The quality of the VOIP solution Lies With The Weakest Link

The most reliable of all (Voice Over Internet Protocol) VOIP solutions will always perform in accordance with the quality of the data connection involved. In determining how well your proposed VOIP solution will work for you, look no further than the data connection weaker.

If you are looking for a hosted VoIP PBX, implementing IP phones or softphones connected to the remote office via VPN, connecting multiple offices via T-1 or fiber, or just using VOIP phone service, the common denominator that determines the quality of the voice service is the data connection. Since Voice Over IP is a protocol data, it only makes sense that the quality of service will be dictated by the strength of your data connection. Voice conversations require uninterrupted bandwidth up to 90k each to perform with the same quality that has come to be expected from traditional analog or digital telephone service. Not having the available bandwidth or the bandwidth required without interruption will cause poor results.

The most common methods of commercial VOIP applications seen are liaison offices together via a data connection and the connection to remote users on the system premise telephone. Both applications are enormous financial and efficiency benefits, but only if they can be implemented with the quality of the service. The ability to share common resources such as a receptionist, the ability to bypass toll charges by using IP, the ability to connect remote users, the results of the traces, and attract the best talent with the flexibility and the state of the art technology have all huge monetary benefits to the enterprise application. However, special care must be used to select data connections used in order to successfully implement the solution.

Take a look at the various types of data connections available for these applications, and look at the weakest link in the solution

ADSL

SDSL

Cable

Wireless

Fractional T-1, T-1, Bonded T-1, DS3, OC

Point to Point T-1

Frame Relay

Fiber optic

There will be a first look at the asymmetric connections, as they tend to be the most unreliable. Asymmetric data connections available, as are standard residential DSL, some business DSL, cable internet, satellite internet, internet, and microwaves. In most cases, the download speed often greatly exceeds the upload speed. For example, it is not uncommon to see a package listed on the DSL download up to 1.5 M, and up to 384K upload. "Up to" is key. You can never get full speed, and can often be a bit 'less. A test speed will be in order during the various parts of the day to check the speed variations and network. DSL typically offers no guarantees of service levels and uptime, and as a shared network, speeds fluctuate during the day. Web traffic must be carefully monitored if you use the data connection for voice applications, as is common for voice conversations to be interrupted with data traffic if the router QoS are not in place.

ADSL circuits also tend to suffer more jitter and latency compared to other types of circuits of data at high quality, so if this solution is used to connect remote users to offices, it is essential to have a VPN router on both sides of the connection to ensure the best possible quality. Some downtime is to be expected on an annual basis, but a choice can be tremendously cost-effective connection. Wireless options such as satellite or microwave oven are never suggested, as there is usually a latency too involved to maintain the integrity call. ADSL is generally not recommended for a place with more than 1-2 users. ADSL is not recommended for a hosted solution.

SDSL, or symmetric DSL, ADSL is a preferable option. This type of connection offers users the same upload and download speeds, and is usually a circuit class business that comes with some guarantees of quality. Speeds are often seen as 1.5M down/1.5M up. Down/768k 768k up. Preferred options on ADSL, but also much more expensive. For some companies, this would be a minimum acceptable for a site with multiple users.

Fractional T-1, T-1, Bonded T-1, DS3, OC: All T-1 services and a greater variety of possibilities are enormous for VOIP solutions. All Fraction T-1 circuits and above have been thoroughly tested in the course of time, and provide end users with a solution that is extremely reliable. With the symmetrical solutions of data typically from 384k and the upper, T-1 have a guaranteed uptime unmatched by other circuits of the available data, over fiber. Prioritization of the voice is still needed, both at the network or via MPLS-level end-user when connecting offices. Voice conversations must always have priority over traffic peaks data in order to maintain an optimum quality of the calls.

Point to Point T-1: As one of the most preferred methods of liaison offices, offering reliable point to point T-1 and keep your voice traffic from Internet compete with or unpredictable network traffic carrier. Point to Point T-1 router with QoS require, CSU / DSUs, and can be quite upfront investments, but they provide a tremendous quality and uptime. Bypassing the network supporting data at all, you are assured of a dedicated connection between your sites to be used just as you prefer. Depending on the size of the connection, offices with tens or hundreds of people can be configured to operate in mode of the Point to Point T-1 circuits without requiring local tone line.

Frame Relay: If your network uses Frame Relay, it is not advisable to run voice services over it. Frame was never designed to support voice traffic, and there are much better and more cost effective options to choose from.

Fiber Optic. Fiber be available for direct connection, or for point to point applications is becoming increasingly common. Some varieties such as residential FIOS from Verizon are asymmetric in nature, but generally still provide the bandwidth to support remote users reliably. Options for commercial fibers can bypass all the traditional points of failure on standard networks and can provide the best possible solution VOIP connection. Fiber bypasses the local ILEC in most cases, and gives you a clean clear connection directly to the carrier's central headquarters. Thanks to the features of high traffic volume and the clarity and reliability, the fiber came to prominence as the preferred medium for VOIP solutions. Fiber is not always convenient, but the results are undeniable quality.

When you select the medium or circuits that will support the VOIP solution, understand that the main limitation to the quality you will experience will be the weakest link in the data network. If the position of principal has a T-1, but users with remote IP phones have an integrated ADSL, your weakest link is in the ADSL circuit. If you are going to experience quality problems, most likely will occur. If the position of principal has a legacy T-1 or DS3, but the stock remote cable internet, your weakest link is the cable connection. As always, work with local telecommunications professional to determine the best and most cost effective circuits of data to use when implementing a business-grade VoIP solution .......