The European justice service Eurojust together with the police and prosecutors currently investigate how internet phones like Skype technically and legally can be tapped. VoIP Internet phones are now practically not to be tapped because of technical boundaries. Several countries say that Skype refuses to give the encryption codes for making tapping calls able for the authorities.
China spies on Skype users
China keeps chat and phone calls from Skype users closely and see censorship as the speakers words like independence or Tibet are used. This is what Canadian researchers from the University of Toronto recently discovered. Read the rest of this entry »
When it comes to making free calls and holding video conferences via VOIP, VOIP users have almost no complains as VOIP is plays a vital role in both business and personal lives. Its multitude of valuable features has benefited many parties.
But mention sending faxes over VOIP and you will be greeted with less than happy stares. While VOIP offers many unparalleled enhancements, the process of delivering and receiving faxes is still a bothersome thing. Although there is a more pressing concern in the form of VOIP’s failure to convey emergency calls effortlessly, finicky users are still not satisfied that VOIP does not offer a steadfast way to send and receive fax.
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When it comes to communication, VOIP has long been loved for its cost effectiveness as users can practically call anyone they desire, anywhere in this world. They only need to pay a small charge but usually this service is available free if you make PC to PC calls with renowned VOIP providers like Skype and Comcast. Free video conferences can also be enjoyed if you have a dependable webcam plugged into your PC.
All the same, there has to be a lot of changes made to VOIP before it can be considered a flawless mode of communication. The subject of cost effectiveness has already been covered but many are still seeing red over the quality and consistency of VOIP calls. The quality of voice calls have seen considerable improvements over the years but those who are used to the almost faultless voice quality when using old fashioned PSTN phones are reluctant to make VOIP their main method of communication.
VOIP calls are very much influenced by bandwidth where an extremely stable Internet connection is needed in order to make VOIP calls. Read the rest of this entry »
Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) is getting more popular day by day and is proving to be even more desirable than the average telephone system that utilizes the circuit switching concept. Circuit switching can be described as a kind of switching method in which a connection link is maintained so that it never switches off. This is achieved using pre-defined circuits. Only after the last portion of data is sent, will the connection be turned off.
In contrast, VOIP is based on the packet switching technique whereby the connection is kept open in the blink of an eye, long enough to let miniscule chunks of data or packet to be transported between two varying systems. The first computer delivers the data by breaking it down then attaching special instructions detailing the destination of this particular information. After the second computer receives the data, it will immediately piece together the packets and restore them to the original structure.
That being said, one can tell that VOIP and its packet switching method is an efficient form of communication compared to circuit switching which is slowly losing its appeal. Circuit switching is the technique behind Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) phones therefore it is much more exorbitant to make international calls using a conventional phone compared to using VOIP. This is because a dedicated PSTN line is being rented by the minute whereby a VOIP network can be shared amongst other users instantly. Without circuit dedication, there will be no extra costs for a single person to bear.
VOIP and packet switching cannot be compared to the PSTN’s network as a dedicated circuit gets you better quality. Information will always be delivered more efficiently, hence the higher costs. A VOIP’s open circuit will attract untoward congestion and hence cause bad call quality. Although this is the case, VOIP voice quality can be made better with TCP protocol so there should be problems attached to packet switching if you want to make VOIP your choice of communication.
In this revolutionary age of the Internet, even a young child is mildly aware of VOIP and its uses. One of the most ground breaking invention of the 21st century is VOIP as it is possible to make free long distance calls. Why do people go for VOIP? It is due to reasons like flexibility, reliability, and above all the attractive cost effective features that come attached with this wonderful way of communication. When a new technology comes into place, security hazards too start to appear. If you think that VOIP is not vulnerable to such risks, think again.
Have you heard about “phreaking?” “Phreaking” is best described as unethically hacking into a VOIP service provider for the hacker’s own benefit. This is why many VOIP providers stress on Session Initiation Protocol. If it is encrypted, you can avoid “phreaking” from happening.
Eavesdropping is another major security peril where the hacker gains access to personal information like names, phone number and passwords to use them for his own personal gain. Read the rest of this entry »
The Internet has paved the way for many revolutionary inventions. One of the most revolutionary inventions of the 21st century is VOIP, or fondly known as Voice Over Internet Protocol. Why do you think people prefer using VOIP? It is mainly because of two significant factors, namely, its cost effectiveness and unrivalled flexibility. Think of a situation where you want to contact someone who lives in another country. Without a doubt, you would think twice or even thrice before making a call as it would cost you quite a bundle. With VOIP, communications become effortless as well as affordable.
If you look at the corporate world, almost all organizations have implemented VOIP as there are huge benefits attached to it. One of the major benefits is that they save a lot of money and it increases their revenue. You might have heard about Michael Powell, Chairman of FCC. Read the rest of this entry »
Skype is a wonderful VOIP-based program that allows users to chat with one another via the Internet as well as make calls to fixed lines. Let us look into the brief history of Skype. Regular Skype users would definitely be familiar with the blue and white logo. Skype belongs to the most famous auction website eBay and was set up in the year 2003. It is headquartered in Luxembourg and its offices are present in major cities all over the world including London, California, San Jose and the USA.
You will be amazed if you know how many people use Skype for communication. A whooping 300 million people have been converted to be Skype fans once they get a taste of what Skype can do to enhance their everyday communication. This is certainly an achievement for a five year old communication entity. Skype can be considered as the pioneer in VOIP with its cutting edge features. Read the rest of this entry »
A Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) router allows you to make free phone calls over your existing high speed internet connection, and standard calls over the telephone network. Imagine not being charged for calls made abroad! You will lower your monthly phone bills and add services and features not available with the traditional phone service. This Voice Over IP technology is affordable and easy to use.
Most of these routers have QoS (Quality of Service) which means that your VoIP call remains uninterrupted, regardless of how busy the network may be.
VoIP routers are also an ideal solution for businesses who operate from multiple locations, be they abroad or local. With a VoIP router at each end you will no longer have to pay for calls because they are transferred over your existing broadband connection. Read the rest of this entry »
Mobile VOIP is also referred to as VoWiFi, which is Voice Over Wireless Fidelity. If you combine wireless VOIP networks with VoWiFi enabled phones, you get mobile VOIP. Other gadgets that belong to this category of wireless devices include PDAs, laptops, and cell phones. Additionally, you might have heard about hotspots. This is where mobile VOIP can be used easily and effectively. It is similar to your everyday wireless connection where a wireless device would detect signals when you are near hotspots. Mobile VOIP does the same too. Once a signal is picked up, you gain access to the whole unbridled world of the Internet.
There are also some drawbacks concerning mobile VOIP usage. One disadvantage in using mobile VOIP is that you cannot be sure of the strength in security. This means that it is easier to jump from one hotspot to the other using mobile VOIP. Read the rest of this entry »
Every organization irrespective of the size of their outfit would definitely wish to cut down on unnecessary costs and increase the profit of the organization. If you are among those who wish to cut down on calls, one of the best options that you should consider is using VOIP for making long distance calls. A majority of reputable business conglomerates have started using VOIP these days. Just like how a coin has two sides, VOIP too has its own advantages and disadvantages. The fact is that its host of advantages overrides the disadvantages. If you want to cut down or save money without spending extra on long distance calls, you should consider switching to VOIP.
To run a business effectively, communication is very much essential and that is the same for telecommunications. People have started to depend heavily on various telecommunication methods like e-mail, fax, telephones and web conferencing. So comfortable they are with these conveniences that people of this generation have trouble imagining how people worked earlier without these telecommunication modes. To use VOIP, you do not require any additional application and that is already a cost effective Read the rest of this entry »
