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Can One Trust Voice Over Internet For Security?
By Elia Levi
Although the name "VoIP" may seem abstruse or menacing, The Voice over Internet Protocol is simply an easy way to transmit vocal messages through the network. It is not used for broadcasting speeches or for spreading lectures but for plain direct exchanges like the daily phone calls everyone makes several times a day.
Practically a VoIP call is very similar to a regular phone call. But the service is different and it is made possible by Internet companies that struggle for a share of the market.
Prospective users should know what these services are and how they are used. One should understand what advantages they offer and from which limitations they suffer.
The public most near to this relatively new technology is that of owners of Personal Computers with access to the Internet, who use it for browsing their favorite websites, or for corresponding by e-mail.
They already know what it means to make a connection with their Internet Service Provider using the devices and the specific instructions they got when they signed for subscribing to the service.
A simple microphone plugged into the computer and some software downloadable at no cost may be all they need, in order to talk with anybody else similarly equipped, no matter where located.
Except that the call will go through only (and this is a big question mark) if the recipient's computer is online at that time. This is similar to what happens when calling a cellular phone which may be shut off.
VoIP service may be much less expensive than that of a regular telephone company but the quality of voice transmission may be lower, and freedom from eavesdropping cannot be guaranteed.
Alternatively one can use a device called Analog Telephone Adapter with a regular phone (without a PC) to contact first the Internet Service Provider and then, once the connection with the Internet is established, to route the call to the recipient.
Some providers may offer, for a fee, connection from a PC to the regular net of telephone subscribers. In this case the recipient will get a call without necessarily knowing from which devices it was made.
When considering if this VoIP solution is applicable to emergency situation, one should be aware that the service is much more vulnerable to power blackouts, transmission delays and lower voice quality, and that the connection with rescue centers may be unavailable.
Therefore there is unanimous consent that VoIP, at the present time, cannot be trusted to be available and functioning in emergencies. It may be however a nice addition to more traditional phone services as a cheaper alternative in some cases.
There is no doubt that with technological progress most of the hurdles still afflicting VoIP will be overcome.
Elia Levi is a retired engineer. He built a website to assist with a step-by-step Guide to understand, design, select and set up, all by yourself the best and least expensive Surveillance System for your Home Security. Read more on the subject of this article at VoIP - Voice over Internet Protocol.
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