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Service Providers

Anonymous — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 14:06:11 CDT

This section provides service overview information for Skype, Google Talk, Vonage, and VoiceTelOne.

Skype

Service overview

Skype is a free communications program from the inventors of the peer-to-peer filesharing program KaZaA. Skype allows you to talk to anyone in the world using your Internet connection, speakers, and a microphone (or combo headset).

Installing Skype is quite easy, and all you need to do is follow five simple steps to make calls:

Download the program from skype.com
Register for the service
Install the program on your computer
Plug in your headset, speakers, or USB phone
Start calling your friends

Making outside calls

If you’d like to make calls to landline or cell phone numbers all around the world, Skype also has a paid program called Skypeout. At present there are no setup or subscription fees, but Skype does charge for calls depending on your location and where you are calling. Essentiallly, you set up a credit system and when you make a call, the funds are deducted from your account.

Who’s "online"?

With 254 million people already downloading Skype worldwide, it’s quite possible you or someone you know is already using Skype’s VoIP service. On average, about 5 million people are using Skype every minute.

Features worth mentioning

Skype emphasizes the importance of sound quality. As they explain on their site, with normal telephones you can only hear sounds from 300 Hz to 3 kHz. With Skype’s VoIP service, sounds come in much clearer, so any communication sounds more natural and crisp. The Skype service provides voicemail, so you don’t miss anyone’s phone messages. Skype can also function as an instant-messaging program like AIM, MSN, or Yahoo Messenger.

Customer reviews

CNET.com rates Skype an 8.0 out of 10. Many user comments match this rating as well.

Comments proclaim the Skype VoIP service to be cheap and easy to use. Calls to other Skye users are clear and speedy. However, when using the landline feature, some people did experience problems communicating with the person they were calling from their PC. Other users also claimed to experience problems with trying to set up an account for the paid services. The same users also said Skype customer service failed to provide targeted information for getting to the bottom of specific technical issues related to account management. The problem apparently lies more with the company taking the funds, Moneybookers, than with Skype.

The bulk of the consumer reviews suggested that Skype’s free service is superb when it comes to PC-to-PC connections and to some PC-to-landline connections.

The bottom line

For people who aren’t extremely tech-savvy but still want to try a VoIP service, Skype is an excellent choice. Current customers also claim that the money they save talking PC-to-PC or even PC-to-landline is worth a few "glitches" here and there. To paraphrase one reviewer, for the price of free you can’t beat it.

Google Talk

Service overview

Google Talk is much like Skype, but brought to you by the popular search engine company. It likewise can be used for free PC-to-PC calling and instant-messaging, but it does lack some of the features boasted by Skype. On the other hand, Google Talk offers features Skype doesn’t provide.

Google Talk vs. Skype

First, let’s compare these two popular programs side by side:

Google Talk, like Skype, requires a PC Internet connection, a microphone and a speaker, or a headset, in order to send and receive calls.
With Google Talk, you can talk to people who are also using Earthlink, Gizmo Project, Tiscali, Netease, Chikka, and MediaRing, which they call a "federation." With Skype, in order to communicate PC-to-PC, the people you are contacting need to be using Skype as well.
Both VoIP providers are free services and have instant-messaging capabilities.
Calls can be made anywhere in the world by either service.
Google Talk has no voicemail capabilities, so you can only talk when the other party is online, whereas Skype provides voicemail.
The setup process is similar for each -- the program must be downloaded, installed, and then registered before use.
Google Talk functions with Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home & Pro), or Windows Server 2003, while Skype works on Windows 2000 or XP, Mac OS X, Linux or Windows Mobile 5.0, and Windows Mobile 2003.

Customer reviews

CNET.com users rated Google Talk higher than Skype, giving it a 9.3 out of 10, even though Skype has more features. The bulk of reviewers cited the lack of "bloated" features as the reason why Google Talk is so attractive. The service is simply a program for users who aren’t looking for too many bells and whistles. In other words, Google Talk is a VoIP program that allows them to talk to friends and instant-message from time to time. People also like the idea that the service is compatible with other programs.

