IP Telephony


Internet Protocol (IP) telephony (also known as Voice over Internet Protocol, VoIP), is a disruptive technology that is rapidly gaining ground against traditional telephone network technologies. As of January 2005, an increase of 10% of telephone subscribers in Japan and South Korea have opted for this digital telephone service. A January 2005 Newsweek article suggested that Internet telephony may be "the next big thing." In 2006, VoIP companies offer service to many businesses and consumers.

IP telephony uses an Internet connection and hardware IP Phones or softphones installed on personal computers to transmit conversations encoded as data packets. In addition to replacing POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), IP telephony services are also competing with mobile phone services by offering free or lower connections via Wi Fi hotspots. VoIP is also used on private networks which may or may not have a connection to the global telephone network.

IP telephones have two notable disadvantages compared to traditional telephones. Unless the IP telephone's components are backed up with an uninterruptible power supply or other emergency power source, the phone will cease to function during a power outage that can occur during an emergency or disaster, exactly when the phone is most needed. Traditional phones connected to the old PSTN network do not have this problem because they are powered by the battery pack from the telephone company, which will continue to operate even if there is a prolonged power blackout. A second distinct problem for an IP phone is the lack of a 'fixed address' which can impact the provision of emergency services such as police, fire or ambulance if someone calls. Unless the registered user updates the IP phone location physical address after moving to a new residence, emergency services can be, and have been sent to the wrong address.