IP Telephony - The Big Wave Of Global Communication Systems?

IP telephony, or Internet Protocol telephony deploys themajority of enterprises in upcoming markets still remain
Internet infrastructure to transmit voice and fax calls. IPunconvinced by its efficacy. In the developed world too
phone systems digitize voice and transmit it in the formthe picture is not so rosy. As per estimates put
of packets to unique IP addresses designated by theforward by world telecoms major Ericsson, 'pure-play
user. Slow to get off the blocks, Internet phoneVOIP phone system PBXs account for less than five
systems have gained significant ground in the recentper cent of customer premises equipment (CPE)
years. This is largely due to the rapid rise ofshipments' across the globe. Apart from this,
convergence as the ultimate destination forbusinesses implementing VOIP phone systems too
communication technology. In this context, voice over ipprefer to remain on line with the traditional wire line
phone systems are seen as a crucial first step in thetelephony. The reasons are not hard to find. META
march towards achieving seamless low-costgroup studies point towards the a still lingering adverse
connectivity by integrating data, voice, and video ontopublic perception about reliability, degree of integration
a single Internet based platform. Enterprisewith legacy systems, and the money that needs to be
communications at the cross-roadsA recent study bypumped into the new applications.Besides, a number of
META group, a subsidiary of the global consultancycountries, including India and China, are still to recognize
major Gartner, indicates that convergence is fastIP telephony, which puts a big question mark over its
catching up among businesses across the globe. Asusability in these fast growing markets. Apart from this,
per the study, 26 per cent of the Global 2000convergence require a high degree of customization
Enterprises are in the process of migrating tofor companies in different sectors. Experts also point
converged networks, whereas another 42 per centout that converged networks are still to come up with
will be taking it up in the next one to two years.common technical standards that are essential to
Impressive figures indeed! In the same vein it predictsmake the technology ubiquitous.An idea whose time is
that the IP lines deployed by the hybrid 'computernighDespite the remaining hurdles, it clearly emerges
phone systems', are bound to see a 50 per centthat the future belongs to converged networks, which
growth annually in the coming years. One reason whymeans that we are in for a greater proliferation of
enterprises are boarding the IP telephony bandwagonvoice over IP phone systems both at the workplace
is that it enables them to generate substantialand in life away from office. The technology has got
cost-savings by using their existing IP infrastructure fortoo many things going for it. After all how can we turn
voice traffic. Plus, prominent communication equipmentaway a system that offers advantages such as
vendors, such as UK based Actimax Plc, have clearlygreater efficiency and productivity while lowering your
cast their mandate in favor of the Internet phonetotal cost of ownership? Those of you who have had
system. Going by the Actimax Web site, the benefitsa feel of concepts such as 'Computer Telephone
of adopting an IP phone system include:1. ConnectingIntegration' will know what we are talking about. And,
remote workers at no extra costto those still to get a taste of this upcoming
2. Integrating IP applications with telephones tocommunication revolution, we can only say: Go out and
harness the best of two technologiestry it for yourself. It makes more sense to be an active
3. Connecting geographically disparate sites togetherparticipant in the technology sweepstakes than to wait
at no extra call costIP telephony - the roadblocks Fromand let the convergence wave sweep you off your
the above, the IP phone systems appear simplyfeet.John Massey is the Managing Director of whose
unstoppable and clearly the future of the globalbackground in the communications industry goes back
communications. But then why is it still moving at aover 30 years is invaluable in the company being one
relatively slow pace? For example, an overwhelmingstep ahead of the competition.