Satisfying your customers is very important when you are running a company. The success of the company doesn't always depend on how much satisfied your customers, So you need to make sure that your customers get every facility they need and they get every chance to reach you. If you run a small business or you are a market giant, what you need to have is the correct view to your business and the correct and timely approach towards your customers. Do you have a toll-free number for your business? If you do not have, then go for one!
It is thus important to know how it can enhance your business!
Availability:
You will be available for your customers day and night with the help of this number. If you are running a small company then you may not afford a telephone operator. But when you are a big guy, you can easily have an operator for your help! So through this facility you will be there for your clients 24*7. This will help you to enhance your business as well! So go for a number that can make you available for your customers.
Dedication:
Customers like serious business persons and those people who are available at the hour of need. Suppose someone needs you for a particular purpose and you are not available at that moment! You can lose the customer if the marketing sense of your rival is better than you. It allows you to stay in touch with your customer no matter where you are, no matter which time is this and no matter what you are doing! Your dedication will pay you at the end of the day.
Portability:
Suppose you are going to leave your previous office space and you are going for a bigger place or shifting somewhere else. You can easily bring your toll-free number along with you. When you buy a number from an operator, the number is yours for the rest of your life! So you can easily take the number along with you wherever you go and your customer will not even know from where you are operating! You only need to divert the call to your present area or to your mobile and you are done!
Easy to remember:
It is true that we are losing the power of remembering numbers with the advent of mobile phones. We do not require remembering the number, so we do not do that even! But if you logically think, then the initial numbers of a toll-free number is fixed. So you need to remember the extensions only and it is quite easy to remember the extension numbers.
If there are so many features available that makes a toll-free number a must buy for the small concerns and the giant players too, then why don't you do it? Go for such a wonderful number and use that for the marketing of your company!
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Communication. Show all posts
Amazon Cloud to Back Up Your Phone System?
Did you every think that your company would be physically unavailable, the building not accessible and the phone system unmanned? The issue of business continuity and disaster recovery is on your 'to do' list and hopefully you can get to it before it gets to you. Recently, we had the experience of having to resuscitate a client from near death when their physical facility became unavailable. Clearly, the phone system was very high on the list of "must have" operational now.
Here is the solution we employed with amazing results. First, we signed in and created a brand new account at the Amazon EC2 cloud offering. This itself was an amazing experience. Once your account is open, which can take a couple of hours if you do not already have an Amazon account (is that possible?), you can create and access a server with the OS of your choice within minutes. We already had an Amazon account so adding the AWS functionality took less than 30 minutes. We then created a Microsoft 2008 SP2 32 Bit Server and provision RDP access in less time than it is taking to tell this story. The AWS service provisions and assigns a DNS public IP address, creates a security instance ('firewall") and candidly, that took more time to make operational then it took to build an "instance" of our Windows based HQ server!
Once the sever was provisioned, we were able to make "firewall" changes to meet our security requirements. This is all accomplished through the AWS management console. Then the fun started, we downloaded our favorite PBX system! All of this is taking place in the cloud and under a time constraint, but we were able to provision our PBX and get in a configuration mode very quickly. Using our preexisting ITSP SIP account we were able to provision a multi-channel SIP "peer", obtain a DID number and have dial tone in and out of the system within 15 minutes!
From then on it became near Childs play and basically the same as any other deployment. We brought up the most urgent User profiles first, established remote call forwarding and even enabled several SIP softphones. We were able to get the phone company to call forward the clients main BTN to the newly provisioned DID number and we had this client back to worrying about business issues that had nothing to do with phone service pronto quick. The entire process from account setup, to first phone call took two and a half hours to commission!
Clearly, not the carefully conceived business continuity and disaster recovery plan that should have been in place, but a success story none the less. We keep a pre-paid ITSP account available at all times which enables us to bring up 4 channel SIP peers in a heart beat. It seems we never know when we are going to need a new DID and Peer. The Amazon AWS is mind boggling in terms of what you can do and you are billed on a metered basis. Currently they have a program that bundles some 750 hours of usage a month for free. They also have some canned AMI's (Amazon Machine Images) that cost literally penny's an hour to operate.
Not that we needed another reason to have a software based VOIP iPBX but this is an example of just how powerful these tools can be to create and deliver viable telecommunications solutions on demand! AskDrVoIP and we will provide you the list of software solutions we used to accomplish this emergency deployment and we are planning to recreate the entire experience for a another DrVoIP video cheat sheet.
http://youtu.be/ZAB8wCg9MyE
Visit the DrvoIP.Com site for a wealth of information and video tips on VoIP! Find technical support or post your project for Free!
Here is the solution we employed with amazing results. First, we signed in and created a brand new account at the Amazon EC2 cloud offering. This itself was an amazing experience. Once your account is open, which can take a couple of hours if you do not already have an Amazon account (is that possible?), you can create and access a server with the OS of your choice within minutes. We already had an Amazon account so adding the AWS functionality took less than 30 minutes. We then created a Microsoft 2008 SP2 32 Bit Server and provision RDP access in less time than it is taking to tell this story. The AWS service provisions and assigns a DNS public IP address, creates a security instance ('firewall") and candidly, that took more time to make operational then it took to build an "instance" of our Windows based HQ server!
Once the sever was provisioned, we were able to make "firewall" changes to meet our security requirements. This is all accomplished through the AWS management console. Then the fun started, we downloaded our favorite PBX system! All of this is taking place in the cloud and under a time constraint, but we were able to provision our PBX and get in a configuration mode very quickly. Using our preexisting ITSP SIP account we were able to provision a multi-channel SIP "peer", obtain a DID number and have dial tone in and out of the system within 15 minutes!
From then on it became near Childs play and basically the same as any other deployment. We brought up the most urgent User profiles first, established remote call forwarding and even enabled several SIP softphones. We were able to get the phone company to call forward the clients main BTN to the newly provisioned DID number and we had this client back to worrying about business issues that had nothing to do with phone service pronto quick. The entire process from account setup, to first phone call took two and a half hours to commission!
Clearly, not the carefully conceived business continuity and disaster recovery plan that should have been in place, but a success story none the less. We keep a pre-paid ITSP account available at all times which enables us to bring up 4 channel SIP peers in a heart beat. It seems we never know when we are going to need a new DID and Peer. The Amazon AWS is mind boggling in terms of what you can do and you are billed on a metered basis. Currently they have a program that bundles some 750 hours of usage a month for free. They also have some canned AMI's (Amazon Machine Images) that cost literally penny's an hour to operate.
Not that we needed another reason to have a software based VOIP iPBX but this is an example of just how powerful these tools can be to create and deliver viable telecommunications solutions on demand! AskDrVoIP and we will provide you the list of software solutions we used to accomplish this emergency deployment and we are planning to recreate the entire experience for a another DrVoIP video cheat sheet.
http://youtu.be/ZAB8wCg9MyE
Visit the DrvoIP.Com site for a wealth of information and video tips on VoIP! Find technical support or post your project for Free!
Why You Should Avoid Fake Mobile Phones
When you splash out on a new mobile phone you need to ensure that you are buying the real thing as copies and fakes simply will not last! Phones and other mobile devices should only ever be bought if they have been made by genuine companies such as Vodafone, Sony or Nokia. This way you can ensure that you get good value for money as they will come complete with guarantees and you can sure be that they have been made properly!
Check out these top reasons why you should never buy fake mobile phones:
Mobile Phones need to be Reliable!
