Voice over IP (VoIP) Solutions

Introduction
VOIP is an acronym for Voice Over IP, or in more common terms phone service over the Internet.  Some people use VOIP in addition to their traditional phone service, since VOIP service providers usually offer lower rates than the traditional phone companies, but sometimes don't offer full emergency number services, phone directory listings, and premium rate services, etc.

How does VoIP work?
When you use a VoIP telephone, your voice is converted to a digital signal, and an algorithm called a codec is used to compress the data so less bandwidth is needed for the call.  The data is separated into packets, and sent instantly over your internet connection.  Calls can be made to landlines, mobile phones and other VoIP telephones. At the receiving end or their local exchange the data packets are converted back into an analogue signal.  This system works in reverse allowing for a two way conversation.  Due to the high speed at which the codec conversion takes place users do not notice any time delays.

How do people with Land Lines or Mobile Phones call my VoIP Phone?
A telephone number can be provided to allow for the termination of calls from analogue phones through to your VoIP system.  You can then have a single phone system allowing both incoming and outgoing calls.

Can I use VoIP along side our normal Land Lines?
Yes you can.  With the use of VoIP gateways you can utilise analogue telephones and fax machines over the VoIP system as well as your current analogue system.  To allow for full flexibility VoIP Gateways are compatible with FXO (PBX & PSTN), FXS (Normal Lines) and E&M (Leased Lines) systems.

How much are VoIP calls to other VoIP Telephones?
Calls to other VoIP telephones are FREE.  This makes it ideal with internal inter-company phone calls.  The savings made in this area alone provide clear benefit for investing in this new technology.

How are VoIP calls to landlines and mobile phones are charged for?
Depending on the termination service used, charges normally are incurred by a measurement of time ranging from 'per second' through to 'per minute'.  The charges are incurred from the local exchange for the conversion of the digital signal to analogue.  Charges vary depending on the country and often location within the given country.

Why use VOIP?
There are two major reasons to use VOIP:

  • Lower Cost
    In general phone service via VOIP costs less than equivalent service from traditional sources. This is largely a function of traditional phone services either being monopolies or government entities. There are also some cost savings due to using a single network to carry voice and data. This is especially true when users have existing under-utilized network capacity that they can use for VOIP without any additional costs.  Additionally the savings made from FREE calls between VoIP telephone systems increase the monetary savings.
     
  • Increased functionality
    VOIP makes easy some things that are difficult to impossible with traditional phone networks.  Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to your VOIP phone where ever you plug it into the network. Additionally VOIP phones can be taken on business trips, and therefore anywhere you can connect it to the Internet, you can make calls and if the correct investments are made you can even receive your incoming calls.  For example 'call centre' agents using VOIP phones can easily work from anywhere with a good Internet connection.  With investment in VoIP Servers the following abilities can be created:
    • Concurrent Conference Calls with VoIP & PSTN
    • Large numbers of concurrent callers (e.g. 360 concurrent callers)
    • Custom Greetings and Conference Announcements
    • Password/PIN Authorisation Security & Conferencing
    • Conference Recording
    • Web & Phone Management Access
    • Advanced Conference Administration
    • Advanced Caller Management
    • Voice Mail Services
    • Voice Mail Forwarding
    • Call Forwarding
    • Caller ID & Caller ID Blocking, Call Screening
    • Call Holding, Park & Park Pickup Calls, Priority Call, Speed Dial, Hunt Systems, Hold Music, Auto Attendant
    • RADIUS Billing Interfaces
    • Call Back Features (including SMS Call Back)
    • CRM Interfaces and CRM Management Interfaces
    • Automated Email Notification
    • Full Call Reporting Features
    • And much more.

Voice over IP (VoIP) Solutions
HAB Consultancy utilise and combine the very latest technologies to produce Voice over IP solutions. Whatever your telephony requirements, HAB Consultancy can provide the skills and knowledge to design, implement and maintain leading edge telephony solutions.

HAB Consultancy's solutions are ideal for:

  • Postal Services
  • Banking
  • Financial Markets
  • Government (Embassies, Central Government, Police, Schools, Hospitals, and more).
  • Corporations

E-Mail us at it@hab-consultancy.com to discuss your telephony requirements.
 

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Copyright Feb 2005 © HAB Consultancy Ltd