Mpls – is it the Future of Communications for Businesses?
During the last few years, MPLS has grown at an amazing pace and more and more providers are replacing frame relay with the MPLS networks. More and more businesses are using MPLS network for their needs to connect their locations together on a private network. There are numerous applications that can take advantage of this latest technology in being able to prioritize data packets by assigning labels to them. There are lots of products that have the label MPLS, so one needs to be careful of the types of services available. There are several partial implementations (Cisco included) of the MPLS specifications, many of which do not give the full range of QoS and support for carrying diverse services at the same time. For multi-service networks MPLS services provided by the major providers is most likely the best options to consider. MPLS service is the ‘Now’ (not the future) Generation of backbone technology. It is the number one service offering for most Global Telco’s, not to mention the main focus of Vendors in the US. In Europe and Asia, it is already the technology of choice for most new WAN implementations.It is always safer to compare the business cases for MPLS and competing legacy technologies when considering a change. Often the Service Providers push customers into MPLS solutions because it is fashionable and the margins are better for them as they can bundle multiple services with it (Data and VOIP plus enhanced network monitoring tools etc). The overall MPLS costs for a customer will depend on several factors:(a) existing and future bandwidth requirements;(b) the need to use bandwidth on demand;(c) geographical spread of wide area networks (distance from the exchange and regulatory restrictions). The further the locations, the more advantageous it is to have MPLS connections since they’re distant insensitive.MPLS network is truly becoming the technology for today’s WAN. With the refresh of network infrastructure now better built into operating budgets, the fact that VOIP, videoconferencing and convergence of legacy and current data networks are no longer a leap of faith, more and more businesses migrating to MPLS solutions in the next year and beyond.Every major bandwidth provider in the US is pushing MPLS. In fact, Sprint, a major Tier 1 provider, is abandoning the frame relay service at the end of the year and getting everyone on their MPLS network. In order to take full advantage of the MPLS technology, MPLS service is required at every site. ALL MPLS offerings allow businesses that previously did not have a full meshed network to now have the benefits of one. This plays well into most Disaster Recovery plans too. All locations can interact with one another without additional cost like frame relay .
MPLS service includes CoS (class of service). This is very useful if you have VOIP or run applications such as videoconferencing, ERP, CRM, etc.For MPLS connections to be most effective, your entire route from point A to point B has to be MPLS enabled. So given locations A say in Los Angeles and location B in say Chicago, this entire path from both locations HAVE to be MPLS enabled. Otherwise, the packet markings are useless.
Shopforbandwidth.com has helped numerous companies migrate from frame relay or VPN to MPLS. They can do the same for your company as well. You can choose to connect your various locations with MPLS speeds usually starting at 1.5 mbps to 45 mbps (T1 speed to T3/DS3 bandwidth) and faster.For MPLS pricing, get MPLS quotes NOW!
