What is VoIP?

VoIP essentially removes the cost of using the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to make telephone calls. Furthermore, because the internet is designed for data and is not dependent on fixed locations, VoIP provides the enterprise with new opportunities for improving productivity and flexibility.


How does VoIP work?

The most common way VoIP works is that the end user establishes a high speed broadband connection, a router and a VoIP gateway. Instead of a standard telephone line, the router sends the telephone calls over an internet connection. The VoIP gateway, placed somewhere in direct proximity of the connected Internet converts the analog signals into digital format, which are further broken down into smaller chunks called 'packets', before sending it over the internet, much like the way data is transmitted to and from the computer. These packets are sent to their final destination and instructions for bringing back into an understandable form are embedded in them. It then goes through a VoIP gateway where the packets are reconverted into the original analog format utilizing a PSTN, thereby routing the call to the number the caller has dialed blending old school technology and hi tech delivery in a seamless and instantaneous way.


VoIP Features

The biggest advantage of VoIP is that the customers can make calls from anywhere in the world where a broadband internet connection is available. The customers can take their IP phones or ATA's with them on national and international trips and still can manage to access what is essentially an individual's domestic phone line.

Then there are the softphones, which a software application that loads the VoIP services onto the desktop or laptop. Some even simulate an interface that looks like a telephone, with which you can place VoIP calls to anybody around the world, through a standard broadband connection.

Most VoIP services come with the caller id, call waiting, call transfer, and repeat dialing and three-way dialing features. For additional features such as call filtering, forwarding a call, or sending calls directly to the voice mail, the service provider may assess an additional fee. Most VoIP services also allow the user to check his/her voicemail over the web or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to his/her PDA or PC.

Generally, the facilities and components provided by VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators may vary in significant ways. It is advisable to check the pros and cons before subscribing. Make sure that you have available technical support for the possible compatibility issues that could arise between the existing and new hardware components.

What is a Gateway?

A gateway is a network point that acts as an entrance to another network. On the Internet, a node or stopping point can be either a gateway node or a host (end-point) node. Both the computers of Internet users and the computers that serve pages to users are host nodes. The computers that control traffic within your company's network or at your local Internet service provider (ISP) are gateway nodes. Can transcode or allow different protocols to talk to each other. Many companies still have separate voice and data networks but would like to take advantage of the benefits of using Internet Telephony. A gateway therefore converts a telephone conversation into the correct format as data packets to enable it to travel across a data network as Internet Telephony. Gateways are required at both ends of a telephone conversation so that voice can be converted then reconverted back into intelligible language at the other end.

FXS - Foreign eXchange Subscriber 

FXS delivers POTS service from the local phone company’s Central Office (CO) and must be connected to subscriber equipment (telephones, modems, and fax machines). In other words an FXS interface points to the subscriber. An FXS interface provides the following primary services to a subscriber device: 

- Dial Tone 
- Battery Current 
- Ring Voltage

FXO - Foreign eXchange Office 

FXO  receives POTS service, typically from a Central Office of the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). In other words an FXO interface points to the Telco office. An FXO interface provides the following primary service to the Telco network device: 

- on-hook/off-hook indication (loop closure)