The Voice Over IP continues to collect more and more consensus in the companies. It allows indeed reducing operating costs and investment in infrastructure and also an increase in productivity by adding new features.

But how does VoIP from a technical point of view? The item, in order to be transmitted via Skype or other protocols phone, requires the digitization of sound that is collected by a microphone and reproduced, at the other end, from a loudspeaker built into a headset, in a sound box or a telephone.

For the digitization and subsequent reconstruction of voice you use the sound card integrated into computer or external sound cards in the form of appendices or USB phones with USB interface direct or indirect (through a cordless as in the case of this lesson).

The importance codecs - The encoding and decoding is performed by special programs, such codec. There are different and the type used for voice is the G.729 that compresses any sound in blocks lasting 10 milliseconds each. It is used especially for VoIP conversations and encoding sound with a speed of 8 Kbit per second.

This is a frequency coding not suitable for play music or even just to send faxes, but sufficient to transfer voice conversations. We recall here that the human voice occupies only a fraction of the “spectrum” (together) of frequencies that the ear can hear. For the record, the human voice ranges from 300 to 3,400 hertz (cycles per second) while all sounds audible ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hz.

Therefore, it is considered that the digitization of voice is enough to have a channel from 4 kHz at which combine two bands side kept free to prevent interference. With debts Auditors thus arrives at a sampling rate of 8 KHz, which is the system that converts the original sound into digital pulses withdraws 8,000 samples per second that are then processed by the G.729 codec, which produces packages from 10 milliseconds composed of 20 bytes each.

The protocols used - The packages are then grouped in pairs and routed on the Internet using a typical three protocols: IP, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) or RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) that add another 40 bytes per packet. When you must leave on the ADSL line must encapsulate packages in PPP (Point to Point Protocol).

This is an encapsulation additional necessary to manage a communication between two fixed points (the connection between the router and service provider). This addition brings other 7 +4 bytes per packet. By adding all subsequent packets see that a channel for conveying voice quality standard we want to 34.4 Kbit per second.

Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) is a more common term of ‘phone over the Internet’. If you have a reasonable quality Internet connection then you can get phone services delivered to your Internet connection. Before reaching the destination, the technology converts voice into regular telephonic signal. By using this service, you can directly make calls from your computer with the help of a special VoIP phone or a traditional phone connected to a special adapter. This function can either be included into the phone itself or in a separated box like a Analog Terminal Adapter(ATA).

Some people use VoIP solutions along with their traditional phone service, though VoIP solution providers usually offer lower rates than the traditional companies. Sometimes VoIP phone calls (even international) can be absolutely FREE. Several service providers are present who provide these type of “free” facilities. Examples are: ‘Free World Dial up’ and ‘Skype’. The service providers sometime permit to select an area code different from the area. On the other side, some VoIP providers do charge for a long distance call for outside calling area, just like the traditional wireless telephone service. And some VoIP solution providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number for a minute.

The VoIP-to-VoIP phone calls are sometimes free while VoIP calls connecting to Public Switching Telephone Network (VoIP-to-PSTN) may have an attached cost that is charged by the VoIP service provider.

There are three categories of VoIP service provider. These are, Single line resident/business plans service provider, B2B service provider-bulk organisational/terminal service provider (Business VoIP solutions) and RIP VoIP service provider.

You can use your computer while talking on the VoIP phone and some service provider offers service that can be used where a high speed Internet connection is not available. Using VoIP service in a new location may affect your ability to connect directly to emergency services. So, be ready to use the services of VoIP solutions but with due care.

The business phone systems have proved to be a boon to the different types of businesses and especially to the small business set ups. It has in fact become an absolute necessity for all business organizations. Buying a business phone has become one of the most important investments made by all the business establishments. They are the most convenient and easiest mediums connecting businessmen to their clients.

The business phone systems make it easier for organizations to handle the phone calls by reducing the expenditure on calls. These phones are easily installable also. Their prices have reduced to certain extent too. Due to the reduced prices, now the small business organizations can also afford to install the business phones.

By investing in a good business phone an organization can increase their efficiency and productivity. A good system will help the organization to maintain better relationships with their business associates and customers. It will also help the organization to maintain a healthy relationship in within the employees of the organization.

The business phone systems can be basically divided into three types based upon the features and technologies used in the phone systems. KSU less, Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and Key Systems are the three different kinds of models available in the market. The fourth type which is available is a hybrid of the PBX and Key Systems.

The different types of business phone systems and their uses:

• KSU less Systems: These phone systems are meant for business organizations which have less than 10 employees. This is so because KSU less systems do not have more than 10 extensions. If an organization has more than 10 employees, it will need phone systems with advanced features like the ones available in PBX systems.

The KSU less systems are cheaper compared to PBX and Key systems due to its popularity. These systems offer the basic features like -
1. It is cost effective for which it is more popular compared to the other types of systems.
2. KSU phones can be installed very easily.
3. KSU less systems can be unplugged easily and moved to a new location whenever required.

• PBX Systems: These systems have more than 40 extensions. Therefore these systems are used in organizations which have up to 40 employees. In recent times the prices of these systems have reduced to some extent enabling small and modest sized companies to acquire these systems. Moreover they have become more compact and require little space to be installed. The PBX systems have many features which are not available in the KSU less systems. For this reason business organizations prefer to install the PBX systems.

• Key System: These systems have 5 to 40 extensions. They are not as flexible as the PBX systems. But some businesses find these systems to be more useful due to certain features.

• PBX and Key System Hybrids: The hybrid systems contain features of both PBX and Key Systems and can function as both after installing certain software.

