VoIP Phone Systems - There's a Fly in the Ointment

The keystone that will lock in VoIP as the successor to TDM technology has yet to be hefted into place. It may in fact take another decade before we see the full potential of VoIP phone systems. The keystone we are referring to is the deployment of standards based IP infrastructure by the public carriers.

VoIP phone systems are seemingly ubiquitous. Sexy new VoIP PBX systems and VoIP business solutions are announced almost every day. The technology is credible and past issues including voice quality have been sorted out. What's the catch?

The catch is that the benefits realized by users of VoIP business phone systems relate mainly to internal communication. Organizations with distributed national and international operations gain the most from implementing VoIP phone systems. They achieve savings because their internal communication doesn't go via PSTNs and they achieve significant savings as a consequence. Conversely, organizations that don't have remote operations, work from home employees or a mobile workforce need to be far more creative in making a business case to justify a VoIP deployment.

The greatest pain for business is associated with external not internal communication. Most businesses have more customers than employees. To service, retain and acquire them a business must make an increasing volume of external phone calls. As most VoIP services interoperate via PSTNs employing TDM technology they are not using end-to-end VoIP services. Before that can happen the carriers must upgrade their infrastructure from TDM to VoIP technology.

Are the carriers about to upgrade their infrastructure any time soon? It's unlikely. Collectively Tier 1 carriers have an enormous sunken investment in Class 4 and 5 switches. They work just fine and will probably continue to work for at least another decade. No matter how cheap the replacement VoIP gear, its more expensive than hardware that's already installed and on the balance sheet.

Tier 1 carriers also have an investment in existing business models. These models are based on using TDM infrastructure not packets of data. Change is inevitable, but it always involves risk. The carriers have demonstrated time and again that they are risk averse, at least when it comes to tinkering with their main source of revenue. It's been a topic of discussion for more than a decade, but there's little evidence of change.

It's also significant that there is little or no agreement on standards for carrier VoIP. There are even differences between carriers on how they handle SIP trunking and Caller ID. In the absence of enforceable standards between carriers there is little prospect of reliable VoIP peering between carriers any time soon.

For now and the immediate future, enterprise users of VoIP phone systems must reconcile themselves to enjoying less than fifty percent of the potential upside available from their VoIP business solutions. At some point the carriers will replace their infrastructure and agree on standards for IP-based carrier services, but it may take the entrance of a new breed of carrier before that comes to pass.

Chris Green is a communications consultant and writer. He notes that VoIP phone systems have achieved respectability, in fact VoIP is now the default option for business telephony. In selecting a business phone system the choice is between VoIP and VoIP, but Green notes that it could be another decade before the full potential of the technology can be tapped.

VoIP Phone Systems - There's a Fly in the Ointment
By Chris H Green

Enjoy to talk with VoIP !

voip phone review: ipDialog SipTone II Review

ipDialog SipTone II Review

The SipTone II was a relatively cheap phone for its features. The latest firmware gives it some more options and I would suggest you upgrade the firmware to get the most out of the phone.

Features




SIP (IETF RFC2361)

DHCP and Static IP

Supports DNS

DTMF InBand, Info or RCC2833

Supports a-law, u-law, 729 CODECs

PoE (Power over Ethernet) and DC wall adaptor included

2 10BaseT Ethernet ports so you can connect the Phone to the LAN and your PC to the phone. Personally I have it for occasional use e.g. laptop

Headset Jack. Mobile phone compatible. Use any mobile phone handsfree headset. MAke sure the headset deson't have an "Answer/Hangup" button


Handsfree Speakerphone

2-line 16-charecter LCD screen (not backlit)

Voice Mail indicator (MWI compatibe) and Voice Mail button

Two simultaneous call appearances (through call waiting)

Conference Calls (with or without server support)

Last number redial

Do Not Disturb key

Call Hold

Call Waiting

Call Forwarding

Call Transfer (blind, consultative, conferencing)

Caller ID and Call Waiting Caller ID

Call logs (outgoing, recieved, missed)

Speaker and ringer volume control

5 ring tones and 4 call waiting tones (through Bellcore parameter in Server's dialplan)

Web GUI

Configurable dial plans through web GUI, so you can avoid pressing "#" or "Dial" to dial the number

Auto Configuration via TFTP (for central management/deployment)



I bought these phones rather than the Budgetone 101/2 for the Headphone Jack,
dual lines, PoE and dual Ethernet ports. The Snoms looked better (more features) but were more expensive.

