Friday 20 July 2012

Skype Downloads-What is Skype and How Does it Work?

Skype Downloads-What is Skype and How Does it Work?

Skype is the most popular way to make Internet phone calls for many users. This is VoIP, that is, a voice over Internet phone service that helps you make calls with your Internet connection. And what's so great about making calls over the Internet? Well, making calls with Skype is absolutely free!
A Voice over IP is something that helps users make a phone call through Skype platform for free. Once a connection is established between registered users, who can register for free, they can call each other for free on their Skype ID. The users can even dial or receive calls from an unregistered user. But, these calls are charged a fee according to the call made. You need a microphone along with some hardware equipment on your computer to make these calls.
How to Install Skype in Computer
You need to visit the Skype website and click on the tab Get Skype. Here, you will find options that say On your computer, On your mobile, At work and On your TV. You can select the option that suits your need, for example, On your computer. Then, download the Skype software and install it on your computer. Then, plug-in your microphone and you are ready to make calls.
How to Make Calls With Skype
You need to first check if the user you are calling is a Skype user or not. This is because calling between Skype users is absolutely free. In case of non-Skype users, you need to have sufficient balance to make calls. Then, you need to use the sound test (Echo) provided by Skype to make sure the voice quality is clear. Then, enter the country code by using the code facility of Skype. Then enter the call information and number in the format required. You need to press 'Enter' or 'Call me' and start the dialing process.
How Does Skype Work?
Skype uses VoIP, a novel technology related to the Internet. Normally, signals are sent via PSTN, either analog or digital. In case of VoIP, SIP is used to create data packets that are sent on the same network one uses for mailing and surfing. These data packets can carry more than the standard voice on a telephone. They can carry text messages, offer live video and stereo quality sound. VoIP also gives 'screen sharing' depending on the speed of the Internet connectivity. You can even use Skype conference calls for video conference calling with different clients.
When 'Skype phone' or similar hardware applications are installed on mobile or computer terminals at the receiver end, the whole process of making calls begins. The device must be able to send and receive data packets via an IPv4 network. The voice is captured and converted into an analog format. This format is captured by the microphone and converted into a digital format. This is then passed on to a compressor that minimizes the audio stream size and helps in transfer even with a slow Internet connection.
So, if you have a 24 hour broadband Internet connection, you will find VoIP as the cheapest way of communication. You can make free calls through computer to computer, Skype phones, and similar terminals. You will even receive a standard telephone number from Skype that can be dialed from any phone and redirected to your Skype enabled device.
Use Skype to Call Local and International Numbers
Skype is not only useful for Internet users, but also helps you connect with users of traditional landline phones. You need to use SkypeOut service offered by Skype to make calls to landline phones. This is a paid feature that uses a different protocol from the regular peer-to-peer connections. The fee you pay varies according to the country and locality of the Skype user.
When you get your Skype account configured properly, you can even receive calls when you are not online. A special feature is that Skype forwards all your calls to your cell phone or landline even if you are not connected. The 'Call Forwarding' feature is a paid subscription that uses Skype Credit.
An interesting feature you can try is Skype-To-Go number. You do not need any special software or download to use this feature. With this you can make low-cost international calls from you landline or mobile, that too, without signing into your Skype account!. You don't even need an Internet connection or data plan to make these calls. All you need to do is give the number you wish to call to Skype. Skype will convert this number into a new number with an area code of your choice. Save this number and use it to call the person abroad at the low-call rates offered by Skype.
You can even use Skype online number that is set up according to the country of your preference. This is a feature you will love. If you are a resident of United States, you can set up a local number for Australia through Skypeln. What's great about this feature is that any non-local, non-Skype user can call you anywhere in the world through their landline like it's a local call. This is possible through Skype service or call forwarding. This feature too is a paid service though.
Apple iPhone and iPods users can also be happy about use of Internet technology for making free calls. You need to download the Skype applications for iPhone or iPod touch. Then this will help you make and receive calls through Skype in a Wi-Fi area. A Skype account, Wi-Fi connection and an installed application on your device is all you need to make Skype calls. Skype is also available for Android, Symbian and other phones. So, Nokia or Android users too can avail all the benefits of free or low-cost calling from their Internet enabled phone.
SMS Using Skype
Just want to say a simple 'Hi' without making an international call? Then Skype is the way to send your message to your loved ones. All you need to do is send a text message over Skype. The SMS charges are very low and negligible when compared to your network charges.
I Can Use Skype For...
There are many features offered by Skype that will come handy especially when you want to save on your phone bill. You can use Skype-to-Skype calling for free. Landline phones and mobiles can be called at very low rates. You can even make conference calls and use Skype TO Go number. Video calling is a breeze and group video calling is fun. Instant messaging as well as SMSing is easy.
Skype helps making free calls between registered users and charges a fee for calls between non-Skype users. However, the call charges are peanuts compared to what you pay for international calls using 3G networks and traditional phone plans! You have the choice of 'pay-per-go' or 'monthly subscriptions' for using Skype. So now, you can make international calls as and when you like without having to shell out more than you can afford.


