VoIP and Bandwidth
VoIP is dependent on a certain amount of bandwidth and it is only due to the widespread acceptance of broadband modems that (useable) VoIP is possible. So – what exactly is bandwidth and how does it affect VoIP?
Bandwidth refers to the amount of digital data that can be transmitted in a certain time period. Internet connections are usually measured in KiloBits Per Second (kbps). To give you an example, take a look at your webpage. It is made up of a few paragraphs of text and a few illustrations. The size of this web page might be about 3,000 bytes or 24,000 bits. At a download speed of 512 kbps this page can be viewed in 0.05 seconds – almost instantaneously.
You maybe yelling, “Hey, my web pages don’t load that fast on my computer.” You won’t reach your maximum transfer speeds for a couple of reasons. First there is latency – the delay caused by the physical limitations of each piece of hardware the data is passed through. Latency is introduced through the transmission medium, the routers that determine the path the data will take, and storage when the data finally reaches your computer.
What this means for VoIP is that enough bandwidth must be supplied to allow for the transmission of the actual voice data in real time as well as extra bandwidth for the overhead required for any data transmission.
There is way to determine the amount of bandwidth your home will need. Using 128 kbps as a base is fine, but it is advisable to increase your kbps to the maximum available, especially if you have several computers and other devices connected to the Internet.
bandwidth, broadband, voip
What Is VoIP and How Does It Work?
VoIP stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. Basically what VoIP allows you to do is to call anyone, anywhere using your computer via software from a VoIP service provider.
The only stipulation is that you and the party you are calling must have an internet connection. In short, a high speed internet connection such as DSL, Cable, or Broadband that will enable you to call anyone for free.
How does it work? Using a modified interpretation it works like this. Voice calls through the internet become digitized, compressed and encapsulated into data packets which transmit the information. Thus, when you call a certain party, that particular packet will decompress and the voice will return back to you. While the explanation may not be simple, the end result is that calling via the internet, whether or not the person you are calling has the same service, or using a land line phone – can be done effectively and efficiently.
While calls from the internet to land line phones are fee-based, it is still lower than using your traditional phone to make long distance calls. You can determine, by researching all of the different VoIP services, which provider affords you the best package to meet your needs.
We informed you what VoIP is and how it works. While, for some, this technology may sound too complicated, remember back to a time when computers were first introduced.
It seemed as if the challenge to operate this type of machine was insurmountable. However, over the years you have learned, upgraded and enhanced your internet experience.
VoIP is just another medium whereby you will not only save money, but enjoy the interaction between you, your family and your friends. In addition, you will be introduced to some very creative gadgets and VoIP phones to enhance your VoIP experience.
Is VoIP Service A Replacement Of The PSTN Phone Service?
Is VoIP Service ready to replace your good old Public Switched Telephone Network Service. Earlier we the advantages of the VoIP service; now we are going to address the good as well as the bad.
As we discussed earlier, the benefits of VoIP Service; the portability, bundle extra features and low cost are the advantages of the VoIP over an existing PSTN service. However, the advantage of the portability and mobility is also one of the weaknesses of the service itself, when compared to the PSTN service.
In case of an emergency, for example, if you call the Emergency 911 number from your home, office or even a restaurant using the conventional PSTN line, the emergency call center personnel are able to locate the physical address where you are calling from without you giving them that information. Emergency calls are routed according to their physical addresses to the appropriate Emergency Call Centers. Thus, the needed services will be dispatched timely. However, it is because of the portability of the VoIP phone that you might have to commute out of your original location. This is where the VoIP Phone Service falls short and may prevent an VoIP phone user to reach the Emergency 911 Service.The same principle applies to cellular phones as well. For example, when making a call from a cellular phone, the call is actual moving with the subscriber, therefore, the call may not be made at the registered address.
How Does The Voice Over Internet Protocol VoIP Work?
Not until lately, as the technology advanced, did people think of not only how to send data across the networks, but why not send the voice as well. Thus the VoIP was born and utilized the Internet Protocol to transmit not only data, but the voice too. Voice calls will be digitized, compressed and encapsulated into the data packets and eventually be transmitted. Likewise, when the receiving end gets the packet, it will be decompress and reverse back to voice. This is how the Voice over Internet Protocol works.
What Are H.323, SIP And RTP?
These are all standard protocols implemented to enhance the VoIP network for better integration of various demanding business applications and services to the IP Network. These are the services or applications that you’ve been using all along, and probably didn’t know it. With the implementation of these protocols, we can enjoy such services as videoconferencing, NetMeeting, and various Messenger Services which support both voice and video calls across the networks.We are able to make a call or video call from our computer to another computer, whether it is connected locally at home, at our office, or across the globe to another country. We can even make calls to Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and Mobile Phone for free or
with a nominal charge.
What Is VoIP, Voice Over Internet Protocol?
Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol TCP/IP
Internet Protocol is actually a communication Protocol coming off from TCP/IP communication suites for computer networking. The TCP Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol enable computers to communicate with each other when computers are connected together.
When computers connected either locally, at home, or at a single location office, these computers are networked as Local Area Network (LAN). Further expansion of these connected computers to other locations can be generated either directly by simple DialUp with a modem via Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Dedicated Lease Line (T1…), or indirectly through the Internet. Thus, these computers are interconnected to become one big network or commonly known as Wide Area Network (WAN).
Initially, the TCP/IP was designed for data communication to the computer networks. All data are encapsulated and compressed before they are transmitted as packets across the networks. When the packets arrive at the receiving end, the packets will be decompressed and reverse back to its data form. Thus, sometimes, it will be referred to as Data Switched Network.