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.
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