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…
Since 2014 the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been demanding that the telecommunications industry in the US come up with a solution to the growing and disturbing problem of fraudulent robocalls and telephone spoofing. As a result, the proposed Shaken & Stir authentication solution was developed jointly by the SIP Forum, the Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions (ATIS) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). However, the American Cable Association (ACA) warns that the solution must be cost-effective for smaller VoIP providers. The association, which represents small and mid-sized telecom companies, suggests that the FCC obtain more information from the industry and that small VoIP providers be involved in the evaluation of its cost-effectiveness before it is approved. It stated that if the robocall solution is adopted, members might need extra time to implement it. ACA’s reaction is a result of FCC’s new chairman, Ajit Pai’s determination in carrying out strong measures…
Next Caller – the three-year-old startup based in New York- provides the most advanced caller identification system to any business vulnerable to phone fraud. Generally, this includes banks, financial institutions, retailers, and government agencies. Though as companies strengthen and improve their fraud detection structure, so do fraudsters refine their tactics to attack, costing businesses more money and time, and making life more difficult for real customers. The most recent fraudulent method has been phone spoofing – when criminals manipulate their phone number and trick a business into thinking that they are a real customer. The technology created by Next Caller allows companies to instantly verify caller identities, certify phone numbers, and flag all forms of call spoofing by analyzing data before, during, or after the call, then delivering a threat-level analysis in milliseconds. This system enables businesses to take action faster when suspicious calls are detected and to validate real customers ensuring…

