Everything you ever wanted to know but were afraid to ask

How VoIP Service Works

Voice over Ip (VoIP is a service that takes the voice call traditional used with circuit switching and converts it into packets that can then be sent over the internet. Circuit switching requires a dedicated line or frequency for a call to be setup, conducted and the session terminated.

This causes two types of problems. It is resource intensive because it ties up the entire physical path or frequency all the time whether it is in use of not because it is dedicated to a single phone number. Second it ties us to our service provider because they own the lines or the frequencies. Until fairly recently you could not take your number with you when you changed locations for a land line or carriers for a cell phone.

VoIP solves both of these problems. It is not necessary to tie up the network or anything except your computer or WAP (Wireless Access Protocol) phone. You call is broken down into discrete pieces called packets. The packets are then streamed over the internet. They don’t all have to take the same physical route. Each packet has a sequence number so that the receiving machine can put them into the correct order. All of this is transparent to the user.

What it means is this. If you aren’t talking, there will be no packets sent and if I am talking at the same time they can send my packets interspersed with yours so the network is never idle since we don’t have to have a path held open from me to the person with whom I am talking.

Home and Small Business Features

Unified messaging - lets you listen to, index, store, and forward voicemail messages within an e-mail application

“Soft phone” support- lets you make and receive calls using a graphical interface and a headset plugged into your PC.

Flat rate local, regional and long distance calls

Reasonably priced international calls - one service provider offers flat rate pricing

Automated attendants – messages received by the caller such as menus, after hours messages, etc.

Call routing – letting calls be routed by extension number

Hunt groups – a feature that allows a phone to ring a specific number of times before a second one is tried, etc

Call center applications – automated help desk features

Phone set mobility – since the phone is identified by an IP address it can be unplugged and moved to another location without any changes.

IP Centrex service – standard business telephone system

IP Hybrid PBXs – retrofitted PBX that can do both types of calling.

Pure IP systems – new PBXs that are completely IP based.

What Should You Think About Before Subscribing?

Ask yourself the following questions.

Am I dissatisfied with my current phone service?

Do I have a broadband internet connection?

Can I save enough money to make it worth making the change?

Is your organization’s phone system is obsolete, out of warranty, or its lease is ending? – If so, this is an excellent time to consider a VoIP system since you need a new one anyway.

Are relocating or opening a new office? – You should definitely consider a refurbished IP-capable phone systems or managed VoIP services rather than moving an old circuit-switched PBX.

Are you having problems with your current service? – If you are unhappy with your current service, changing over to an IP system may be worth while.

How much money can you save over the long run by converting? - Make sure you know the time-to-payback, or return on investment, of any VoIP implementation you’re considering

Will you need to upgrade your existing network? - These costs need to be considered when determining the potential savings from switching.

Dos the VoIP solution you are considering meet your E911 needs?- If not, you may need to keep at least one circuit switched phone or cell phone available.

Will your staff need Training – Your IT staff will need to learn to support the phone system so you must be considered when determining the potential savings from switching.