As far as sound clarity rates, many Google Talk users seem reasonably satisfied, though the quality is perhaps not better than that of competitive VoIP services. Other positives of the free software include reports that it lacks advertisements and apparently doesn’t make drastic reconfigurations to the PC operating system or browser.

The bottom line

Although the instruction pages at Google Talk are more technical in nature and tone than those of other VoIP programs, users will find installation to be easy if they've ever done any software installing before (and who hasn't?). If you want emoticons, PC-to-phone dialing, or other "add-on" features, you're advised to look elsewhere. But if you’re a person who simply wants to chat with someone via your computer, then Google Talk seems to get the job done quickly, effectively, and with no major changes to your computer registery that could cause conflict issues.

Vonage

Service overview

Since first launching VoIP service in the United States in 2001, Vonage (www.vonage.com) has racked up more than one million subscribers and has completed over 1.6 billion VoIP calls as of January 2006. The company offers SIP-based VoIP service to both business and residential customers throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Mexico. Vonage provides what’s called “stand-alone” VoIP service, meaning customers must already have broadband access from another provider.

Service packages

Vonage’s biggest claim to fame is cheap phone service. They offer both residential and small business packages. The residential unlimited plan includes:

Unlimited calling anywhere in the U.S. and Canada
Voicemail (that includes both e-mail alerts and online message retrieval)
Caller ID
Three-way calling
Call forwarding
Call waiting

Residential customers can pay extra for an additional fax line or 800-number;

Vonage's small business unlimited plan offers the same basic feature set as the residential plan, but also includes a dedicated fax line. Vonage offers a lower-cost tier of plans for both residential and business customers based on limited monthly usage.

Target markets

Vonage targets the residential/SOHO (small office/home office) market. For the most part, customers are not especially tech-savvy and are attracted by the promise of low-cost phone service. After signing up for service, customers are shipped a small VoIP gateway (or ATA) within a few days. Installation is simplified as much as possible, and is essentially plug and play (provided you don’t have too complicated a setup). With the gateway, you can connect your regular telephone to the Internet.

Industry profile

Vonage has pumped large amounts of money into marketing and advertising campaigns. In 2005, they spent 220 million on Internet banner ads alone (that’s 71% more than last year’s top advertiser, according to Nielson/NetRatings). The company spends about $200 for every new subscriber. Company CEO Jeffrey Citron has a bold vision, isn’t afraid of risks, and can raise money. In May 2005, Vonage received $200 million in venture funding — representing the largest single funding in telecommunications since 2000.

Vonage's aggressive ad buys have paid off thus far. Vonage boasts the highest market share for North American residential/SOHO VoIP subscribers. According to a Infonetics report, Vonage leads the way with 39%; Time Warner holds 25% and Cablevision has 19%.

However, many industry analysts are skeptical about how much longer Vonage will continue to enjoy the lead-dog position. Their market share dropped from 36% in Q1 2005 to 32% in Q2 2005. And their Q2 share (36%) was actually their lowest share in nine months. Vonage was early to market, but now must compete with larger cable and phone companies like AT&T, Verizon, and Time Warner. Another major factor is that Vonage is a “single play” provider; they offer only VoIP service, whereas cable companies can offer bundled packages including data, voice, and video services.

But the organization isn’t relying on marketing dollars alone to retain its position. Vonage tries to stay ahead through innovative services and applications. They just launched a new portable WiFi handset directed at the consumer market. They also released a Western European virtual phone number service that allows subscribers to sign up for an inexpensive secondary number, and select from a range of European numbers. Friends, relatives, and colleagues can now call them in the United States for the charge of a local call.

VoiceTelOne

Service overview
VoiceTelOne VoIP Phone Service (www.voicetelone.com) allows you to make and receive phone calls through your high-speed Internet connection using a standard phone and adapter. VoIP provides the same or better quality as traditional phone lines, but you pay far less for all of your calls worldwide. Call any phone, anywhere, it works just the same as your traditional phone service.