In use

I like the headset jack (I use it a lot), and the fact that I can setup my dialplan so I din't need to press "#" to call. The different ringtones are quite handy, while not over the top (mp3s are a bit too much for my liking).

The most annoying thing is that the LCD is fixed (so you cannot change the angle) and is not backlit. The phone is bit light-weight, and it can move around the desk quite a lot (I stick all my phones on the desks/tables with blu-tack anyway).

Conclusion

The audio quality is good, making a VoIP call indistinguishable from a PSTN call. It has nice proper plastic keys.

Generally speaking I am happy with these phones, although right now I have also been looking at the Grandstream GXP-2000. Please feel free to ask me if you have any specific questions.



Enjoy to talk with VoIP !

VoIP Phone Systems - Here Comes the Bubble

Big business has been onto the virtues of VoIP for years. Companies such as Cisco, Avaya and Nortel sell billions of dollars worth of VoIP systems annually to large corporations. For big business there is no real alternative to VoIP business phone systems. For a start the traditional TDM option is no longer manufactured in volume. Secondly, businesses with distributed national and international operations can make significant cost savings from using VoIP. They can eliminate the PSTN costs associated with long distance "internal" calls.

The story is different for SMBs, SOHO operators and the general public. These segments also want to use VoIP and save money. Their interest was initially sparked via millions of: Skype, Google Talk, Jajah and Gizmo Project ... downloads and the promise of "Free Phone Calls." They are a bargain, but not an alternative to a commercial grade business phone service. They're OK for calling friends and family, but not an option for selling a product or closing a deal.

There are two recent developments that have made VoIP phone systems accessible to SMBs.

(1) Hosted VoIP PBX or Virtual VoIP PBX services.

(2) VoIP PBX appliances suitable for SMB and SOHO users.

Both options will deliver business quality VoIP and SMBs are scrambling to sign up for one or the other. They don't necessarily obtain the same benefits as large corporations from using a VoIP business phone system. Typically SMBs don't have the scale or distributed operations required to bulk up enough savings from simply eliminating the cost of "internal calls." As a consequence the arguments for SMBs switching to VoIP usually revolve around the ability to project a more professional image, access to sexy phone features or the promise of Unified Communications.

Inevitably, VoIP PBX appliances and VoIP software will become cheaper, smaller and more convenient. High speed broadband is already ubiquitous and just as the computer became a household consumer item, so will the VoIP phone system. Households will have a main number and family members, especially teenage daughters will have personal phone extensions, voice mail boxes and follow me profiles.

Is there a VoIP bubble on the horizon? Probably, a VoIP phone system is something that everyone can use. There is an enormous market to be tapped (pun intended) and fortunes will be made on the back of innovative business models.

Chris Green is a communications consultant and writer. He notes that VoIP phone systems have achieved respectability, in fact VoIP is now the default option for business telephony. In selecting a business phone system the choice is between VoIP and VoIP. Green notes that large corporations have been using VoIP for years. It's now the turn of SMBs and SOHO operators. Might we see a VoIP PBX appliance in every home within a decade?
Further articles on this topic can be found at his web site: Business Phone Tools.

VoIP Phone Systems - Here Comes the Bubble
By Chris H Green


Enjoy to talk with VoIP !

Review of Magic Jack VOIP Phone

VOIP Phone Review on Magic Jack, is a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service that allows you to make free local and long distance phone calls using a computer and a high speed internet connection. By visiting their web site you can order the USB device and start calling just minutes after receiving it in the mail. Very easy to set up and install, the device plugs into any USB port on your computer, automatically downloads the software and walks you through the registration process. The installation and setup shouldn't take longer than five minutes.

This service does have some great features for the money. For only 40 bucks for the first year (which includes the USB device) and 20 bucks for each year after that, you can't beat the price. You'll save that much on your long distance phone calls in a very short time. The service includes a free phone number,voice mail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, three-way calling, 411 and 911. You may also call internationally for free if the other person has a Magic Jack device. If traveling, take it with you and call free from anywhere you can get a high speed internet connection. Magic Jack does not work with dial-up or satellite internet.

Being a new company, Magic Jack does have its growing pains. Frequent upgrades to the service seem to create outages for its users. Sometimes changing your phone number will solve the problem as they are always upgrading their area code list. If your service doesn't stay connected, buying an A/C powered USB port may solve that problem. From my research in forums where people are talking about Magic Jack, the biggest complaint is their customer service.