We heavily rely on phones as part of our everyday lives from work through to casual conversations and without one we often feel somewhat lost! With over 40 million Brits owning a cell phone in the UK and more phones than people with 62.5 million handsets and only 60 million people; it is obvious that we are all mobile crazy.
Many people rely on mobile phones to stay in contact with clients or employers and those who work in sales or logistics will understand how important it is to be in regular contact. If you need to be accessible to others then you need to ensure that you have a genuine handset that will not decide to stop working just when you need it most!
Genuine Mobile Phones are Affordable!
There is no need to pay less to get less as there are so many great value for money deals available that you can buy the real thing for an affordable price. If you choose to get a contract, many companies will provide you with a free handset so why risk using a sub-standard phone that is cheap to buy that will only fall apart in a few months?
Usually batteries will need to be replaced before the phone itself and it is just as important to ensure that you buy genuine batteries as fake batteries for mobiles will be as useless as your old one after a short time.
Mobile Phones are Readily Available!
Statistics show that 57% of US teenagers view their phone as being a central part of their social lives and 80% claim that their mobile offers them a sense of security. How secure would you feel if your fake handset failed on you when you need to make an emergency call? There is no excuse to buy a fake mobile when there are so many available which are 100% genuine. You can buy mobile phones all over the world from reputable companies with ease so why settle for less with a fake?
By Louise Goldstein
Check out these top reasons why you should never buy fake mobile phones:
Mobile Phones need to be Reliable!
We heavily rely on phones as part of our everyday lives from work through to casual conversations and without one we often feel somewhat lost! With over 40 million Brits owning a cell phone in the UK and more phones than people with 62.5 million handsets and only 60 million people; it is obvious that we are all mobile crazy.
Many people rely on mobile phones to stay in contact with clients or employers and those who work in sales or logistics will understand how important it is to be in regular contact. If you need to be accessible to others then you need to ensure that you have a genuine handset that will not decide to stop working just when you need it most!
Genuine Mobile Phones are Affordable!
There is no need to pay less to get less as there are so many great value for money deals available that you can buy the real thing for an affordable price. If you choose to get a contract, many companies will provide you with a free handset so why risk using a sub-standard phone that is cheap to buy that will only fall apart in a few months?
Usually batteries will need to be replaced before the phone itself and it is just as important to ensure that you buy genuine batteries as fake batteries for mobiles will be as useless as your old one after a short time.
Mobile Phones are Readily Available!
Statistics show that 57% of US teenagers view their phone as being a central part of their social lives and 80% claim that their mobile offers them a sense of security. How secure would you feel if your fake handset failed on you when you need to make an emergency call? There is no excuse to buy a fake mobile when there are so many available which are 100% genuine. You can buy mobile phones all over the world from reputable companies with ease so why settle for less with a fake?
By Louise Goldstein
Integrated Services Digital Network - An Overview
Originally, analog telecommunication services, also known as a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS), were the only source of telecommunication worldwide, before the coming of age of ISDN. POTS was the originally acronym for Post Office Telephone System or Service, but changed when post offices stopped offering telephone services and it comprised mainly of copper wires which linked the subscriber's home to the central switch office. This type of telecommunication had its limitations. Long distance calls had to be routed through operators and switchboards, which made them highly unreliable and time consuming and there was also the issue of static inference known as line noise, which disturbed communication.
ISDN stands for Integrated Services Digital Network and is a fully digital telephone line that can carry voice, image, video and digital network services. ISDN transceivers facilitate full fidelity and two-way communication between different locations. ISDN voice-overs are of excellent quality, extremely clear and free of background noise. As a user, you can feel assured knowing that your voice-overs will sound just as good as those recorded in your own studio. The benefits of using ISDN for internet connections is a lot greater compared to using the old telephone dial up service as an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISDN dial-up connection offers speeds equivalent to that of a broadband connection. There are a number of additional benefits of using ISDN connections, as follows:
Multiple Devices
In the past, you needed an individual phone line for each device, including service, fax, computers and video conferencing. All that has changed with the advent of ISDN, which comes with a host of functions, including:
• Voice, data and video have no interference or noise, corrupting the quality of service, since data is sent via packets or groups
• Simultaneous transfer of services is possible with the same ISDN line, such as making calls, receiving fax and connecting to the internet all at once
• Each service has a signal which works with the ISDN network to ensure there is more history and fewer errors with multiple connection.
Speed
Having multiple digital channels means you can compress all channels and come up with bandwidths of up to 128 Kb/s. This is due to the 2 B-channels, each 64 Kb/s respectively. It allows you to accomplish a lot of things which were previously unavailable on normal modems, including:
• Faster, direct connections, with no dialing issues and downtime
• Video conferencing and streaming without disruptions
• Video conferencing with multiple recipients
• Uninterrupted gaming due to faster connections
What Is a PRI Line, What Are the Advantages and Limitations of PRI Circuits?
In an ISDN system, there are two types of services: Basic Rate Interface (BRI) and Primary Rate Interface (PRI). While the first one is installed at home or small business organizations, the later one is for large organizations which have their own telephone exchange systems. There are number of B-channels and D-channels in the system which carries data, video, voice with several control and signaling information. But, what is Primary Rate Interface and how does it work?
What is PRI Line?
The Primary Rate Interface comprises of a 64 Kbps D-channels and 23 Kbps B-channels. Here, it uses T-1 line. It also consists of one D-channel and 30 Kbps B-channel, which use an E1 line. If a user accesses the Primary Rate Interface on a T-1 line, he can get internet speed up to 1.544 Mbps. On the other hand, an E1 line user can get services up to Mbps. PRI utilizes Q.931 protocol over D-channel.
There are some countries where this system is carried on a T-carrier system line while E-carrier line is available worldwide. The users of the system are directly connected with the telephone company's central office.
Advantages of PRI Circuits
1. The service provider gives almost 500 numbers for each line. Therefore, it becomes easier for the outsiders to call the extension straight without going through the PBX Auto-attendant.
2. Through a PRI line, it is possible to have voice and data access. There are also some service providers which offer free data transmission for certain period of time.
3. Call hunting is also easy with a Primary Rate system. But for the analog trunks, the service provider needs to extend the facility and also include additional cost.
4. What are the other benefits of this system? It can be utilized for voice connectivity, video conferencing, data connectivity, faxing, etc. And all these can be done simultaneously.
5. This circuit is anytime better than the analog trunks as it is an end-to-end digital system.
6. Due to the fiber optic materials, the wire is far more redundant than analog trunks. Also, you will face less troubleshooting here than other systems.
7. Tapping your digital phone lines and listening to your conversation is almost impossible now.
8. You don't have to wait long to start a call here.
9. As there are several service providers who comes with flexible plans, this system also become economical for small companies.
Limitations of PRI Circuits
1. If the minimum rental is less than the average value of calls in an analog system, then installing PRI circuit is not that much economical.
2. If you have to make international calls, this system is not cost-effective. You can choose SIP or ITSP services at lesser rate to make such calls.
3. You have to pay for Inter branch communication if you install this line. If you install VOIP systems, you can make inter branch communication over internet at much lower cost.
4. You can buy Primary Rate lines only if you buy those from your EPABX vendor.
Prepaid phone cards
What is PRI Line?
The Primary Rate Interface comprises of a 64 Kbps D-channels and 23 Kbps B-channels. Here, it uses T-1 line. It also consists of one D-channel and 30 Kbps B-channel, which use an E1 line. If a user accesses the Primary Rate Interface on a T-1 line, he can get internet speed up to 1.544 Mbps. On the other hand, an E1 line user can get services up to Mbps. PRI utilizes Q.931 protocol over D-channel.
