As a leader in the development of communication technology such as voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP), Storm is very pleased with the Department of Communication's announcement that, from 1 February 2005, value-added networks providers (VANs) will be allowed to carry voice calls over their infrastructure.
VOIP is a viable, quality, cost-effective alternative to traditional voice technology already widely available in many countries, both First World and developing.
Storm will exhibit IP communication solutions from 29 September to 1 October at Futurex Cape, with live VOIP demonstrations at its stand whereby visitors will have a chance to demo VOIP calls over the Storm data network.
In addition, each visitor will receive a R30 Storm International product voucher as part of the company's Time to Talk promotion enabling voucher holders to trial-run Storm International from their own phones.
VOIP allows businesses to avoid costly site-to-site long distance charges by converting voice signals to data and transporting them across an IP network to another point, where the data is converted back to voice. VOIP is thus used more as a 'toll-bypass' solution, for example networked offices can reduce costs by calling remote offices over the data network with no per minute call costs at all. Also, calls from Cape Town to a Johannesburg client will by-pass the national call rates with just a local call from the PBX in Johannesburg at local call rates.
"Implementing VOIP is possible with very little investment and huge savings," says director of Storm, Tim Parsonson. "Technology has moved fast and voice quality over managed networks is now indistinguishable from normal telephony."
What steps are involved in implementing VOIP?
From 1 February 2005, Storm, as a licensed VANS provider, will be able to allow its customers to run VOIP over its network. Parsonson says a critical advantage of VOIP is that implementation is uncomplicated and straightforward.
"For example, if you take a mid-sized company with 200 employees and three branches, in Cape Town, Durban and a small London presence, typically the company will have a network connection or a virtual network, connecting the various branches. VOIP gateway devices can be installed on the conventional PBXs at each branch, which are capable of carrying several calls simultaneously. The devices compress the voice signals, saving bandwidth. As a result of implementing VOIP, inter-branch calls and national call costs will decrease. A call from Cape Town going to a Durban client for example, using the inter-branch network, is routed to Durban via the data network at no charge and then charged at the cost of a local call. The same applies to international calls which are routed over the data network to the company's office, or Storm's switch, in London; from there calls are re-routed at the cost of a local call or to other countries at much cheaper UK tariff rates. So if you're calling France from SA, you only pay for the call from London to France which can result in 60% - 70% cost savings."
Levels of management needed to make VOIP work
The Multi Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology at the core of the Storm network is an essential component of Storm's ability to deliver corporate quality VOIP. A converged backbone enables the company to roll-out services faster and more cost-effectively, ensuring a smarter way of managing a network by speeding up traffic flow and prioritising network applications such as voice, data and video. In line with international trends, MPLS allows for better network management and higher quality reliable transmission.
How to ensure VOIP quality and security
Initial perceptions that VOIP does not meet the quality standards of traditional voice networks have changed and today technology such as compression technology and MPLS is so advanced that VOIP calls should be indistinguishable from PSTN (the traditional public switched voice network) calls.
"Security is basically down to the way a company manages its IP network. We offer firewalls between LANS and the Internet and if you can secure a private network you can secure your voice. MPLS enables us to offer clients a secure and reliable VPN connection to other branches or remote employees, without the costly hassle of managing the complexity of that network themselves," says Parsonson.
"Instead of making use of public Internet connectivity with its security issues or inherent congestion problems, Storm can build a dedicated network for the customer on the back of the MPLS technology in our network. The network provides complete isolation from other clients while sharing the same physical connection," says Chief Operating Officer of Storm, Lex Van Wyk.
What are SA's expectations over the coming months?
From 1 February 2005, SA can expect a myriad of VOIP solutions to come to market from the approximately 300 VANs operating in the country.
"What is important is to resist the hype and make sure that decisions are made on the clear understanding of how VOIP can be used effectively in a business. To support this, Storm is running a number of free seminars in both Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban in November which will assist our partners and customers learn about the potential impact of VOIP on communications costs and general productivity levels."
Futurex Cape visitors are invited to visit the Storm stand (B26, B28) at Futurex Cape to experience the benefits of VOIP for themselves and learn more about the VOIP seminars being held in November.
Share
Editorial contacts