Do I recommend that you purchase a Magic Jack? Yes, if you are a patient person and can deal with the fact that it is not going to work perfectly all of the time. Do not buy it if you want to use it to replace your existing phone service. Use it to save on your long distance calls and your cell phone minutes while you are at home. In the future, I believe that Magic Jack will be a good option to use for an extra telephone line or even a business line for your online web sites. Time will tell if this company survives its explosive growth and the reports of their poor customer service.

Review of Magic Jack VOIP Phone
By Adrienne Petersen

Enjoy to talk with VoIP !

US Robotics 9602 VOIP Phone

VOIP Phone the promotional material we received with this USB phone says its integrated HiFi Voice technology provides “life-like conversations.” Well listen, homeboys, don’t mean to bust your bubble, but we put that claim to the test—and it turns out a conversation is only as “life-like” as your conversational partner.

Yes, the Mini Phone was easy to install and set up. Yes, it worked seamlessly with Skype. But then the recipient of our test call—Donald Hutchinson of Sand Creek, Michigan—came on the line. Man! Talk about taking the express train to Dullsville.

It was like listening to paint dry. Thank goodness he finally petered out and hung up before we thought to stab ourselves in the eye just to feel something, anything.



Warranty: 90 Day US Robotics

Features:

Compatible with Skype – Makes Internet calling as simple and comfortable as standard telephone calling
HiFi Voice technology for exceptional call clarity
Integrated echo cancellation and noise reduction technology delivers life-like conversation quality
Full-duplex operation eliminates call clipping
Supports Windows 2000 & XP operating systems
Compatible with USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 ports

Linksys CIT200 Skype phone review:VoIP Phone

Linksys has partnered with Skype to offer a cordless DECT 1.8-1.9Ghz phone complete with a backlit color display, backlit keyboard, and other features, called the Linksys CIT200 Cordless Internet Telephony Kit. The Linksys CIT200 is tightly integrated with Skype utilizing the Skype API for not just making and receiving calls but also accessing your Skype contacts and profiles. At some point today (Tuesday), Skype and Linksys will officially announce their partnership and the official launch of the Linksys CIT200.

A USB base station acts as the "go between" communicating with both the PC (running Skype) via USB and with the CIT200 using the DECT standard. Linksys gave me an exclusive first look at the Linksys CIT200 and I have to say the Linksys CIT200 is probably one of the coolest if not the coolest product that works in conjunction with Skype. One of the coolest features is that you can scroll through your Skype contacts using the Linksys CIT200's color display and you can see their current Skype presence (online, offline, etc.). Then using the arrows on the phone you simply highlight the Skype contact and dial.

The CIT200 actually supports multiple handsets, up to a maximum of four and you simply use one base station to communicate with all 4 phones. Each handset can be assigned a unique extension thus enabling handset-to-handset dialing. Also, the base station has a single button which if you press will page the CIT200 handsets - perfect for when the phone slips down into the sofa and you can't seem to find it anywhere. The CIT200 recharges via a stand-up cradle and sports 120 hrs standby and 10 hrs of talk time using standard rechargeable AA batteries. I should also mention that the CIT200 sports a belt clip and a 2.5mm headset jack.

The Linksys CIT200 currently only works with Windows (sorry Mac and Linux fans). I asked Linksys if a Mac or Linux version was in the works and they said that they don't have plans at this time to support either.

Installation
Installing the CIT200 was a breeze as are most USB products these days. You do need to install a bit of software which provides the integration with Skype and which runs in the background. The CIT200.exe process takes up 3296K of PC memory. The CD also includes the Skype client in case you didn't install Skype already, although it isn't the latest 1.4 version. One really nice feature is that the CIT200 comes with 60 free SkypeOut minutes using a coupon code that you enter on Skype's website to credit your Skype account. This is great for Skype users that typically only make Skype-to-Skype calls and just didn't want to be bothered to give their credit card or Paypal information to Skype in order to purchase SkypeOut minutes. This lets users test SkypeOut, get addicted, and then pay for SkypeOut minutes later on. No doubt this is why Skype, the "masters of marketing", chose to partner with Linksys and offer a coupon code with every Linksys CIT200 sold.

Here are some thumbnail images of the various menu screens on the Linksys CIT 200.

