How does it work?
Just like a modem converts digital signals from a computer into analogue (voice) traffic for transmission over a traditional telephone line, a VoIP-enabled phone or VoIP adaptor converts your voice into digital packets (using SIP protocol) for transmission over the internet.
If you make a call to another VoIP phone, the opposite process occurs at the other end, and your voice emerges intact
from the ether.
If you make a call to a mobile or landline a gateway typically decodes the call and sends it on as an ordinary voice call to the traditional telephone exchange.
If you make a call to another VoIP phone, the opposite process occurs at the other end, and your voice emerges intact
from the ether.
If you make a call to a mobile or landline a gateway typically decodes the call and sends it on as an ordinary voice call to the traditional telephone exchange.
What are the downsides?
It's difficult to see the wood from the trees...
As with all relatively new technologies there is often too much information being produced which can blur both understanding and interest. If you want to learn how VoIP technology may benefit your organisation you will need to choose an organisation that you can trust to explain things objectively, clearly and without bias.
It's not as simple to install as some may claim...
Most organisations that are offering a VoIP solution are currently Telecom companies that in some way seek to partner an I.T. company when it comes to the design and configuration of a VoIP proposition.
Although voice and data technologies have converged, the skill-set required to properly configure a setup can rarely be found under one roof.
You may need to invest in new hardware...
Certainly for some organisations an investment will be required in terms of new telephony or computer hardware, however, this rarely translates into a need to replace everything - unless of course your system is very old anyway. VoIP is not an all or nothing approach and quite often simple upgrades to equipment are all that is required to realise significant savings.
As with all relatively new technologies there is often too much information being produced which can blur both understanding and interest. If you want to learn how VoIP technology may benefit your organisation you will need to choose an organisation that you can trust to explain things objectively, clearly and without bias.
It's not as simple to install as some may claim...
Most organisations that are offering a VoIP solution are currently Telecom companies that in some way seek to partner an I.T. company when it comes to the design and configuration of a VoIP proposition.
Although voice and data technologies have converged, the skill-set required to properly configure a setup can rarely be found under one roof.
You may need to invest in new hardware...
Certainly for some organisations an investment will be required in terms of new telephony or computer hardware, however, this rarely translates into a need to replace everything - unless of course your system is very old anyway. VoIP is not an all or nothing approach and quite often simple upgrades to equipment are all that is required to realise significant savings.
