoIP technology is needed for any new technology to gain trust and grow.

For instance, new VoIP telephones are being offered at cheaper prices in a variety of colours, with touch screens that are getting easier to use.

Prices in all VoIP services will continue to drop, as the market grows and competitivness increases.

The future of VoIP as a major communication method over the coming years is therefore assured. VoIP Telecommunications are here to stay.

VoIP Vulnerabilities Still Apparent

With the use of Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) by all reports rapidly expanding, several recent cases have exposed serious vulnerabilities with the service. However fraud is an everyday occurrence so I for one wouldn’t base my decision solely on these events.

As per previous articles I have written and various on my “About VoIP Information” website, security vulnerabilities for VoIP do exist and have been and continue to be seriously examined and worked through by industry. However two recent cases act as a reminder that all holes have not been closed.

In Australia it has been reported that a very public VoIP provider Engin had it’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software cracked by a hacker who publicly exposed how to obtain details of other customer’s orders in a post on the broadband site Whirlpool. Engin reportedly resolved the problem the next morning before any advantage was gained.

Engin appeared very honest and forthright admitting the problem and fixes that would be put in place with blame attributed to a third party programming consultancy responsible for programming of the CRM. Despite credit card details apparently not recorded in the area that became accessible, it does highlight the ease at which confidential personal information can be accessed, not something that is usually considered a security problem related to VoIP.

In the very public case two arrests have been made in early June for breaking into a New York companies network and spoofing VoIP traffic to its service provider. Wholesale phone connections were then offered at discount rates in a pseudo-service provider manner with a resultant 100% profit margin for the fraudsters.

TMCnet Executive Editor Robert Lui reported that one security expert advised the problem could have been easily adverted. It is suggested that multiple security products are required for securing VoIP networks which to some degree is in line with the layered or defence in depth security principle ie more layers of security making it more difficult to get through.

Despite these two reported cases and significant discussion and reporting about a diverse range of security considerations and concerns, it must be remembered that fraud is part of everyday life and regardless of how many checks and balances are put in place, a determined criminal will eventually be successful. Such is the case with credit cards for example, passports and other identification documents. The message in my view to take away is review the service providers performance and virtually by the numbers game, assuming all advisable security precautions are adhered to, it would be unlucky to be a victim of hacking.