Pertaining To How To Setup Voip Phone

The following article contains relevant guide to information related to "How To Setup Voip Phone" or related to "Voip Consultant", "Telefonia Publica Voip" or "Proveedor De Telefonia Voip". Such information has recently moved to center stage-- at least it seems that way. If you've been thinking you really need to know more about it, here's your opportunity to know not just about "How To Setup Voip Phone", but other such related info.

The concept of VoIP or - (Voice over Internet Protocol) is just a class of hardware and software that permits people to utilize the internet as the transmission medium for phone calls. Voice data is now sent in packets using VoIP rather than the usual POTS circuits. Many internet users find VoIP very beneficial because they do not have to pay for internet telephone calls and will only be surcharged for internet connection.

These days, the expression "Voice over IP is used to describe VoIP as it is utilised by the internet, or intranets, to make telephone calls. The two basic motivations for doing so are cost and convenience because VoIP is more affordable than traditional phone packages and its high speed internet connection can serve several phone lines.

The following are some of the benefits you can derive from VoIP:

If you don't have accurate details regarding information related to "How To Setup Voip Phone" or related to "Voip Intercom", "Dinheiro" or "O Que Voip", then you might make a bad choice on the subject. Don't let that happen. Keep reading and the rest of this article will provide you with more helpful information related or specific to "How To Setup Voip Phone".

The charges for phone services will be reduced considerably: Many people no doubt, will jump at the opportunity of making calls; especially long distance ones at reduced rates.

Various service providers often offer different packages, while some might provide free unlimited long distance phone calls, while others might charge a token for the same service.

You don't need to spend a penny before you also get extra features:

Some features are often provided for a fee but with VoIP services, these are completely free. The free VoIP features are Voicemail, Call Forwarding, Call Transfer, Call Waiting, etc.

Your business can also benefit from great business features like email and web utilities. You can also choose your Area code"

A good advantage you can also derive from VoIP is the chance to select your phone numbers and area codes. What this means is this: in maintaining an existing number, you can either opt to choose a new number based on the area code or transfer the old one into a new VoIP service.


About the Author:
"Vergil Mccune" has authored a great many very well written and interesting articles that provide very insightful info not just about "How To Setup Voip Phone", but also others related to various "Tlphone Voip", "Voip System" and "Telefonia Voip Movel" information.

Review: Siemens S450 IP Dect VoIP phone

Review: Siemens S450 IP Dect VoIP phone
A Dect phone with support for multiple VoIP call providers


Internet telephony is most useful when it’s easy to use, and Siemens’ S450IP sets out to make standards-based SIP telephony as easy as an ordinary phone.

It’s a Dect handset that also plugs into your Lan, so you can make calls using the fixed line or a SIP provider.

Setting up SIP accounts can be done via a simple wizard. You choose one service as the default and calls are automatically routed that way. Hold the green phone key longer and calls go via the other route; emergency calls can be routed automatically to the fixed line. It’s easy, and works very well.

You’ll be told if a call is via the internet or landline on a large, colourful screen. This screen also lets you browse the 150-number directory; individual entries can be marked as VIP and given their own ring tones. You can import contact details, but it's a fiddly process.

There’s support for SMS with predictive text, though it’s not as easy to use as on a mobile with proper T9 texting. On top of that, there’s also a Jabber client built in, so the phone can receive instant messages. We had no problem chatting to Google Talk users, but you’ll need to use a PC to set up your buddy list. And as if that’s not enough, you can even enter details of a Pop3 account and you’ll be notified of new messages – though you can’t read them on the phone.

Homes with several users will appreciate the ability to add extra handsets. Each one can be set up to use a specific SIP account for outgoing calls, and to ring only for particular accounts too. Only two simultaneous calls are possible, but it’s still a great way to provide a complete phone system.

Aside from some niggles with the predictive text, which are common to many cordless handsets, this really is a first class Dect system.

VoIP Phone Phone reveview :The Sipgate SG-HS100b USB VoIP Phone

The Sipgate SG-HS100b USB VoIP Phone

Here we have the SG-HS100b USB handset which is a superb accessory for your laptop computer for users of VoIP on the move. The SG-HS100b USB handset can also work with a normal standard PC whether in the home or office.

Usage of the SG-HS100b USB handset will require a softphone such as sipgate X-Lite along with broadband connectivity, and only requires one free USB port. The SG-HS100b USB handset’s integrated VoIP soundcard will separate voice conversations from the usual remaining PC system tones and also incorporates anti-jitter and echo controls.