There are some countries where this system is carried on a T-carrier system line while E-carrier line is available worldwide. The users of the system are directly connected with the telephone company's central office.
Advantages of PRI Circuits
1. The service provider gives almost 500 numbers for each line. Therefore, it becomes easier for the outsiders to call the extension straight without going through the PBX Auto-attendant.
2. Through a PRI line, it is possible to have voice and data access. There are also some service providers which offer free data transmission for certain period of time.
3. Call hunting is also easy with a Primary Rate system. But for the analog trunks, the service provider needs to extend the facility and also include additional cost.
4. What are the other benefits of this system? It can be utilized for voice connectivity, video conferencing, data connectivity, faxing, etc. And all these can be done simultaneously.
5. This circuit is anytime better than the analog trunks as it is an end-to-end digital system.
6. Due to the fiber optic materials, the wire is far more redundant than analog trunks. Also, you will face less troubleshooting here than other systems.
7. Tapping your digital phone lines and listening to your conversation is almost impossible now.
8. You don't have to wait long to start a call here.
9. As there are several service providers who comes with flexible plans, this system also become economical for small companies.
Limitations of PRI Circuits
1. If the minimum rental is less than the average value of calls in an analog system, then installing PRI circuit is not that much economical.
2. If you have to make international calls, this system is not cost-effective. You can choose SIP or ITSP services at lesser rate to make such calls.
3. You have to pay for Inter branch communication if you install this line. If you install VOIP systems, you can make inter branch communication over internet at much lower cost.
4. You can buy Primary Rate lines only if you buy those from your EPABX vendor.
Prepaid phone cards
Why Call Tracking Matters
For many online business owners, gauging the success of their marketing campaigns and advertising efforts is usually done by studying analytical data associated with their website. The number of page views, organic visits, and goal conversions are significant figures that affect them as they try to measure their accomplishments.
While all these details are absolutely helpful, it doesn't entirely mean that other sources of information shouldn't be given attention anymore.
For example, it is still true that most online enterprises are also utilizing the phone in their day-to-day tasks. Despite the widespread use of internet technology, the phone still remains to be a major communication tool. Analyzing the details of the calls you receive can also be a powerful way to evaluate your progress and identify areas which may require improvement.
To obtain access to these helpful data, you can go for the option of working with a reputable call tracking firm or using a call tracking software.
Either way, inbound calls will be monitored effectively as you utilize the technology. You will be able to determine which marketing efforts are bringing a bigger percentage of clients.
Additionally, information about the calls and your clients will be compiled and presented as a report. The age, gender, and location of your callers will be specified. Along with that, the date, time, and length of each call your business has received will be indicated. This will allow you to understand trends and behavior among your customers. You will have a more defined market and so coming up with effective strategies to reach a wider audience will no longer be as difficult.
Used hand in hand with your website's analytics data, call tracking can revolutionize the way you plan and execute marketing. It is even possible to reduce your advertising expenses since recognizing effective tools will be easier on your end. You will not have to invest on less effective advertising mediums anymore.
This applies to both online and offline marketing which means you will get to see which landing pages are attracting more buyers and which of your keywords are really working.
Getting hold of all the data provided by call tracking services will be extremely beneficial for you and your team. Sitting down and assessing the actual performance of the business will not be a complicated task anymore. Besides, call tracking information are highly detailed yet simple to understand in most cases.
You may check out CallDynamics for phone call tracking information
While all these details are absolutely helpful, it doesn't entirely mean that other sources of information shouldn't be given attention anymore.
For example, it is still true that most online enterprises are also utilizing the phone in their day-to-day tasks. Despite the widespread use of internet technology, the phone still remains to be a major communication tool. Analyzing the details of the calls you receive can also be a powerful way to evaluate your progress and identify areas which may require improvement.
To obtain access to these helpful data, you can go for the option of working with a reputable call tracking firm or using a call tracking software.
Either way, inbound calls will be monitored effectively as you utilize the technology. You will be able to determine which marketing efforts are bringing a bigger percentage of clients.
Additionally, information about the calls and your clients will be compiled and presented as a report. The age, gender, and location of your callers will be specified. Along with that, the date, time, and length of each call your business has received will be indicated. This will allow you to understand trends and behavior among your customers. You will have a more defined market and so coming up with effective strategies to reach a wider audience will no longer be as difficult.
Used hand in hand with your website's analytics data, call tracking can revolutionize the way you plan and execute marketing. It is even possible to reduce your advertising expenses since recognizing effective tools will be easier on your end. You will not have to invest on less effective advertising mediums anymore.
This applies to both online and offline marketing which means you will get to see which landing pages are attracting more buyers and which of your keywords are really working.
Getting hold of all the data provided by call tracking services will be extremely beneficial for you and your team. Sitting down and assessing the actual performance of the business will not be a complicated task anymore. Besides, call tracking information are highly detailed yet simple to understand in most cases.
You may check out CallDynamics for phone call tracking information
Choosing the Right Business Telephone Systems For Your Company
The rise of social media and the continued popularity of electronic mail have added new tools for businesses to utilize in order to achieve swift and effective communication. Still, the telephone remains a force to be reckoned with in the realm of business communications.
Which business telephone systems provide the most bang-for-your-buck and act as the greatest revenue generators for your company? Let's take a look at the two main kinds of setups.
Landline Business Telephone Systems
A public switched telephone network (PSTN), or landline system, is an analog-based phone system that remains a mainstay for a number of small businesses. Instead of relying on an Internet connection, landline systems simply utilize existing, "old-school" copper wiring that was long ago set in place by telephone companies.
The benefit of landline (PSTN) systems? Time-tested reliability. These systems have been around forever, and there is plenty of infrastructure everywhere to support companies of all sizes. Familiarity is the landline system's best friend, even in the face of more advanced systems. Since companies are well-versed in the simple, albeit limited, functionality of landline systems, many opt to continue using this copper wire-based solution. Use of PSTN systems requires no new training, which is seen as an attractive short-term cost-saving and timesaving solution for some businesses.
However, there are a number of drawbacks to using a landline system. Over time, it can be expensive to maintain private branch exchange equipment that's required to swap between all the separate phone lines within a business. On-site appointments occasionally must be made in order to troubleshoot problems with the private branch exchange system.
Additionally, PSTN systems don't offer some of the advanced functionality of VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol).
Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Business Telephone Systems
An increasingly common alternative to landline (PSTN)-based business telephone systems are Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, which provide advanced features that standard landline systems cannot, or at least not without the expensive inclusion of private branch exchange equipment.
VoIP systems level the playing field and create the opportunity for small businesses to easily attain advanced telephone functions that were previously reserved only for larger entities. This is achieved through VoIP's use of standard, high-speed Internet connections that nearly all businesses everywhere already utilize to browse the Internet.
There are a number of differences between the features of landline and VoIP phone systems that trend in VoIP's favor. Aside from the features offered by a landline, VoIP boasts the built-in ability to offer call queues, conference calling, instant messaging, video messaging, unified messaging, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), send-to-email-inbox voicemail solutions, and even the ability to turn computers into virtual phones. It's important to reiterate that all these features don't require any additional investment from businesses. They come standard.
