Voice Over Internet Protocol (IP)

Voice over IP is simply using a private or Internet IP connection to transport and router voice via IP packets. VOIP differs from the classic, 100+ year old transport and mechanical switch method invented by Alexander Graham Bell. (In the 1960's, mechanical switches were replaced with digital computer switches.)

VOIP comes in four flavors. IP trunks, IP Tie lines, IP stations and IP switching.

IP Trunks

We offer IP trunks from Virginia Broadband and Cavalier Telephone. These are quality controlled business class trunks. Vonage and Skype are two examples of residential grade service. IP trunks cost less but have less reliability than analog or digital trunk methods such as direct dial over BRI trunks.

IP Tie Lines

IP tie lines connect two or more IP PBX systems in two separate locations. We use either traditional carriers circuits or our own point to point WAN links. These are equivalent in reliability to digital methods when they use the same transport circuits such as a T1. 

IP Stations

These are best used to provide phones to a remote office. The controlling PBX is in a larger main office. We provide systems by Iwatsu Voice Networks and Panasonic. IP stations cost more and have more points of failure over digital sets. IP sets need separate power and share your computer network to make a connection. Digital sets do not.

IP Switching (IP PBX)

We provide IP PBX systems by Iwatsu Voice Networks and Panasonic. These systems have the benefit of allowing lower cost digital sets for the main office, IP Tie lines to connect between large offices and IP phones for the smaller remote offices. IP-PBX's are approaching digital PBX system reliability.

IP systems can be easier to manage, provide lower utility cost, and are clearly the future. Yet, digital systems can fill specific application needs better than IP. Infotel Systems prefers to blend both technologies to provide the best solution.

Infotel Systems - Richmond, Virginia - Business Telephone Systems, Voice & Data Networks, Cabling, Carrier Services  804-266-6600