Cost effective, flexibility and mobility are some of the major criteria which people seek to avail in the telecommunication arena. One can avail the facilities of VoIP to enjoy long distance and international calls at very cheap rates. In fact, the technology is developing at a very fast face which in turn offers various cost effective solutions for almost every type of problem. With this VoIP technology, one can enjoy the voice calls by using the high speed internet connection instead of an analog phone line. One can make local, national and international calls at ease without any concern for the affordability factor.

Some of the VoIP services operates over a special VoIP phone or a computer while there are some which would efficiently allow the users to use their landline phone which should be connected to the VoIP adapter. These services work on the principle of converting the user’s voice into digital signal which would travel through the internet. As a matter of fact, if the caller is using a frequently used phone number, the signal gets converted to the telephone signal before reaching the destination. As such, one can enjoy making calls directly from his or her computer, landline phone or a specific VoIP phone. Moreover, there are certain points of interest such as airport, Internet cafes and parks etc which would easily connect you to the internet and help you to access the VoIP service wirelessly.

To avail high speed internet connection a DSL or a cable modem, or local area network is required. Now, if you want to avail this unique services on your computer, some specific software and a good microphone are quite necessary. By using this amazing VoIP technology, one can enjoy talking with more than one person simultaneously. Moreover, the 24 x 7 customer care service offered by the technology would give you ultimate freedom to crosscheck all your queries regarding any issue. You can also share certain pictures, videos and text apart from talking to friends and beloved ones through the VoIP calls.

The efficient VoIP phone uses the Internet connection. With these phones, you can comfortably save a considerable amount at the end of the month. In fact these services would offer you exciting extra features such as call forwarding, call waiting, call diverting etc at ease.

The promise of VOIP is hugely enticing to the home consumer. The allure of extremely low cost or completely free phone calls across an IP network is a god send in these money tight times.

I have often wondered if the hype surrounding the VOIP revolution was just that, hype. It seemed as if the initial buzz that surrounded the first general availability of VOIP systems wasn’t matched by the technology. I guess the initial problem was that the majority of home network connections were not fast enough to get the system to work effectively. The rapid growth in home broadband means that this hurdle has been removed.

Now with a decent PC some VOIP software, a set of speaker and a microphone the world of VOIP phone calls is at the finger tips of most consumers.

What are the advantages of VOIP over the traditional route of landline and mobile phones?

• Cost - Making calls using a VOIP system dramatically reduces or completely removes the cost of making calls between two PCs. If you are using the same system between you then the calls could be completely free. Long distance and internet calls are also greatly reduced.

• Video - Many VOIP providers allow you to send moving images at the same time. This means with a webcam attached you can have video calling for less than a mobile phone call. Image the calling you parents on the other side of the world to show them their new grandchild. VOIP could open up a completely new vista for personal communication.

• Portability - As the VOIP connection is via the software on your computer it is as portable as the device it is installed on. With a laptop you can take you cheap phone calls with you as long as you can get access to a decent fast internet network. It sure beats the cost of mobile phone call abroad.

• Value Added Service - Most VOIP providers offer voice mail, conference calling, call forwarding, call waiting, caller ID and more advance telephone services. You can make your VOIP experience as bespoke as you need. You can set the system up to email you or send an SMS when you miss a call.

If you have a fast ethernet network connection and a degree of understanding about technology then it is now so easy to install VOIP. For the cost of headset and a webcam you could be talking with family members and friends in different cities and countries for a fraction of the cost that you currently incur. Seek out a good VOIP provider that won’t tie you into a long contract and will allow you to upgrade your system to a VOIP phone system at a later date.

Managed partitioning services can be easily described as on-Demand and hosted technical solutions in which the service provider offers a switch portion, dedicated to their own cause. The customer (business units) can then easily configure their self-array of VoIP technology-based services such as Calling cards, reselling VoIP and PC-to-Phone connectivity. The provider is often entrusted with the task of management of the initial concerned configuration, pre-launch support, fully managed partition and training etc.

Now, that we have learnt about some of the basic features of the managed partitioning services let us now move to some of its advantages to have a clear insight about its functioning.

1. The provider offers the management of business’s technical aspects, relieving the customer of the tedious tasks so that he can concentrate on selling

2. The customer can request an increase in partition at any point of time, even at short notices

3. The levels of capital expenditure, expensive support personnel or infrastructure settings are minimised resulting in significant business growth and re-allocation of resources to other critical ends

4. The development of fulfilling relationships with the clients is enhanced and the business can easily create its brand identity

5. Business infrastructure can be easily streamlined and operating costs can be reduced by using this state-of-the-art technology

6. Enhancements in the levels of productivity and workforce mobility can be easily witnessed by the usage of managed Partitioning Services

7. Business prospects are uplifted by the managed switch partitioning as well as the managed network partitioning services

If you want to be a provider of the managed VoIP services, you will be amazed to know that the path of success in this ever-growing field is quite easy, when compared to other business segments. The developments in the world of VoIP technology are taking place on almost each passing day and any small or medium size business can try its hands on the assortment of services. In the meanwhile, the assorted services can be delivered to their existing customers for business gains.

Factors such as recruitment and training of technical staff, acquiring software and equipment, actual network usage and expansion of the network operational facilities are some of the critical variables that have the abilities to impact the related cost of implementation and operation of a VoIP network.

However, care must be observed by business units that desire of making a name in this domain. The business units must be aware of the fact that not a majority of the population is eager to replace their present-day telephone lines with a VoIP connection. However, with the changing times and because of tech-savvy customers the domain of VoIP and managed VoIP services are bound to create a name for themselves in the years to come.