PERSPECTIVE… It's a Converged World

It seems as if every conversation about telecommunications these days eventually comes around to the subject of convergence. So just what does this buzzword really mean?

Simply put, instead of needing separate switches, routers and wiring for voice, data, video, mobile and land-line communications, a converged network incorporates all of these into a single network infrastructure. And that means your entire organization can have access to any type of information or messages anytime, anywhere, via a mobile phone, hand-held PDA, portable computer or fixed telephone line.

Converged networks typically lower a business's monthly communications costs, increase employee productivity and improve customer satisfaction.

Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of convergence is voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology.

A traditional voice call is carried over two dedicated channels (one for the inbound signal and one for the outbound) that are created for each call – an approach that is inherently wasteful because most of the reserved bandwidth is sitting idle most of the time since only one person is generally talking at a time.

By contrast, VoIP treats each call as nothing more than a series of digital data packets, just like the bursts of data you generate when you surf the Web. And, like any other Internet traffic, the packets from the voice call are routed from source to destination over any available pathway, establishing a different pathway through the network for each packet.

When first introduced in the mid-1990s, VoIP technology provided uneven and unpredictable call quality and an extremely limited set of call features and services. Today, however, VoIP calls are virtually indistinguishable from traditional circuit-switched calls.

The main attraction of VoIP is that it is significantly less expensive than traditional calling, especially for long-distance and international calls. But there are other advantages as well, such as the ability to integrate voice calling with Internet-based applications. An example would be offering customers who are accessing your company's web site a one-click connection to a live service rep.

In a converged network, VoIP also allows for communication between headquarters and all remote offices that is indistinguishable from calls within a single building.

Phonextra has installed more IP endpoints than any other Avaya National Business Partner.

Phonextra Sales