The term net neutrality, which pops up in Internet debate every few years, is the belief that all data on the Internet should be treated the same way by the Internet service providers (ISPs) and governments that regulate most of the Internet. The term suggests that there should be no discrimination and prices should not depend on user, content, website, platform, or application. There is always an uproar about the subject every time the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) submits a new rule on the topic, but then the matter quickly fades away. This ongoing cycle has resulted in tired businesses and consumers that have become insensitive towards the issue. However, they must not forget that most businesses now rely on the Internet for various workflows, and therefore any changes in the rules of net neutrality can significantly affect the VoIP industry and way companies function, particularly VoIP providers, since they…
Last Wednesday, 225 Chinese nationals believed to be involved in a fake operation using Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) were arrested in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia. According to Y Sok Khy, director of the Interior Ministry’s anti-terrorism police department, the scammers were accused of stealing money from Chinese residents through a scheme using Internet voice call technology. The arrest occurred at an apartment building in Tuol Kok district’s Boeng Kak II commune at around 5 p.m, where all 225 apparently lived, and police are still searching for more suspects involved in the operation. Although Wang Dexin, head of the political section of the Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh, declared that he was not aware of Wednesday’s arrest, Mr. Sok Khy confirms to have detained the 225 Chinese nationals at the anti-terrorism department, and that his team is now collecting their equipment, counting and questioning them. It looks like Southeast…
Whether you are a newcomer in the business world or an established business owner that is struggling to maintain efficiency, low operation costs, and a strong phone system, switching your traditional phone system to a virtual PBX may be the best solution. Virtual PBX, which stands for Private Branch Exchange, is an advanced budget-friendly, easy-to-use phone system that is accessible from anywhere. The system transmits calls via the Internet and usually only handles inbound calls. It also enables businesses to route and forward their incoming calls, create automated greetings and more. In the past PBX used the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) technology for the operation. Nowadays, it uses the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) technology that is owned and maintained offsite by a VoIP service provider. Virtual PBX is an ideal solution for small business with up to 10 employees and which typically have low-volume telephone traffic. Advantages of Virtual PBX systems:…
Everyone that has experienced the impeccable voice quality of landline phones has certainly complained, at some point, about the quality of the sound during VoIP calls. Since the first Skype call was made, there has been lots of improvement in the quality and reliability of VoIP calls. However, there are still a few things that can influence the quality of your call. Here are the 5 main factors that have an impact on voice quality during VoIP calls and tips on what can be done to boost your calling experience: 1. Bandwidth is key Internet connection is the main factor that affects voice quality in VoIP conversations. The kind of bandwidth used for VoIP is crucial for a voice call system’s success. Dial-up connections are slower and consequently will not deliver the expected quality. On the other hand, broadband connections provide a much higher voice quality, as long as it is not being…
When we talk about the future of corporate communication networks, most experts point to VoIP technology as the future. However, many companies still opt for older platforms that, although offering fewer features, can still be quite reliable. The most famous of them goes by the name of SS7. But what are the fundamental differences between VoIP and SS7? In this article, we will examine what each of these technologies does, their advantages and disadvantages, and in what situations they present themselves as the best options for the communication structure of companies around the world. SS7: An old technology, but it may still be necessary SS7 is the abbreviation for Signalling System 7: a digital network dedicated and used for initializing and controlling voice calls. Each signaling point on the SS7 network is uniquely identified by numeric point code. These are loaded in signaling messages exchanged between signaling points in order…
The Saudis were over the moon with joy after their Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Abdullah Al-Sawah, announced on September 20, that the ban on all voice and video call services, which prevented Saudis and expatriate residents from communicating with the outside world, will be lifted. The decision is part of the new national strategy, known as Vision 2030, to expand the country’s economy and attract more business to the country in sectors such as tourism, entertainment, and telecommunications. The minister tweeted that the unblocking of VoIP calls will be made within a week with the help and support of telecom partners and in line with their #customer_first policy. “And we still strive for more,” he added. Al Sawah confirmed that the Government and telecommunications companies are working closely together to unblock all applications supported by VoIP and soon voice and video calls over the Internet will be available…
A new study led by Juniper Research predicts that over the next five years, Over-the-top (OTT) voice service providers will increase their profits by five times, reaching over $10 billion by 2020. The research ‘Future Voice Strategies: mVoIP, Carrier OTT, WebRTC, HD Voice & Video Calling 2015-2020’ argues that as 4G network rollouts accelerate, OTT voice providers such as Skype and WhatsApp will significantly increase its traffic and revenue potential, thus enabling them to offer high-quality VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) calls. The study points out that since most VoIP services are offered as a free or low-cost service, most OTT operators generate little profit. Subsequently, they need to focus on developing new revenue streams, by offering other value added services such as in-app purchases or social networking platforms. According to the research, as a result of OTT voice activity, traditional voice service operators will see their profits decline drastically.…
Business owners are always looking for different ways to cut costs and increase their profits. So, if you own a big or small company, you are surely not an exception and know that every cent makes a difference when it comes to the balance sheet. That is why, when an opportunity to reduce your phone bill comes up, it is imperative to grab it. This is where Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) comes in. This technology allows your voice to travel via the Internet by transforming it into a digital signal. When this signal arrives to the person you are calling, it is converted back to the traditional phone signal, making the conversation possible. Among the numerous advantages that VoIP can offer your business is the enabling of free local or international calls through the web. There are a few VoIP providers that put limits on their service, like only…
The VoIP industry is growing rapidly in both the consumer and business sectors. According to a report published by IBISWorld, the industry’s revenue is expected to grow 10 percent annually reaching $20 billion. Much of this growth is due to the fact that VoIP services allow businesses to reduce their costs significantly. With its quick technology developments, VoIP is considered much more valuable today than in the past, and trends are indicating its new role in the business technology field. All of the following VoIP trends are either contributing to its evolution or helping to identify areas that can be improved. Integration with other Software Systems and Apps VoIP phones will not only become integrated with enterprise software systems such as CRM and ERP, but will also work with cloud-based software programs through Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), allowing employees to perform multiple tasks simultaneously. This integration will surely help businesses…
After realizing the advantages that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) can bring through, especially associated with budgets, an ever-increasing number of organizations and companies are shifting to Internet telephony services. With VoIP technology advancing at full speed, the industry is expected to grow even more this year. In view of that, providers and consumers should wisely take into consideration the following 5 VoIP trends that will define the industry in 2017. 1) 5G is around the corner Even though the imminent move from 4G to 5G technology is unlikely to occur before 2020, providers will surely start talking and making noise about it in 2017. The incorporation of 5G will bring far more benefits than just an upgrade to faster speeds. It will completely revolutionize how carriers deliver communications. Although this may not affect the speed and safety of VoIP in the office, it will bring many benefits for people…