June 10th, 2013 by admin
Although they have gone through a number of iterations, phone line and Internet access technologies have been integrated for some time. Efficiency, low downtime, and affordability are the main traits of the ideal system. While TelePacific is offering innovative solutions for reliable communications and security, they are also a testament to how far enterprise phone and Internet access systems have come. Enterprise connectivity is much different than just a few years ago. Aspects of it, however, are still routed in the telephone technology of days past.
Connectivity has undergone many changes during its progress; in fact, each successive stage in development has made available less expensive options. Here are a few important phases which have dominated enterprise networking over the years.
Analog (POTS)/Dial Up
Analog phone systems were initially used to facilitate connections to the Internet and the corporate network. Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) is an analog telephone system, still used in some cases, which carries the frequencies needed to transmit the human voice. Around since the late-19th century, it served as the launching point for various other phone features, such as electronic telephone exchanges and fiber optic communications. At the enterprise level, a POTS includes dial-up equipment such as an analog modem for the remote access client, and another for the remote access server, to which hundreds of modems may be linked to. Yet, data transmission was still limited because the system wasn’t designed for it.
While this analog form of telephone service is still in use, it is generally not considered cost-efficient at the enterprise level. Dial up Internet access makes use of existing telephone lines. Aside from long connection times and delays due to lost connections, costs mount with the time spent online, especially if the service is time-metered. Analog systems also charge more for extra features such as call waiting, for example, and local and long distance charges are added. These often vary by region, making it hard to predict exactly how much a POTS system will cost.
T1 Super Trunks
The T1 Supertrunks which came later were conduits for voice service only. Up to 24 voice could take place at once. With this setup, phone bills were generally decreased and so were long distance charges. Some systems even supported free local calls, but many customers were limited to long distance service for all calling; in this case users could not take advantage of low local calling rates. Different calling plans, however, could be combined to take advantage of discounts, providing a little more cost flexibility than a pure dial up connection.
PRI
The equivalent of a T1 circuit, Primary Rate Interface (PRI) was offered as part of ISDN services introduced in the late-1980s. It provided a digital means to deliver local and long distance as well as Internet service. A 23-channel configuration transmitted voice and data, at up to 64 Kbps. By replacing Super Trunks, PRI supported local calling, so every phone system owner was not subject to long distance rates. Some services included specific time allotments of long distance in the overall price. In addition, digital transmission of voice data enabled the incorporation of caller ID data, plus faster connectivity. Other features include direct numbers for employees, call rerouting, and availability of call records.
SIP
The PRI model was later used for Session Initiated Protocol (SIP), delivered over an Internet or SIP trunk. It enabled voice and video to be integrated into a phone call and transported over an IP network. Once this technology emerged, it allowed for decreased billing rates, in addition to local and long distance minutes included. The original design for SIP came out in the mid-1990s while it first became accessible to enterprises shortly after the turn of the century. It can now be applied to telecommunications and server communication. Providers typically offer SIP service at half the cost of comparable PRI offerings, plus features like call transfers are included with the primary service. Many also offer a choice of billing per user or per SIP port, helping organizations to get started.
Ethernet over Copper
Ethernet over Copper connections use the same twisted copper wire as telephone links, with the RJ-45 jack connection of standard Ethernet cables. Connectors, however, do not plug into the standard computers, routers, and switches. The physical nature of it, comprising twisted telephone wire, makes Ethernet over Copper more affordable than SIP. Also, the tendency for this to be delivered as a service makes it highly compatible with hosted infrastructure services in today’s market. If a super fast connection is not needed, enterprises can opt for one as low as 3 Mbps at a cost of about $150 per month. Costs go up the higher the top connection speed. One downside, however, is service is often limited to calling destinations within the enterprise’s metropolitan area.
Ethernet over Fixed Wireless
The most current form of connectivity is Ethernet over Fixed Wireless. It is a telecommunications connection that uses broadband. The concept offers the most bandwidth and connections are not limited by network connectivity seen in many general use technologies such as Wi-Fi, WiMax, or LTE. You’ll notice the difference in service in several different ways.
- Desirable speeds comparable to common wireline services
- Installation is quick, reducing downtime and making migration to such as system simpler.
- Data transmission occurs on a secure channel, on a dedicated broadband connection.
- A communications option where other services, such as T1, may not be available or would take longer to receive.
- Less vulnerability to incidents or disasters which could cut off wired service.
All of these benefits are available at a price lower than comparable services, even in areas not reached by Ethernet over Copper systems. Ethernet over Fixed Wireless is most affordable because calls are not routed through local phone companies’ networks. Low local and long distance per minute rates and discounts for high volume requirements are typical, making this the most flexible and cost-efficient phone and Internet access option.
TelePacific & Connectivity
Founded in 1998, TelePacific has witnessed the evolution of modern network and communications services first-hand. It is therefore a market contender when you want to set up your enterprise’s communications infrastructure, integrating a concept called Least Cost Routing. It is important because the setup allows the system to automatically look for the least expensive way to route a phone call each time. While outbound communications are directed on the lowest cost path, Least Cost Routing also supports phone number portability, in which the number remains the same regardless of the service operator used. The ultimate outcome is for companies to save on telecom costs for fixed, mobile, local, or international calls.
What TelePacific Now Offers
The new products being rolled out by TelePacific aim to provide the most current and affordable telecommunications technology. These include Ethernet over Fixed Wireless and Ethernet over Copper.
EOFW – Ethernet over fixed wireless: A service with the benefits listed above and more, EOFW is delivered over the air at 1.0–100 Mbps. It is a wide scale service; users must be within five or six miles of a fixed wireless base station. The setup typical of the service allows for flexibility and accessibility in terms of a business’ location.
EOC – Ethernet over copper: While EOC offers 1.0–200 Mbps, organizations must be closer to the source of the transmission. The local service office must be between 3,000–17,000 feet away. Its range is more limited but businesses within the coverage area are benefited by high speed access.
These services come with a comprehensive Service Level Agreement that includes network availability, repair time, latency, and packet loss guarantees and more depending on the service. Limitations for receiving credit are outlined. The provider covers interruptions due to failures of its network or facility components.
These provisions are essential for adequate network security. A secure network is important for the enterprise because it is protected against outages, and can be repaired and tested in a reasonable amount of time. Reliable service, and a system resistant to intrusion and data loss, enables your enterprise to run efficiently. Internal corporate data and customer information are equally important to consider, and consistent monitoring and analysis will prevent the consequences a business can face as a result of data theft. TelePacific offers two state-of-the-art services to maintain network security, reliability, and efficiency.
Posted in: Information