For Residential Phone Service
To use VoiceTelOne's VoIP Internet phone service you'll need a broadband connection to the Internet like cable, DSL or high-speed wireless. When you order VoiceTelOne service you'll receive a small piece of equipment called an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) that adapts your phone for use over the Internet. Simply plug the adapter cable into your high-speed Internet connection, unplug your phone from the wall and plug it into the adapter and you're ready to start making calls.
You'll save money each month and get all the same features that traditional phone companies charge extra for, at no additional cost.

VoIP Hosted PBX for Small Businesses
VoiceTelOne's Hosted PBX system delivers a complete suite of enhanced business VoIP hosted PBX functions and features over your broadband Internet connection. No on-site equipment is necessary except phones, and all setup and configuration is done via a web portal. VoiceTelOne's proprietary network and system can handle any size business from just a few extension to large enterprises with thousands of extension and phone numbers distributed across the nation.

Complements

Overview
There are many "cheap" VOIP providers only provinding call termination (VOIP to PSTN). Usually the international calling rates offered by those providers are lower than rates at regular providers also providing DID numbers / origination (PSTN to VOIP). Those providers can be used as a complement to regular VOIP providers. Many VOIP adapters support several VOIP providers, either with separate ports or with prefix dialing.

For consumer market
Two large cheap VOIP service providers are Dellmont, a Luxemburg based company operating many VOIP brands such as CheapVOIP, and Nymgo, a brand operated by Splendor Telecom in the UK. There are also smaller providers such as Cheapvoip4u (US) and Localphone (EU) offering again lower rates. As with most other consumer VOIP services these companies have one minute rounding even though that is not written out clearly on many of the sites.

Quality and support
The quality of the calls made with these providers are generally on the same level as or a bit below calls made with example Skype and Vonage. It is generally possible to connect with any SIP device. However, support is usually done by email only and the response times on support emails are generally a bit longer than at regular VOIP providers.

See also:

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VoIPdito

Anonymous — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 04:55:51 CDT

VoIPdito Hosted PBX allows your business be more productive without the expense of buying and managing on-site telephone system.
All enterprise features at a small price.

Why VoIPdito?

Ease of use
Increased productivity
Instant deployment
Lower telecommunication costs
No upfront cost

Features

Hosted Telephone System - We maintain and upgrade the system, so you can focus on your business.
Virtual Reception - Look professional. Set up a reception anywhere with our web based console.
Virtual Telephone numbers - Get a Virtual VoIP telephone number in more than 4000 cities around the world.
Instant deployment - Because there is no hardware PBX (telephone switch) to install you can start using our system in 5 minutes after signing up.
Free Internet Calls - Connections within our network are always free. We will also try to route calls to other telephone numbers free of charge over the Internet using ENUM technology.
Reduced Call Rates - Because we route your calls over the Internet the cost is typically much lower compared to traditional telecommunication operators.
Web portal - Users of each and every VoIP extension can have total control of all their settings including call forwarding and voice mail settings through personal web-based control panel.
Click to Call - Increase your productivity thanks to our click to dial feature. Simply click on the number in your contact list to make an instant connection.
Pay As You Grow - Add users as you need to. Create new accounts at any time with instant activation and easy set up.
Call transfer - Transfer calls to any phone on your system - anywhere in the world - as if in the same office.
Voicemail - Each and every extension has its own configurable and customisable voice mail service. Voice messages can be accessed online, replayed over the phone, or forwarded to your email.

Wholesale DID Numbering

Anonymous — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 06:13:54 CDT

DIDnumbers.com provides inbound services through worldwide local DID numbers over an international private intercontinental backbone. Using these numbers, you may receive inexpensive, locally dialed phone calls from over 60 countries peered directly to your own PBX or server equipment.

DID numbers can either be geographical numbers attached to a specific area code or national numbers that are not linked to a specific area and that are reachable throughout the whole country for the same calling fee. Phone numbers are provisioned in real time. The numbers are charged at a fixed monthly rate and there is no additional per-minute fee and no limit on the amount nor the length of the calls.

