The History of Voice over Internet Protocol By the end of 2006,
Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) may account for as much as
25 - 40% of international voice traffic. This prediction is
impressive, but it is even more amazing when you consider the
relatively short history of voice over internet protocol. It
began as a hobby for some people in Israel who were only able to
communicate by computer.

Later that year, in 1995, the first company in the history of
voice over internet protocol to put a product on the market was
Vocaltec. They released Internet Phone Software, which in
combination with a home computer, sound card, speakers,
microphone and modem allowed users to make a phone call over the
internet. However, the people on both ends had to have the same
setup, and sound quality was much less than on a normal phone.

In 1998, there were more milestones in the history of voice over
internet protocol. Entrepreneurs began to recognize the
potential of the technology and soon computer-to-phone and
phone-to-phone connections (still using a computer for the
transmission) were possible for making voice calls over the
internet. The service was available using a phone at a
provider’s location in North America only.

It required the users to listen to an advertisement at the
beginning and end of each phone call, but in exchange their long
distance calls were free. In 1998, less than 1% of voice calls
were made using voice over internet protocol.

Businesses began to use VOIP over their intranets to help
communicate within their company. But with the introduction of
switching equipment in 1998 by 3 manufacturing companies, the
history of voice over internet protocol took a turn towards the
future.

Now VOIP could become more readily available to users at home
instead of at a specific facility belonging to the provider. By
the year 2000, more than 3% of voice calls were made over the
internet using VOIP.

Today, there are both hardware and software options for those
interested in business VOIP and for their personal use. You can
purchase hardware that will allow you to use your normal phone
handset when making a phone call.

You can buy phones that are VOIP ready and need only an internet
broadband connection. Or, you can purchase or download software
that will let you use your computer instead of a phone, provided
that you have speakers, a microphone, and an appropriate sound
card.

Many phone companies have begun to offer packages that include
local and long distance VOIP calls for a flat monthly fee. With
the advent of broadband services, sound quality has become
parallel to regular land line phones for the first time in the
history of voice over internet protocol. And the number of
people using VOIP is only expected to grow.

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and assist or even become your telecom department at no cost to
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distance

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An in-depth, qualitative analysis and comparison of five telephony systems models.

After exhaustive research on the five main telephony systems models, the following
illustrates main points of each model and delves deep into each model’s positive
and negative attributes.



The five telephony systems are explored in order of least advanced to most.



Plain Old Telephone System: POTS is the original telephony system, a
throwback to days when you would share a malt with your best gal and dance to
Sinatra on your victrola.



POTS work thusly: telephone wires link a carrier to a business, allowing telephony
services to take place. All phones inside the building are connected to this central
wire.



Positive attributes:

- Little about POTS has changed since its first incarnation as two tin cans
connected by string, but if it ain’t broke, why fix it? All non- VoIP telephony systems
are based on POTS.



Negative attributes:

-Features are limited by telephone wires; POTS cannot offer the advanced
features found in VoIP telephony systems.

-Offers little flexibility, something dynamic businesses need from a telephony
system: POTS is entirely dependent on the carrier.

-More expensive than other models, as businesses are charged monthly for
each call feature they use.



Key Telephone System: KTS is an updated version of POTS; telephone
wires stop at a business’s KTS switch instead of going directly to a phone, as is the
custom with POTS.



Positive attributes:

-Less expensive than POTS, including more features for less money.

-Expandable, a definite plus in today’s fast- passed world.



Negative attributes:

-Akin to POTS, features are limited by transmission over telephone wires.



Central Exchange: CENTREX is similar to PBX, but CENTREX is not
privately owned. Instead, CENTREX is owned by a telephone company, who then
sells lines and features to a business.



CENTREX is often used by business or companies looking for a temporary solution
who plan on later switching to PBX or VoIP.



Positive attributes:

-Carrier is responsible for line maintained, making CENTREX less expensive
than other models.

-Provides drastically more features than POTS.

-Good solution for companies that need several extentions with many
features, but a PBX is too expensive.



Negative attributes:

-Each line is more expensive than using POTS.



Private Branch Exchange: PBX does away with telephone carriers; a PBX is
owned by an individual business, providing telephony service to that business
exclusively.



Positive attributes:

-Provides dedicated service unencumbered by telephone carriers.

-Offers many more features than POTS.

-Businesses can easily make the transition to VoIP.



Negative attributes:

-High maintenance cost.



Voice Over Internet Protocol: VoIP is the most advanced telephony
systems available, offering advanced features and powerful applications not found
in other systems. This is possible because data and voice are transmitted on the
same cable.



Positive attributes:

-Eliminates the toll and monthly fees found in other systems.

-Offers advanced features than can help improve efficiency and productivity.

-Increased reliability of the network.

