If You're Not Looking at VoIP, You Should Be!

Many people have heard about VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) but many are unsure what it means both to them personally in their job function as well as to their company. VoIP offers end users many features and potential cost savings when compared with traditional PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network).

To assist you in understanding what VoIP could mean to you and your company I have compiled a basic comparison of the two methods of connecting you to the world of communications. This is not meant to be a technological discussion. It is primarily meant to help you understand what the buzz is all about. Hopefully you will find this a good tool in determining whether to look deeper into the subject or not.

VoIP Vs PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network)

Bandwidth:

PSTN: Each analogue telephone line uses 64kbps in each direction.

VoIP: Depending on what compression is used, if any, VoIP uses as little as ~10-32kbps in each direction. Additional bandwidth can be saved by using silence suppression, i.e. not transmitting when a conversation is not actively taking place such as pauses between comments.

Features such as Voice Mail, Call Waiting, Caller ID, Conferencing, etc.:

PSTN: Available but usually at an additional cost.

VoIP: Generally available for free.

Local Service:

PSTN: Dedicated lines required from the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) or CLEC.

VoIP: All voice channels can be transmitted over one Internet connection

Remote PBX extensions for Telecommuting workers and branch-offices:

PSTN: Very costly and usually requires dedicated lines for each remote extension.

VoIP: Remote extensions are usually a standard or low cost feature. Intercom calling between locations with 3 or 4 digit extension numbers regardless of where the location is. I.e.: New York and California or California and Brazil offices speak to each other as if they were in the next office, and usually at no additional cost for the call.

Scalability:

PSTN: Complex; may require significant additional hardware, provisioning of new lines, etc.

VoIP: For a remote office, if there’s an existing Internet connection, it is usually as easy as simply programming an IP phone, powering it up, plugging it into your LAN and you are done. (assuming you are working with a network provider) Same in a HQ or Branch office but it might require more Internet bandwidth.

Mobility:

PSTN: None, for the most part, your only option for moving from one location to the other is a cell phone, or a complete move order of your existing LEC service which could take as long as 30-days.

 VoIP: If you have an IP phone, you can take that phone anywhere in the world that has an internet connection, plug it in and send and receive calls as if you were still in your office, usually at no additional cost. If you have a Host PBX (a PBX that is hosted in the provider's location and accessed by you over the Internet), usually all you require is wiring in your new location and you can usually make a move from one location to another in a day or less.

Choice of companies to carry long distance and local calls:

PSTN: Each line is provisioned by a single Local Exchange Carrier or CLEC. Your choices for Long Distance are many but your local call will always be carried by your local provider.

VoIP: While the line used for Internet Access comes from the LEC or CLEC (usually), as long as you have Internet, there are hundreds of VoIP providers to choose from to terminate, and originate local and long distance calls.

Cost of Local Lines:

PSTN: $27.00-$65.00, Plus many extra charges for features and other charges such as Federal Access Charges (which are not actually “Federal” in any way, they are pure profit to the LEC or CLEC!), subscriber line charges etc.

VoIP: $15-$39.95 per month per seat/sip trunk (a seat is generally considered to be a "person with a phone" or at minimum, a "voice path", a sip trunk is a "voice path" over your internet service that replaces a line, and usually has few to no features) depending upon the features and options delivered-with some at the higher end including unlimited local and long distance calling. Some providers will charge a higher per month charge, but will bundle equipment into the monthly rate to help companies upgrade with little or no up-front cost.

Typical local call cost

PSTN: $.01 to $.06 per minute
VoIP: Usually no charge-some low cost sip trunks might charge a minimal local charge-it depends on the provider.

Free Long Distance:

PSTN: None-for the most part.

VoIP: To other VoIP users of the same gateway (e.g., between offices) there is usually no charge for this call regardless of the distance between locations, I.e. NY to California or California to Brazil as noted above. This is because the call stays on the internet from its origination at point A to its termination at point B.

With the above information, see if you can answer the following questions:

• Can VoIP help you reduce cost?
• Can VoIP provide you with flexibility and scalability?
• Can VoIP help you commincate better with your customers?
• Can VoIP help you grow your sales force or add remote employees?

Answer yes to any of the above and you should at least take the time to invite a few providers in to help you evaluate how you and your company can benefit from a transition from the PSTN to VoIP

All in all, the potential advantages that can be gained by making the transition to VoIP from the PSTN service are significant. Take time to research it thoroughly.