VoIP Service

atsig411 — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 10:18:33 CST

911 Enable is a single provider for all your E-9-1-1 needs, 911 Enable delivers E9-1-1 call routing and location management solutions for today's IP networks. 911 Enable’s solutions recognize the challenges to 9-1-1 posed by VoIP and converging technologies. Using a flexible approach, 911 Enable offers equipment agnostic solutions which can be integrated with both legacy and IP-based technologies.

5PCom is an emerging VoIP Service Provider based in San Diego's "technology district" Sorrento Valley, CA, USA. The company offers quality Residential and Business VoIP service plans, at lower prices than better known competitors. Use your own adaptor or have one provided with refundable deposit. You can port your number for free (subject to availability), and receive "added value pricing" with commitment (optional). Additionally, 5PCom requires no start-up fee, and your first month of voip service

Freevoice is a voip provider specialized for Predictive and auto dialer traffic. $.019 per minute 6/6 billing with no short duration call penalties

VoiceTelOne is a VoIP provider based in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. VoiceTelone allows you to make and receive phone calls through your high-speed Internet connection using an ordinary telephone and adapter. Service plans include Limited and Unlimited Residential and SMB calling throughout the U.S. and Canada. Business plans include various Hosted (virtual) PBX configurations.

MyNetFone is Australia's leading VoIP service provider for home and business. If you have friends and familyin Australia let them know they can now call you at low rates and PSTN-quality. The company also offers complete business solutions including milti-line VoIP and Virtual PBX, so if your company has a branch in Australia they can saveon expensive equipment and enjoy free calls.

OpenTone Communications Philippines Inc. is one of the leading VOIP provider in the Philippines today. A VOIP company offering affordable VOIP international plans for both businesses and residential, allowing subscribers to make unlimited long distance call to the US, Canada, Europe, Middle East, Philippines, and other Asian countries. OpenTone communications voip products and services are Call Centers business solutions, Internet Cafe, Hosted PBX, Virtual DID, Global VOIP Call, Middle East bundle, Asia bundle, Europe bundle, Unlimited US/Canada.

SIPRoutes.com provides a cloud-based least cost routing engine for US SIP Termination. Over 16 major backbones and 5million+ routes already integrated. The service allows business to choose their vendors in real time via a suite of online tools, giving customers total control of their costs and quality of service. No hardware costs, no license fees, and no commitments. Instant access to every major US network for SIP Termination.

Voip switch with all modules + Antiblock dailers for just $199/mnth

azad11 — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 06:16:02 CST

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Fax

Anonymous — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 12:25:03 CST

Traditional faxing represents a significant chunk of a company’s communication expenses. An estimated 40% of calls between the United States and Europe at any given time are fax calls; that figure moves toward 50% between the United States and Asia. Faxing over standard phone lines thus results in a large quantity of expensive international calls.

Faxing over the Internet can eliminate those hefty long-distance charges. When you send a fax over IP, the fax data is transmitted as packets through the public Internet or company Intranet instead of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). If the fax transmission ever has to go through the PSTN (i.e. if the destination fax is a traditional fax machine), it’s only for the local portion of the call. Companies can send faxes throughout their own private IP network for free.

There are two methods for faxing over the internet: Fax over IP (FoIP) and Fax over VoIP. FoIP represents the only way to reliably send a fax through the IP network, although there are plenty of tech-savvy individuals who can successfully fax over VoIP. Both methods are covered below.

Fax over VoIP

You might expect to be able to send faxes over your VoIP line, just as you can over a traditional phone line. However, it’s not that simple. VoIP lines are not really designed for modem use. For starters, they typically utilize low bitrate codecs to maximize the number of voice calls. These low bitrate codecs cannot transmit modem signals properly (i.e. an 8 kbps G.729 codec cannot convey a 9.6 kbps fax modem signal correctly). Secondly, there’s the issue of packet loss. Losing packets isn’t that significant in voice calls, since you can still understand what the other person is saying. However, data dropout is a different matter. A few lost packets can lead to an error message or dropped call when faxing.

