VoIP News: August 2007

Security a 'key concern' for VoIP providers

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) considering deploying a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network in their workplace have been reassured that the providers of the systems view security as paramount.

Recent reports have highlighted supposed emerging problems which could allow unauthorised people to listen in on calls, but secure networks provider Enterasys Networks has said that these are easily preventable by providers using existing security technologies.

Luckily for SMEs thinking of using VoIP for their office communications, this will likely be the case by their provider as Brian Riggs, research director for enterprise communications at Current Analysis, said: "Security is among the top concerns of enterprises deploying voice over IP systems today."

Best practice according to Mr Riggs is to make sure the network uses software which "detects unauthorised use of VoIP systems, prevents service disruption and eavesdropping and monitors voice networks for new threats".

Companies may find that they receive an added boost to their security by integrated their data and voice services onto the same network.

By having such a unified communications solution, their network administrators and VoIP providers can run checks on both systems from one location and keep tabs on activity to make sure it remains secure.

Posted on: 2007-08-31, in: General VoIP

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VoIP set to 'revolutionise' telecommunications industry

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is set to become the industry-standard for business telecommunications, according to new internet phone company Digital Voice IP.

The telecommunications provider says that the advantages of VoIP make it far more desirable to businesses than the traditional Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Companies with a number of remote office workers or overseas branches stand to benefit the most from the new technology, enjoying massive savings on the service charges levied by PSTN providers such as BT.

James Goodman, chief executive of Digital Voice IP, calls VoIP a "revolutionary advance in telecommunications". He predicted that three quarters of enterprises will be using the technology in three years time.

"It allows you to send and receive free calls over the internet, bypassing the call charges imposed by telephone companies."

Last week, communications regulator Ofcom reported that consumers are increasingly turning to VoIP applications, with 20 per cent of individuals now taking advantage of the technology.

Posted on: 2007-08-31, in: General VoIP

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VoIP said to cuts costs and increase productivity

Experts are drawing attention to the cost-cutting benefits many businesses could enjoy by switching to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telecommunications.

Kathryn Vercillo wrote in the Washington Post that companies can save huge amounts by using VoIP phones, singling out global enterprises as having the most to gain from the new technology.

"With VoIP, your calls are routed through your computer, allowing them to be conducted without long distance charges no matter where in the world you are calling," she explained.

"This is particularly beneficial to businesses working with international employees and contacts but it can also be useful for businesses that operate multiple locations in a more condensed area."

In addition to the cost-cutting benefits, Ms Vercilo also highlighted how VoIP can increase productivity by removing barriers to communication and allowing streamlining of secretarial and network administration operations.

She cautioned, however, that businesses need to spend time selecting the most suitable VoIP carrier, and that any telecommunications solution should always be tailored to the individual requirements of the company.

Posted on: 2007-08-31, in: General VoIP

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East Sussex schools to get broadband for VoIP conferencing

East Sussex county council has launched a multi-million pound scheme to install a broadband network across its 174 primary schools, in order to provide web services such as VoIP.

In partnership with telecoms giant BT, the secure, high-speed broadband network will use a mix of fibre and radio connections and also incorporate the council offices.

"This project will provide schools with a better broadband network at exactly the same cost," said councillor Bob Tidy, cabinet member for e-government on East Sussex council.

"They will have vastly improved e-learning capacity without having a big slice taken off their school budgets. It will also deliver a secure network that will block unsuitable websites getting through to schools."

The network is being developed with the capacity to allow both students and council workers send data and voice communications across the secure system and there are plans for it to be extended to a further 130 council sites across the county.

Posted on: 2007-08-30, in: General VoIP

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Firms advised to plan flexible networks

Companies choosing to adopt unified communications (UC) will soon have to begin planning how to increase the flexibility of their office networks, it has been suggested.

Industry analyst Art Rosenburg, commenting on the findings of one firm who had experienced performance issues on their networks, said that more flexible systems could adapt to the different demands on the network at certain times of the day.

"UC migration will present enterprise organisations with a chicken and egg problem," he said.

"Until enterprises can gain intelligence into their business operations, they really won't know what their new network requirements will be."

To allow companies to avoid suffering a breakdown of their communications systems, Mr Rosenburg suggested that pilot tests of the system are conducted before a total switch-over to an internet-based network is completed.

UC systems allow employees to access sensitive company information even when outside the office, make and take voice calls using the companies secure VoIP connection from anywhere in the world and make communications systems more user-friendly by, for example, allowing voice calls to be made by clicking on a contact's name in the user's email address book.

But successfully installing these systems, while avoiding running into connection or performance difficulties, often requires that companies bring in experts in the field to design and install bespoke systems for the company's specific needs.

Posted on: 2007-08-30, in: Networking hardware

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