Released on = June 9, 2006, 2:52 am

Press Release Author = Nicole Konstantinidisova

Industry = Telecommunications

Press Release Summary = VoIP telephony today is represented by two spheres divided
into the field of services provided by VoIP alternative operators on the one hand,
and the manufacturers of smart VoIP telephones connected to a LAN network and
software switchboard on the other hand.

Press Release Body =
Tonnes of text have been written recently about VoIP telephony. What is it? How does
it work? The Internet is literally swamped with information. One would think that
calling via classic fixed lines is over-the-hill and that everybody calls only via
Internet for minimal costs. Wherever I look, I see advertisements from alternative
telecommunications operators attracting people to cheaper calls via Internet, which
we have been using mostly for e-mail and chatting to date. How far have we got in
these few years? Wherein lays the impulse to opt for the use of IP telephone? How
does one start it off? What does the use of all these IP gadgets involve? And what
about security? We would like to start a new series on VoIP telephony with all these
questions. A series that does not strive merely to repeat everything you already
know, but should serve as a source of information on your route to Internet calling.

VoIP telephony today is represented by two spheres divided into the field of
services provided by VoIP alternative operators on the one hand, and the
manufacturers of smart VoIP telephones connected to a LAN network and software
switchboard on the other hand. The telecommunication services market is focussed
specifically on home users with many types of applications. Ranging from the latest
Google Talk or voice-communication via ICQ, Yahoo Instant Messenger to MSN
messenger. All of these applications focus only on communication between two users
connected the Internet. The only exception is the widespread Skype application, or
the less well-known Fayn. These can be used to call fixed networks (PSTN) or mobile
networks for very advantageous prices. The advantages of Skype are obvious -
firewall penetration, standard encrypted voice transfer, low demands on bandwidth
for voice transfer, simple software without great demands on HW, address book. But
what happens if the called subscriber doesn't take the call? Can he find out who
called him by means of calling line identification (CLIP) and call him back?
Certainly not. That is why these services are not suitable for implementation in a
corporate infrastructure.
However, there are solutions for small, middle-sized and large companies, which
offer an elegant solution to the aforementioned call-back. The first solution worth
mentioning that uses IP telephony is the 2N VoiceBlue Enterprise gate. This is an
integrated solution comprising a small IP telephone switchboard, a GSM gateway and
SMS server. Its installation requires no modifications to the existing
infrastructure, and it can be connected to the local network connected to the
Internet. It is ideal for a small company that has been using separate fixed
telephone lines and mobile telephones. Savings can be achieved firstly by the use of
an internal routing algorithm, which directs calls to the mobile network according
to prefix, and calls are cheaper because the same network is being called.
Furthermore, it is possible for a developer working at home to consult his work via
Internet telephone, for free, for any length of time. Equally beneficial is the
possibility of connecting abroad using a software telephone, whereby an employee can
speak to his colleagues and simultaneously call domestic mobile networks from abroad
without paying a fee for roaming. 2N VoiceBlue Enterprise can serve as part of the
integrated interconnection of several small branches, in which it replaces the PBX
station while mediating connection to a large corporate IP switchboard (e.g. Cisco
Call Manager or Asterisk).
What are the requirements for implementing IP telephony? Firstly, quality Internet
connection and one local computer network. Almost all small companies have a local
network, so we will focus on the features of Internet connection. The important
parameters include reaction time, bandwidth, error rate and jitter. For example,
CDMA and GPRS are unsuitable connection types due to reaction time, despite their
sufficient bandwidth. ADSL connections with high aggregation are not recommended
because of their low bandwidth. Wireless connections in the 2.4 GHz band are
characterised by a high error rate, particularly in large cities where they also
show high jitter. Thus we can recommend ADSL connections with low aggregation, cable
television connections, wireless connections in reserved bands or leased data
circuits.
Should the implementation of IP telephony be considered by a middle-sized company
with its headquarters in Prague and branches in regional cities, and the company has
quality connection with sufficient capacity, it will use different technologies and
its savings will be substantially higher. Calling for free between branches via the
data network is a matter of course ("traversing" of PBX stations via Internet is
enables e.g. by the Ateus Omega PBX system), as is faxing between branches.
Additional savings are offered in call forwarding according to region; the call is
terminated in the fixed network in the region where the called party is located,