Of course, faxing over VoIP can be done, and both Vonage and AT&T CallVantage offer fax services with VoIP. Here are a few recommended steps:

You should set up the call using a 64 kbps codec. If you’re using Vonage, the dedicated fax line will use this rate. And with AT&T CallVantage, the second line uses this rate by default as well.
If you can’t get access to a 64 kbps channel, set the BAUD rate on your fax machine to 9600 bps or lower.
Set your resolution to standard
Turn off ECM

Information Source

http://www.voipfrustration.com has information on how to change the settings on over 600 fax machines, and also includes a link to the fax manuals.

Fax over IP

Another faxing option is FoIP (or Fax over IP); this function is similar to Voice over IP, but is optimized for fax transmission. In this model, a fax is sent over the Internet to a fax server nearest the destination fax. Then the fax is transferred to a phone line and sent like a normal fax. Because the fax has traveled over the Internet for most of its transmission path, total transmission costs are much less than those associated with conventional faxing. The ITU has developed two standards for FoIP: T.37 and T.38. T.37 refers to a “store and forward” faxing, where the fax is delivered as an e-mail attachment and then delivered to the destination fax over the PSTN phone line. While this method lowers transmission costs, it cannot provide real-time verification that your fax has been properly received. If you’re used to walking up to a fax machine, sending the fax, and getting your confirmation printout, T.37 is not for you.

ITU’s T.38 standard provides real-time fax delivery over IP and works like traditional faxing. T.38 fax gateways are equipped to handle any delay, jitter, or packet loss in the packet network to minimize their effect on the fax transmission. The standard also reduces the bandwidth needed to send image data.

Information Source

http://www.allaboutfoip.com AllAboutFoIP.com has information about "foIP" (fax over IP) servers and services, post implementation technical support and VoIP compability questions.

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IP Phones

voipexpert — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:57:09 CDT

Most people have heard of broadband cable, a service which brings channels like HBO to the television, but broadband phone service might be something new to you. Like cable television, broadband phone service is VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) that uses a phone instead of a computer to communicate but still runs on broadband Internet connections.

For those who have broadband in their area, it might now be possible to use VoIP phones instead of landlines, or as you know them, conventional telephone services. One of the largest benefits to switch is cost. For example, if you already have cable Internet service, you might be able to sign up for phone service through a provider such as skyrocket.com.

The pros

Currently, IP phone service providers generally bundle yearly phone service plans with a free IP phone. If you’re already spending $40 or more a month on a landline phone, you can save the equivalent of multiple month's worth of phone bills by going with an IP phone. In addition, for the same fee you’re not charged for long-distance calls, whether you're calling from state to state or internationally. You also get many features, such as caller ID and call waiting, which you expect from your regular phone service. Some IP phone companies throw in an extra number for free.

The cons

You do need to shop carefully for IP phone service. First, make sure broadband Internet access is available in your area -- otherwise it won’t work. Second, some providers might not have 911 or 411 capabilities -- if you have an emergency or need information, you could find yourself in dire straits. Third, if your cable company doesn’t have a reliable connection, you won’t be able to talk on an IP phone when "the cable goes out." Fourth, IP phones might leave your PC vulnerable to hackers scanning for unprotected information on your computer.

What to expect with a VoIP phone

If you’ve decided to make the jump to a VoIP phone, you’ll find that they offer many of the same features of a conventional phone. For example, the free phone that Skyrocket.com offers customers is the Uniden DCT 756 Single Handset Phone System, which retails anywhere from $50-70. It’s a 2.4GHz Dual Cordless System that includes the handset rest/recharger. It’s also compatible with other models (DCX750 or the DCT640) so you can have more than one phone in a location as long as you have a broadband connection to the receiver.

You’ll also find this IP Phone has the following features:

Caller ID
Call waiting caller ID
100# programmable memory with alphabetical search
3-way conferencing
10# speed dial locations
Redial/flash/mute
Personalized ringers
Voicemail message waiting indication at handset
Find lost handset/paging key
Intercom/call transfer between handsets
Unit can also double as a baby/room monitor

Some users of Uniden phones who have commented on them at Amazon.com and similar sites found that Uniden phone features are a bit difficult to remember sometimes. Overall, however, they have nothing but praise, especially in terms of sound quality and overall feature set. Before you decide on any IP phone, remember to verify that it will be compatible with your chosen service provider and then take proper security steps. Be sure to get multiple free phone system price quotes before you decide.