There are a couple of notable drawbacks to a VoIP setup. VoIP requires that a company utilize a high-speed, broadband Internet connection. However, such a requirement realistically is no longer an unusual stipulation in today's business and consumer technology world. Additionally though, VoIP's are also prone to going down because of their reliance on the Internet. If your business's Internet goes down, so does your phone system, unless you pay extra for a Call Continuity feature that routes your call to another number automatically upon experiencing a service outage.
Regardless of the risk for service outage, the benefits of VoIP over a traditional system are admittedly varied and extensive.
When researching business telephone systems, NJ companies can go to http://www.abcnj.com/VoiceOverIP.
Which business telephone systems provide the most bang-for-your-buck and act as the greatest revenue generators for your company? Let's take a look at the two main kinds of setups.
Landline Business Telephone Systems
A public switched telephone network (PSTN), or landline system, is an analog-based phone system that remains a mainstay for a number of small businesses. Instead of relying on an Internet connection, landline systems simply utilize existing, "old-school" copper wiring that was long ago set in place by telephone companies.
The benefit of landline (PSTN) systems? Time-tested reliability. These systems have been around forever, and there is plenty of infrastructure everywhere to support companies of all sizes. Familiarity is the landline system's best friend, even in the face of more advanced systems. Since companies are well-versed in the simple, albeit limited, functionality of landline systems, many opt to continue using this copper wire-based solution. Use of PSTN systems requires no new training, which is seen as an attractive short-term cost-saving and timesaving solution for some businesses.
However, there are a number of drawbacks to using a landline system. Over time, it can be expensive to maintain private branch exchange equipment that's required to swap between all the separate phone lines within a business. On-site appointments occasionally must be made in order to troubleshoot problems with the private branch exchange system.
Additionally, PSTN systems don't offer some of the advanced functionality of VoIP (Voice-over Internet Protocol).
Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) Business Telephone Systems
An increasingly common alternative to landline (PSTN)-based business telephone systems are Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) systems, which provide advanced features that standard landline systems cannot, or at least not without the expensive inclusion of private branch exchange equipment.
VoIP systems level the playing field and create the opportunity for small businesses to easily attain advanced telephone functions that were previously reserved only for larger entities. This is achieved through VoIP's use of standard, high-speed Internet connections that nearly all businesses everywhere already utilize to browse the Internet.
There are a number of differences between the features of landline and VoIP phone systems that trend in VoIP's favor. Aside from the features offered by a landline, VoIP boasts the built-in ability to offer call queues, conference calling, instant messaging, video messaging, unified messaging, Interactive Voice Response (IVR), send-to-email-inbox voicemail solutions, and even the ability to turn computers into virtual phones. It's important to reiterate that all these features don't require any additional investment from businesses. They come standard.
There are a couple of notable drawbacks to a VoIP setup. VoIP requires that a company utilize a high-speed, broadband Internet connection. However, such a requirement realistically is no longer an unusual stipulation in today's business and consumer technology world. Additionally though, VoIP's are also prone to going down because of their reliance on the Internet. If your business's Internet goes down, so does your phone system, unless you pay extra for a Call Continuity feature that routes your call to another number automatically upon experiencing a service outage.
Regardless of the risk for service outage, the benefits of VoIP over a traditional system are admittedly varied and extensive.
When researching business telephone systems, NJ companies can go to http://www.abcnj.com/VoiceOverIP.
History of the Telephone Number: Early Years
On March 10, 1876, when Alexander Graham Bell made his famous first telephone call, uttering, "Mr. Watson, come here. I want to see you," to his assistant, there was no need for telephone numbers or exchanges; only two telephones existed in the world that time.
But Bell's invention quickly took off. Initially, telephones were rented to users, who hired someone else to connect them. Then, Bell and WU Company instituted a subscription service with calls being placed through an operator at a central office or switchboard. At that time, subscribers' names were used when making a call.
The first phone numbers were instituted in Lowell, Massachusetts, in late 1879 and early 1880. During a measles epidemic, the local physician, Dr. Moses Greeley Parker, an early supporter of the telephone, became concerned that the disease would befall the town's four operators, shutting down the phone service. He determined that new operators could be trained faster if they learned numbers rather than names.
Initially, phone numbers might be only one, two, or three digits, but that quickly became untenable as phone usage spread among users. Because that time it was believed that phone numbers longer than four or five digits would be too difficult to remember, phone exchanges combined letters and digits. Beginning in the 1920s, major U.S. cities, such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, initially used three letters and four numbers, which eventually shifted to the 2L-5N (two letters, five numbers) system. The letters were associated with a name, such as HEmlock 5-6789 or TUlip 9-3539.
In those pre-digital days, an exchange was wired at a physical location, so exchanges were associated with a specific location within a town or city. The letters were grouped on the telephone dial, with the exception of 1 and 0 (0 being reserved to call the operator); therefore, the first two digits could never contain a 1 or a 0. Certain combinations, such as 57 and 97, were problematic, as they contained no vowels to use to make a word. In 1955, AT&T released a list of suggested exchange names based on studies showing they were the most likely to be understood when spoken.
One of the most famous telephone exchanges, PEnnsylvania 6-5000, belongs to the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. Now written as (212) 736-5000, it is the oldest continuously assigned phone number in New York City, and possibly the world.
About the series: "History of the Telephone" is for those businesses and individuals who are interested in a vanity number and the benefits one may provide. A vanity number, such as the ones found at PhoneNumberGuy.com, makes it easy for potential and current clients to remember you. You can find the perfect vanity number for you in nearly every U.S. area code at PhoneNumberGuy.com.
But Bell's invention quickly took off. Initially, telephones were rented to users, who hired someone else to connect them. Then, Bell and WU Company instituted a subscription service with calls being placed through an operator at a central office or switchboard. At that time, subscribers' names were used when making a call.
The first phone numbers were instituted in Lowell, Massachusetts, in late 1879 and early 1880. During a measles epidemic, the local physician, Dr. Moses Greeley Parker, an early supporter of the telephone, became concerned that the disease would befall the town's four operators, shutting down the phone service. He determined that new operators could be trained faster if they learned numbers rather than names.
Initially, phone numbers might be only one, two, or three digits, but that quickly became untenable as phone usage spread among users. Because that time it was believed that phone numbers longer than four or five digits would be too difficult to remember, phone exchanges combined letters and digits. Beginning in the 1920s, major U.S. cities, such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago, initially used three letters and four numbers, which eventually shifted to the 2L-5N (two letters, five numbers) system. The letters were associated with a name, such as HEmlock 5-6789 or TUlip 9-3539.
In those pre-digital days, an exchange was wired at a physical location, so exchanges were associated with a specific location within a town or city. The letters were grouped on the telephone dial, with the exception of 1 and 0 (0 being reserved to call the operator); therefore, the first two digits could never contain a 1 or a 0. Certain combinations, such as 57 and 97, were problematic, as they contained no vowels to use to make a word. In 1955, AT&T released a list of suggested exchange names based on studies showing they were the most likely to be understood when spoken.
One of the most famous telephone exchanges, PEnnsylvania 6-5000, belongs to the Hotel Pennsylvania in New York City. Now written as (212) 736-5000, it is the oldest continuously assigned phone number in New York City, and possibly the world.
About the series: "History of the Telephone" is for those businesses and individuals who are interested in a vanity number and the benefits one may provide. A vanity number, such as the ones found at PhoneNumberGuy.com, makes it easy for potential and current clients to remember you. You can find the perfect vanity number for you in nearly every U.S. area code at PhoneNumberGuy.com.
