Voice over Internet Protocol: There's no hype in the skype program<\/p>\n
Vishnu K. Mahmud, Contributor, Jakarta, vmahmud@yahoo.com<\/p>\n
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has always been an impressive
\ntool for users of the World Wide Web.<\/p>\n
Instead of expensive overseas telephone calls, people can
\nutilize the Internet to talk to far-flung friends across borders
\nor collaborate with colleagues in corporate regional offices.<\/p>\n
Originally, these applications were cumbersome and required
\ntremendous bandwidth, in some cases necessitating leased lines
\nsimilar to those used for traditional professional
\nvideoconferencing.<\/p>\n
Now, the technology has matured, as shown by the rising
\npopularity of the VoIP program, Skype (see www.skype.com).
\nCalling itself \"free internet telephony that just works\", this is
\nthe latest communications application that allows users to easily
\ntalk to each other armed with a simple PC and Internet
\nconnection.<\/p>\n
After downloading the free program and registering at
\nSkype.com, one can contact other registered users within the
\nnetwork. Skype also allows for online file transfers and instant
\nmessaging during voice chatting.<\/p>\n
What's more, you can also connect to up to four other people
\nat the same time with the conferencing feature.<\/p>\n
Tested calls from Adelaide to Singapore, Montreal and Jakarta
\nproved impressive, with the software providing crystal-clear
\nvoice quality.<\/p>\n
Granted, the higher the bandwidth, the better the reception,
\nand Skype offers better-than-average signals on dial-up
\nconnections.<\/p>\n
Interestingly enough, calls to notebooks connected via a CDMA
\nwireless connection (such as Indosat's StarOne) were pretty
\ncomprehensible, albeit with some minor delays.<\/p>\n
The software is processor- and bandwidth-intensive so it is
\nadvisable that other programs are closed prior to connecting. In
\naddition, it would be a good idea to use earphones instead of
\nloudspeakers, as there could be some echoed audio feedback.<\/p>\n
Headsets are recommended, although tests with laptops and
\ntheir small built-in microphones provided sufficient audio
\nclarity.<\/p>\n
Perhaps one of the reasons for Skype's excellent results lies
\nin its technology. Using decentralized Peer-to-Peer (P2P)
\nnetworks, the application uses multiple dynamic Internet
\nconnection paths to provide the best sound quality, powered by a
\nsoftware solution from Global IP Sound (www.globalipsound.com).<\/p>\n
To add additional security, all Skype conversations are
\nencrypted. There is also a feature called Skype Out, which allows
\nusers to call to regular telephone and cellphone numbers around
\nthe world for a small fee.<\/p>\n
At the moment, there are many free and commercial VoIP
\nproducts online, with Yahoo Instant Messenger being one of the
\nmost popular.<\/p>\n
However, Skype's ease of use and premium features is making it
\nthe current darling of the Internet. It also offers cross-
\nplatform connectivity, available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and
\neven Pocket PC users, allowing them to communicate with each
\nother, irrespective of their operating system choices.<\/p>\n
The company has stated that it is interested in expanding its
\napplication platform to mobile phone systems, with Palm, Symbian
\nand Windows Smartphone devices being possibilities.<\/p>\n
Thus, anyone with a WiFi gadget and an Internet connection can
\nmake free phone calls.<\/p>\n
Skype currently has 13 million users worldwide and its numbers
\nare growing daily.<\/p>\n
This new technology is perhaps the next stage of the
\ntelecommunications revolution. The business world is full of
\nstories of how former commercial titans were suddenly overthrown
\nby new pretenders.<\/p>\n
The old giants were complacent in their corporate culture and
\nrevenue models, allowing leaner and more efficient new companies
\nto storm the market with new technologies and lower cost bases.<\/p>\n
Current businesses or monopoly holders should not rely on past
\nmodels or restrictive legislature for future revenue.<\/p>\n
They must either get with the times or be considered
\nirrelevant.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/voice-over-internet-protocol-theres-no-hype-in-the-skype-program-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}