VoIP: History of Phone Technology

Phone technology has come a long way, from the traditional telephone to the cordless telephone to the cellular phone. And now we are noticing the PC telephone. This type of phone technology allows you to make phone calls from your computer to anyone or to another computer across the world with click of a button. Times have definitely changed.

This newest form of phone technology has opened a whole new realm of possibilities for businesses and individuals across the globe. There are still some quirks and bugs that need to be fixed, but overall the satisfactory rating of this type of phone technology is exceptional.

People and businesses have complained about echoing and some static. Most of this can be avoided by turning the volume down on your head set, earpiece, speakers, or what ever type(s) of equipment you are using that receives or promotes sound. Then, there are some complaints that once they turn the volume on the equipment they are using, they cannot hear the other person. Phone technology developers and technicians are working on solutions to solve problems like this.

PC phone technology has a couple of issues with security. First, PC telephones are not equipped with firewalls, opening your system up to all kinds of potential worms and viruses. Both viruses and worms can mean total destruction of a computer and/or an entire computer network. This can be very harmful if you have valuable information saved in a computer. Everything could be lost by contracting on e of these viruses and or worms.

Secondly, you have to consider the possibility of your identity being stolen. Many of the PC telephone services providers use industry standard codec and industry standard protocols when operating the connections they provide. Hackers can use these tunnels to get access to anything you have on your computer. They can monitor you as you enter your bank accounts. They can take information directly from your hard drive, like your social security or driver’s license information. Anything you have stored or have access to they can have it too.

Another major problem with PC phone technology is that if your electricity goes out you cannot use your PC telephone. Computers require power to operate, so unless you have a back up generator, you will not be able to call your electric company to tell them you have an outage. Phone technology developers and technicians are currently creating a built in back up generator to help solve this problem. You cannot even count on a lap top with a full battery because without electricity, you do not have any type of internet connection.

PC phone technology providing companies are currently being forced to create emergency services for PC telephones. They are still in the creation stages of emergency services, but soon they will begin enforcing the new law that states that these providers have to offer e911 services or regular 911 services. These are very important details that have to be worked out before many people will consider purchasing a PC telephone.

There is also the consumer demand for information services that their current telephone providers offer them. Customers like the ease of picking up the phone, calling a short number (like 411), and getting a telephone number to the company they are trying to contact. Usually, these services will even connect you with the company for a small charge. I don’t know about you, but since I have access to information systems, including systems like whitepages.com, I throw my telephone book away the second it arrives at my doorstep. I clip out the coupons and toss that ungodly thick, horribly complicated book. I mean half of the things you look for in it direct you to four other places and those four each direct you to four others, etc. It is much simple to use information numbers like 411 or internet sites like whitepages.com.

These are most of the problems that have been expressed with the new phone technology, the PC telephone. Many of them are being worked on now to create a new customer base. Most companies use this technology. However, most individual households want to see all of the quirks get worked out before they will switch their communication method to PC telephone.