Source:http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-is-skype-and-how-does-it-work.html
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Thursday 12 July 2012

8 Factors for Evaluating a IP Phone System

8 Factors for Evaluating a IP Phone System

Shoretel's CEO, John Combs, presented a keynote address recently at IT Expo West, providing very relevant instruction to IT managers and business owners upgrading to a voice over IP (VOIP) phone system. He cited the MAC iPhone as an reference, to illustrate how quickly new technology can come to the fore in an industry. In the case of a VOIP business phone system, IP technology will soon dominate similarly over existing analog (TDM) systems. VOIP telephone systems can greatly increase user adaption rates, leading to improved productivity in a business.

An IP phone system allows the collaborative and reach aspects of unified messaging technology. The VOIP telephone system frequently includes features such as audio conferencing, unified messaging (voicemail to email), web collaboration, mobile integration (cell phones), presence (to locate employees quickly), instant messaging, video conferencing and business process integration (customer relationship management, sales, accounting, etc.).

What differentiates one vendor's small business phone systems from the next? Mr. Combs suggests a an exceptionally structured evaluation process when upgrading to office telephone systems with VOIP for business. He advises forming an evaluation team of key players and using 8 evaluation criteria for selecting new small business phone systems:

Usability. There must be an onsite demonstration using the actual hardware to be deployed. It is often advisable to have two or more vendor demonstrations side-by-side, or instead to deploy alternative prototypes at two different company locations and then swap systems and locations to see which one users preferred.

Reliability. What is the expected failure rate, based on actual deployed systems using Bellcore/Telecordia standards? Mr Combs pointed out that academic laboratory estimates are not sufficient for confidence in deploying a new system. In other words be very careful about deploying anything that is not field tested.

Availability. Make certain understand the effect of downtime on the business based on the planned configuration. How many points of failure are there in the vendor's configuration?

Scalability. Examine the anticipated cost should your organization double in size.

Architecture. What methodology was used to design the system? Was it built ground-up vs. piecemeal from a number of merged business entities?

Total Cost of Ownership. In many cases initial costs (hardware, network and implementation) come to only 20% of the aggregate system expenditure in the long term. Day-to-day costs (training, move/add/change, system management, network and utilities) can easily add up to 80% over the system lifetime. What is the case with the systems under consideration?

Vendor Financial Strength. Evaluate the vendor's balance sheet to get comfortable with the fact that they'll continue to be able to support your office telephone system.

Vendor References. Everyone on the team should contact their peers for information regarding the ip phone system vendors considered. Would they repurchase? Do they know of other references? How do actual costs compare to vendor estimates? Is the system a support nightmare? What about any "raving fans?"

When choosing to upgrade small business phone systems, most users choose a VOIP business phone system. The suggested evaluation criteria and especially the presence of "raving fans" for any VOIP business phone system are important to achieve all the benefits of VOIP for business.



Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/technology-articles/phone-systems-for-small-business-8-factors-for-evaluating-a-ip-phone-system-1776723.html

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Saturday 7 July 2012

VoIP Service Performance Validation

VoIP Service Performance Validation

EXpert VoIP Test Tools is an EXFO platform-based software application that provides voice-over-IP (VoIP) performance validation for service turn up and troubleshooting in enterprise and service provider networks. Supported on the FTB-1 and FTB-200 platforms, the application generates a single VoIP call from an EXpert VoIP-enabled platform to another EXFO platform supporting the application or any IP phone. The test calls can either be “live” or use a predefined audio file for test traffic. EXpert VoIP supports several signaling technologies including SIP, SCCP, H.323 and H.248 to ensure compatibility with the majority of VoIP environments currently used in the industry.

EXpert VoIP boasts a highly configurable test interface to maximize control over the test parameters yet maintains a strong emphasis on usability. The intuitive user interface features EXFO’s latest generation framework that allows even the uninitiated user the ability to quickly set up and run tests. All tests support a uniform set of quality metrics that include opinion score (MOS), R-factor and a full range of real-time protocol (RTP) loss metrics, which combine with configurable thresholds to simplify service validation or accelerate troubleshooting.
Tests are executed between two EXpert VoIP-enabled platforms or to a VoIP endpoint (such as a SIP proxy server, soft phone or telephone, i.e., ATA). The platform that launches the test initiates a call, sets up a media channel, transmits media and reports statistics. Depending on the endpoint, it answers the call, transmits media and gathers statistics. Service tests can query the endpoint to determine availability or to set up a call.

