Voice over Internet Protocol

VoIP & SIP – What are they?


Voice over Internet Protocol, also called VoIP, IP Telephony, Internet Telephony, Broadband Telephony, Broadband Phone and Voice over Broadband is the sending and receiving of voice conversations over the Internet or any other IP based network.


Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a language spoken over the Internet between IP telephone systems and telephones.


That's great but how does it help me and my business?

Sending a phone call over the Internet or a normal network (e.g. the network in your office) has a number of advantages over normal traditional PSTN and ISDN phone lines.

They are:

 

  • Much more cost effective line / channel rental.
  • Very small installation cost compared to PSTN and ISDN.
  • Only one network needed. No need to have separate phone and data networks in your office thus saving your business space and money.
  • The ability to quickly add more phones lines should you reach capacity (no 30 day lead time as per ISDN lines).
  • The ability to take your phone number with you and your phone anywhere in the world with an Internet connection.
  • The ability to give you telephone numbers from other parts of the UK or even other countries. E.g. if you wish to appear to have a London office then School Broadbandcan assign you with an 0207 (inner London) number even if you were located in Aberdeen.
  • The ability to send fax's direct to peoples email addresses instead of to a dedicated fax machine.
  • The ability to send voicemails to peoples email address as well as there voice mail box.
  • The ability to be able to integrate your Nokia E-Series mobile phone into your telephone system.
  • The ability to easily integrate home workers into your corporate telephone system.
  • If all of your call staff are on the telephone phone, instead of leaving your customers in a queue the calls can be diverted to another office or virtual call centre.

 

PSTN / ISDN telephone lines and digital telephone systems will over the next 5-6 years be phased out and replaced by VoIP telephone calls / systems.