Voice Over IP Technology Zlatko Jovanovic International Academy of Design and Technology
Abstract New technologies often give us new, different way of doing things, than we are used to. One of the new technologies that are changing our common way of making voice calls is VoIP Voice over Internet Protocol. In the text we will see its definition, purpose, advantages and disadvantages, and the issues that it brings with its implementation. Keywords: VoIP, voice call, internet protocol, providers, spit, fraud, denial of service.
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. (FCC, 2010) VoIP service can be utilized through a computer or through a special VoIP phone, the Broadband Phone. Service purchase is needed from a service provider. There are hundreds of VoIP service providers, who also sell equipment and perform the installation. Some providers are offering service with the ability to call numbers with the same service only, and some are giving the opportunity to call any phone number, sometimes including even international calls. One of many advantages of VoIP service is lower price than the regular phone service, comparing the quality and variety of services provided. But VoIP service needs internet connection to operate, so price paid for internet service must be included in total VoIP service price, in order to calculate its profitability. Reason for low prices is that providers do not have to maintain the network. It uses the same, existing infrastructure, which is used for the internet. Another advantage is ability to leave a voice mail to e-mail, which is a great way of notifying the person. The businesses usually need more than one line, one number. Solution is PBX - Private Branch Exchange. It gives the opportunity for extensions instead of separate phone lines. (VoIP Review, 2010) Security is of the essence when using VoIP service, and almost all disadvantages are connected to the security. That is the issue service providers, equipment makers, and software writers have to focus on, because hackers are a step ahead so far. Another disadvantage is the fact that voice quality is very low with the internet connections with lower bandwidths and speeds. This was tested with Magic Jack. On dial-up connection, it did not work, and on ADSL
(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) call took so much of bandwidth, that any other internet activity on the host PC, disrupted the call and made it unclear. Also drop calls are possible with heavy data traffic. Quality depends on total use of internet connection (data transfers, web surfing, streaming medias, etc) and not only voice calls. Some VoIP services don't work during power outages and the service provider may not offer backup power. Not all VoIP services connect directly to emergency services through 9-1-1. (FCC, 2010) VoIP providers may, or may not, offer directory assistance or white page listings. Fortunately, those things will probably be fixed in a near future as the VoIP gets more popular. According to Plewes (2007), three most dangerous threats are: denial of service, spit (spam over internet telephony), and fraud. Denial of service treat requests installation of firewall, updated antivirus software, and if possible, separate VLAN for telephony and other network traffic. The potential threat posed by spit is driving vendors to develop alternative anti-spam solutions. NEC has announced a modular tool called VoIP Seal that uses a combination of methods to identify spit. When a call comes in, the system checks to see if the call is potentially a spam call by checking whether it comes from a suspect source. (Plewes, 2007). Third treat is fraud. The biggest concern for business is probably going to be premium-rate fraud, where a criminal hacks into the VoIP system and makes calls to a premium rate number. (Plewes, 2007). Solution for this treat could be accounting software, which will recognize anomalies in billing and give a warning. Security issues for VoIP are real, but with good precaution they can be minimized if not completely removed. After all, companies can improve their business, and save money with implementing the VoIP service.
References Federal Communications Commission (February 01, 2010). Voice over Internet Protocol. Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.fcc.gov/voip/ VoipReview.org (2004-2010). PBX Phone Systems. Compare Business PBX Telephone Solutions IP PBX. Retrieved from http://www.voipreview.org/business_telephone_systems/digital_pbx Plewes, A. (2007). The biggest VoIP security threats - and how to stop them. Analysis: Forewarned is forearmed.retrieved from http://www.silicon.com/legacy/research/specialreports/voipsecurity/