IS VOICE OVER IP THE NEXT BIG THING?

By Michael Osterman
Network World Messaging Newsletter, 01/30/02

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a set of technologies that permits voice data to be sent over a packet network. While it is used comparatively little at present, VoIP is likely to be one of the hottest areas in messaging over the next 24 months for three simple reasons.

First, the impact on users is minimal, since they can communicate using VoIP as simply as with the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Second, the cost of providing telephony service will be significantly reduced compared to the PSTN. And third, VoIP will help to speed the adoption of unified messaging by transmitting voice and fax services alongside e-mail.

At present, a number of companies offer VoIP products. Some of these tools are simple clients provided for free as part of a Web browser or operating system, such as Microsoft’s NetMeeting or Windows Messenger. Others, such as Avaya’s communication servers, are turnkey systems that provide complete, integrated communications services, including VoIP.

Hindrances to the growth of the VoIP market include its inferior quality (poor sound quality and delay) compared to that of the traditional PSTN, interoperability problems with VoIP products from different vendors, and interoperability with the PSTN. The interoperability issues are the result of the relative immaturity of current VoIP protocols and will likely be solved in the relatively near future.