VOIP

toc =What is VOIP?=

VOIP stands for **Voice Over Internet Protocol**, which is a technology that allows users to make phone calls over the Internet that operates on a broadband Internet or DSL connection. Phone calls were first made over the Internet in February 1995 when [|Vocaltec], Inc. introduced the first Internet Phone software [1]. Ever since then, the use of VOIP has gained popularity due to the high amount of broadband (or high speed) Internet connection that is widely being used today.

VOIP is also known as //IP Telephone, Internet Telephony//, or //Digital Phone//. Compared to the traditional phone system, which operates using electrical circuits and through PSTN (public switched telephone network) using analog signals to transmit voice, VOIP works by mean of digital data that are transmitted over the Internet. In other words, you can place a phone call to anyone, anywhere around the world, through your Internet connection.

[a]

=Types of VOIP Services=

There are basically three different types of VOIP services being used today [2]:
 * ===ATA (Analog telephone adaptor)**//://**===This type of service allows you to connect your standard phone to your computer with an Internet service provider and to make calls over the Internet. Functionally, analog signals from your traditional phone are converted into digital data for transmission over the Internet.
 * ===IP Phones===This type of service is similar to ATA. Once again the phone is standard, but instead of connecting to the phone jack, this phone is connected directly to your router. From the router, you can then make phone calls via your internet connection.
 * ===Computer-to-computer===Perhaps the most commonly used type of VOIP service is from one computer to another computer. Because the uses of VOIP are on the rise in today's highly innovated tech world, it is the central focus in this article and will be discussed in depth.

Left Image:[|Cisco ATA 186] [f]

Right Image: [|Linksys WIP330 Wireless-G IP Phone] [g]

=VOIP – The future of Phone Calls?=

There are approximately 820 million Internet users around the world according to the latest [|Internet World Stats]; out of those 820 million users, about 80 millions are using DSL Broadband [3]. With the ever increasing number of broadband connections, there is also an increase in the number of users making phone calls over the Internet. The two reasons behind this popularity is cost and flexibility

Cost:
Depending on what type of services you use, there are some VOIP services that charge you by the minute of calling time (over the net using your PC). However, there are many programs that allow users to make Internet calling from PC-to-PC for free. One of the leading software programs in today’s world that provides free-internet calling for users is [|Skype]. All you require are the following: a broadband Internet connection, the Skype software (which is free for downloading and takes only 3-5 minutes for installing), a microphone, speakers, and a sound card You also require that the person you are calling is also on the Internet and is setup with Skype. And of course, the person you are calling must also be setup, and you have had to contact them and pass on your ids… This is the easiest way for anyone to make phone calls worldwide using VOIP, and there is no need to pay long distance charges either.

Flexibility:
The other advantage of using VOIP is its flexibility, especially for users who are always on the go. Users can download the program on their laptop and then are able to use it anywhere where there is a wireless Internet connection. Regardless of where the users are in the world, they can connect to other people via the VOIP software and make phone calls directly at no cost. The only requirement is that they are connected via a broadband Internet.

=Disadvantages of VOIP=

Every technology has its disadvantages. Probably the most common problems of using VOIP to make phone calls are technical issues such as call quality and the need for electricity. These issues have made some users reluctant to switch to it full-time.

The biggest concern for users who are using VOIP as their daily means of phone calling is a power outage–that is, what happens when the power fails? Users will not be able to connect and, therefore, cannot call anyone. This is crucial in time of emergency.

The other problem of using VOIP is its sound quality (due to interference and echoing). Because VOIP relies on bandwidth, during times of limited bandwidth (such as packet loss) users will likely be faced with periods of silence in their conversations, which causes interruptions in some of their calls.

=The Future of VOIP=

[b]

[|Forrester Research Group] predicts that nearly 5 million US households will have VOIP phone service by the end of 2006 [4]. Furthermore, according to [|Jupiter Research], 20.4 million US households are expected to subscribe to one form of VOIP service or another by 2010 [4]. VOIP is now becoming more prominent, especially with free chat software such as [|AOL], [|MSN Messenger], [|Yahoo Messenger], [|ICQ], and more recently, the launch of [|Google Talk]. These programs allow users to voice chat with other users who also use the same program. However, probably the most dominant VOIP free software that is known worldwide is no other than Skype. Currently, there are more than 250 million Skype users today and the number just keeps increasing.

