All, I have been doing some research on IP for work and came across some interesting articles.
From Digital Corporation: Fall 1997 Edition - Web trends:
"Internet telephony service providers are enabling voice-based communication from PC to PC, PC to phone,and phone to phone over the Internet, Cedrone says. They promise a broad range of communications over the IP networks-from voice and fax to unified messaging and Web-based call center integration. With the customer service-oriented call center integration model, individuals will be able to click a button to request a phone conversation, and be helped in real time by someone who knows where they've been and what they're currently viewing. "Subscribers will enjoy unified messaging-systems with one mailbox with voicemail, e-mail, fax and pager notification-with the ability to route real-time calls and messages to preprogrammed or on-demand locations," according to Cedrone."
"Public IP Telephony - Placing calls over private value-added networks implemented solely to carry IP telephony calls. Delta Three (http://www.deltathree.com) is one organization establishing leadership in this area.
Intranet IP Telephony - Carrying phone calls using IP telephony technology over a corporation's internal network infrastructure."
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Here is a description from the Deltathree web site of their network:
"The Delta Three Global Network is an intranet allowing the flow
of voice, fax and data services over TCP protocols. Delta Three
sites have been established around the world either directly by
the company or through partnerships. Sites have been
positioned in major metropolitan centers, to offer the widest
possible coverage. The Global Network infrastructure is a
combination of Internet and Intranet solutions, whereby quality
'telephone' services can be effectively terminated at a very low
cost.
Every site houses one or more Delta Three Server. Some sites
are owned and operated exclusively by Delta Three, like the
United States for example, whilst others are joint ventures or
partnerships, like Paraguay and Singapore. Site operators
service the needs of the customers in their territory. Customers
phone into the Delta Three Server using a toll free number and
place an international call in the same way they would call using
any long distance provider. At the same time, customers can
receive calls from any other location on the Global Network.
Delta Three maintains high quality Networking standards. The
infrastructure, the Internet and all points of presence in the
Global Network are monitored on a 24-hour basis. Network
management and support for partners ensures the highest
possible call quality available today through Internet
Telephony.
Complete clearing and settlement services are provided by
Delta Three Inc., ensuring a fair and equitable distribution of
revenues between partners."
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It will be interesting to see how the promised FNET will compare as an "Internet Telephony Service Provider", in regard to functionality and services, and as a network, compared to the Delta Three Global Network
The more I read, the more competition I find. Many companies already have OEM agreements and partnerships. Frank and Co. need to get moving...IMO!!!
Judith |