hence the call is billed as a local call.
Financial savings on telephone expenses are the most substantial when IP telephony
is implemented in a larger company with 50 or more employees. Not only can it take
advantage of the aforementioned benefits of IP telephony, but it can also exploit
the connection of the PBX station to an alternative operator's (operators') gateway,
thereby directing outgoing calls to networks according to the best tariff. 2N
Netstar is a PBX station that can handle up to 120 simultaneous IP calls. Because 2N
Netstar is a fully converged solution, it is possible connect analogue telephones,
ISDN telephones and system telephones that support shares telephone books, call
parking and Mobility Extension. The connection of hundred of SIP IP telephones is a
matter of course.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of IP telephony? For home users, there are
only advantages, provided that they already own some sort of PC and Internet
connection of sufficient parameters. Upon installing a software IP telephone,
microphone and headphones, this user can enjoy all the advantages of IP telephony
including call forwarding from the office and calling via the corporate branch PBX
to fixed and mobile networks. For a small company without a PBX station, the
transition to IP telephony with 2N VoiceBlue Enterprise offers advantages in the
form of savings on calls and greater options compared to classic telephone lines
(connection of calls, calls to GSM, calls from abroad, etc.), as well as the
possibility of variable expansion of the telephone network (upon arrival of a new
colleague, an IP telephone is connected to the local network and registered in the
internal SIPproxy 2N VoiceBlue Enterprise, without the need for installing new
telephone lines. The only disadvantage is the cost for the acquisition of
technologies, which returns within about 6 months.
For an SME company, switching to a solution with IP telephony is primarily a
procedural matter, because this transition is often a change from half-hearted
solution to a real solution. We know of many companies where documents are scanned
and sent by e-mail to be printed at the other branch. Problems are solved by dozens
of e-mails instead of a single telephone call. With Ateus Omega, employees are not
obliged to change their thinking and routine procedures; documents are sent free via
fax through the IP network between branches, and they can make arrangements with
colleagues from other branches for free and comprehensibly via Internet. The only
disadvantage lays in the costs, but in the case of a middle-sized company with
several branches, these may return within 2 months if we include the time saved by
employees.
The most interesting concept is the transition to IP telephony and a converged
solution by a large enterprise. With the 2N Netstar PBX station, this transition is
painless and the existing analogue telephones and telephone lines can still be used,
system telephones can be connected to them, and the existing connection to the fixed
network (usually ISDN PRI) can also be exploited. An additional bonus is the
connection of several IP trunks to various alternative providers, other branches or
abroad. Again, the only disadvantage is this case is the costs, the return period of
which may be 2 months (given frequent calls abroad and to mobile networks).
What are the general disadvantages and flaws of IP telephony and what may the
objections be? The composition of a call is longer - in IP telephony, call
composition takes a few seconds longer, but that is merely a question of habit. The
quality of calls is much lower than in classic telephony - this was true only in the
past. The codecs used today are of comparable quality to a classic telephone line.
The only problem is operation on an overloaded Internet connection, where they may
be packet outages and consequently gaps in the call. This phenomenon is prevented by
intelligent routers, which can identify the type of operation in the network and
prioritise certain IP telephony packets over others. The price for these routers is
still relatively high for a small company, but for SMEs or larger companies, they
are regularly accessible and popular.
In general, it may be said that IP telephony presents many advantages for companies,
particularly in terms of investment and operating cost savings in the sense of local
infrastructure, because everything is implemented within the LAN network. The
company also benefits from substantial savings on telephone fees, e.g. the
interconnection of individual branches either on a national or international basis.
Should the company connect to the network of a VoIP operator, it can save about 30%
on outgoing calls. IP telephony can be integrated advantageously into the CRM e.g.
for customer service. Employees can connect remotely and make local calls without
the need to spend on roaming connection. To launch IP telephone, every company must
anticipate an initial investment into the PBX station if it does not own one
already, into telephone handsets, euroISDN BRI or PRI connections, Internet
connection and investments into local infrastructure.
We are convinced that VoIP certainly pays off today. After all, you and your company
can convince yourselves.


Web Site = http://www.2n.cz

Contact Details = Nicole
2N Telekomunikace a.s.
Modranska 621
Praha 4; 143 01
Czech Republic
tel.: +420 2 613 01 515