The old PSTN or public switched telephone network landlines are fast being replaced by IP Telephony. The basic difference is that PSTNs transfer analog signals all the way, while the new technology sends digital data which moves faster and needs less space. It is also cheaper for the Telcos as well as for consumers.
The concept is simple, with an encoder and decoder at either end. Analog voice captured by the instrument is encoded into digital packets that can be sent across the internet, which is a packet-switched network. At the other end, the packets are received and decoded back into analog voice. This system is now popularly known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Not just voice, but all kinds of data including SMS messages and multimedia can be sent this way. The prime advantage of using IP Telephony is that the data and large number of voice calls can be pushed through one line simultaneously. Additionally, there is no expense for the phone company since it uses the internet and does not have to maintain a separate network.
But it does require a bit of specialized equipment on the customer's part. For commercial needs with many phone numbers located on different desks, a T1 line can be utilized to combine both data networks and enterprise VoIP. On a personal level, all it needs is a broadband line and a VoIP phone.
To be specific, individual users will need broadband connectivity and either a computer or a VoIP phone. This is like a cordless phone with a base unit that plugs directly into the ADSL modem. When connecting via a computer using a headphone and mike, it is simply like initiating an instant messaging voice chat with someone from a list of contacts.
IP Telephony is now even being used by the Telcos to route part of their data through the internet to reduce loads on their old PSTNs. The only limitation holding back faster growth is the lack of high speed broadband internet in every corner of the world. As this barrier starts coming down, the PSTN and landline phones will start fading away into history.
The concept is simple, with an encoder and decoder at either end. Analog voice captured by the instrument is encoded into digital packets that can be sent across the internet, which is a packet-switched network. At the other end, the packets are received and decoded back into analog voice. This system is now popularly known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Not just voice, but all kinds of data including SMS messages and multimedia can be sent this way. The prime advantage of using IP Telephony is that the data and large number of voice calls can be pushed through one line simultaneously. Additionally, there is no expense for the phone company since it uses the internet and does not have to maintain a separate network.
But it does require a bit of specialized equipment on the customer's part. For commercial needs with many phone numbers located on different desks, a T1 line can be utilized to combine both data networks and enterprise VoIP. On a personal level, all it needs is a broadband line and a VoIP phone.
To be specific, individual users will need broadband connectivity and either a computer or a VoIP phone. This is like a cordless phone with a base unit that plugs directly into the ADSL modem. When connecting via a computer using a headphone and mike, it is simply like initiating an instant messaging voice chat with someone from a list of contacts.
IP Telephony is now even being used by the Telcos to route part of their data through the internet to reduce loads on their old PSTNs. The only limitation holding back faster growth is the lack of high speed broadband internet in every corner of the world. As this barrier starts coming down, the PSTN and landline phones will start fading away into history.
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