Globe7 – World’s Most Successful Free VOip
Globe7 – The Talk anywhere VoIPYes! Globe7 has done it!! 23,600,269 downloads and counting – thepast four months Globe7 has risen from absolutely nowhere to the second mostpopular VoIP provider in the world behind Skype amid hundreds of other PC toPhone VoIP providers vying for the attention of potential futurecustomers. With just two years in the industry, Globe7 have achieved the unbelievable featof having their unique and free VoIP soft phone downloaded almost 4million times and over 3 million times in just the last 6-8 weeks. Not manycompanies can boast with this kind of achievement and maybe only Skype’s growthrate was higher. Globe7 may stilltake some time to achieve THE NUMERO UNO status; but with their veryrespectable call rates (lowest among all), they are bound to attract a fewmillion more customers and many of these customers will be from Skype hoping tosave even more on their international calls.Globe7 is a free downloadablesoft phone integrated with Voice, Free Video,Free SMS,IM, and real time video streaming, powered by online advertising. Globe7enables you to make free calls from pc to pc (voice and video), pcto mobile and pc to landline by watching videos in Globe7 TV.Globe7, the Sip Soft Phone Service with Internet TVhas announced its expanded global user base has now topped 2.5 million. Withits unique services in the field of Communication and Infotainment, 2006Versions’ 5.0 with enhanced SMS and ‘My Channel’ features, has become theuser’s favorite communication and entertainment tool for internet communitiesacross the globe; with an average of 50 to 60 thousand new downloads every day.Launched at the beginning of 2007, Globe7 version 7.0 is making available toits 2.5million users as well as new users 1 month unlimited free calling to 25 majordestinations including the USA, Canada, China and Singapore for just 4.99 USDper month.Speaking at the launch, Chief ExecutiveOfficer Venkat Meenavalli "Globe7, with the unprecedented offer, eclipsedthe entire world of internet communications and surpassed its 150 peers in theindustry. According to myvoipprovider.com, other hi-profile communicationsproviders; Yahoo, Skype, Vonage and others have not offered services at thislow price". "We are expanding, continuedMeenavalli, in various areas of applications and at the same time endeavoringto bring in more and more effectiveness with unique features of Globe7. That’s howwe define value and quality enhancement."Globe7 recentlypartnered with Lycos.com, forming a three year non-exclusive agreement, underwhich Globe 7 will power the new Lycos phone service. This partnership fuelledGlobe7’s growth and with the extensive media coverage their VoIP soft phonewent main stream and is now a force to be reckoned with.Further, Globe7 version 7.0is equipped with features and more enhanced audio and video quality with morecontent from AP, ANI, Music Plus, Reuters, Fashion TV and many other contentproviders. Globe7 respects digital rights and provides only legal content fromaccredited agencies.All the advertising on Globe7 is powered by Axill along with major players likevalueclick.com, Revenue.net, Adbrite.com etc. Globe7 is now generating about1.8 Billion Ad impressions per month.Globe7 is owned by Axill Europe, a subsidiary of NorthgateTechnologies Ltd. Axill Europe specializes in providing a precise trackingtechnology and advertising delivery system within its user community, whichprovides the backbone for Globe7’s unique business model.Based in India with its U.S. headquarters in New Jersey, Northgate Technologies boasts one of the largest datacenters in the world, located in London.Northgate Technologies has emerged as a key player in the global telecomindustry and VoIP market since its launch last year of the original Globe7model — the first ever globally patented SIP VoIP phone.Globe7 is ranked #1 bywww.myvoipprovider.com, a VoIP rating website that ranks providers based ontechnology, price and the user experience.Check out why Feature Skype Globe7 Software Free Free PC to PC calling Free Free PC to Landline/Mobile from 2.00c per min from 0.86c per min IM Free Free US Phone Number +/- US$36 / Year Free mp3 Player not available Free Voice Mail to email +/- US$18 per year Free Video Calling (PC to PC) Free Free IPTV not available Free Conference calling Free not available Platform Win, Mac, Linux Win, Mac, Linux Globe7forges ahead on to future with fortitude in tune with its motto- "ConvertingDigital Information into Human Intelligence".
The Advantages of the Asterisk Phone System For Businesses
The day has come in which Asterisk-driven systems have become available for the technological savvy business. Being that the telephone and the internet have become very important for any business, it was just a matter of time before the two found themselves joined together in a lifelong union. It started with landline telephone systems many years ago and now other options have come about. One of those options is VOIP, which stands for Voice Over Internet Protocol. This allows people to speak over the internet just like they are on the telephone. As a matter of fact, many individuals and businesses are switching to VOIP because of its low cost and the high degree of convenience.
Factoring in PBX
Factor in PBX with your VOIP and you have something quite incredible. PBX stands for private branch exchange. This is more or less a phone system owned by the business and not any carrier in particular. If this were factored into a regular landline, this would be quite expensive. However, combine it with VOIP and you have VOIP PBX. VOIP PBX is the new way in which businesses are communicating with the world and it is much more affordable than trying to combine PBX with a landline. This is what birthed Asterisk phone systems.
