VoIP : Voice over IP

Voip

VoIP Articles

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a technology that allows voice calls to be made using an internet connection rather than a traditional analog phone line. The voice data is digitized, transmitted over the internet, and then reassembled at the other end. Here's a brief history and some highlights of VoIP:

  1. 1973 - Birth of the Internet: The first experimental Voice over IP call was made in 1973 as part of the development of the ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet.
  2. 1995 - First Commercial VoIP Software: The VocalTec Internet Phone, often considered the first commercial VoIP software, was released in 1995. It allowed users to make voice calls over the internet, marking the start of commercial VoIP technology.
  3. 1996 - ITU standardizes VoIP: The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standardized the first version of H.323, one of the first VoIP protocols that provided the technical foundation for the technology.
  4. 1999 - Session Initiation Protocol (SIP): SIP, another key protocol in VoIP technology, was developed by the IETF in 1999. It is still widely used today for setting up and controlling communications sessions in VoIP systems.
  5. 2003 - Skype: Skype was introduced in 2003, offering free VoIP calls between computers. Skype played a crucial role in popularizing VoIP technology among general users worldwide.
  6. 2004 - Mass Market VoIP Service Providers: Companies like Vonage began offering VoIP services to the mass market, providing consumers with a digital alternative to traditional phone lines.
  7. 2010s - Growth of Mobile VoIP: The advent of smartphones and faster mobile data networks in the 2010s made Mobile VoIP more feasible and popular, allowing people to make VoIP calls from anywhere.
  8. 2010s - Integration with Cloud Services: Many companies began integrating VoIP services with cloud-based platforms, leading to the growth of Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS).
  9. Present - Continued Growth and Evolution: VoIP technology continues to evolve, with advancements in areas like HD voice, video calls, integration with other communication platforms, and IP telephony for businesses. VoIP is also a key component in the emerging Internet of Telephony (IoT) infrastructure.