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Basics of VoIP

voipexpert — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 14:46:50 CDT

VoIP it might sound like a scary new technical term with little practical near-term relevance, but actually it’s an exciting communication protocol that more and more people are adopting every day. This section provides an overview of the basics of Internet voice adoption.

There are three primary benefits to adopting VoIP:

1) It’s inexpensive. Instead of paying for both an IP cable modem line and a landline phone, users only need a cable modem to connect to the Internet to initiate and receive phone calls.

2) Calls are free. Phone companies charge you for calls in terms of minutes, whether you're billed under your service plan or as an add-on. Some long-distance and international calls result in additional charges to your phone service bill. With VoIP, you can call anyone, anywhere in the world, at any time. The only cost to you is your Internet connection, which, chances are, is a bill you’re already footing since you’re reading this information on the web.

3) Portability. You can’t take your home phone with you on business trips or vacations, but with VoIP you can. Much like a cell phone, as long as you have a connection (in this case an Internet connection) you are able to make and receive calls from anywhere. Simply plug in your laptop to an Internet port to send and receive calls.

Now keep in mind that VoIP isn’t a "standard" capability of any computer. You need to download software in order to make it function.

There are two basic types of VoIP software:

Gateways – Software that connects to other users through a third party, also known as PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)
Peer to Peer – Software that doesn’t use a central, or third-party, service provider, but instead is a direct connection to the person you’re speaking with on VoIP.

Which program you decide to use is really up to you. What is most important is that there is a large assortment of phone system providers out there offering either type of software program – and, best of all, the majority of these programs are offered to users at no charge.

Can VoIP replace the old reliable analog telephone? Some people believe that eventually it will. As communication systems improve and more people become wired into the World Wide Web via cable service, the need for the push-button phone will go the way of the dinosaur.

Topics in this section:

PSTN & Cellular Networks

Anonymous — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:06:55 CDT

Media gateways enable multimedia communications across networks using multiple transport protocols such as ATM and IP. They are essentially a translation unit between various telecommunications networks such as PSTN, NGN, 2G, 2.5G and 3G radio access networks or PBX. The focus of this article, however, will be the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and how it relates to PBX VoIP technologies.

How are PSTN and VoIP tied together?

Although PSTN is mostly a digital gateway, it was originally a network of fixed-line analog telephone systems. Some critics say that even its digital capabilities are starting to age in light of the VoIP revolution, and these same critics further speculate that the eventual role of PSTN will only be to serve the Internet and little else. The need for conventional phones will be eliminated over times as VoIP technology comes to predominate. For that to happen, every household will need to acquire a broadband connection of some type to replace the classic phone system. Although broadband penetration is growing, it is still not an available service in some areas, which means for the time being that the old reliable telephone is safe from extinction.

Primary uses for PSTN as a media gateway

In addition to dial-up or broadband users at home, PSTN is often used by businesses as well. Large companies often link to the PSTN through limited gateways, like a large private branch exchange system (PBX). VoIP PBX, known also as IPBX, is gaining in popularity because it works on an Intranet setup within the business. A PBX setup is more secure for most purposes and situations in which there might be an issue leveraging other forms of VoIP over an open line. In addition to heightened security, PBX offers the same features (e.g. voice mail with e-mail or other advanced features) you find with conventional Internet VoIP systems.

What’s offered with PSTN and PBX media gateways?

As with other types of VoIP, PBX on a PSTN offers the following standard features:

Automated directory services
Automatic ring back
Call transfer
Call forwarding
Call waiting
Call conferencing
Custom greetings
Department message boxes
Hold music
Speed dialing
Voicemail

The future of VoIP and media gateway

PSTN will still be required for purposes other than just as a source for VoIP systems in the near future. Although the technology is growing rapidly, there remain other issues that make it impossible at this point to totally replace PSTN. As one example, not all VoIP programs and systems support important functions like 911 access. It must be said, however, that there very well may come a day when PSTN is strictly used as a media gateway, and nothing more.