Asterisk phone systems take away that reliability that businesses had on phone companies to ensure consistency in communication. If something happened with the phone lines, the business would be at the mercy of the phone company to ensure it would be fixed. Sometimes phone line repairs can take days or even weeks if new parts have to be ordered. VOIP PBX is privately owned by your business, so you’re at no one’s mercy. You have total control.
Installing Asterisk phone systems
When it comes to installing Asterisk phone systems, Asterisk consulting is something that is needed. These consultants are individuals who help deploy and customize this VOIP PBX system for your business. Without them, the process can be quite difficult. Fortunately, they do offer on-site service that makes the process much easier for your business. Asterisk consulting firms make it a priority to ensure that you’re up and running and that the chances of you having downtime are very slim. The idea of Asterisk phone systems is to have no downtime and to allow your company to have complete control over your phone system. This has become quite the affordable alternative for many businesses, which is why so many are switching.
Another reason why so many are switching is because internet systems have become more reliable than a lot of landline phone services. If landline service is interrupted, your business is still able to communicate because you’re not operating on landlines. As phone lines age and malfunction, VOIP PBX is new and is something that is built to last. These are things to consider when looking for a viable communication option for your business.
The convenience
The convenience of Asterisk phone systems is quite evident. What’s even better is that you don’t have to worry about the installation and the customization of your VOIP PBX on your own. Asterisk consulting firms can take care of that for you, answer your questions, and have you up and running in no time. It is not something to be afraid of. Simply ask any business that has already implemented the system and see what they have to say about what it has done for them. They’re going to tell you that it has made a difference in their communication, which has made a difference in their productivity. It has also made a difference in their bank account.
Skype Versus Yahoo
With the influx of complaints regarding Skype’s fall from grace, Danny Wirken measures up the top competitor and internet giant Yahoo!’s news internet telephony service.
Cheaper, faster, better quality, better customer service and a brand you can trust. These are the things Yahoo! want you take away from any of their promotional material for the new Yahoo! voice VoIP service.
The weird and wonderful continues to dominate the Skype debate. A recent complaint published on a blog from a Skype user illustrates the issue at the heart of Skype’s fall from grace well:
“I recharged my account and then couldn’t use it. When I emailed support I got a response four days later saying that my account was not over 3 months old. Yet I am. Giving them the benefit of the doubt, I asked Skype customer service to recheck. They then said it was because I have under 5 euros in my account. Yet I had over 5 euros. At that point I gave up.â€
It’s hard to blame the customer support staff though – with the daily torrent of complaints they are no doubt having to deal with the blame and responsibility falls squarely in the lap of Ebay who now own Skype. Yahoo! aims to offer a more competitive service.
The published list of prices are now available on the Yahoo! site and it’s plain for all to see who will eventually be leading on price for national and international calls.
Yahoo! certainly has the market – the users of its chat software are a rival market for Skype’s exclusively VoIP based service. By adding value to the service Yahoo! can already offer their users, they are making a far smaller step than Skype or any other company seeking to offer competition in this fast paced market.
With MSN and AOL also entering the fray, Yahoo! is keen to gain immediate respect as the new internet telephony Mecca. There is essentially no difference between Yahoo!’s business model and Skype’s business model except that Yahoo! bundles many services into one piece of software.
Customers are predicted to trust Yahoo! with their personal details and payment information more readily than Skype who already has a poor history of random charges, incorrect charges and general customer service problems that have had the user base up in arms for several months now.
Yahoo! claim that their top priority is to provide the best communications service possible by blending the VoIP into other services such as mobile communications and search. It is this kind of integration that holds the key to the future marketplace – but is it one which Skype can easily keep up with? They have no instantly recognisable equivalence to the broad network of services on offer from Yahoo! and this is a fact that customers will be aware of.
If you’re fed up with the problems permeating the world of Skype right now then I strongly suggest you check out Yahoo!’s offering. You might just be thankful that you did. There are many more competitors on the books however – pushing prices down across the industry.
