COV ITRM Glossary

Definition

A service that permits voice connections and the transmission of voice conversations using IP packets that are sent over public and private cabled infrastructure. A set of equipment and protocols is required to accomplish quality voice communications using VoIP. A major advantage of VoIP and Internet telephony is that it avoids the tolls charged by ordinary telephone service. VoIP derives from the VoIP Forum, an effort by major equipment providers, including Cisco, VocalTec, 3Com, and Netspeak to promote the use of ITU-T H.323, the standard for sending voice (audio) and video using IP on the public Internet and within an intranet. The Forum also promotes the user of directory service standards so that users can locate other users and the use of touch-tone signals for automatic call distribution and voice mail. Using VoIP, an enterprise positions a “VoIP device” at a gateway. The gateway receives packetized voice transmissions from users within the company and then routes them to other parts of its intranet (local area or wide area network) or, using a T- carrier system or E-carrier interface, sends them over the public switched telephone network.