VoIP

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Defining VoIP

  • Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) refers to the use of Internet for voice communication
  • VoIP is a distruptive technology that has changed how voice communication is carried out
  • VoIP enjoyed more publicity from attacks and criticisms and not a deliberate marketing budget

Practical Use of VoIP

  • An example of the use of VoIP is with the Harambee Coordinating Committee which holds some of its weekly meetings via Skype (a VoIP service provider)
  • Another example reflects project discussions over long periods -- even when the partners have never met in person

Merits and Demerits of VoIP

  • VoIP offers cheap calls, having radically crashed the cost of voice communication
  • For VoIP, the entry barrier is much lower for entrepreneurs (relative to traditional telcos)
  • Opportunity for response in quick time, an improvement over eMail when response is critical
  • VoIP can contribute to the reduction of social interaction, where people rely more on VoIP more than face to face meetings (to save cost, etc)
  • Distorted calls on VoIP can convey the wrong message (especially where bandwidth problem exists)
  • VoIP could lead to worse invasion of private space -- it's cheap, convenient and global
  • Possible increase in the conflict between work and play

Getting Started'

  • Examples of VoIP service providers include Skype (www.skype.com) and Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com)
  • For an interested new user, take-off steps to be taken include:

- Get a user to walk you through (or do it the Google way) - Search for, and download VoIP software (you may need administrative permission) - Install the software - Set up personal/contact details - Go VoIP!

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