Key Features

Intuitive user interface for rapid verification of voice quality of VoIP services
Configurable pass/fail thresholds for simplified testing
Supports a wide range of signaling protocols including SIP, SCCP, H.248/Megaco and H.323 to suit most applications
Includes a full range of RTP metrics to support troubleshooting
Supports MOS and R-factor quality metrics
Test configurations can be preconfigured and saved for quick repeatable testing
Detailed reports are available to help track and maintain a record of changes in the service
Available for FTB-1 and FTB-200 based applications
Common tool kit and test interface across all platforms
Product Highlights

RTP Network Test


The VoIP RTP Network test is the base test of the EXpert VoIP Test Tools application. This peer-to-peer test measures VoIP-related parameters by streaming RTP packets between two endpoints. All supported functionality for this test conforms to RFC 1889.
The RTP Network test simulates VoIP traffic by streaming RTP packets between a controller test set, which initiates the packet stream, and a responder endpoint that initiates its own stream to the controller test set.

Signaling Protocols

EXpert VoIP has been designed to support a wide variety of VoIP environments to ensure the maximum utility of the tools. As such the application can be configured to use some of the most frequently used VoIP call signaling protocols including SIP, SCCP, H.248/Megaco and H.323.
Voice Quality Metrics

The EXpert VoIP Test Tools base application includes a full set of voice quality metrics including MOS, R-factor and degradation factors based on codec, latency and packet loss to help pinpoint the source of any voice quality issues. EXFO’s voice quality measurement agent calculates R-factor (another standardized transmission quality rating) for a call based on the G.107 E-model extensions. These model extension factors such as packet loss burst to more accurately predict the subjective score a listener would assign that call. The R-factor is then converted to an EXFO MOS score. The EXpert VoIP tests report the raw R-factor and EXFO’s MOS voice quality results for conversational call quality.

The EXFO MOS algorithm used in the application is based on the ITU-T P.800 recommendation, which provides an objective measurement to subjective testing. EXFO has invested significant resources into developing and refining the EXFO MOS algorithm and it has been successfully benchmarked against leading commercially available algorithms.


Visit to: http://voiptest12.blogspot.com/


Source: http://www.exfo.com/en/Products/Field-Network-Testing/FTB-Ecosystem/Platforms/EXpert-VoIP-Test-Tools/


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Thursday 5 July 2012

Pros & Cons of Internet Phones

Pros & Cons of Internet Phones


In this current age, telephony is much easier and accessible, thanks to the Internet. An Internet phone is a phone that allows you to make calls directly on it through the use of the Internet. These Internet phones are also referred to as Broadband Phones or Voice Over Broadband.



Cost Effectiveness
Internet phones are cost-effective, since you can make phone calls directly at a consumer friendly price. You can send documents and picture messages directly through them at lower cost than mobile rates.

Flexibility
A VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a transmission of technologies that allows you to deliver voice communications or multimedia messages through the Internet. With a VOIP account, you are given a converter that allows your phone number to be integrated directly into the service. You can then carry the converter and phone number anywhere and make unlimited calls while connected to high-speed Internet.

Transmission Flaws
In case of a power outage, the service of an Internet phone is rendered inaccessible. The instant disconnection to the internet causes this. Scrambled data is another transmission flaw, since the data packages that are being transmitted are sometimes dropped and sound signals are inaudible.


Visit to: http://voiptest12.blogspot.com/


Source: http://www.ehow.com/facts_7476237_pros-cons-internet-phones.html


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Thursday 21 June 2012

Free Phone Calls To South Africa

Free Phone Calls To South Africa

1 - South Africa to Phone Free:

I think we all know about the Capetown which the capital of South Africa. You know Capetown is one of the most beautiful city that i ever seen. You are thinking that whether i visited to Capetown or not. Then you are right i had visited to Capetown. I can't explain about that. Lets come to the topic. AS we know there so many people from different- different countries reside in South Africa. They may be your relative, friends or family member. Even my friends also reside there. So there is need of communication between him and you. So how, we can't afford the mobile or landline calls as it cost much more. So don't worry we have the option.

There are many options to make calls ... Pay only the cost of a provincial call for international calls (equivalent to a call between two different cities of the province) to South Africa that is the cheapest fares which is offered by Voip Service providers only, here are some solution to make Free phone calls to South Africa.

2 - Call South Africa By Internet

There are many free phone service for South Africa, you can install Skype's free calls from PC to PC. If you want to make calls from PC to phone, you will need to purchase SkypeOut credit and Skype to make calls at a very low price. The charge that cost about 2 cents to phone from any country to South Africa. You will need Internet access on a computer with a headset you can talk with relatives, visit the Skype website for more information.