History of the Telephone Number: All-Number Calling
As discussed in the first part ("History of the Telephone Number: Early Years") of this series, telephone numbers through the first half of the twentieth century used the 2L-5N system (two letters and five numbers). The two letters of the telephone numbers corresponded to a memorable word, such as BUtterfield or ANdrew. As demand grew following World War II, however, limitations in this system quickly became apparent. The numeral 1 was reserved for long-distance dialing, and 0 was reserved for the operator. Several combinations, such as 57 and 97, were unusable because it was impossible to make a corresponding word.
The Bell System split some area codes to allow reuse of numbers, which worked for a time - only two new area codes were added between 1962 and 1981. Nonetheless, in 1958, AT&T began the slow transition to all-number calling (ANC), gradually replacing the letters with numbers. All-number calling was first implemented in smaller communities; Wichita Falls, Texas, was the first to complete the conversion in 1958.
AT&T used a three-stage process to ease the transition. At first, telephone directories printed the full word associated with the exchange; e.g., BUtterfield 5-6861. In phase one, the letter exchange was printed without the associated word: BU 5-6861. In phase two, those still using five or fewer digits were brought up to seven. In the third, printed directories showed only the seven-digit number: 285-6861.
By 1965, all new phone numbers conformed to all-number calling, but the nationwide transition lasted well into the early 80s. Opposition was strong in some larger cities; groups, such as San Francisco's Anti Digit Dialing League, organized against the new system. Some people considered their ROckwell or WHitney letter exchange as part of their identity, or at the least useful in identifying where a caller was located. Newspaper editorials were written protesting the change, and at least one protest song was recorded, in 1966. New York City did not convert fully to ANC until 1978, and one Philadelphia directory still listed alphanumeric prefixes as late as 1983.
Interestingly, the use of the 555 prefix in movies and television began in this area, originally as KLondike 5. The 555 prefix was reserved for the telephone company, and generally used only for directory assistance (555-1212). Movie and television writers began using it as a way to avoid generating any unwanted calls to an existing number (as famously happened with the 1982 song, "867-5309/Jenny").
About the series: "History of the Telephone" is for those businesses and individuals who are interested in a vanity number and the benefits one may provide. A vanity number, such as the ones found at PhoneNumberGuy.com, makes it easy for potential and current clients to remember you. You can find the perfect vanity number for you in nearly every U.S. area code at PhoneNumberGuy.com.
The Bell System split some area codes to allow reuse of numbers, which worked for a time - only two new area codes were added between 1962 and 1981. Nonetheless, in 1958, AT&T began the slow transition to all-number calling (ANC), gradually replacing the letters with numbers. All-number calling was first implemented in smaller communities; Wichita Falls, Texas, was the first to complete the conversion in 1958.
AT&T used a three-stage process to ease the transition. At first, telephone directories printed the full word associated with the exchange; e.g., BUtterfield 5-6861. In phase one, the letter exchange was printed without the associated word: BU 5-6861. In phase two, those still using five or fewer digits were brought up to seven. In the third, printed directories showed only the seven-digit number: 285-6861.
By 1965, all new phone numbers conformed to all-number calling, but the nationwide transition lasted well into the early 80s. Opposition was strong in some larger cities; groups, such as San Francisco's Anti Digit Dialing League, organized against the new system. Some people considered their ROckwell or WHitney letter exchange as part of their identity, or at the least useful in identifying where a caller was located. Newspaper editorials were written protesting the change, and at least one protest song was recorded, in 1966. New York City did not convert fully to ANC until 1978, and one Philadelphia directory still listed alphanumeric prefixes as late as 1983.
Interestingly, the use of the 555 prefix in movies and television began in this area, originally as KLondike 5. The 555 prefix was reserved for the telephone company, and generally used only for directory assistance (555-1212). Movie and television writers began using it as a way to avoid generating any unwanted calls to an existing number (as famously happened with the 1982 song, "867-5309/Jenny").
About the series: "History of the Telephone" is for those businesses and individuals who are interested in a vanity number and the benefits one may provide. A vanity number, such as the ones found at PhoneNumberGuy.com, makes it easy for potential and current clients to remember you. You can find the perfect vanity number for you in nearly every U.S. area code at PhoneNumberGuy.com.
SIP Vs PRI
When your establishment is looking into investing in a reliable and capable phone service, it comes down to two basic options; SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) and PRI (Primary Rate Interface). Both are meant to allow your business to make multiple calls over a line. The differences between the two solutions can be found in the way in which both operate and relay data.
(SIP) Session Initiating Protocol
SIP essentially works on a virtual level and runs on the network that a company already has in place and uses that network to control and relay multimedia communications. Because SIP only truly requires an internet connection, it typically costs less than PRI. Most popular usage of Session Initiation Protocol is SIP Trunking which allows a business to make simultaneous VoIP calls, instant messaging over IP networks, and video conferencing. The speed of your SIP trunk all depends on the strength and the capacity of the network service provider as well as the amount of bandwidth available at the time the communications session took place. It's also important to keep in mind that when a SIP path is not in use, the bandwidth that it would have used to relay data is freed up.
Another thing to keep in mind is that SIP connections are sold per path and can be done in any increments. Installation and implementation can also be accomplished in a matter of hours to a few days, therefore, barely causing any sort of hindrance to the operations of your business.
SIP utilizes DID (Direct Inward Dialing) phone numbers that can be local or out of area phone numbers which is definite plus because it helps cut long distance costs. This also comes in handy when a business has multiple locations and would prefer to have all their numbers stay the same regardless of the location of the office.
(PRI) Primary Rate Interface
PRI, on the other hand, is not run on a virtual level like SIP. It works with a single, physical phone line connecting to a business's telephony system, and because PRI is a physical phone line it requires a more rigorous and expensive installation. With PRI, you can typically purchase a line that allows a total of 23 simultaneous call paths. This restrictive number of call paths can cause some issues because it requires businesses to plan ahead of time. If, in the future, your business needs more call paths, a new PRI connection is needed with a whole new set of 23 call paths.
PRI can also utilizes DID phone numbers like SIP. However, these DID phone numbers are only local to the area the service.
..And the winner is..
PRI is the traditional option. It used to be the go to solution for businesses. And even to this day plenty of businesses still use PRI. However, SIP offers more wiggle room, more customization, more opportunities to communicate, is relatively cheaper, and overall offers better quality communication. It is also growing in popularity now because of all the benefits it offers over PRI.
SIP is the winner!
(SIP) Session Initiating Protocol
SIP essentially works on a virtual level and runs on the network that a company already has in place and uses that network to control and relay multimedia communications. Because SIP only truly requires an internet connection, it typically costs less than PRI. Most popular usage of Session Initiation Protocol is SIP Trunking which allows a business to make simultaneous VoIP calls, instant messaging over IP networks, and video conferencing. The speed of your SIP trunk all depends on the strength and the capacity of the network service provider as well as the amount of bandwidth available at the time the communications session took place. It's also important to keep in mind that when a SIP path is not in use, the bandwidth that it would have used to relay data is freed up.
Another thing to keep in mind is that SIP connections are sold per path and can be done in any increments. Installation and implementation can also be accomplished in a matter of hours to a few days, therefore, barely causing any sort of hindrance to the operations of your business.
SIP utilizes DID (Direct Inward Dialing) phone numbers that can be local or out of area phone numbers which is definite plus because it helps cut long distance costs. This also comes in handy when a business has multiple locations and would prefer to have all their numbers stay the same regardless of the location of the office.
