What is IP Telephony?
IP Telephony is the transmission of Voice over IP network (VoIP), which means voice and fax calls are transmitted over an IP network such as the internet rather than over public switched telephone network.
Over the last few years IP Telephony has become a hot topic, as it now seems that IP Telephony will transform the voice call business and the technology used to transport voice calls. Since access to the internet is available at local phone connection rates, an international or long-distance call will be much less expensive than through the traditional call arrangement.
History of IP Telephony
Research activities of transmission of voice signals over packet networks started in the late 70’s and early 80’s. In the 70’s discussion and experiment with packetised voice over ARPANET started, the predecessor of the Internet using IP. Real development of IP Telephony started in 1995, VocalTec pioneered the IP Telephony market with PC software which opened a voice connection between two PC’s over an IP-based network. In 1996 the first internetworking trials began between an IP network and PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) were made and then in 1997 the first phone to phone service was launched for commercial use.
The main differences between IP Telephony and PSTN is that the internet uses dynamic routing where as PSTN uses Static switching and the other difference is that the internet’s "intelligence" is very much decentralised or distributed which will is position your business at an advantage.
link image
Advantages of IP Telephony
By deploying IP Telephony into your business you will experience lower long distance costs and reduced access charges and more efficient backbones and compelling new services. As a business you will also benefit from IP Telephony because its takes advantage of existing data networks, which means reducing operating costs by managing only one network and enables you to enjoy almost toll quality voice.
Depending on your business there are a couple of IP Telephony solutions that are on offer to you.