-One line for both data and voice greatly reduces maintenance.



Negative attributes:

-Equipment costs are higher than other models

Cameron Elliott is an network specialist at http://www.phone-systems.biz/voip where
he extols the benefits of having the
right telephony system.

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There was a dreadful time in history when the telecom regime (local phone companies) held consumers captive by charging high prices for phone service. To make matters worse, this regime would nickel and dime consumers to death for additional features like voicemail, call waiting, caller ID, and call forwarding. Not to mention their customer service or lack thereof, was and still is a horrifying experience. This long history of monopolizing the telecommunication industry has finally come to an end. It’s time for a regime change. Consumers now have an alternative - introducing VoIP.

VoIP, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, is a technology that allows you to make phone calls over an existing Internet connection instead of a regular (analog) phone line. Some services that use VoIP only allow you to call other people using the same service, usually done when making PC to PC phone calls. Other services allow you to call anyone, anywhere (as long as they have a telephone number) including: local & long distance, mobile, and international numbers. This type of VoIP service allows you to use a traditional phone that plugs directly into a phone adapter.

The great thing about VoIP is that all the additional features are included in the monthly fee. These features include: unlimited local & long distance calls into the US & Canada, voicemail, call waiting, caller id, three-way, just to name a few. Most VoIP service providers typically charge between $20 and $25 dollars a month.

VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely redesign the entire world’s communication infrastructure. VoIP providers have already been around for several years and growing at a tremendous rate. Currently, there are over 6 million users of VoIP worldwide and that numbers is growing exponentially.

FAQ about VoIP

Can you provide me with a brief explanation of VoIP?
VoIP allows you to make phone calls over an existing Internet connection. VoIP converts a voice signal (analog) from your phone into a digital signal that then travels over the Internet to the desired location. It then converts the digital signal back to analog so the person on the other end can hear what you are saying.

How do I make a VoIP phone call?
The first step of making a VoIP phone call is to subscribe to a service. Once you sign up for service, the VoIP service provider will then send you a broadband phone adapter, which plugs directly into your internet connection. You will then have to plug your existing telephone into the phone adapter. Lastly, all you have to do is pick up the phone and dial the number.

What kind of equipment do I need to use VoIP?
You need three things in order to use VoIP: 1) A high-speed Internet connection (either cable or DSL); A broadband phone adapter (provided by the VoIP service provider); and 3) any standard (analog or digital) phone.

Is there a difference when placing a local or long distance call when using VoIP?
Not really. VoIP phone calls are made just the same way as traditional calls are made. When dialing local calls, all you have to do is dial 7 digits (555-1212) and when dialing long distance, all you have to do is dial 11 digits (1-408-555-1212).

Can I call anyone using VoIP?
Yes. You can call anyone, anywhere as long as they have a valid phone number. It can be a local call, long distance call, international call, cell phone, toll free, 911 (assuming they have E911 capability)and 411 directory assistance. Most VoIP providers will not allow calls to 900 or 976 phone numbers, nor will they accept collect calls.

What are some advantages of using VoIP?
1. Cost - Most VoIP providers charge between $20 and $25 a month.
2. Unlimited calling in the U.S and Canada.

3. All the features are included (voicemail, caller id, call waiting, 3-way, call forwarding and much more)
4. VoIP is portable. You can take the phone adapter anywhere where there is an existing Internet connection, plug it in and make calls if you were at home.
5. The ability to choose your own area code. You can live in New York and choose to have a California phone number.

Are there any disadvantages of using VoIP?
Yes.

1. If the power goes out in your home you will also lose your Internet connection, which means that your phone service will also be down. Some VoIP service providers offer a feature that allows customers to designate a forwarding number if their Internet connection goes down for any reason.

2. Not all VoIP Providers offer E911. This means that if you call 911 from your VoIP phone, it may not go to the local public dispatcher. Rather, it will get routed to an answering service first.

3. Call Quality. At certain times of the day, the call quality of phone conversations will suffer. This could be due to bandwidth sharing, or slow Internet connection.

Do I need a computer to use VoIP?
No. Although most VoIP customers do have a computer, one is not needed. The broadband phone adapter simply plugs into a router (or modem) to get a connection.

Can I use VoIP when I travel?
Yes. You can use your VoIP service wherever you travel as long as you have a high speed Internet connection available and you bring your broadband phone adapter and phone with you.

How will I know if someone is calling me from a VoIP phone?
You won’t. The VoIP phone works just like a traditional phone. The quality and experience is that good.

Join the rebellion aimed at overthrowing the telecommunications industry by force. Switch to VoIP today and start saving tomorrow.

Click here for more in-depth information about voip products and services.

Michael Brito is an internet marketing consultant and freelance writer for a variety of consumer related products.

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