Telecommunications worldwide has
experienced a significant revolution over recent years
with the long-held promise of network convergence occurring
at an increasing pace. This convergence of data, voice,
and video using IP-based networks offers the possibility
to deliver advanced services at lower cost. One of the
key technologies driving this convergence is VoIP (Voice
over IP).
Recent years have seen an increasing
adoption of VoIP networks for customers of varying sizes
on a global basis. The cost advantage resulting from
convergence and the value of new applications offered
by this convergence are the primary drivers of this
adoption. With this comes the need for increasingly
sophisticated systems and management tools to allow
for the extensive adoption and deployment of VoIP.
Network and service providers
see VoIP technology as a means of reducing their cost
of offering existing voice-based services and new multimedia
services. Service providers also view VoIP infrastructure
as an economical base on which to build new revenue-generating
services. As deployment of VoIP technology becomes widespread
and part of a shared competitive landscape, this second
goal will become more important, with service providers
working to increase their market bases.
Furthermore, VoIP’s increasing
adoption will have a significant impact on communications
and the products that provide those communications.
Therefore, software developers and service providers
will increasingly need to be aware of and understand
the challenges that come with this latest change in
the communications infrastructure. |
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