Business VOIP

As VoIP grows, so do the companies that provide service for them. VoIP company directory lists are growing and will continue to grow. The companies provide phone systems, residential/business services, providers/carriers solutions, and monitoring/testing. The products and services VoIP companies provide:

• Developer tools-PIKA Technologies, CommuniGate, Digium, Ericsson, IBM, Intel, Lucent, Voxeo
• Phones-Polycom, Accatel, Avaya, Cisco, Siemens, Toshiba, The VoIP Connection
• Providers-Lingo, Vonage, Packet 8, Skype, SunRocket, ViaTalk
• Training-Convergent Communications, Inc., Global Knowledge, Tonex
• Security-Intertex, SecureLogix
• Testing and Monitoring-Scientific Net IP, Brix Networks, QualityLogic, SecureLogix, Touchstone Technologies

One VoIP company, Brix, actually found and published evidence that VoIP quality of service wasn’t a good as it claimed. In doing so, they had an impact on the industry. Soon, not only did they drastically improve service quality, it sparked a fight among both carriers and providers to have the best quality service. The consumer is still benefiting from that discovery with increased VoIP quality.

At the end of August 2006, Microsoft acquired the VoIP company, Teleo, a California based developer of VoIP. This gave Microsoft a lead in the VoIP race. Teleo products included PC to PC calls, PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) calls, or landline calls.

High-speed internet companies do their best to price VoIP service to beat the landline charges. In addition, companies like Comcast, Cox Communications, and Time Warner make the change over even more appealing by offering special deals and discounts for bundling more than one service with them. Services that can be bundled:

• Phone
• Internet
• Long distance
• Wireless
• Cable/digital TV

Skype provides free VoIP calling services. There are limits with using this free service. The most important fact to know is that there is no 911 access. The free service will allow anyone using Skype to talk for free to each other, including VoIP international calls. The following extras are available for small fees:

• Call landlines and mobile phones
• SkypeIn number-allows anyone with a phone to call
• Voice Mail-to get messages when you are away
• SMS-short message service for when friends and family are not on line

Compatible phones, headsets, and camera are available. With Skype, group chats can include up to 100 people. It works on most computers.

VoIP consumers will see more companies entering the field and should always research and compare before making a decision.