Week 12: Clear

           The topic that was most clear to me this week was the discussion about VoIP. VoIP, which stands for Voice Over IP, is the concept of taking a phone conversation and sending it across the Internet or any other IP network. The way it works is someone speaks into a computer attached microphone, the voice is converted to a compressed digital data stream, the data is transmitted across the IP network, and finally the data is received, converted into sound, and then sent to the audio output device. Two examples of VoIP are Skype and Vonage. You can makeVoIP-to-VoIP calls which are free but require the VoIP hardware and/or software at both ends. You can also make calls from VoIP to PSTN gateways. These allow the VoIP devices to contact phones on the PSTN and norrmally cost a fee. For example, for a single line, skype unlimited costs $30/year in the US and Canada while Skype Out costs $0.02/minute almost anywhere. Vonage costs $14.99 per month or more. Problems with VoIP are the quality of service (QoS). There can be latency issues where there are delays in transmitting data/sound or Internet congestion, both of which lead to problems with audio quality. The most important thing with VoIP is to make sure you have a reliable network.
             VoIP is very important in the business environment because it saves costs by lowering long-distance telephone costs. VoIP has taken communication to a higher level by congregating the functions of a regular telephone into a single system wherein phone calls, faxes, emails, and voicemails can be readily transmitted to any device like a phone. This is very important in business for people working overseas. For example, a traveling businessman can make work calls to a different country without bearing the cost of long distance calls and can manage his/her business when they are not in the office. In addition, transactions can be made without actual, in-person appointments. VoIP is essential in specific telecommunication industries like call centers and other global service centers and allows internation companies to reach across the world with convenience. 
            This website adds to the discussion about VoIP from this week by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of VoIP. It says that the low cost, portability, and many features of VoIP make it attractive and lists the necessity for electric power, limited number of emergency calls allowed, and sound quality and reliability as problems with VoIP. Continuing about the disadvantages, it goes on to say that a regular phone is kept in service during a blackout wihle with VoIP this is not the case. The site also says that these disadvantages decrease with new innovations and changes in technology. Here is a "VoIP Diagram" from a website listed under Works Cited:          

Works Cited:

http://www.why-switch-to-voip.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_VoIP.html

http://www.syednetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/voip_diagram.png