VoIP Tech Chat

Residential VoIP - No Operators

Some say the media sensationalizes our economic woes for their personal gain. Others say the media accurately portrays the extreme financial burdens we find ourselves facing. And some people say, “Hey. I don’t care about anything, I always have and always will try to save money.” With today’s world becoming increasingly digital, VoIP (digital telephone) seems like a naturally good idea.

Clearly, we at VoIP Tech Chat advocate VoIP. We love it. We love it so much, we made a website called VoIP Tech Chat. And we actually now and then have chats and write articles on VoIP (ok, that last part was a little sarcastically since both Patrick and Fred seem to have been too busy to actually talk or write lately… but anyway…).
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Just when we were going to post the next series of “What is,” Mr. Cory Andrews scoops us with his “Ask Mr. Andrews: What is NAT Transversal?” post. He even made a super cool logo.

Well, we have only 2 comments:

1. No Star Wars or Dungeons & Dragons references?
2. Two Words: Ben Affleck

Seriously, it’s a nice post. And if you liked it, please check out:

• What is a VoIP?
• What is POTS?
• What is DTMF?
• How does 911 work with VoIP?
• and the opinion piece, Mommy, What’s a Phone Cord?

Welcome back our friends to the show that never ends. We’re so glad you could attend, VoIP inside. VoIP inside. This week, Patrick and Fred discuss VoIP and non-VoIP digressions that always seem to include Ben Affleck. Go know.

And, remember, this week is the special Hanson edition of VoIP Tech Chat.

As always, VoIP Tech Chat can be accessed from:

• Voip Tech Chat (download mp3) 
• iTunes
• And, thanks to popular request, you can also stream the chat by pressing the play button below

  Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Looking for more information or bunny reenactments? Check out these great links: 
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The Senate unanimously passed legislation requiring 911 networks to play nicely with VoIP providers. Actually, the bill (dubbed the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007) does more than sarcastically tell companies to play nice, but Patrick and Fred like to be sarcastic when discussing federal regulation. After all, it’s June 2008 and the Senate just now voted on legislation that the House of Representatives passed in November 2007. And now the bill goes back to the House for final approval.

By the way, for more information on how a bill becomes a law, please listen, read, and buy School House Rock’s “I’m Just a Bill.” Everyone together now, I’m just a bill, Yes I’m only a bill….

So, back in 2005 when Vonage started gaining popularity in the residential telephone game, the FCC decided that VoIP providers should be required to provide enhanced 911 to their subscribers by 2006. Well, VoIP providers did their best, but 911 routing definitely does not come in a one-size-fits-all type of system. Every 911 center has their own integration and traditionally had been controlled specifically by brick and mortar POTS companies; who weren’t super pleased with integrating their services to companies stealing their customers.

VoIP providers asked the FCC for extensions and basically Congress came in and decided that more laws should be created to help the process.

The Act (H.R. 3403) requires the FCC to regulate VoIP to 911 connectivity and ensure VoIP providers receive access to 911 and enhanced 911 centers.The bill also sets into place how much local governments can charge VoIP carriers for these connections.

So, the bottom line?

Get ready for improved access to 911 from VoIP providers and get ready for more 911 taxes on your VoIP line.

A copy of the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007 report can be downloaded right here from VoIP Tech Chat.

Investing 300 million dollars over 10 years, the Social Security Administration now leads the US Government in telephony technology – simply switching to Voice over Internet (VoIP). The contract was awarded to Nortel. At first, the figure 300 million boggled us. Then, using the complex mathematical equation of 300 million dollars divided by 10 years, we determined an average cost of 30 million dollars a year.

Before you flip out and say to yourself, “My goodness (we’re keeping it G-Rated), 30 million dollars a year on phones??? What is our government thinking?”

Shocking as it may seem, we at Voip Tech Chat applaud the Social Security Administration’s decision. Sure, as huge (again easy with the fat jokes please) fans of Benjamin Franklin, Patrick and Fred often are publicly vocal and critical of decisions made by the US Government. Yet, when a good decision is made, we try to be equally supportive.

Let’s look at this more closely… 

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If you are reading this article thinking that we’ll discuss cookware or the latest Rachel Ray recipe, you’ve come to the wrong place. At VoIP Tech Chat our mission is simple — we’re here to chat about VoIP. Think of it as Coffee Talk, without the coffee or infatuation with Barbara.

Sometimes, to discuss VoIP, we must discuss what VoIP is not — in this case, VoIP is not POTS.

POTS is the common nickname and acronym for Plain Old Telephone Service – you know, the “traditional” phone jack in your wall. The POTS system uses technology that is basically unchanged since the early 1900’s. The wires may be upgraded, sure there’s more features, but the telephone technology in use via POTS is essentially the same technology introduced before there were airplanes, highways, or even household refrigerators.

Background, aka Trivial Knowledge that Patrick would call Interesting

The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell, who along with Thomas Edison, created a method of transferring voice over long distance through the use of connecting wires. Basically, one telephone would be physically connected to another.

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This question reminds us of the famous quandary, “What is the Ultimate Answer to The Great Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything?” Which of course, as we all know, the simple answer is 42.

This digression is brought to you courtesy of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy which was a great book, a horrible movie, and a decent mini-series on the BBC… but this, our friends, will be discussed in a VoipTechChat in the future… perhaps over a great meal at the Restaurant at the end of the Universe.

We tell you that story to tell you this story:

911 with VoIP has a simple answer and it has a much more thoughtful answer as well. The simple answer is that normally, 911 with VoIP works great. The in-depth answer of course, is not so simple. Read the rest of this entry »