VOIP Phones - Advanced PrecisionVOIP Solutions

VoIP (Voice over IP) phones for Ship/Shore Communications

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) has revolutionized the way we communicate, enabling voice calls over the Internet rather than traditional telephone networks. VoIP phones have become increasingly popular for businesses and individuals due to their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and feature-rich capabilities.

VoIP Phones

VoIP phones, also known as IP phones or internet phones, are devices that use internet protocol technology to transmit voice calls over IP networks instead of traditional phone lines. Unlike traditional analog phones, which rely on circuit-switched networks, VoIP phones convert voice signals into digital packets and transmit them over the internet or local area networks (LANs). These phones are designed to work seamlessly with VoIP services, allowing users to make and receive calls using internet connectivity.

Satellite communication services on board vessels through VOIP phones are utilized for data as well as for voice communications. More and more companies are electing to subscribe to unmetered data plans with their Satellite Communications service provider to take advantage of the increasing quantity of data required to be shared between the office and the vessels. This contributes to the safe and effective management of the vessel's operations as well as to compliance with regulatory requirements.

How Do VoIP Phones Work?

VoIP phones utilize several components and protocols to enable voice communication over IP networks. The following steps outline the general process:

a. Voice Encoding:

When a user speaks into a VoIP phone, the analog voice signals are converted into digital format through a process called encoding. Codecs (Coder-Decoder) are used to compress the voice signals into smaller-sized packets without significantly affecting the audio quality.

b. Packetization:

The encoded voice signals are divided into packets and tagged with the necessary header information, such as source and destination addresses. Each packet contains a portion of the voice data along with control information for routing and error correction.

c. Network Transmission:

The voice packets are then transmitted over IP networks, which can be the internet or private LANs. The packets travel through routers and switches that forward them to the intended destination based on IP addressing.

d. VoIP Protocol:

VoIP phones use various protocols to establish and manage voice calls. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) is a commonly used protocol for call setup, termination, and feature negotiation. Other protocols like Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) and Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) ensure the reliable and secure transmission of voice packets.

e. Packet Reassembly:

At the receiving end, the voice packets are reassembled in the correct order and decoded back into analog signals by the VoIP phone. The audio signals are then played through the phone's speaker, allowing the user to hear the caller's voice.

f. Additional Features:

VoIP phones often incorporate additional features such as call forwarding, call waiting, voicemail, conference calling, caller ID, and integration with other communication tools like instant messaging and video conferencing.

Benefits of VoIP Phones

VoIP phones offer several advantages over traditional telephone systems, making them a popular choice for businesses and individuals. Some key benefits include:

a. Cost Savings:

One of the primary advantages of VoIP phones is cost savings. Voice calls from the vessels as well as calls to the vessels have continued to remain costly with calls from the vessel ranging from US$0.29 per minute to landlines and mobiles; and up to US$5.00 per minute.

With the increasing availability of unmetered/unlimited data plans combined with steadily improving bandwidth availability, services that have been available in the terrestrial environment that have contributed to the significant reductions in call costs, now become available to the maritime industry.

Calls made through VoIP networks are generally cheaper, especially for long-distance and international calls, compared to traditional telephone services. VoIP eliminates the need for separate voice and data networks, reducing infrastructure and maintenance costs.

b. Flexibility and Mobility:

VoIP phones allow users to make and receive calls from anywhere with an internet connection. Whether in the office, at home, or on the go, users can stay connected through their VoIP phone, as long as they have access to a reliable internet connection.

c. Scalability and Easy Integration:

VoIP systems are highly scalable, allowing businesses to add or remove phone lines easily based on their needs. Adding new extensions or users is straightforward, often requiring only software configuration. Additionally, VoIP systems can integrate with other communication tools and software applications, enhancing productivity and collaboration.

d. Rich Features and Functionality:

VoIP phones offer a wide range of advanced features and functionalities that are often included in the service package. These features can include call forwarding, voicemail-to-email transcription, auto-attendant, call queuing, call recording, and more. VoIP systems can also integrate with customer relationship management (CRM) software, providing enhanced call management and customer interaction capabilities.

e. Unified Communications:

VoIP phones are an integral part of unified communications (UC) solutions, which integrate various communication channels such as voice, video, messaging, and collaboration tools. UC platforms enhance communication and collaboration, streamline workflows, and improve overall productivity.

f. Enhanced Call Quality:

VoIP technology has significantly evolved, resulting in improved call quality and audio clarity. With the use of high-quality codecs and reliable internet connections, VoIP calls can provide clear, high-definition audio, comparable to or even better than traditional telephone systems. VoIP phones for vessels utilize the latest in networking techniques and technology to create an integrated VoIP system suitable for a vessel environment. This enables us to provide high-quality/low-cost calling options through custom-designed and specially located servers in order to reduce latency and the delay of calling or receiving a call to/from a vessel.

g. Efficient Management and Administration:

VoIP systems can be managed and administered through user-friendly web-based interfaces. System administrators can easily configure settings, assign user permissions, monitor call quality, and generate reports for better management and troubleshooting.