(PRI) Primary Rate Interface
PRI, on the other hand, is not run on a virtual level like SIP. It works with a single, physical phone line connecting to a business's telephony system, and because PRI is a physical phone line it requires a more rigorous and expensive installation. With PRI, you can typically purchase a line that allows a total of 23 simultaneous call paths. This restrictive number of call paths can cause some issues because it requires businesses to plan ahead of time. If, in the future, your business needs more call paths, a new PRI connection is needed with a whole new set of 23 call paths.
PRI can also utilizes DID phone numbers like SIP. However, these DID phone numbers are only local to the area the service.
..And the winner is..
PRI is the traditional option. It used to be the go to solution for businesses. And even to this day plenty of businesses still use PRI. However, SIP offers more wiggle room, more customization, more opportunities to communicate, is relatively cheaper, and overall offers better quality communication. It is also growing in popularity now because of all the benefits it offers over PRI.
SIP is the winner!
Features of a Good Headset
Millions of people all over the world communicate with one another everyday either through phone calls, chats, mails or any other means. Communication or phone calls is best enjoyed when both the sender and the receiver can hear themselves clearly, without missing out on any important information. These days, with the increase in call rates from network providers, there is need to look for a cheaper alternative that will save cost while you have the chance to talk more as well.
The voice over internet protocol also known as VOIP is gaining popularity as a cheaper alternative to communicate through voice calls. Depending on your service provider, you can make calls using your computer and mobile devices, hooked on broadband or 3G services. It is very easy and convenient to explore the VOIP options to make calls, but to make it easier and more interesting and clearer, you would need a headset. You probably would not enjoy repeating yourself when the other person you are talking to does not hear you clearly that is why you need the headset to break those barriers.
It is true that for making use of the VOIP, you can employ other peripheral devices you get from the market. But the good thing about the VOIP headsets is that it makes communication clearer. You can use VoIP codecs to change the analog signals to digital with the VOIP headset and it does not matter the type of device you use, whether a computer or telephone set. It is a wise choice to use the headset on your device when communicating through the VOIP. The digital headset breaks the signal into packets and send them in the same manner across the VOIP just like what your telephone set would do.
Things to consider before buying a headset
Comfort and duration of use
The amount of time you would be using the headset matters a great deal. For people working as customer service agents, of course you know that would be the first thing they would look out for. How comfortable it is in terms of the sound, grip on the ear and how well it fits the ears. You know for sure that you may likely feel some itching and discomfort when you use a headset that is not comfortable or that does not fit well on the ear.
Ear buds or Earpieces
The choice is yours. Everyone knows what works best for them. Some people may be more comfortable in using the ear bud while others the earpieces. It all depends on what you want and what works best for you.
Length and style of the mic
The length of the mic is also a feature that you should take note of. Is it strong enough, do you speak into it easily and is it well positioned? All these features are what you look at for before purchasing your headset.
In all ensure you test the device and make sure it is in good shape. Also watch out for the sound clarity. If it is clear enough for you, those are the things you should consider before getting a headset. Visit Headsetzone or check http://www.headsetzone.com.
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| Wireless bluetooth headset |
It is true that for making use of the VOIP, you can employ other peripheral devices you get from the market. But the good thing about the VOIP headsets is that it makes communication clearer. You can use VoIP codecs to change the analog signals to digital with the VOIP headset and it does not matter the type of device you use, whether a computer or telephone set. It is a wise choice to use the headset on your device when communicating through the VOIP. The digital headset breaks the signal into packets and send them in the same manner across the VOIP just like what your telephone set would do.
Things to consider before buying a headset
Comfort and duration of use
The amount of time you would be using the headset matters a great deal. For people working as customer service agents, of course you know that would be the first thing they would look out for. How comfortable it is in terms of the sound, grip on the ear and how well it fits the ears. You know for sure that you may likely feel some itching and discomfort when you use a headset that is not comfortable or that does not fit well on the ear.
Ear buds or Earpieces
The choice is yours. Everyone knows what works best for them. Some people may be more comfortable in using the ear bud while others the earpieces. It all depends on what you want and what works best for you.
Length and style of the mic
The length of the mic is also a feature that you should take note of. Is it strong enough, do you speak into it easily and is it well positioned? All these features are what you look at for before purchasing your headset.
In all ensure you test the device and make sure it is in good shape. Also watch out for the sound clarity. If it is clear enough for you, those are the things you should consider before getting a headset. Visit Headsetzone or check http://www.headsetzone.com.
What Features Do You Get With VoIP?
The feature set included with your home VOIP phone varies greatly from carrier to carrier, so as you are comparing different offerings, make sure you are comparing apples to apples in terms of the feature set. Let's look at some of the standard features, then we can look at some of the features that some carriers are offering, which for your needs, may not amount to a hill of beans.
Unlimited calling
Almost all VOIP providers are offerings unlimited calling, but be sure you take this with a minor grain of salt. Unlimited does not really mean "unlimited" in the true Webster's Dictionary definition of the word. Almost all VOIP providers SAY unlimited, but for home VOIP use, what they really MEAN is "reasonably unlimited".
If you start using more than about 3000 to 4000 minutes per month of call time, that is thought to be unlike the typical residence and you may get a warning about it, or they may even shut you off. Using that many or more minutes for VOIP calling over the course of a month indicates to them that you are either a business that has a residential VOIP phone, or that you are using an automated auto-dialer to make telemarketing calls. The former is available for businesses at a higher price from many VOIP providers, and the latter is a definite no-no from ANY VOIP provider.
Even if you do not use that many minutes, make sure you understand what your calling area includes. Most VOIP providers only use the continental US for your unlimited calling. But SunRocket includes Canada and Alaska. Some VOIP providers also include Puerto Rico. Be sure you know what is included if you plan to call any of those places on a regular basis.
Caller ID
Caller ID is a standard feature of almost all VOIP carriers, and interestingly enough, it is almost always an "extra charge" item from your phone company. If this is important to you, be sure that the plan you are considering does indeed include it.
Call Blocking
With this feature, you can block certain calls from coming in. You can specify a number that you do not accept calls from, you can not accept calls from any callers who are blocking their caller ID, there are a wide variety of ways to do this. Again, this is usually also available from your phone company on your regular phone lines, but at extra charge.
Call Waiting
Most VOIP providers include a call waiting function. If you are talking on the phone and someone is trying to call, they will not get a busy signal, but you will hear some tones that alerts you about another call coming in. You can "flash" between the new caller and the person you were talking with to let them know that you will call them back shortly. Again, this is usually an extra charge item from your phone company on your traditional voice lines.
Call Return
Dialing a sequence of numbers like "*69" will return the call of the last person who called you, since the VOIP system will remember the number of the last person who called. With some services, it will remember that last 5 or 10 people who called.
In summary, VoIP features can vary greatly from carrier to carrier. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples in terms of the feature sets. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before buying a VoIP service.
For more information about getting the lowest price on a VoIP, MPLS or OCx Circuit, each with a Low Price Guarantee, please visit www.TryCards.com
Unlimited calling
Almost all VOIP providers are offerings unlimited calling, but be sure you take this with a minor grain of salt. Unlimited does not really mean "unlimited" in the true Webster's Dictionary definition of the word. Almost all VOIP providers SAY unlimited, but for home VOIP use, what they really MEAN is "reasonably unlimited".
