Voip Voice Over Internet Protocol

VoIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that has received a great deal of attention in recent years. This technology has been a cost saver and allowed individuals and organizations to communicate in a more efficient manner. The purpose of this discussion is to explain the history, advantages and successes associated with VoIP technology.

According to the Federal Communications Commission VoIp permits individuals to make voice calls via broadband Internet connections as opposed to using a traditional phone line. The FCC explains that there are different types of VoIp services some only allow individuals to call other individuals that use an identical service ("Voice Over Internet Protocol"). However, other VoIp services allow subscribers to make calls anyone regardless of who is providing the service as long as they have a phone number ("Voice Over Internet Protocol"). The FCC further asserts that there are many services that can only operate over a computer or a VoIP phone ("Voice Over Internet Protocol"). There are also VoIP services that can operate using an adapter connected to a traditional phone.

VoIp is described as a web-based telephony. According to a book entitled Switching to VoIP telephony is "the communication of spoken information between two or more participants by means of signals carried over electric wires and radio waves (Wallingford, 2005)."

It is utilized by individuals and organizations throughout the world ("Voice Over Internet Protocol"). The technology was first developed in the late 1990's and became readily available at the turn of the millennium. One of the first companies to offer the service was Vonage. Today Companies such as Skype lead the market in providing VoIP services.

Advantages

The primary advantage associated with VoIp is the cost savings that it offers. VoIP systems are cheaper to install and maintain than traditional communication systems. They also require less equipment and charges associated with long distance calling are greatly reduced and even non-existent in some cases. As such both homes and businesses benefit greatly from the use of VoIp technologies.

Another advantage of VoIP is convenience and accessibility. In the case of both individuals and educational institutions VoIP provides a convenient service. The service is convenient because people no longer have to rely on traditional telephones to communicate with one another. As such communication can take place from the classroom or office using a computer. The technology simply makes it more convenient for people to communicate. In addition VoIP provides the type of interpersonal communication that is often times missing when using email. VoIP allows the listener to interpret the tone of a conversation and how to respond appropriately.

Overall it is apparent that VoIP is an advantageous technology to have because it reduces cost and allows for better communication. Individuals and businesses alike have benefited from its use as a result of the aforementioned advantages it provides. The next section of the discussion will describe the success that has been realized through the use of VoIP.

Success

Some of the greatest successes in the utilization of VoIp can actually be seen in the areas of Education. According to a journal article entitled "VoIP to the Rescue: Faced with the Challenges Hampering School Communications Nationwide, Three Districts Forge into the 21st Century with Web-Based Telephony," K-12 students have been among the primary users of VoIP technology.

In the last few years, VoIP has helped many school districts save big bucks on phone charges and administrative costs, as well as improve communications across the board. In three districts in particular, Clark County School District (NV), David Douglas School District (or), and Saugus Union School District (CA), the technology has revolutionized telecom strategies, inspiring flexibility, creativity, and connectivity in ways technologists never dreamed (Milner, 2005-page 30)."

The article explains that a great deal of success that children experience in school is due to the communication and relationship between the teachers and the parents (Milner, 2005). However it can be a very complex undertaking to even engage in such communication. This was definitely the scenario in the David Douglas School District in Portland, Oregon in 2001 (Milner, 2005). The article explains that the district was relying on traditional means of communication including leaving messages and having to use conventional telephones (Milner, 2005). This system was problematic because of the number of students in the district and the time that it took to engage in this type of communication.

In an effort to find a solution for the problem an Information Systems Manager was called in to assist the district (Milner, 2005). After abandoning an idea that called for the expansion of the traditional telephone system by placing new jacks in classrooms because it would be too costly, the manager advised the use of VoIP for the school system (Milner, 2005). The article explains that throughout the 2002 school year the district implemented the VoIp system throughout all of its 13 schools.

The school district and other school districts throughout the country have benefited greatly form the adaptation of VoIP systems. VoIp offers greater communication between parents and teachers and also serves as an educational tool for students. Overall there has been very successful implementation of VoIp in the area of education.

In addition to schools and other educational institutions, organizations have also benefited greatly and seen success with VoIP. An article entitled "The Advantages of VoIP for Small businesses" explains that the technology has improved greatly in recent years.

The author asserts that VoIP not only offers businesses a tremendous cost savings, it also allows some businesses to permit employees to work from home. The article explains that company's that have large call centers are able to further reduce cost by allowing employees to use VoIP to work from the comfort of their homes. In this way overhead cost are reduced because there are fewer people working at company owned facilities. In fact, nearly 80% of all businesses that have used VoIp say that it has met or exceeded their expectations.

In fact an article providing some VoIP statistics explains that in 2006 alone there was a 21% increase in the number of VoIP users during the second quarter. The article also explains that "VoIP revenues for the second quarter were up 173% at $607 million across the U.S., compared with a year-ago level of $221 million ("VoIP subscriber base grows 21% in second quarter," 2006)." Although there has been a decrease in the growth of VoIP over the past year it is still an extremely properly type of technology for individuals and organizations alike.