What Is VoIP?

With plain old telephone service, phone calls travel over copper wire and through switches that are costly to maintain. On the other hand, Voice over Internet Protocol converts analogue voice signals to electronic signals, and sends them over a broadband internet connection. Because they integrate your phone with the versatility of a computer, VoIP business solutions can integrate voice information with e-mail, instant messaging, conference calling, videoconferencing and more. DO I NEED SPECIAL EQUIPMENT? To use a VoIP system, you only need a high speed internet connection. Unless your system provides IP-ready phones, you’ll need an adapter that converts analogue voice data into electronic packets to send over the Internet.

Switching to VoIP?
As VoIP gets more popular among large businesses, Canada’s major communications companies, like MTS, are making sure they can help their users make the switch. If you’re thinking of moving your business over to VoIP, Greg Burch of MTS says to start by contacting your current MTS representative, who will evaluate your situation based on the size and focus of your business and create a set up that caters to your specific needs. Visit www.mtsallstream.com.

VoIP Terms And Acronyms:

Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA)
An ATA converts analog telephone signals into digital “packets”. Adapter boxes may also convert digital signals into several different forms such as audio, data and video. When adapter boxes convert into multiple formats, they may be called multimedia terminal adapters (MTAs) or integrated access devices (IADs). Some systems provide IP phones, which have a built-in analog transmission adapter.

Internet Protocol Private Branch
Exchange (IPBX) or (IP PBX)
An IP PBx uses Internet protocol to provide telephone service within a building or office local area network (LAN). An IP telephone server processes call functions and controls access to other IP PBxs in a wide area network (WAN) and to the traditional phone network beyond the office.

Public Switched
Telephone Network (PSTN)
The PSTN is the network of transmission and switching facilities, signaling processors and support systems that allow communication devices to work.

Where to go:
Once only an enterprise-level venture, VoIP capabilities continue to expand and offer more for your money. A number of Winnipeg businesses can help you decide what IP telephony solution might be right for you. They include:

Telexperts
725 Wall Street
786-4664
www.telexperts.net

Cygnal Technologies
619 Erin Street
772-2800
www.cygnal.ca

Exceed Communications
5-59 Scurfield Boulevard
866-999-1110
www.exceedcom.ca

Modern Digital Communications
104-93 Lombard Avenue
954-9720
www.mdci.ca