March 9th, 2010
Many major Internet Service Providers (ISP) such as Charter, Comcast, AT&T and CenturyLink Telephone will install wireless enabled Internet routers as an added benefit to their customers. In some cases, these wireless enabled routers can cause voice quality issues with your VoIP, Hosted VoIP, Hosted PBX Services and/or network interruptions.
Most WiFi enabled access points operate in the 2.4 Ghz frequency range. This unlicensed frequency range is also shared by many common household and business devices such as cordless telephones and microwave ovens. Use of these devices within range of your wireless enabled ISP router can cause interference and other negative effects ranging from seemingly insignificant brief Internet outages up to the need for router resets. Internet outages lasting only several milliseconds will be disruptive to VoIP calls using a Hosted PBX or Hosted VoIP provider.
If your ISP router is equipped for wireless networking service and is not being used on your network, I recommend the wireless feature be turned off. Turning the wireless feature off eliminates the negative effects of any interference and a potential security risk to your network.
If your ISP router is equipped for wireless networking service and is in use on your network, it could be a source of negative voice quality issues as it bypasses the necessary quality of service (QOS) management for voice traffic. Migrating wireless network devices to a separate wireless access controller is recommended. Further, when you use a separate wireless access controller from your ISP router, interference from other devices in the same frequency range will have no effect on the operation of your Internet router.
For more information on how you can insure the best possible VoIP call quality from your Hosted PBX or Hosted VoIP providers, please read my other blog articles. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Posted in Hosted PBX, QoS, VoIP, WiFi | No Comments »
March 4th, 2010
In today’s economic downturn it may be time to reorganize your business. HostMyCalls services can play an important role as you find ways to reduce or eliminate high cost expenses in your business. HostMyCalls is a premium Hosted PBX services taylored for small business. Sure, HostMyCalls can save you a large percentage on the obvious telephone system related bills. But the fact is these costs are small when compared to the big ones. Yes, we are talking about OVERHEAD including office space and headcount.
- Consider how to run your business with a reduced staff in less expensive workspace. Tough times require tough measures.
- HostMyCalls can provide you virtual office support just about anywhere, making it possible to downsize or eliminate commercial office space and the high rent, utility bills and insurance. Your home office space can be networked together with other work locations. The seamless operation produces a united work environment.
- Provide services for remote or mobile answering points allowing increased efficiency of your reduced staff while aiding their productivity. Both compensation and expenses can be reduced with work from home staff as well as allowing your mobile employees the ability to be an answering point for covering incoming business calls.
- Eliminate or combine remote facilities while maintaining existing phone numbers that keep you connected to your customers and staff.
- Expand virtually into new market areas with local phone numbers and remote staff without adding an actual commercial office space. The new area becomes a seamless addition to your core business.
- As we emerge from the recession, HostMyCalls will help your business be more accessible, responsive, adaptable and competitively positioned. HostMyCalls scales easily with your new found growth.
Posted in HostMyCalls Services | No Comments »
March 3rd, 2010
If you are thinking about deploying VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communication in a Hosted VoIP or Hosted PBX system and its many benefits for your business, you need to examine your Internet connection as it can be the source of many problems. Although you may be satisfied with the performance of your Internet connection for data purposes, it may not be adequate for Hosted VoIP service.
VoIP communication is very sensitive to network problems. In VoIP, the voice signal is converted into a stream of 1s and 0s. The stream of 1s and 0s are then grouped into individual packets similar to data packets. The packets are sent to the receiving end accompanied with the appropriate header (IP Address of the receiving end, prioritization flags and sequence information).
Packets travel the Internet frequently in different routes and will not be received in the correct order, if at all. Problems can occur at the receiving end where the packets must be reassembled in the appropriate sequence and in time to have the 1s and 0s converted back to voice to be heard without disrupting the natural flow of the conversation. Data packets are not time sensitive. Small glitches in your Internet connection may be perceived as slow Internet on your computer, if noticed at all. With VoIP, small glitches can cause choppy voice or more severe problems including dropped calls.
The majority of issues that cause voice packets to be lost or received too far out of sequence for quality voice playback happen on your side. These issues include insufficient Internet speed, poor Internet Service Provider (ISP) service, an unreliable Internet circuit into your building, wiring inside your building and outbound voice packet prioritization. It is not enough to simply have a broadband connection. You need a high grade broadband connection to deliver the call quality you require to run your business.
Most ISPs run on a business model of oversubscription. High demand on these ISPs results in jitter and latency. In addition, quality Internet providers do not always install the best circuit possible. In many cases, the circuit that connects you to the Internet is deficient. For example, you or one of your neighbors may be using a commonly deployed T1 circuit. If your carrier has placed a T1 and your Internet DSL in their same cable bundle, the T1 will interfere with the frequency of the DSL and will make good voice quality impossible.
Bottom line, for successful Hosted VoIP or Hosted PBX deployment in your business, you should make sure that you are using the right ISP for your area, you have sufficient Internet speed and you have a reliable circuit. Further, voice packet prioritization need to be properly set.
The following link will be helpful in determining the above:
Four Steps to Determine Whether Your Internet Connection is Ready for VoIP
I hope this article has been helpful to you. Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Posted in Hosted PBX, Hosted VoIP, Internet, QoS, VoIP | No Comments »
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