VOIP : Communication Becomes Easier With VOIP
Do you want to utilize your Internet network more efficiently at no extra cost? Think VOIP! The Internet has proved to be a boon in many ways since its emergence and Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) can be counted among the advantages it offers. It involves using a single network for voice and data.
VOIP is also known as Internet telephony, Voice over Broadband, and Broadband telephony. It is a system that involves routing conversations over the Internet. Any other IP-based network may also be used for the purpose. The benefits and the drawbacks of VOIP are as follows:
Advantages
– You can receive calls on your VOIP phone even when you are on a trip. Just carry the phone; whenever you connect to the Internet you can receive calls
– VOIP to VOIP calls under most packages are free; VOIP to PSTN calls are, however, charged on the VOIP user
– Calls are treated as local calls. For example, if a call centre agent based in India calls a customer in New York, the call will be local.
– Some service providers offer free phone numbers that can be used with VOIP
– Value added services like caller ID, call forwarding, and automatic redial are included in many VOIP packages
– VOIP can integrate with audio and video conferencing as well as enable data transfer in parallel with the conversation
– Pre-paid cards can be availed
Shortcomings
– It is difficult to send faxes
– VOIP is entirely dependent on the quality and the reliability of the Internet connection; poor Internet connections can lead to low call quality and echoing
– On VOIP phones, you cannot make calls during a power cut, but you can receive calls
– It is difficult to identify the geographical location of the users and, therefore, to route emergency calls to the appropriate local call center
– It is possible to eavesdrop on VOIP conversations because most services providers do not offer encryption
– Caller ID information can be modified or spoofed and this can make it difficult to trace the caller
VOIP shortcomings are not insurmountable, for example, you can buy VOIP phones with a battery backup to ensure connectivity even during power outage. Similarly, business-grade VOIP services do not always rely on the Internet. They offer T1 connections, so you don’t need to worry about Internet speed and reliability.
VOIP phones are increasingly being used by migrant workers and travelers who do not have a fixed phone and do not want to use their mobile because of high roaming charges.
However, it is also true that mobile phones are gaining increasing popularity among people in general, and many people use only mobiles and have no landline connection.
A fast and stable Internet connect is the primary prerequisite in this case
VoIP Service: Sign Up And Save
If you want to save money on your telephone service using the internet, you will need to sign up with a VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) service provider. They will sell you the necessary equipment and assign you a number, which is used like a regular phone number.
VOIP providers are useful and very cheap. Most providers offer VOIP connections free of charge. They make their money by charging for calls to the regular telephone network. Most providers allow you to call any phone number in the world for a moderately low fee. For modest monthly fees (about $8-$20), they offer unlimited calls to certain geographic areas. They also provide voicemail, call forwarding and conference calls, at no extra charge.
Vonage, BroadVoice, Diamond, iConnectHere, Lingo, mywebphone, Packet8, and VoicePulse are some of the major VOIP providers. Most of these companies are based in the United States; some also have offices in other countries.
VOIP equipment includes a broadband modem and an ATA (Analog Telephone Adapter) or IP phone. Both the ATA and IP phone connect directly to the modem, but the ATA allows you to use older analog phones. No matter which equipment you use, it has a unique number that identifies your current IP (Internet Protocol) address. If you’re constantly on the move, your VOIP provider tracks your current IP address, which allows people to contact you no matter where you are.
Even if you’re using your Internet phone from a single location, a VOIP provider is usually still necessary. The majority of residential Internet connections have ‘dynamic’ IP addresses, so every time you reconnect to the Internet, you have a different IP address.
The VOIP provider is also useful, because people can contact you by entering your user name, rather than your IP address.
When choosing a VOIP provider, keep in mind the protocol they use. SIP seems to be the emerging standard. It offers fairly easy connection routes between different VOIP providers. H.323 and IAX protocols are sometimes offered in addition to SIP. Skype, popular for PC-to-PC VOIP systems, uses a proprietary protocol, so it is not easy to connect to the Skype network from another VOIP provider.
It is a bit of work to research and set everything up, but the sooner you start, the quicker you will be able to look back and say, “Why did I wait so long?”