If you start using more than about 3000 to 4000 minutes per month of call time, that is thought to be unlike the typical residence and you may get a warning about it, or they may even shut you off. Using that many or more minutes for VOIP calling over the course of a month indicates to them that you are either a business that has a residential VOIP phone, or that you are using an automated auto-dialer to make telemarketing calls. The former is available for businesses at a higher price from many VOIP providers, and the latter is a definite no-no from ANY VOIP provider.
Even if you do not use that many minutes, make sure you understand what your calling area includes. Most VOIP providers only use the continental US for your unlimited calling. But SunRocket includes Canada and Alaska. Some VOIP providers also include Puerto Rico. Be sure you know what is included if you plan to call any of those places on a regular basis.
Caller ID
Caller ID is a standard feature of almost all VOIP carriers, and interestingly enough, it is almost always an "extra charge" item from your phone company. If this is important to you, be sure that the plan you are considering does indeed include it.
Call Blocking
With this feature, you can block certain calls from coming in. You can specify a number that you do not accept calls from, you can not accept calls from any callers who are blocking their caller ID, there are a wide variety of ways to do this. Again, this is usually also available from your phone company on your regular phone lines, but at extra charge.
Call Waiting
Most VOIP providers include a call waiting function. If you are talking on the phone and someone is trying to call, they will not get a busy signal, but you will hear some tones that alerts you about another call coming in. You can "flash" between the new caller and the person you were talking with to let them know that you will call them back shortly. Again, this is usually an extra charge item from your phone company on your traditional voice lines.
Call Return
Dialing a sequence of numbers like "*69" will return the call of the last person who called you, since the VOIP system will remember the number of the last person who called. With some services, it will remember that last 5 or 10 people who called.
In summary, VoIP features can vary greatly from carrier to carrier. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples in terms of the feature sets. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before buying a VoIP service.
For more information about getting the lowest price on a VoIP, MPLS or OCx Circuit, each with a Low Price Guarantee, please visit www.TryCards.com
Benefits Of VoIP In The Home
As the Internet grows ever larger and can be found in increasing numbers of homes across the world, the communities in which we live are shrinking in terms of contact ability every day. As more contacts are made among people globally, there has been a strong demand to improve conversational abilities beyond the capacity and cost of the traditional phone market.
One technological innovation that seeks to bridge the distance gap between people is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This procedure is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet through a packet-switched network, as opposed to the telephone system of circuit-switched networks.
The immediate benefit that is apparent for users of Voice over Internet Protocol at home is in the cost. Traditional telephone long distance costs have made it unaffordable to call distant friends or family members to all but the most dedicated, which results in a loosening of the family ties which can be detrimental to the individuals and also will end with most families feeling a significant amount of regret. With the VoIP technology, family members and friends who live far apart from each other need worry no longer about the significant costs involved in keeping in touch. When both parties are using the VoIP technology, for example, the entire call may be free of charge, no matter where in the world the parties are calling from. It is important to remember, if you are a brass-tacks budgeter that the cost of the overall Internet charge to your premises should be included in the overall cost, but this s usually still significantly less than just one call to a family member in Florida from Canada or even the northern United States would cost.
It is also possible to use VoIP technology to call a regular phone line, but in these cases there will be a cost involved, usually to the VoIP user. These costs are usually lower than equivalent telephone services, and the charges depend on the type of public switched telephone network to VoIP connection that is used.
VoIP in the home also carries some significant advantages in terms of functionality. The technology can be used concurrently with video conversation, so that the callers can also see each other and their homes as they talk. It can also act simultaneously with file exchange or instant message services such as MSN in order to achieve immediate discussion and application of the files being exchanged. Incoming calls that use VoIP can also be routed from anywhere, regardless of where the connection to the Internet is taking place.
Finally, the technology available through VoIP makes it possible to take your phone number with you anywhere in the world without having to inform your numerous contacts of where they can reach you at a certain time and number. The number assigned by the company, such as Skype, remains the contact number no matter what location the user may be at.
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Author: Willie Reynolds is a technology nut, and maintains a website on VoIP. It can be found at:http://voipactivity.com
One technological innovation that seeks to bridge the distance gap between people is Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). This procedure is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet through a packet-switched network, as opposed to the telephone system of circuit-switched networks.
The immediate benefit that is apparent for users of Voice over Internet Protocol at home is in the cost. Traditional telephone long distance costs have made it unaffordable to call distant friends or family members to all but the most dedicated, which results in a loosening of the family ties which can be detrimental to the individuals and also will end with most families feeling a significant amount of regret. With the VoIP technology, family members and friends who live far apart from each other need worry no longer about the significant costs involved in keeping in touch. When both parties are using the VoIP technology, for example, the entire call may be free of charge, no matter where in the world the parties are calling from. It is important to remember, if you are a brass-tacks budgeter that the cost of the overall Internet charge to your premises should be included in the overall cost, but this s usually still significantly less than just one call to a family member in Florida from Canada or even the northern United States would cost.
It is also possible to use VoIP technology to call a regular phone line, but in these cases there will be a cost involved, usually to the VoIP user. These costs are usually lower than equivalent telephone services, and the charges depend on the type of public switched telephone network to VoIP connection that is used.
VoIP in the home also carries some significant advantages in terms of functionality. The technology can be used concurrently with video conversation, so that the callers can also see each other and their homes as they talk. It can also act simultaneously with file exchange or instant message services such as MSN in order to achieve immediate discussion and application of the files being exchanged. Incoming calls that use VoIP can also be routed from anywhere, regardless of where the connection to the Internet is taking place.
Finally, the technology available through VoIP makes it possible to take your phone number with you anywhere in the world without having to inform your numerous contacts of where they can reach you at a certain time and number. The number assigned by the company, such as Skype, remains the contact number no matter what location the user may be at.
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Author: Willie Reynolds is a technology nut, and maintains a website on VoIP. It can be found at:http://voipactivity.com
What Is VoIP?
Calling Cards and Prepaid Phone Cards
Many have heard of the VoIP phone service, but are unsure what the term VoIP stand for. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. “Great, but what does that mean and how does it affect me?” I can hear you say. I though the same when I first heard the term.
In simple terms what the VoIP service does is to convert an analogue audio signal into a digital audio signal that can be transferred over the internet. In order to understand how this works and why it is necessary, you first need to understand how the internet transfers files. In order for a file to be transferred over the internet from one computer to another, the signal has to be cut down into small pieces, called ‘packets’. This can only be done if the information being cut up is in binary format, i.e. in the form of a stream of 1s and 0, such as 11000010. very basically, such a stream of binary digits can be cut into small packets such as 1100 and 0010 , sent over the internet, then put back into order when received to read 11000010. As I said, this is a simple example, purely to give a rough idea of how a VoIP phone service sends the data throughout the internet. In practice the VoIP data streams are very much larger as are the packets.
Since the VoIP information has to be in binary form, the signal, of course, has to be a digital one. The digital signal is ‘packetized’ then the packets sent over the internet. The way this is done is to send the signals from one computer to another until it reaches the destination computer, rather like cell phone signals are sent from one antenna to another till they reach the one nearest to you, then from there to your mobile phone receiver.
In fact the packets will take the quickest route through the internet which can sometimes cause problems in that they may arrive at the receiving end in a different order to that in which they were sent. Some may even be lost, or ‘dropped’, leading to a less than perfect signal. The VoIP receiver must therefore be equipped with the means to put them back in the right order and compensate for ‘dropped’ packets.
The digital information is then converted back to an analogue signal so that it can be detected by the human ear. Normal digital phones can work this way, but the VoIP service uses the internet rather than conventional telephone system.
