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VoIP is not a very difficult concept. It is the conversion of your voice
into digital signal packets which are then sent using the Internet Protocol
across the web. There are many many different versions and variations so
which should you consider using? Well to start lets just consider why you
might want to use VoIP and that will help us decide if we do want to
use it.
Who Should Be Using It?
The biggest single advantage of VoIP is that when you are calling another
VoIP user, the call is free. Yes FREE. This is because it is just like
sending an email or looking at a web page, the traffic is just travelling a
path that is directly connected via the internet and so there is no toll to
pay. This means that it can provide significant savings on long distance
calls because the call can be routed to a local destination via the internet
and then just transmitted to the phone as a local call. Between these two
technologies the outgoing calls from your business can be reduced to local
call charges only as long as there is a compatible VoIP to PSTN server (such
as draytel.org which takes the VoIP signal and connects it back into the
terrestrial phone system) within the relevant call code area. |
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You can also
use VoIP in conjunction with traditional phones. You might have some
numbers in your telephone system allocated to use the traditional PSTN
system whilst other numbers might be routed directly to a branch office
or customer/supplier that uses VoIP and so the call would be free.
Lets look at
some example scenarios so that we can cement what is going on in our
heads and get a feel or the kind of solution that might meet our
requirements as well as our budgets
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Scenario 1:
You
have a single office and you want to reduce outgoing call costs.
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In the example left the phone network PBX
are connected to a VoIP router that has an extension number on the PBX
system. The internal workforce can therefore dial the extension number
of the VoIP router and then dial a code that signifies one of the
internet users on the right so that they can talk without charge for as
long as they like.
Typically in
this situation you could use any VoIP router with FX0 connectors - the
Vigor 3300V for instance - which allow you to connect to the analogue
input on a PBX phone system. The home users could then be using anything
from Windows Messenger to VigorTalk or a Vigor ADSL VoIP router. Windows
Messenger would require a PC of course whilst the VigorTalk would allow
a conventional telephone. Get more details here on the
Vigor Router range. |
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Scenario 2:
You
have multiple office sites and want to use VoIP between offices and PSTN
traditional for other calls
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In this example there are two offices, one
on each side of the line in the middle. Each office has a VoIP router
connected into the PBX incoming ports from the FX0 ports of the router.
Each VoIP port of the router is connected to a different extension
number and each of these numbers is routed straight through to the other
VoIP router so that multiple free calls can be going on between the two
sites.
This example can be adopted to deal with
multiple sites as well as home users. A common option is to have a VoIP
router at the home of the teleworker (staff member working from home)
which is programmed to route them straight into the office PBX as soon
as they pick it up, negating the need for phone expenses being required.
The router can also be configured to provide a VPN connection straight
to the data network of the office so that the home worker has all the
resources of being in the office. |
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Scenario 3:
Using
VoIP for all Outgoing Calls Via A Routed VoIP Solution
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Here we have an office that is using a
routed VoIP solution for all of its outgoing calls. In the picture left,
the calls are routed via the internet to VoIP and PC users as well as
being routed to a SIPs switchboard server which then passes the VoIP
line onto the PSTN system. The VoIP router can be programmed with which
SIPs server is closest to each STD code and so the calls will only be
charged at local rate and appear to be normal phone calls by whoever is
receiving the call. Incorporating
this and the above example is an obvious step as the VoIP router can
also be programmed with the address of other VoIP users which it will
route to for free calls when available. This path to VoIP conversion is
being found in all of the major telephone operators as IP telephony
shows the internet to be the future of voice calling. The router in this
example is acting as the PBX and so would require multiple input ports
be they analogue or digital. We would recommend investigating the
Vigor 3300V Enterprise
router. |
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For most smaller
companies, some variation on the top two scenarios will almost certainly
be the best option. VoIP systems are still very expensive for what they
are. They are a newer technology -i.e. not everyone is using them - and
so their cost is inflated. They are also subject to internet
connectivity and so not necessarily as reliable as many companies need
them to be. Large company systems have a PSTN fallback which is very
expensive and so cuts the money saved anyhow. If you have a number of
remote sites that can coordinate with you to buy compatible VoIP
hardware for connection to the phone system then VoIP is definitely a
good idea. We recommend Draytek VoIP routers and can help you choose the
right system if you fill in the form at the bottom of the page. To buy a
router to configure yourself have a look at our
DrayTek Router Online Store
for some prices and further information.
For larger companies, more
information is changing hands more quickly and
must also travel from one site
to another by Phone, Fax, Email or other. These communications are a
mounting cost and so with our Virtual Private Networking (VPN) and Voice
over Internet Protocol (VoIP) we can allow different company sites to communicate with no call costs other than the line rental of the
internet connection.
The router can also plug into a PBX at your office allowing your remote
workers to receive free internet calls from your company switchboard,
see an example
here.
Our
service includes a
connection to the sircles.net head office which enables you to use
one of our email servers which allows you to see each
others public calendar engagements and appointments as well as check your email
from any internet connection. The system also brings you into direct connection
to your support team allowing them to monitor and effect anti-virus and security
procedures as required without having to await a site visit.
There is a page showing all of the
technical specifications
sircles.net VoIP Routed Connection Benefits......
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No more call charges
for inter-office communication
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No call charges to
connect to the Internet
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A 'Fast' computer
network for each office for information and data-sharing
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A secure connection
to sircles.net for remote seamless remote storage of all your files and
email
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The phone system can even
be incorporated with the normal phone system to reduce the cost of all calls
but this service is subject to availability
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Free 0870 number
with NO line rental
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Free £2.00 call credit with
each VoIP Router for calls to normal phones, call costs are listed right
Have a look at some diagrams of the services or products for VoIP here:
Multiple Small Sites with VoIP
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Popular Destinations -
Standard Tariff |
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UK (Local/National Geographic) |
1.4p |
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UK Freephone ('0800') |
0p |
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UK Mobile |
14p |
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UK '3' Mobile |
19p |
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UK (Local Non-Geo '0845') |
6p |
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UK (National Non-Geo '0870') |
12p |
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USA |
1.4p |
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Ireland |
1.7p |
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Spain |
1.7p |
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Austria |
1.7p |
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Australia |
1.7p |
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France |
1.7p |
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Germany |
1.7p |
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Greece |
2.6p |
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Russia |
4.3p |
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India |
11p |
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Israel |
3p |
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Nigeria |
6p |
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Antarctica |
49p |
Prices are in pence per minute and exclude
VAT
UK VAT @17.5% is added to all call costs. Call costs are to fixed
landlines.
For calls to mobiles and specific regions, check below.
Prices correct @ 1/9/05; subject to change. |
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