Selecting a VoIP Gateway for Your Business
A VoIP gateway (Voice-over Internet Protocol) translates voice calls, in real time, between digital signals used by the Internet Protocol (IP) network, and analog signals used by the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a Private Branch Exchange (PBX). With a VoIP gateway a business can connect a traditional PBX to the internet and convert analog lines into VoIP. Internet telephony service providers (ITSP) often include VoIP gateways with subscription to their service.
VoIP gateways are available in either analog or digital units. An analog gateway has an analog connection for the PBX and an Ethernet connection. This gateway converts analog signals to IP packets for transmission. A digital gateway has a digital connection for the PBX and an Ethernet connection. This gateway converts IP packets to analog signals for transmission.
VoIP gateways also come in hardware and software forms. Hardware solutions are more popular among businesses because they are more reliable than software gateways and don't require computer processing power. However, hardware solutions can be more expensive than software gateways because they require much more equipment.
VoIP gateway come with many features including call management, call directing and call translation across multiple Internet telephony services. Additionally, the gateway may come with interfaces to external controllers, such as Gatekeepers or Softswitches, billing systems, and network management systems.
A gateway may benefit companies for several reasons. For companies or corporations with offices in various locations nationally or globally, the VoIP gateway can reduce phone costs. Another benefit is increased call clarity, among others.
Since gateway units vary from "just the basics" to "very elaborate", it is important to consider the cost and the features your business needs today and will need in the future. A business should select a gateway based on the number of VoIP calls it can manage at once. The VoIP gateway should have about 20 percent more capacity than the current traditional phone system so the business can continue to grow without immediately needing to purchase a new gateway.
Basic VoIP Gateways
A basic VoIP gateway unit comes with a phone jack, Ethernet router and firewall, and can be purchased for fewer than two hundred dollars. A device at this price level would offer ports for the phone jack, the broadband modem, and the computer or network connection. Basic VoIP gateways are typically used in homes or small office settings as they cannot handle many VoIP calls simultaneously.
Mid-Range Gateways
For those businesses looking for additional interfaces and features such as security capabilities like encryption and network voice compression, a midlevel gateway is most likely to meet their needs. The selection standard for mid-range VoIP gateways is the maximum packet throughput and the number of concurrent phone calls supported. At this level it is essential to have a professional analysis to determine how much capacity the VoIP system needs.
High-End Gateways
The high-end of the gateway market is typically reserved for telephone carriers and large companies looking for VoIP gateways that support thousands of channels. High-end gateways can cost thousands of dollars and have a variety of features such as interactive voice response, voice recording and conference calls.
As with any technological purchase a new gateway is an investments and as such, it is important to consider extra costs the might arise. Even though the technology has become easier to maintain, updating it still comes at a cost. To get the best product, a business must consider both the initial costs and the future costs along with the service it will receive with the product.
Selecting a VoIP gateway for a business can increase call quality while decreasing the cost of local and international calling. Along with understanding the technological aspects of new phone systems, a company must also consider the price range and features that are best for them. If a company considers all costs and services provided, the end result will be a product that increases workplace productivity and enhances their telecommunication abilities.
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