Wednesday, September 2, 2009

How To Have An Audio Conference: Sip Style

With the peak of technology, there are so many more gadgets being invented like the SIP or Session Initiation Protocol. SIP is a form of signaling protocol that is used to deliver signals from the transmitting party to the receiving party. SIP is particularly used in advanced communications that includes video and audio calls through the Internet Protocol. Unlike normal calls however, SIP enables video conferencing, distribution of streamed media, instant messaging and even gaming options. This particular protocol works not just on two-party sessions but also on multiparty ones which highlights its great functionality in the corporate world. Knowing the importance of audio conference, SIP is a technology that the business world can definitely bank on.

Because SIP is part of the entire family of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) it is important that Voice over IP service be explained thoroughly first. Voice over Internet Protocol is a group of technologies that is used for voice communications through the internet and other packet-switch networks. What this means is that you can call without having to go through the standard public switch telephone network because it instantly connects to the internet.

There are a number of devices that are dedicated to Voice over Internet Protocol. The Analog Telephone Adapter allows both connections to a PSTN provider and an IP network. The thing with this device is you can’t move it to another location. One good example for this is the modified telephone sets that are offered by broadband internet providers.

If you want to take your SIP phone with you wherever you are, you may have to get a dedicated Voice over Internet Protocol phone. This allows you to connection to an IP network even without using a computer. As long as you have access to an Ethernet or Wi-Fi, you will be able to make calls. Most of time, subscribers have their VoIP capable phone bundled with a PTSN connection.

The last option is to get an Internet phone or softphone which you can install on your computer or smartphone so that you can make VoIP calls without having to purchase new hardware for it. Most of the time, people make use of softphones for conference calls.

The great thing about audio conferencing via your softphone is that the quality of your calls is much better than when you use ordinary PTSN phones. And especially when you are making international calls, you will find a significant difference between the two options. Another thing about SIP phone calls is that most of the calls are for free. Unlike PTSN calls, you will have to shell out money for different calling taxes, most SIP phones won’t have you pay for any of that. But the convenience of having a SIP phone is probably the main reason for more professionals are starting to get their old phones reconfigured. Because SIP allows you to utilize the internet, you not only get to make calls from all over the world but you can merge this with other internet communication options like getting voicemail straight to your email inbox or having web conference calls. When it comes to conference, SIP is becoming the newest global trend.

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