VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, allows users to place regular voice calls over a computer network rather than over a public switched telephone network (PSTN). This means that VoIP systems involve dynamic routing, which does not depend on geographic location. PSTN however, requires a static location to function properly.

Although this technology has been around since the late 1970’s, with various experiments to send packets of voice over ARPANET (the precursor of the internet), true pursuit after a viable VoIP technology did not begin until the mid 1990s. As its use increased into the twenty-first century, problems began increase with the equipment and technology as well. VoIP issues have been widely discussed by professionals, because this technology can easily replace the PSTN. It’s no longer a matter of whether VoIP will replace the PSTN in the future, as current systems can serve anyone from the teen at college to an expansive enterprise.

Business VoIP systems now make sense – especially for those businesses that want to eliminate the costs inherent in calls among multiple offices connected to a company Local Area Network (LAN) or Wide Area Network (WAN). The cost-cutting feature based upon using a LAN or WAN isn’t as apparent with a smaller business, but may begin to show economic sense as the company grows.

Depending upon the VoIP setup that you choose, internal calls typically will be conveyed over your phone network while calls to other company locations are routed over your computer network. Finally, calls to external numbers are sent through your network to a gateway that connects to the public phone network. All your calls connect seamlessly to any phone user, as there are no compatibility issues in most cases. Qualified and experienced VoIP vendors will integrate the VoIP system in a manner that insures a smooth transition and little disruption to your work schedules.

What You’ll Need

The VoIP vendor who integrates VoIP with your existing phone system will use several components to make the system run smoothly. First, a central device will manage the calls, much the way a private branch exchange (PBX) or key system unit (KSU) manages traditional phone systems. This call device can be a dedicated piece of hardware such as an IP PBX, an IP enabled PBX (keep your existing PBX and enable it with software and/or hardware upgrades), or a server that runs regular software. In many cases you can use existing digital phones and computer network, although you might need to upgrade some network hardware.

A VoIP system can save money if you’re setting up a new office, but mostly in the long term as the addition of a parallel voice network cable costs little to add. While you search for a VoIP system, also look for an experienced local reseller that is licensed and/or certified, with manufacturer support and the ability to respond quickly to problems that might need an urgent site visit. This is where you’ll truly save money.

Features to Look For

You might consider a hybrid traditional/VoIP system that is less expensive and that would fit your needs. The technology that any given VoIP system uses will help you determine whether you can leverage your existing equipment, and it will force you to consider compatibility issues. Beware of vendors who want to add VoIP to your existing network no matter if your network is prepared for the change or not. Those vendors may charge you later to add upgrades to remedy call quality. An analysis of your current network by an unbiased third party can save you money in the long haul.

Finally, you may want to obtain a system built on open standards. While all VoIP systems use the industry standard Internet Protocol (the “IP” in VoIP) to route calls, some systems require proprietary technology for administration or integration features. If your system runs entirely on open standards, it can allow for great flexibility in integration and customization. An open standards system will help you to avoid possible licensing fees required for proprietary software as well as to avoid the limits that proprietary software might place on any business expansion.

Finally, a number of advanced methods are used to overcome VoIP Quality of Service (QoS). Some problems you may encounter include: delay, jitter, echo, congestion, packet loss, and disorderly packet arrivals. Since VoIP naturally is a delay-sensitive application, a well-engineered, end-to-end network is necessary to avoid many of those problems.

The quality of transmitted speech is a subjective response of the listener (human or artificial means), but there are several methods you can use or ask for to boost the QoS. The Mean Opinion Score is one of the most important parameters that determine the QoS. With MOS, a wide range of listeners judge the quality of a voice sample (corresponding to a particular CODEC) on a scale of 1 (bad) to 5 (excellent). Algorithms also can evaluate the QoS, and these include PSQM (ITU P.861), PAMS (BT) and PESQ.

Business VoIP Types