VoIP – saving lives

What has Voice-over-Internet Protocol done for you lately? You may have saved a few bucks off your last call to your friends vacationing in the Carribean, or your relatives in Canada, or your fiancé currently working in Southeast Asia. But did you know that VoIP is actually being used to save lives? Yes, our beloved technology that lets us communicate with the rest of the world over data packets is being used in...

Alarm Systems vs VoIP Phone Lines (Part 2)

It is also important to send a test signal monthly. This is to make sure that the system is working properly regardless of who you are connected through. Remember when you are using VoIP and the signal goes through, it does not necessarily mean that it will always be just as clear. The volume of traffic on the Internet may vary with regards to the quality of the digitized signal it sends. If you are interested in...

VoIP anyone?

Chances are, you know what VoIP is. You’re reading this blog, and so you’re either someone searching for VoIP reviews, stories and discussions, or would like to learn more about this wonderful new technology that can make lives easier (and less expensive). Sadly, not everyone has warmed up to the idea of calling over alternate routes. Many still stick to their traditional phones even when calling abroad. Some...

Philippine VoIP operator faces criminal charges

A small group operating an unlicensed VoIP relay in the Philippines has been arrested in raids conducted by the local police and anti-fraud staff of cellular operator Globe. The group has been found to operate a facility that routs international calls into Globe telecom’s cellular network without passing licensed International Gateway Facilities. This is done through Voice-over-Internet Protocol, and hence the...

VoIP interconnectivity – why not?

Skype is cool. You can call your friends for a fraction of the cost of regular telephone calls. You can even call for free, if you’re calling another computer with a Skype client and account. The same goes with other VoIP networks. You can call others for free as long as they’re on the same network as your own VoIP client. Skype-to-Skype, FWD-to-FWD, Google Talk to Google Talk, and Yahoo Messenger-to-Yahoo...

Apple planning a VoIP iPod?

Straight from the rumour mill: is it possible that the next cool Apple product is a VoIP iPod? Well, Apple isn’t known to announce its latest product offerings early—it chooses specific times in a year to make announcements, such as during MacWorld expos and Worldwide Developer Conferences. And its CEO Steve Jobs is known to give out vague statements about “fun” and “cool” products prior to...

VoIP – an end to telco dominance?

As with many other Internet applications, Voice-over-Internet Protocol is touted to be what would democratize the telecom industry. Where previously, only the big companies could set up the expensive and bulky telecommunications equipment, now innovative firms could establish their own “telephone” networks, which go through the Internet. What’s great with this setup is that ultimately, the consumers would...

High tech dating with VoIP

A century ago, lovers across oceans and continents sent letters through the mail. It took weeks before the message is received—and several more weeks before the response arrives at the originating party’s end. A few decades ago, long distance telephone calls were the rage. You could talk to your loved one in an instant, but it wasn’t exactly cheap. So calls were usually limited to a few minutes. What kind of...

Is VoIP really secure?

VoIP provider Skype claims its security is foolproof, with its 256-bit AES encryption, stronger even than the industry standard 128-bit encryption used by banks for Automated Teller Machines. Other clients, such as Google’s GTalk are also touted to have adequate security to prevent eavesdropping. But is VoIP really secure against potential eavesdropping? Well, in a nutshell, no. As easy as it is to claim that...

UMA challenges VoIP

Cellular providers might just have the last laugh, as the industry moves towards wireless and VoIP convergence. A new technology, dubbed UMA—or Unlicensed Mobile Access—is the traditional mobile operators’ response to the growing popularity of VoIP, and this might just be the Skype- or Vonage-killer the telcos have been looking for. UMA basically allows seamless integration of cellular and broadband Internet...