VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the transmission of voice and streaming media content through an online network. VoIP enables users to make voice calls through computers, and smart phones.

VoIP provides a great technology for consumers and businesses, because it always includes useful features not found in traditional telephone services. These features include call recording, personalized caller ID or voice mail to email. It is also useful to organize unified communication.

The process is the same as a standard phone, except that VoIP uses an online connection instead of a telephone service line. VoIP is provided by a set of technologies and strategies for providing voice communication over the Internet and company computer networks or WANs.

The VoIP service converts the user’s voice from audio to digital data, and then sends the information over the Internet. If another user is using a traditional phone number, the signal will be converted back to a phone signal before reaching that user. VoIP can route incoming and outgoing calls through your existing telephone network. However, some VoIP services can only run on computers or VoIP phones.

VoIP in integrated Communications:

VoIP integrates communication technology into one system, which implies that VoIP will facilitate audio, video, or text communication methods. This can be notably helpful for businesses that the team doesn’t have to be compelled to use multiple applications. They can communicate effectively and quickly with others. VoIP creates this network by permitting users to use devices with their computers, smart phones, or other mobile devices to create calls and hold net conferences.

Some common functions may include audio calls; video calls; voice mail; instant messaging; team chats; emails; text messages, and more. 2 main kinds of VoIP phones are usually supported by hardware and software. VoIP hardware phone feels like a conventional wired or conductor phone, with functions just like a speaker or microphone, bit panel, and display. VoIP phones also can give voice mail, conference decisions, and call forwarding. Informatics soft phone, also called soft phone, may be a software package consumer put in on a pc or mobile device. If users have intrinsic microphones and speakers, they can also make calls from their computers or mobile devices.

 How VoIP work?

The VoIP service converts the user’s voice from an audio signal to digital data, which is shipped to a different user or user cluster via local area network or Wi-Fi. VoIP uses codecs for this purpose. Codecs may be a process supported hardware or software. It compresses and decompresses massive amounts of VoIP data.

Exploitation compression will scale back voice quality, however compression will reduce information measure requirements. Hardware makers will use their own codecs. The method of causation data to other users includes encapsulating audio in data packets, routing the info packets through the informatics network, and unpacking the data packets back to audio at the opposite finish of the connection.

Quality of Service (QoS) is often utilized in company or non-public networks to rank voice traffic over delay-sensitive applications to confirm acceptable voice quality.

It uses call performance statistics for passive and voice quality control. By eliminating circuit-switched voice networks, VoIP reduces network infrastructure prices and allows suppliers to produce voice services over non-public and broadband networks. In addition, it ought to modify the corporate packages to use one voice and information network. VoIP conjointly leverages the resilience of informatics networks through quick failover and redundant communications between endpoints and therefore the network.

There are five largest VoIP providers and the names are given below:

  • Skype
  • Ring central
  • Vonage
  • 8×8
  • Mitel

Skype:

Skype for Business provides a VoIP solution as part of Microsoft Office 365. Skype for Business provides a wide range of features:

  • Voice mail and voice mail notification
  • High-definition (HD) audio and video calls
  • Excellent collaboration features, such as whiteboards and meetings
  • Quick messaging system
  • Free Skype calls to Skype
  • Applications for iphone and Android phones
  • Full integration with Outlook
  • Secure and encrypted communication

Ring central:

Ring central offers four packages “Entry”, “Standard”, “Premium” And “Maximum”. These packages give business users with the subsequent benefits: Integration with third-party software, together with Microsoft workplace and Google Suite.

  • Calls forwarding
  • The “Do Not Disturb” possibility permits calls to be forwarded on to voicemail.
  • Telephony notifies you of an incoming call after you are receiving a call recall allow you to continue line of work till variety is obtainable
  • Multi-channel contact
  • Collaboration and electronic messaging
  • High-definition audio and video conferencing
  • Voice Mail-Transcription of all incoming and outgoing calls decision log

Vonage:

Vonage offers three styles of tariffs “Select”, “Professional” and “Ultimate”. These plans embrace several features, as delineated below:

  • Mistreatment Amazon Chime for decisioning, chatting, and sharing
  • Let remote employees work as if they were in an office, with teleporting capabilities
  • Soft phone Use iOS and robot shopper VoIP communication system on mobile phones
  • Phone Dial your variety or forward an existing number
  • Remote access to voice mail

8×8:

Following are the different features of 8×8:

  • Free calls for different countries
  • HD voice calling
  • Application available for iphone and android users
  • Call recording option
  • Secure messaging

Mitel:

Different features of Mitel are:

  • Free minutes as per month
  • Audio and video conferencing call
  • Quick messaging
  • Application for iphone and android mobiles
  • Screen sharing
  • All calls are recorded
  • Voicemail
  • Integration communication

 

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_over_IP

https://www.trustradius.com/voip