It is easy to see the potential benefits of this type of telephone system. It should be completely free of charge, other than the cost of the internet connection, since there are no wires or dedicated transmission and reception equipment required. The voice signals are sent as easily as you would send email. In fact VoIP services can completely change the way in which we make phone calls; as revolutionary as the change to mobile cell phones, and many phone companies are wakening up to this and are now selling complete VoIP phone systems for residential users and global corporate companies.
How do you make a phone call using a VoIP service? There are a number of ways:
1. The easiest way is from one computer to another. All you need is the software required to convert, packetize, transmit and receive the signal, a microphone and speakers. Once connected your only cost is the normal payment to your internet provider such as AOL or whichever you use. There is no regular payment for the VoIP service itself other than the initial software.
2. You can use an analogue telephone adapter (ATA). You plug your normal telephone into the ATA, also called a ‘Gateway’, then connect the ATA to your internet connection. When make a phone call, the ATA changes the analogue voice signal into a digital one, packetizes it and you can then send it on its way along the fastest route each packet can find to the destination computer.
3. The third way is use an IP phone which looks just like a normal handset. They contain all the software necessary to make a call and plug directly into an RJ 45 Ethernet connector on your computer. This type of VoIP service is popular with medium to large companies operating VoIP networks.
One thing you will need for an efficient VoIP service is a fast internet connection such as cable or broadband. An old modem connection won’t be much good for VoIP. You can also take your VoIP phone with you, much as you do with your mobile. With most VoIP service providers, however, you can get free calls and the phone is, in effect, your home telephone with your home telephone number. It’s just like carrying your home phone around with you.
Many companies operate a VoIP service on their internal networks, and calls between users on the network are free. Thus the Hong Kong office could call the London office completely free of charge.
FEATURES
The features available with VoIP services generally come free with the system and include useful features such as call waiting: you will be informed that another caller is waiting for you to finish the call you are on, conference calling, caller ID by number and name, call transfer: you can transfer calls to another phone or even to your mobile, repeat dialing, auto dialing, etc. Many of these are normally chargeable with ordinary phone services, but are generally free with the VoIP service.
These are just a few of the many different services available with VoIP phone systems. If you intend to purchase one for yourself or your company you should make a list of what services you require, which are essential and which are ‘nice to have’ then call in an expert to make the recommendation. You may be able to use some of your existing hardware if you are currently operating a digital phone system, as most medium to large company telephone systems are these days. This doesn’t apply to residential users who just need an interface between their phone and internet connection as already described.
I have often been asked if the person you are calling has to have a VoIP service. The answer is no, but if you are calling from an ordinary phone to VoIP or using a VoIP service to call an ordinary phone, call charges will normally apply whereas FROM VoIP service TO VoIP service, they normally do not.
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Peter Nisbet is an industrial chemist with a great interest in internet file transmission and reception systems and runs many websites including http://www.data-voip-solutions.com where many aspects of VoIP services and systems are discussed.
Canada phone cards and UK phone cards
Many have heard of the VoIP phone service, but are unsure what the term VoIP stand for. VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. “Great, but what does that mean and how does it affect me?” I can hear you say. I though the same when I first heard the term.
In simple terms what the VoIP service does is to convert an analogue audio signal into a digital audio signal that can be transferred over the internet. In order to understand how this works and why it is necessary, you first need to understand how the internet transfers files. In order for a file to be transferred over the internet from one computer to another, the signal has to be cut down into small pieces, called ‘packets’. This can only be done if the information being cut up is in binary format, i.e. in the form of a stream of 1s and 0, such as 11000010. very basically, such a stream of binary digits can be cut into small packets such as 1100 and 0010 , sent over the internet, then put back into order when received to read 11000010. As I said, this is a simple example, purely to give a rough idea of how a VoIP phone service sends the data throughout the internet. In practice the VoIP data streams are very much larger as are the packets.
Since the VoIP information has to be in binary form, the signal, of course, has to be a digital one. The digital signal is ‘packetized’ then the packets sent over the internet. The way this is done is to send the signals from one computer to another until it reaches the destination computer, rather like cell phone signals are sent from one antenna to another till they reach the one nearest to you, then from there to your mobile phone receiver.
In fact the packets will take the quickest route through the internet which can sometimes cause problems in that they may arrive at the receiving end in a different order to that in which they were sent. Some may even be lost, or ‘dropped’, leading to a less than perfect signal. The VoIP receiver must therefore be equipped with the means to put them back in the right order and compensate for ‘dropped’ packets.
The digital information is then converted back to an analogue signal so that it can be detected by the human ear. Normal digital phones can work this way, but the VoIP service uses the internet rather than conventional telephone system.
It is easy to see the potential benefits of this type of telephone system. It should be completely free of charge, other than the cost of the internet connection, since there are no wires or dedicated transmission and reception equipment required. The voice signals are sent as easily as you would send email. In fact VoIP services can completely change the way in which we make phone calls; as revolutionary as the change to mobile cell phones, and many phone companies are wakening up to this and are now selling complete VoIP phone systems for residential users and global corporate companies.
How do you make a phone call using a VoIP service? There are a number of ways:
1. The easiest way is from one computer to another. All you need is the software required to convert, packetize, transmit and receive the signal, a microphone and speakers. Once connected your only cost is the normal payment to your internet provider such as AOL or whichever you use. There is no regular payment for the VoIP service itself other than the initial software.
2. You can use an analogue telephone adapter (ATA). You plug your normal telephone into the ATA, also called a ‘Gateway’, then connect the ATA to your internet connection. When make a phone call, the ATA changes the analogue voice signal into a digital one, packetizes it and you can then send it on its way along the fastest route each packet can find to the destination computer.
3. The third way is use an IP phone which looks just like a normal handset. They contain all the software necessary to make a call and plug directly into an RJ 45 Ethernet connector on your computer. This type of VoIP service is popular with medium to large companies operating VoIP networks.
One thing you will need for an efficient VoIP service is a fast internet connection such as cable or broadband. An old modem connection won’t be much good for VoIP. You can also take your VoIP phone with you, much as you do with your mobile. With most VoIP service providers, however, you can get free calls and the phone is, in effect, your home telephone with your home telephone number. It’s just like carrying your home phone around with you.
Many companies operate a VoIP service on their internal networks, and calls between users on the network are free. Thus the Hong Kong office could call the London office completely free of charge.
FEATURES
The features available with VoIP services generally come free with the system and include useful features such as call waiting: you will be informed that another caller is waiting for you to finish the call you are on, conference calling, caller ID by number and name, call transfer: you can transfer calls to another phone or even to your mobile, repeat dialing, auto dialing, etc. Many of these are normally chargeable with ordinary phone services, but are generally free with the VoIP service.
These are just a few of the many different services available with VoIP phone systems. If you intend to purchase one for yourself or your company you should make a list of what services you require, which are essential and which are ‘nice to have’ then call in an expert to make the recommendation. You may be able to use some of your existing hardware if you are currently operating a digital phone system, as most medium to large company telephone systems are these days. This doesn’t apply to residential users who just need an interface between their phone and internet connection as already described.
I have often been asked if the person you are calling has to have a VoIP service. The answer is no, but if you are calling from an ordinary phone to VoIP or using a VoIP service to call an ordinary phone, call charges will normally apply whereas FROM VoIP service TO VoIP service, they normally do not.
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Peter Nisbet is an industrial chemist with a great interest in internet file transmission and reception systems and runs many websites including http://www.data-voip-solutions.com where many aspects of VoIP services and systems are discussed.
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