VeeshanVault

Short for Voice over Internet Protocol, a category of hardware and software that enables people to use the Internet as the transmission medium for telephone calls by sending voice data in packets using IP rather than by traditional circuit transmissions of the PSTN. One advantage of VoIP is that the telephone calls over the Internet do not incur a surcharge beyond what the user is paying for Internet access, much in the same way that the user doesn't pay for sending individual e-mails over the Internet.

Me! wrote:I’m doing Voice over IP and for that don’t know, that’s basically using a phone over the internet as opposed to phone lines. Also, it can be used on an internal network, for offices or mansions, etc.

• 1 Technical details
• 1.1 Implementation challenges
A major problem with VOIP is the fact that it doesn’t necessarily provide the data packets in a sequential order, so sometimes there’s problems with latency. So for example there could be a few seconds in delay before your message is received by the other line.
There’s also problems like getting passed firewalls on a network. To get around this, some networks use a Session Border Control which acts as a relay. The control acts like the phone called and makes another call to the intended phone. There’s also programs that work from the computer like Skype, which is just a peer to peer calling program, and relies on the users to transfer data.
• 1.2 Protocols
• 2 Advantages
• 2.1 Cost
Money is always a big deal – and a major advantage of VOIP is the fact that is costs less than traditional phone services. This is mainly due to the fact that it’s really not that popular on the market yet, and the fact that you’re using your internet connection which you’re already paying for, as opposed to a phone bill. Since you can theoretically call anywhere, and you’re already paying for the connection, calls are “free” – even long distance.
Functionality
Incoming calls can be routed to your VOIP phone, regardless of where you’re connected. So if you go on trip, and take your VOIP phone with you, the number stays with you.
• 3 Drawbacks
• 3.1 Reliability
Phones without power cords are powered through their phone lines, so you can use them during a power outage. VOIP phones use broadband modems which require power, rendering them useless during an outage.
When your network is congested or running slowly, you will notice it on a VOIP phone, and there will be drop outs and latency issues.
• 3.2 Emergency calls
If you make an emergency call, you have to give an address or emergency services will have a hard time locating you. The government is trying to require voip providers to have 911 service but they are rejecting it. There’s a few workarounds, like having a local emergency number on speed dial
• 3.3 Integration into global telephone number system

• 3.4 Single point of calling
• 3.5 Mobile phones
• 4 Adoption
• 4.1 Mass-market telephony

A lot of phone companies are starting to use voip, I’m sure most of you have seen commercials for Vonage. Cablevision, broadvoice, time warner cable, speakeasy, Comcast, verizon, packet8, lingo, sunrocket, and TGLO all use IP to offer unlimited calling in the US or in selected countries like Europe or Asia for a flat fee. They also offer the single number anywhere idea.
• 4.2 Corporate and telco use