Jose Amoros

What lies ahead with VoIP

// February 14th, 2008 // 3 Comments » // The Future of the Web

Despite its short history,VoIP has already changed the way people live. While these changes, may be insignificant to people living in developed countries,have significant relevance to residents of developing countries. To illustrate the impact that this technology can have, I comment a report published in the Washington Post on November 22 2.006.

“Bangladesh, where the United Nations indicates that it has an annual income of about 440$, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with 150 million people stuck in an area the size of Iowa. Around noon on a hot day in September, at least two dozen people lined up waiting to use one of the Chinese computer brand existing in the center Ambia. A woman named Aleya, the 55 years, I sat waiting in a plastic chair while delivering the clerk a piece of paper with a London phone number. She says her daughter was getting married 18 years and called his uncle in England to help her with spending. Aleya said her husband is a worker who earns about 70$ month, just enough to feed her five children. Ambia dialed the number on the keypad of your computer, connected by cable to a Motorola mobile phone. The call was made using VoIP technology (Voice Over Internet Protocol) , make calls with little or no cost,between computers or a telephone anywhere in the world.

Aleya I picked the little headset connected to the computer and her face lit. His uncle, who owns a restaurant in London, I promised to do all the preparation and send the money for the wedding.

The five minute call cost 8 Bangladeshi taka, on 11 cents.

“With the 8-taka call has earned me thousands,” Aleya said with a smile.

Before the center opened in February of Ambia, Aleya said he had had to call his uncle with a loaner at a cost exceeding 2$, that is the salary of a day of her husband. “

As the article points, VoIP has the potential to help break down rural isolation. Thus, becomes a crucial product that connects people around the world. The poor rich, East or West, people can connect with each other using VoIP. As Robert Poe sees, “Someday, the dream come true, the world of VoIP will be one big happy family. Anyone will be able to make calls affordable faces between them. Attach text messages, image, video or voice call is a simple touch of a mouse or keyboard. No matter the type of network where the call comes, Cell phones,Wi-Fi or wireline, and from a PC to Phone, connected to any VoIP service anywhere, to talk with one another.” 

But, still debate whether the VoIP ever reach its potential. There are currently a barrier to universal access.

Barriers to Universal Connectivity

Universal Connection has the potential to provide services and additions such as: text and video or voice calls, among users with different technological platforms. But, to establish VoIP as a service that provides Universal Product is required VoIP providers to connect with existing communication technologies such as those currently known. Poe refers to these divergent platforms as “VoIP islands.”As detailed insynopsis of VoIP technology, currently there are multiple ways to make a VoIP call(Ip Phones,PC to PC). But, rich quality of the call that Poe detailed above are only available on IP calls at both ends (calls to communicate directly and avoid so-called traditional media such as telephone line).VoIP technology to convert conventional communication quality degrades develops VoIP, also increases the cost, thus eliminating much of the benefits that VoIP provides. Then, until it reaches the VoIP network without joints and seals, the dream of VoIP, Poe describes is not a dream. In sum, VoIP support is the barriers that may hinder the communications fabric is homogeneous as it is in traditional technology.

First, is very costly for VoIP providers to find partners to help them find a way, cost savings in order to share the technology with conventional voice providers. A second barrier,is competition between existing voice providers, as telcos and cable operators.
More importantly, from the security aspect, “operators operating structure established with conventional [telecommunications companies] probably be concerned if they have to accept traffic from smaller suppliers with different business models”. 

Universal Connection will face significant problems if VoIP providers are not able to establish a relationship with subscribers / service providers conventional.

Conclusion

It is true that VoIP technology is growing rapidly. One of the biggest brands such as Skype, was founded in August 2003 and now has 136 million registered users.Companies such as Vonage and Yahoo also offer VoIP services are growing exponentially. But, handicap because of the inherent technological barriers and compatibility with traditional communication methods, VoIP will never be exactly as it was Internet, in terms of unrestricted universal connectivity. Will always reminiscent of the traditional model of telecommunications and in particular as regards the user know.

Internet and the developing world

// January 29th, 2008 // 1 How » // The Future of the Web

The evolution of the Internet has been full of surprises, sometimes radical changes have occurred within the commercial plane, as was the appearance ofAmazon, Google, Ebay the Panoramio

Could the next surprise to be linked with the countries in process of development?

At first glance, the idea seems improbable,even the laughter because of the low penetration of internet infrastructure, and the low number of PCs in countries in process of development. Addition, What would people, living in extreme poverty, Internet?

But, the picture is changing in a rush. The key lies in the development of mobile telephony infrastructure, which is already growing and rapidly deploy these underdeveloped countries.”To the world in process of development, Internet experience will be an experience via mobile,” comentaba Susan Schorr, responsible for the division of market regulation in International Telecommunication Union (ITU) , noting that the 61% of 2,7 billion mobile phone users are in developing countries, development, compared with 10% the billion users, that is the Internet worldwide.

It is worth understanding how costs have been reduced to levels achievable even for people with low incomes. Also, worth seeing as on-line markets are emerging in Africa, even though people are using cheap mobile phones instead of PCs as “Access Tool”.

In the underdeveloped countries, The mobile phone has been the key to getting Internet access at low cost is achieved. Over 7 million people a month subscribe to mobile services in these countries.

So, worth bearing in mind and see how the technology is affordable for the poor people of India, which the mobile market is the world's fastest growing. But…, How have made it possible?. The answer lies in these three key factors:

1. The phone companies do not subsidize phones:
Unlike Telefónica, Vodafone and many other companies providing mobile service, in India people simply buy the phone. Addition, these cheap phones are manufactured in their country. When Nokia, Motorola or LG decided a few years ago to move its production to India, managed to lower their phone and offered at market prices. Nokia currently offers a basic range of mobile phones that are within the range of 20 – 30 U.S. dollars.

2. Operators share infrastructure:
At current growth rates,the population of India phone users will grow from 226 million to date to 450-500 million by 2010. It is estimated that to meet this demand, India needs to plant other 210,000 new phone towers to between 75.000 to 80.000 has already. That means they are planted 200 turrets day at a cost of about 70,000 dollars each. If not shared mobile telephony infrastructure, operator would not able to meet important cost.
This need to plant towers telephony has given rise to a thriving business outside operators.

3. Promote pre-payment fees:
The 85% phone contracts are pre-paid. This makes it easier for the user to pay for the service and for carriers to obtain more revenue.
There is another perspective to consider - As the Internet is changing the way we pick up funds for projects in underdeveloped countries. If you are “Customizing” how to donate, and that directly links the need of assistance who makes the donation, and social networks are those which are limited requirements arising plenty of other potential donors.

Internet, is also giving rise to many charities websites – encuenta especially something to keep in mind that if we only Americans, donated nearly $ 300 billion last year, according to the foundation Giving USA Foundation. Knowing firsthand how is the effectiveness with which the money donated, is spent also helps foster, they increased in number, charities do their role better see:  Intelligent Giving, Philanthropy Capital, GuideStar, GiveWelly Charity Navigator