VoIP Carriers: gaining importance in the market

VoIP Carriers: gaining importance in the market

by Kristen Kiya

The Voice over IP is an emerging technology that uses internet rather than PSTN lines and links to enable communication between telephones or mobile phones. Unlike coaxial wires in the pre-existing telephony systems, VoIP uses fiber optics to empower the communication with others at relatively lower rates. However, quite a few entities other than business users are availing the benefits of IP telephony services. To take a case in point, the residential users are also promoting IP telephony solutions to curb their monthly telephony expenditures. And the driving force that is making all these possible would definitely be the VoIP carriers.
The carriers are offering high-end services to different categories of users. A simple process is being followed wherein voice is first digitalized and then transferred over the internet. With a broadband internet connection, the carriers are able to deliver excellent voice quality and cut down on the calling costs for their clients. Over time, the providers of carrier services develop their own network of gateways and switches. Moreover, these service providers offer a number of support functions such as facilitating hardware, and monitoring of call volume & call quality.

One can say that the channels through which Voip services reach the end users are better known as "carriers." The providers of wholesale carrier services together with resellers procure minutes from the Tier 1 providers and then sell them off to the end users. This transaction in wholesale carrier services is considered a valuable business proposition for entities that have a large customer base and efficient marketing team. The VoIP carriers provide number of services to their users depending upon the specific needs and requirements.

The VoIP market is flooded with a plethora of VoIP carriers, so it is necessary to identify the best of the lot based on the following factors:

1. Quality of Service: The users must concentrate on quality of services in terms of Average Success Ratio (ASR), Average call duration (ACD) and Post Dial Delay (PDD). Therefore, the end users must look for a VoIP carrier service provider that offers switches with a number of "points of presence" and supporting routes. This is expected to ensure good quality service with minimum latency. In addition, there should also be the provision of back up routes.
2. Customer Support Service: The users must ensure that the providers are offering competent 24/7 customer support for uninterrupted services.
3. Service and reliability: The user must gather the information about service providers from various sources. Apart from that, users must opt for a carrier provider that offers a money back guarantee, in case of dissatisfaction with the service.
4. Rates: While selecting a provider of VoIP carrier services, one must compare the call charges without compromising on the quality of services (QoS). As a matter of fact, users must opt for the provider that offers minimum tariff with various value-added services.

To conclude, it can be said that to keep a pace with a tough competition, the providers of VoIP carrier services must offer innovative features such as 3-way calling, caller ID, call forwarding, audio as well as video conferencing, call waiting and many more.