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Benefits of GSM Gateways

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Benefits of GSM Gateways

Anonymous — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 01:21:32 CDT

Fixed-to-mobile calls (i.e. a call placed from a landline phone to a mobile phone) are typically more expensive. The call needs to pass through different telephony networks, and can thus cost more than an in-network mobile-to-mobile call. When a call is placed from a fixed line to a mobile phone, it needs to pass through a PSTN to a mobile interconnect facility called the Mobile Telephone Switching Office (MTSO). This routing costs your phone company money, and they pass those costs along to you in the form of increased call rates. As more and more people choose to use their mobile number as their main point of contact, calling expenses can rise quickly.

According to gateway manufacturer QuesCom, calls from landlines to GSM phones represent between 30 and 60 per cent of your total telephone bill. This call volume has generated the need for a GSM gateway. A GSM gateway eliminates costly routing from a fixed line to a mobile phone. When you dial a number with a GSM prefix, the GSM gateway automatically routes your call directly to the cellular network instead of through your fixed-line provider.

Some gateways have multiple SIM cards and can automatically choose the SIM card with the best rate. Charges are lower when the SIM card is part of the same network as the destination number. Think of it as a type of least cost routing (LCR).

According to GSM gateways and VoIP GSM gateways manufacturer Hypermedia Systems Ltd, cost reductions and call cost savings can start straight away, without changing any organizational dialing habits and without impacting on any arrangements with call service providers/vendors or fixed line carrier. Moreover, companies can better utilize special low mobile phone packages (VPN rates) available in the market.

VoIP GSM gateways take the concept a step farther by allowing you to call directly from an IP to a GSM network. Again, with its installed SIM cards, the gateway can place relatively cheaper GSM-GSM calls instead of IP-GSM calls. These gateways can support H.323 and/or SIP to communicate with your IP PBX or IP phone.

The VoIP GSM gateway allows businesses to significantly reduce phone expenses. According to gateway manufacturer 2N, companies can lower their fixed-to-mobile call costs by at least 50% without incurring any negative impact on voice quality. 2N also predicts a return on investment (ROI) at six months or less after deploying the gateway, and offer an online savings calculator to help you estimate just how much you could save by deploying a VoIP GSM gateway (http://www.2n.cz/case_studies/savings_calculator.html).

VoIP GSM gateway manufacturers are quick to point out additional benefits of their products beyond cost savings. Most include integrated SMS capabilities, enabling office users to send SMS messages from their PCs. And gateways that include multiple SIM cards can easily reroute calls to another SIM when there’s a failure on a GSM network. This serves as a network backup for critical communications.

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Tutorials

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:47:55 CDT

Click to Call with PHP-SIP

Business VoIP Comparison

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:30:32 CDT

Business VoIP Comparison website helps you make the right decision on your VoIP provider. Browse providers by price, feature or popularity. Read user reviews and comments.

Google Talk

Anonymous — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:02:07 CST

Google Talk

Service overview

Google Talk is much like Skype, but brought to you by the popular search engine company. It likewise can be used for free PC-to-PC calling and instant-messaging, but it does lack some of the features boasted by Skype. On the other hand, Google Talk offers features Skype doesn’t provide.

Google Talk vs. Skype

First, let’s compare these two popular programs side by side:

Google Talk, like Skype, requires a PC Internet connection, a microphone and a speaker, or a headset, in order to send and receive calls.
With Google Talk, you can talk to people who are also using Earthlink, Gizmo Project, Tiscali, Netease, Chikka, and MediaRing, which they call a "federation." With Skype, in order to communicate PC-to-PC, the people you are contacting need to be using Skype as well.
Both VoIP providers are free services and have instant-messaging capabilities.
Calls can be made anywhere in the world by either service.
Google Talk has no voicemail capabilities, so you can only talk when the other party is online, whereas Skype provides voicemail.
Google Talk has no conference or video capabilities, while Skype does.
The setup process is similar for each -- the program must be downloaded, installed, and then registered before use.
Google Talk functions with Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home & Pro), or Windows Server 2003, while Skype works on Windows 2000 or XP, Mac OS X, Linux or Windows Mobile 5.0, and Windows Mobile 2003.