Digital Innovation
The other special feature about VOIP is that it does not only allow users to make a direct call from PC-to-PC, but it also enables users to make PC-to-mobile phone calls ( known as Phone Out) or phone-to-computer calls (known as Phone In). However, these types of services still require users to pay for the amount of minutes they use. Skype is the leader in these services, and most recently, [|Netgear, Inc]. has showcased its new Wi-Fi phones (see images) that have been designed especially to work with Skype [5]. These Wi-Fi phones allow Skype members to use any wireless Internet connection after entering the username and password. Simply put, the phone connects through your Internet and from there you can place a call to anyone around the world with little cost. However, this advanced technology is just the beginning, and hopefully in the near future the ability to reach out to other people worldwide is just a dial away. According to Patrick Lo, CEO of Netgear, the release of Wi-Fi phones, working with Skype, will increase the number of users around the world ten-fold by making calling very affordable for almost everyone .” [5]

At the [|3GSM World Congress] in Barcelona this past February 13-16, 2006, [|Nokia] and [|Motorola] showcased new handsets ([|Nokia 6136] and [|Motorola A910] respectively) that can connect to the Internet via WiFi, instead of Bluetooth. This is another example of how other technologies are taking advantage of VOIP and are now integrating VOIP into their products for better performance.

[|Netgear Phone] [c] [|Motorola A910] [d] [|Nokia 6136] [e]

=Conclusion=

The emergence of VOIP is on the rise, and this technological innovation will perhaps become so dominant in the near future that it can reshape the way we use phones and the way we make calls. The Internet has connected users together globally through many means of communication technology. What will the outcome be if we all are able to connect and communicate with each other anywhere in the world using phones rather than email or chatting? Will communications be improved? Will relations among the races change? Whatever the outcome is, the future is unforeseeable.

=External Links=

A. Latest News
1. Federal Communications Commission: [|Voice-Over-Internet Protocol FAQ]

2. Yahoo News: [|Nokia, Motorola Show Cellular-VoIP Phones]

3. InfoWorld: [|Google, Apple top 2005 poll of most influential brands (Skype was third)]

4. TechNewsWorld: [|Microsoft Partners with MCI on VoIP]

5. TechNewsWorld: [|Yahoo Takes Aim at Skype with VoIP Calling Feature]

6. TechNewsWorld: [|Enterprises Face VoIP Management Challenges]

7. ZDNet UK: [|Nokia embraces convergence with Wi-Fi phone]

8. [|WiFI Phones Information]

B. VoIP Related
1. [|Vocaltec Launches First Virtual Worldwide PC-to-Phone Calling Network]

2. [|Vocaltec Links Phones to Web]

=Works Cited=

[1] "Voice over Internet Protocol." __IEC: a Voice over Internet Protocol__. 2005. International Engineering Consortium. 18 Feb. 2006 

[2] Valdes, Robert. "How VoIP Works." __Howstuffworks "How VoIP Works"__ HowStuffWorks, Inc. 18 Feb. 2006 

[3] "Highest Internet DLS Broadband Subscriber Worldwide." __Internet World Stats__. 2005. Miniwatts International, Ltd. 18 Feb. 2006 

[4] Desmond, Michael. "Net Phones Evolve." __PCWorld.com__. Sept. 2004. IDG Network. 18 Feb. 2006 http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117155,00.asp

[5] Terdiman, Daniel. "Skype, Netgear to launch Wi-Fi phone." __CNET News__. 4 Jan. 2006. CNET Networks. 18 Feb. 2006 <[|http://news.com.com/Skype%2C+Netgear+to+launch+Wi-Fi+phone/2100-7352_3-6018508.html?tag=nl]>

Image Links:
[a] http://www.technewsworld.com/perl/section/voip/

[b] http://www.skype.com

[c] http://www.netgear.com

[d] http://www.motorola.com

[e] http://www.nokia.com

[f] [|http://www.cisco.com]

[g] [|http://voipsupply.com]

**Relevant Links to other Wikis' Entries**

 * 1) VOIP
 * 2) MSN Messenger
 * 3) WiFi
 * 4) Bluetooth
 * 5) AOL
 * 6) Mobile Revolution
 * 7) Internet Usage
 * 8) Internet Explorer
 * 9) LAN
 * 10) Wireless 802.11n
 * 11) Skype

Last updated February 28, 2006