Creating a secure and reliable VoIP solution

<<<... Indeed, many VoIP users who have stayed with the technology have noticed fewer problems this year than just a couple of years ago. Sometimes quality improves dramatically when you switch out the provided ATA (VoIP box) for a newer model; or, in some cases, you can simply upgrade its software. If you've been living with a less-than-perfect VoIP service, ask your provider about upgrading the equipment.

The nature of VoIP

Although advances make VoIP likely to improve, the nature of VoIP does introduce some factors that make it less reliable than PSTN. You'll recall that PSTN lines use circuit-switching technology; this means that, for the duration of any particular call, there is a dedicated circuit that stays open between the caller and receiver for the entire time. That circuit can't be used by anyone else during that time. VoIP calls travel over a packet-switched network (the internet). There is no constant connection maintained. Instead, the voice signal is digitised and broken into small portions (packets) that are sent through a series of routers until they reach the recipient. Different packets may take different routes; they're reassembled at the destination and turned back into voice. Multiple transmissions (of voice or data) can share the same lines. Because packets can be routed along whatever line is least congested at the time, it's more efficient and cost-effective. But there is also the potential for packets to get lost or misrouted. Problems with internet routers along the way can affect the quality of your call, or even whether it goes through at all.

VoIP dependencies

Another reason PSTN is more reliable is its relative independence from an on-site power source. In a business or even in a home that uses cordless phones, your equipment (PBX, phone base station, etc) may require electricity. However, the phone lines themselves don't need to be powered at your site to work. They draw their power from the central office, so, if you have an electrical outage at your office or home, you can still make phone calls. Your VoIP line is dependent on an appliance that requires power to work. If you lose power, the line goes down. It's also dependent on your internet connection; if that goes down, the packets that contain your call data have no way to reach their destinations. Even the normal momentary "glitches" to which broadband internet services are prone…