Internet Telephone Calls (VoIP)

 

VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that transmits traditional telephone signals over a data IP network; these IP networks could be internet, wireless networks and local area network. In simple terms, you can make telephone calls via the internet instead of through your normal telephone lines usually at a much cheaper rate than that provided by the major Telco’s i.e. Telstra, Optus, and Primus.

 

To use VoIP you must have a broadband connection with a minimum speed of 512k/128k (download/upload speed). The quality of a VoIP phone call is similar to that of a traditional phone line. Provided all the necessary hardware and internet connectivity has been setup correctly

 

 

Residential Users

For the residential user who only wants a single phone line then you can use a Analogue Telephone Adaptor (ATA) to connect your existing telephone so it can receive calls on the standard phone line and use the internet to make/receive telephone calls.

You will also need a firewall that supports:

*          SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)

*          QOS (Quality of Services)

 

Most residential users with an average telephone bill of $150.00 to $200.00 per quarter can expect to save from 20% to 40 % for the same number of calls using VoIP instead of a typical telco.

 

How does VOIP work?

A traditional residential or small business environment typically operate on two networks; voice network (a network of telephone handsets located throughout the office(s)) and data network (a network of computers located throughout the office(s)). These two networks are separate and run in parallel with each other (refer to Figure 1)

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                            Figure 1. Traditional Network

 

VOIP merges the voice and data networks together; this is often referred to as convergence. Convergence can be achieved by one of two ways; using a VOIP gateway or replacing the telephone system with a VOIP telephone system.

Convergence with VOIP Gateway

A VOIP gateway brings convergence to the residential or business networks by being physically connected to both the voice network and to the data network. The VOIP Gateway has a three way connection to the PABX, IP network (usually to a network data switch) and telephone line (these lines can be analogue, ISDN or E1 type connections). Refer to Figure 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                    Figure 2. Converged Network with Gateway

 

All outbound phone calls are sent to the VOIP gateway and depending on the call type; the VOIP Gateway determines whether to send the calls to the internet or to the standard telephone line.

All inbound calls from either the internet or standard telephone line are sent to the VOIP Gateway and it determines whether to send the incoming call to the PABX, IP Phone or to another VOIP Gateway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Figure 3 ATA (Analogue Telephone Adaptor)                           Figure 4 SIP Phone

 

 

Business Systems

Business users can use a single ATA or IP phone to multiple ATA’s or IP phones and if they also require a PABX (Private Automatic Branch EXchange).

Business users have 2 options, they can use their existing PABX with a VoIP gateway or replace their PABX with an IP PABX.

 

Option 1 Use Existing PABX

"I want to use VOIP on my current phone system"

A VOIP Gateway is a hassle free way to help you take advantage of VOIP on your current telephone system.

 

 

 

 

 


                                                Figure 5. Converged Network with Gateway

What you can expect (refer to Figure 5)?

  1. Reduce Cost
    Make long distant calls on low internet rates such as 10c anywhere in Australia un-timed, 3c/min to US, UK, China, etc (rates vary by ITSPs)
  2. Flexible Extensions IP phones can be utilise as a additional telephone extension within the company which will save your business the cost of expensive legacy telephone handsets.

Easy to use Staff will utilise the same handset on the existing telephone system and therefore usability will be seamless

  1. Low cost deployment No change to the telephone system

*VOIP Gateway may not work on older telephone system

While many telephone systems claim to be VOIP enabled (by adding a module), some fail to produce some important features. A good entry point to VOIP should have the following:

  1. Communicate with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
  2. An open standard so the VOIP system should be able to communicate with devices other than its own brand
  3. Communicate with an ITSP (Internet Telephone Service Provider)

 

 

Option 2 Use IP PABX

"I want to use VOIP and replace my phone system (IP PBX)"

While VOIP gateways and add-ons provide some benefits of VOIP technology, the IPPBX will improve your business operations and overall bottom line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                Figure 6. Converged Network with IPPBX for One Office

What can you expect (refer to Figure 6)?

  1. Reduce Cost
    Make long distant calls on low internet rates such as 10c anywhere in Australia un-timed, 3c/min to US, UK, China, etc (rates vary by ITSPs).
  2. Improve Productivity
    Staff working at home can utilise their IP handset or their PC to communicate to office workers. This means that staff at home can experience a complete office experience from home while bypassing the telco call cost
  3. Improve Customer Service
    Whether the staff is available, in a meeting, out of office, not available or out for lunch. Knowing your employee status provides a powerful tool to appropriately respond customer calls.
  4. Improve Resource Management
    Instant access to staff member irrespective of location
  5. Easy install
    Only two physical connections is require to physically connection the IP PBX; one to the telephone line and one to the data network switch.

 

 

VoIP for Multiple Offices

"I want to use VOIP on my current phone system"

A VOIP Gateway is a hassle free way to help you take advantage of VOIP on your current telephone system

 


                                                Figure 7. Converged Network with Gateway

What you can expect (refer to Figure 7)?

  1. Reduce Cost
    Calls to branch offices will be free from telco call charges and long distant calls on low internet rates such as 10c anywhere in Australia un-timed, 3c/min to US, UK, China, etc (rates vary by ITSPs)
  2. Improve your Business Productivity
    Staff working at home can utilise their existing home phone to send and receive office calls from the VOIP gateway. This means a call to the remote worker is free from telco charges.
  3. Flexible Extensions
    IP phones can be utilise an additional telephone extension within the company; this will save your business the cost of expensive legacy telephone handsets.
  4. Easy to use
    Staff will utilise the same handset on the existing telephone system and therefore usability will be seamless
  5. Low cost deployment
    No change to the telephone system 

*VOIP Gateway may not work on older telephone system

While many telephone systems claim to be VOIP enabled (by adding a module), some fail to produce some important features. A good entry point to VOIP should have the following: 

  1. Communicate with SIP (Session Initiation Protocol)
  2. An open standard so the VOIP system should be able to communicate with devices other than its own brand
  3. Communicate with an ITSP (Internet Telephone Service Provider)

"I want to use VOIP and replace my phone system (IP PBX)"

While VOIP gateways and add-ons provide some benefits of VOIP technology, the IPPBX will improve your business communications management, operations and resourcing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


                                                Figure 8. Converged Network with IPPBX for Multiple Office

What can you expect (refer to Figure 8)?

  1. Reduce Cost
    Call to branch offices will be free from telco charges and make long distant calls on low internet rates such as 10c anywhere in Australia un-timed, 3c/min to US, UK, China, etc (rates vary by ITSPs).
  2. Improve Productivity
    Calls can be place on hold and transferred to anyone in the company regardless of geographical location
  3. Improve Communications
    Employees can improve communication and sharing of information with instant message, forward faxes, forward voice messages, view group faxes/voice messages to anyone, anywhere within in the company
  4. Improve Customer Service
    Whether the staff is available, in a meeting, out of office, not available or out for lunch. Knowing employee status provides a powerful tool to appropriately respond customer calls.
  5. Improve Resource Management
    Consolidate skill workers by sending certain call types to the appropriate staff member irrespective of location. For example, when all the support staff in Melbourne are not available then send calls to support staff located in different branch.
  6. Easy install
    Only two physical connections is require to physically connection the IP PBX; one to the telephone line and one to the data network switch.

 

We pride ourselves in the ability to setup your VoIP service so that it works as a normal phone service. As with new technology it can be daunting to get it working, this is why "we setup the system for you."

 

If you wish to find out more then phone Bi Way Communications on 02 9980 6655 and speak to our friendly staff.