Navigation
HOMEVoIP Faq
What is VoIP?
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) refers to voice calls being made over a high-speed internet connection as opposed to a traditional landline. VoIP calls can be made from either a computer or a regular VoIP enabled phone (the regular phone also connects to the internet).
Why is VoIP relatively inexpensive?
VoIP is just another computer application running on existing systems. This makes it no different to email, Instant Messaging (IM) and any other internet-based communication medium.
If VoIP is similar to email and IM, why isn’t it free?
Connecting via VoIP to another user with VoIP is free because this is just two users connecting to each other via the internet. However, using VoIP to call someone on a normal landline or cell phone requires a connection outside of the Internet and for this reason costs money—although it’s still very cheap.
What are the advantages of VoIP?
Primarily, home and business users switch to VoIP due to the significant cost reduction in using the service. However, there are also many other benefits of using VoIP. For instance, because VoIP is an internet based service—it means that you can take your number with you wherever you go. VoIP also allows for more flexibility with phone numbers whereby an individual may be based in the UK but have a local NYC phone number (this is a powerful feature for many businesses).
What are the disadvantages of VoIP?
The majority of VoIP services don’t work during power outages. Although it’s possible to purchase backup systems, and many large companies do so, the majority of VoIP services don’t have this feature. Also, some providers don’t offer phonebook listings in the white pages with their services.
Emergency Calls, E911 and VoIP
Although there haven’t been any serious incidents to date, it’s only a matter of time before someone in an emergency fails to contact 911 dispatch using VoIP (voice over internet protocol). Although most VoIP providers (such as Vonage and Lingo) do provide a solid 911 or E911 service, there are a handful of small providers which do not.
Enhanced 911 (E911) is the service many VoIP providers offer their customers for emergency calls. E911 is in many ways superior to traditional 911 as it automatically displays the name and address of the caller. However, if the service is not properly set up or the user has not given their VoIP provider their details, then the service will ultimately fail in the case of an emergency. This is why it is vital that VoIP users understand that they must setup this feature as soon as their VoIP service is running—particularly if there is no land line at the residence and the VoIP line is the only one available.
VoIP users can schedule a test so ensure that their VoIP service is capable of making emergency calls. However, it is important that people do not call an emergency number (such as 911) to perform the testing.
In May 2005, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a set of rules that asked VoIP providers to ensure that all customer 911 calls were directly connected to a caller’s location. However, these regulations are yet to be formally adopted on a federal level. In time though, particularly as VoIP grows in popularity, strict regulations will be put in place which will force every VoIP company to ensure that their customers have a solid and reliable 911 service.
For those of you who are currently using VoIP or thinking about upgrading to VoIP should not be worried. There is yet to be an incident where emergency services have failed to arrive at a scene because of a VoIP mix up. But it is very just important that you ensure that your E911 service is functioning properly-before it's too late.
Monday, April 14. 2008
Europe to have 88 Million VoIP Subscribers by 2012
According to research group InfoCom, VoIP subscriptions in Western Europe will reach 88 million by the year 2012. This is a roughly 240% growth from the 25 million VoIP subscribers in 2007. Currently, the VoIP market in Europe is roughly double that of the US market, and is likely to stay that way. The difference is in part due to stronger competition in the European market, compared with monopolies and higher prices in the United States—although this is slowly changing.
InfoCom also predicts broadband penetration of 68 percent, which in 2012 will translate to 121 homes. Three quarters of these are estimated to be VoIP capable, which is where the 88 million figure is derived from.
By contrast, the United States is projected to have 40 million VoIP enabled households by 2012. The Boston research firm Yankee Group reported that consumer VoIP use increased by 125 percent in 2006 to more than 9 million subscribers last year.
Friday, March 14. 2008
MacBook Air Overview
Looks wise, there is no doubt that the MacBook Air is the sexiest laptop around. But don’t be fooled, there are many features which were left out to allow for the Air to be as thin as it is. So, is the US$1,799 price tag really worth the stylish looks and the ultra portability? In short, the answer is no.
My first real beef with this laptop is the fact that is has no inbuilt optical drive. You have to connect the Apple SuperDrive if you want CD/DVD access. Oh, and don’t think for a second you’ll be able to play your favourite DVD’s using this drive—because you won’t. The main purpose of the SuperDrive is software installation and file transfer only.
In terms of hardware this laptop does have, the 1.6GHz core-duo from Intel does the job, but isn’t exactly super fast (although it does run very cool, allowing you to actually rest the laptop on your lap). 
The Air’s inbuilt 802.11n WiFi is also a handy feature and will save time—especially as there will be a fair bit of data transfer over the wireless to make up for the lack of inbuilt optical drive.
I’ll also concede that the LED screen is amazingly bright and very energy efficient. Unfortunately, you don’t really get longer battery life on the Air (due to a smaller battery than the MacBook Pro). The backlit keyboard is also a pleasure to use, it’s also where the speakers are situated (clever, but doesn’t make for great sound quality). Right next to the keyboard, you have the extra large touch pad which now supports multi-finger gestures (a great innovation). This feature used in many Apple apps—for example, the three finger sweep for forward and backward in Safari—is just brilliant.
Conclusion
So although for the average person the price is a bit steep, there is no reason why people with money won’t buy this machine to run as a second computer. I could also see this being a winner once Apple drops the price to about US$1,300 – US$1,400.
Thursday, February 21. 2008