Internet Internet Telephony CURS4161 Curriculum Studies Computer Studies II 3 rd February, 2005
What is Internet telephony? Internet telephony is the transport of telephone calls over the Internet Calls can use traditional telephony equipment, multimedia PCs, or dedicated terminals Calls can be either fully or only partially carried over the Internet Call quality varies with the speed of the Internet connection and computers of both parties, traffic on the net, and the software used
Types of Internet Telephony PC to PC call is initiated by either PC pure IP scenario, best used with a fast, dedicated Internet connection requires a multimedia PC (speakers and microphone) software is usually free, often included with chat software Internet
Types of Internet Telephony PC to telephone call is initiated by the PC the Internet call is converted to a PSTN call by a gateway, located as near to the callee as possible, to minimize the cost costs charged by the gateway operator to cover maintenance and other costs software is usually free Internet PSTN Gateway
Types of Internet Telephony Telephone to telephone call is initiated by either telephone the telephone call is converted to IP (Internet) by a gateway, located as near to the caller as possible, and then converted back to PSTN by another gateway near the callee costs charged by both gateway operators specialized equipment may be required PSTN PSTN Internet Gateway Gateway
Types of Internet Telephony Telephone to PC much less common scenario essentially the reverse of the PC to telephone scenario, with call initiated by the telephone costs charged by the gateway operator this service provided by gateway operator, and may require special equipment Internet PSTN Gateway
Internet Telephony Software Several good Internet telephony software solutions are available (all incompatible with each other!): Skype MSN Messenger MS NetMeeting CoolTalk CuSeeMe DialPad Net2Phone Most of these services provide free PC to PC calling. Many also provide typed chat and PC to phone service. CuSeeMe and NetMeeting also provide videoconferencing. DialPad allows free calling within the US from their web site, and does not require separate software. CoolTalk provides a shared whiteboard for sharing and marking up graphic images in collaboration.
Skype, v1.1
Skype v1.1 Features Available from http://www.skype.com Currently showing 59.8 million downloads (up from 55.7 less than a week ago), and 4.5 billion minutes served (up from 4.4) Multi-platform, including Windows, Mac OSx, Linux and PocketPC Free PC to PC, chat, and conference calling Very reasonable rates to call landline or cellular phones worldwide
Skype v1.1 Features File transfers up to the file size allowed by the OS! (usually between 2 and 4 Gb) Communications are encrypted end-to-end Not server-based, but true peer-to-peer telephony Works through most firewalls Excellent sound quality this is one of the main areas of development Spy-ware and ad-ware free!
Skype: Start Tab
Skype: Making a Call
Skype: Talking
Skype: Conference Call
Skype: Call Regular Phones
Skype: File Transfer
Skype: Chat
Skype: SkypeOut Rates SkypeOut Global Rate = 0.017 /minute Argentina (Buenos Aires), Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Canada (mobiles), Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey), Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg), Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States (except Alaska and Hawaii), United States (mobiles) and last but not least: Vatican. Other rates available at http://www.skype.com/products/skypeout/rates/all_rates.html
Conclusion Factors improving Internet telephony are faster and more powerful PCs improved data compression techniques faster broadband Internet access improved audio and video codec technology According to some studies, by 2010 at least 50% of North Americans will use the Internet daily, and 28% of international voice communication will take place over the Internet
Demonstrations
References Internet Telephony Overview http://www.iptel.org/info/ Webopedia: Internet Telephony http://www.webopedia.com/term/i/internet_telephony. html Internet Telephony http://www.cse.ohio-state.edu/~jain/cis788-97/ftp/internet_telephony/index.htm Conferencing: Talk is Cheap With Internet Telephony http://www.learnthenet.com/english/html/64teleph.htm Kevin s Internet Telephony Depot http://kevin.hipplanet.com/
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