VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) – A Definition
VoIP is the means by which voice data, such as a phone conversation,
can be transmitted over packet based networks, such as the Internet, a
corporate intranet, local area network, or a Wide area network. VoIP is
also known as Internet telephony. By sending voice information in digital
form, VoIP enables you to integrate VoIP enabled voice signals with faxes
and data into one unified message. With VoIP, you can have telephone conversations
over the Internet.
Voice over IP (VoIP) technology has gained in momentum in recent years
as organizations discover its unique ability to improve productivity,
increase network efficiency and generate cost savings.
VoIP involves converting voice signals into data packets, and transmitting
them over a data network using the Internet Protocol (IP). It’s
technology that enables you to consolidate your communications infrastructure
- converging your voice, video and data applications - so users can communicate
and collaborate from anywhere, at anytime, using a variety of devices.
Accelerating the adoption of VoIP is the advent of new voice-compression
techniques that make it possible to transport near toll-quality voice
traffic over packet networks. This has spawned a new generation of applications
that provide high-quality, low-bandwidth voice and fax transmission over
IP networks.
IP telephony also provides the network infrastructure needed for low-cost,
multimedia collaborative applications such as:
- Audio and video conferencing
- White-board applications
- Document sharing
- Distance learning
- Desktop video broadcasts
Internet telephony services can be integrated into an existing network
using a gateway server that is transparently positioned between existing
voice solutions such as a PBX or key system and the data network running
the Internet protocol.
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