What Is Voip; That Was Then; This Is Now - Multitech VoIP User Manual

What is VOIP?

VOIP lets you make toll-free long distance voice and fax
calls over existing IP data networks instead of the public
switched telephone network (PSTN). Today businesses that
implement their own VOIP solution can dramatically cut
long distance costs between two or more locations.

That Was Then...

For the past 100 years people have relied on the PSTN for
voice communication. During a call between two
locations, the line is dedicated to the two parties that are
using it. No other information can travel over the line,
although there is often plenty of bandwidth available.
Later, as data communications emerged, companies paid
for separate data lines so their computers could share
information, while voice and fax communications were
still handled by the PSTN.

This Is Now...

Today, with the rapid adoption of IP, we now have a far
reaching, low-cost transport mechanism that can support
both voice and data. A VOIP solution integrates seamlessly
into the data network and operates alongside existing
PBXs, or other phone equipment, to simply extend voice
capabilities to remote locations. The voice traffic
essentially "rides for free" on top of the data network using
the IP infrastructure and hardware already in place.
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