joip

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:22:17 CST

Joip
Joip Forum

voip.com

Anonymous — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 07:12:23 CDT

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Disadvantages

Anonymous — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 06:54:51 CDT

VoIP has been heralded as the next great invention for your personal or business computer. The technology allows you to connect and place phone calls to anyone in the world for free -- or at least for the price of an Internet connection. But just as every cloud has a silver lining, you also need to realize that even if something shows a bright side, it often has a dark side to match. VoIP is no exception.

There are four main disadvantages of VoIP to consider:

Slow connection – One of the key disadvantages of VoIP is you can’t just pick up the phone and make a phone call. You need to start your computer, make sure your modem is connected, and only then can you initiate a call. In an emergency situation, you might not have time to boot up in order to call 911. What's worse, for some VoIP services, numbers like 911 and 411 (information directory) aren’t even available.
Stability – When it comes to disadvantages, this one tops the list. Since a strong Internet connection is a prerequisite, if you don’t have the proper connection speed, you’ll experience a lower quality of service. Also be mindful that the connection while using the VoIP "line" must be well maintained throughout each call. If your ISP has a habit of dropping out unexpectedly, then so will your calls.
Service compatibility – Unlike phones and cell phones, VoIP programs have to be compatible (or, in many cases, the same) in order for you to communicate with someone else. For example, a Verizon Wireless cell phone user can call anyone, however in the case of VoIP service, you must use the same service provider (AKA program) or communication won’t occur. Service incompatibility is one of the disadvantages of VoIP that many providers are working to fix, but at present it remains an issue.
Security – As with any new technology, you have individuals who are trying to "crack the code." VoIP users are at a disadvantage when it comes to experiencing computer worms, viruses, toll fraud (for pay services), or port scanning. Firewalls and other security systems might help bolster security, but VoIP services could put your computer and the information it holds at risk.

Potential VoIP users need to look at both sides of the coin and make an informed decision as to whether the current set of disadvantages outweighs all the potential benefits of adopting VoIP.

See also:

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design of voip

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 03:08:10 CDT

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Skype is the only decent VOIP service

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 12:03:59 CST

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Getting Connected

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 05:21:50 CST

Technology advances proliferate every single day -- though they make our lives better, each new product or service necessitates a certain amount of adaptation and adjustment, if not technical ability.

This section was compiled to help the VoIP-uninitiated understand the hardware components (adapters, phones) and service plans required to best leverage the technology for making calls, faxing, and conducting wireless communication.

In this section:

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A Community Guide to VoIP Phone Service

wetpaint — Mon, 02 Oct 2006 10:56:35 CDT

What is VoIP?

If you’ve had Internet access for the past year you’ve probably noticed more and more people talking about something called VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol. Despite the technical-sounding term, VoIP is actually a quite simple -- yet revolutionary -- communication technology. VoIP facilitates a process of converting the analog voice signal from your phone into a digital data signal that is transmitted over the Internet.

Now what does that mean in practical terms, or, in other words, why should you care? In the plainest terms, VoIP transforms a standard Internet connection into a means to place free – yes, free! – telephone calls anywhere in the world, circumnavigating the phone company and its pesky nickel-and-diming altogether.

While the number of people in the United States who have cable Internet connections isn't yet an overwhelming majority, the more the technology advances, the less need there will be for maintaining a secondary traditional phone service in the home. Ma Bell might not be scrambling just yet, but thanks to VoIP, eventually all you’ll need to reach out and touch someone is your cable modem, speakers, VoIP software, and a microphone.

wikiVoIP.org was created to present and explore some of the basic principles, connectivity requirements, and network characteristics of this emerging technology.

How to use this site

Take the quick tour or start contributing your knowledge about VoIP right away by clicking the EasyEdit button at the top of this, or any, page. If you notice something missing, start a new page. The more you contribute your questions, answers, or perspectives, the more the community benefits. If you don't see the information you need or want, request a new page here.

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