3 - VoIP Operators in South Africa

The Voip providers of South Africa: Vonage you will need an account with them before you begin calling to South Africa, and they give you a special modem for use with any regular phone to make international calls to South Africa. Visit Vonage official site for more information.

4 - phone card to call South Africa

You can find them at any stores for a low cost price. For making Free Phone Calls to South Africa with you did not need to have pins and no hidden fees. To use a calling cards has long distance, you must dial the toll on the back of your phone card South Africa,then follow the instructions. The two best phone cards to call South Africa are as follows...

5 - Equipment for VoIP to Make phone Calls to South Africa

Select a device such as VoIP or Magic Jack ooma (like voip2all router) you pay once a year and offers unlimited free calls to South Africa. You can take it with you to make unlimited calls to Africa from South America and other parts of Africa. Visit ooma for more information. At present ooma is also allowing free and unlimited U.S. calling at very cheap rate.

6 - International calls from South Africa

Check the operator of your cell phone before going to South Africa to check whether your cell phone when going to operate in South Africa. But if you wants to move to South Africa it's better to do not call much because your mobile is very expensive. You can get prepaid SIM card, buy a Sim card but before buying the Sim card to see is the card will work well on your mobile phone, there are SIM card with economic costs to passengers. If you are tours in South Africa, you can call by Internet, from a cyber make free calls to other countries. Most Internet cafes in South Africa have VoIP services. You must use a headset and makeFree Phone Calls from South Africa to abroad via the Internet.



Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/Free-Phone-Calls-To-South-Africa/1095285

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Monday 11 June 2012

Advantages of Broadband Internet Access


Advantages of Broadband Internet Access


The Internet has gained prominence in every computer user's life. Its applications are found in nearly every field, ranging from communication, information, entertainment, education to e-commerce. Easy and fast Internet access is the most important part of the Internet. Broadband Internet access or simply broadband, is the technology that makes faster Internet access possible. Dial-up Internet is the traditionally used Internet connectivity via telephone lines. Broadband Internet is preferable to the dial-up in many ways. Let us look at the advantages of broadband in contrast with the traditional dial-up.

Benefits of Broadband Internet
The speed is the highlighting factor of broadband Internet. It has a higher speed of data transmission. The data transmission speed of broadband is more than 200 Kbps (200,000 bps) while that of dial-up is 56 Kbps.
High quality Internet services require huge amount of data transmission. For e.g., VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), streaming or Internet games, etc. As the speed of broadband is higher, data can be transmitted much faster. This is not possible with a dial-up service. One of the broadband advantages is that because the speed is higher, you do not have to wait for connectivity or downloading.
As speed is the prominent feature of broadband, there is quicker loading of pages and also easier downloading of music and movies and other files. Chatting through web-cam or video conferencing in real time mode is possible due to the high speed broadband Internet access. There are no barriers if you wish to download e-mail attachments.
Another significant feature is that broadband does not make use of telephone lines like the dial-up access. Therefore, there is no blocking of the telephone lines and you can use the Internet and telephone simultaneously. This is not possible with the dial-up as it connects to the Internet via the telephone line.
Broadband is always 'on', therefore, you remain connected for 24/7. It means you can communicate and surf as soon as you switch on your computer. Also, there is no need to reconnect after logging off.
As the broadband has wired as well as wireless technology, it is useful for every user. The wireless technology is a boon to travelers as well as to laptop, palmtop and cell phone users.
Broadband service is billed according to its usage or plan, and not the time factor. The payment is also mostly on per a monthly basis, and according to schemes offered by various service providers. Hence, you do not have to keep a check on the usage time to prevent huge bills, as is the case while using a dial-up service.
The high speed transmission technologies of broadband internet include:

ADSL
SDSL
Wireless Broadband Internet Connection
Satellite Broadband Internet Connection
Cable Broadband Internet Connection
Fiber Optic Broadband Internet Connection

Broadband Internet access is used by all business organizations. It is also useful for homes with several computers. It is even helpful for those who work from home or freelance. Broadband makes it possible for various people to access the Internet using the same connection. Those who have used dial-up previously will immediately feel the difference between the two. Watching television, playing games, downloading and uploading information has become easier and also very feasible. Besides, communication has also become faster and more comfortable, thanks to broadband Internet.

Due to its greater advantages, broadband is already the most used service. It is also the future of telecommunication. It will keep on advancing according to the growing demands and needs of the users. It can be rightly said that broadband Internet access is a boon to the world of computers and Internet.


Source: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/advantages-of-broadband-internet-access.html

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