Archive for the ‘Communication’ Category
Steve Wilson asked:
esent scenario, technology has made enormous amends, as well as played an imperative role in changing yesterday’s world into the most recent high-tech world. It is a fact that the high speed internet has made world come closer and made the communication easier, as it provides soothing communication with the improvement of cost-effectiveness. You can even do a lot more on your computer and laptop without any hassle, as the broadband offers very high speed to surf the internet.
Due to higher advancement, broadband internet is distinct as the high speed internet. And this offers the users to access information through the internet at a quick speed compared to the dial-up access over the modem. There are many broadband deals in the market and the users can avail them as per their needs and pockets.
As a result, it becomes more popular among the users for accessing the web and it is used to activate information on the desktop or laptop computer extremely easily. This latest technology touches the user’s operations with a speed ranging from 64 bits to 1.0M bits. It makes flawless high-speed connection with immense outcomes. But the high speed internet is only achievable, when the users use with a built-in high-speed modem.
In a choice of forms, the users can gain the broadband internet connection such as DSL, cable or satellite. That means DSL stands for digital subscriber line, which allows spreading a high quantity of data, voice, images and videos very speedily. However, the most important thing is to search for the best broadband deals in the market. It means you will hit upon relatively perplexed about the deal to select from the huge market.
There are some broadband deals, which regularly propose additional features, such as virus protection. While some are free, others are added for an extra charge. It is very obligatory for you to confirm the small print of the deal whether the free offer is only available for a trial period or may be you can get the extra feature cheaper as a separate package. You can go through various online to avail the best and profitable broadband deals.
esent scenario, technology has made enormous amends, as well as played an imperative role in changing yesterday’s world into the most recent high-tech world. It is a fact that the high speed internet has made world come closer and made the communication easier, as it provides soothing communication with the improvement of cost-effectiveness. You can even do a lot more on your computer and laptop without any hassle, as the broadband offers very high speed to surf the internet.
Due to higher advancement, broadband internet is distinct as the high speed internet. And this offers the users to access information through the internet at a quick speed compared to the dial-up access over the modem. There are many broadband deals in the market and the users can avail them as per their needs and pockets.
As a result, it becomes more popular among the users for accessing the web and it is used to activate information on the desktop or laptop computer extremely easily. This latest technology touches the user’s operations with a speed ranging from 64 bits to 1.0M bits. It makes flawless high-speed connection with immense outcomes. But the high speed internet is only achievable, when the users use with a built-in high-speed modem.
In a choice of forms, the users can gain the broadband internet connection such as DSL, cable or satellite. That means DSL stands for digital subscriber line, which allows spreading a high quantity of data, voice, images and videos very speedily. However, the most important thing is to search for the best broadband deals in the market. It means you will hit upon relatively perplexed about the deal to select from the huge market.
There are some broadband deals, which regularly propose additional features, such as virus protection. While some are free, others are added for an extra charge. It is very obligatory for you to confirm the small print of the deal whether the free offer is only available for a trial period or may be you can get the extra feature cheaper as a separate package. You can go through various online to avail the best and profitable broadband deals.
R Shah asked:
A cable modem is a device with two connections that assists with connecting your PC to your cable television line for the purpose of gaining broadband Internet access. It does not involve the use of a telephone line and works similar to a standard modem, only it capable of supplying more bandwidth than a dial-up modem.
Although it is possible to install a cable modem yourself, you will need to contact your local cable television provider to purchase a subscription for Internet access.
The cable modem involves two connections that lead to the cable wall jack and to your PC. The actual modem is more complex than a telephone modem and can serve as an external device or it can be configured into your computer via Ethernet card.
You may choose to purchase your own cable modem or rent one from your cable television provider. Either way, it is necessary to test the cable modem for compatibility with the cable company network system. For instance, if the company only uses the Motorola brand, you will need to obtain that brand if you are considering purchasing your own cable modem. Cable modems can be found in electronic stores at a cost beginning around $130.00.
The cable modem attaches to the coaxial cable provided by your cable company which communicates with a Cable Modem Termination System at the local cable television office. The modem produces a faster data transfer rate and will provide you with a continuous Internet connection.
You will need to have your cable company provider install a splitter box which will separate your television connection from your cable modem connection. This will prevent your television connection from interfering with your Internet connection and vice versa.
Before connecting the cable modem, always shut down your computer and unplug it. You connect the cable modem to your computer by using an Ethernet connection that uses 10baseT cables. These cables are often referred to as a twisted pair and attach to your cable modem and to your Ethernet card in your computer. The process of connecting to your computer’s Ethernet card is called “Category 5 Cabling.”
If you have a USB modem which functions in the same manner as an Ethernet connection, the USB modem will connect to your computer with a USM cable. Once you have accomplished this, plug the other end of the USB cable into the back of the cable modem.
Proceed to plug in the cable modem to the wall outlet and check your cable modem for four blinking lights signifying connection to your Internet service. You will need to give the cable modem time to synch with the new service before you see the lights blinking. Once the lights are solid and no longer blinking, your cable modem is working and you are connected to the Internet.
Lastly, you will need to turn on your computer and install the browser and email software that is provided by your cable company.
A cable modem is a device with two connections that assists with connecting your PC to your cable television line for the purpose of gaining broadband Internet access. It does not involve the use of a telephone line and works similar to a standard modem, only it capable of supplying more bandwidth than a dial-up modem.
Although it is possible to install a cable modem yourself, you will need to contact your local cable television provider to purchase a subscription for Internet access.
The cable modem involves two connections that lead to the cable wall jack and to your PC. The actual modem is more complex than a telephone modem and can serve as an external device or it can be configured into your computer via Ethernet card.
You may choose to purchase your own cable modem or rent one from your cable television provider. Either way, it is necessary to test the cable modem for compatibility with the cable company network system. For instance, if the company only uses the Motorola brand, you will need to obtain that brand if you are considering purchasing your own cable modem. Cable modems can be found in electronic stores at a cost beginning around $130.00.
The cable modem attaches to the coaxial cable provided by your cable company which communicates with a Cable Modem Termination System at the local cable television office. The modem produces a faster data transfer rate and will provide you with a continuous Internet connection.
You will need to have your cable company provider install a splitter box which will separate your television connection from your cable modem connection. This will prevent your television connection from interfering with your Internet connection and vice versa.
Before connecting the cable modem, always shut down your computer and unplug it. You connect the cable modem to your computer by using an Ethernet connection that uses 10baseT cables. These cables are often referred to as a twisted pair and attach to your cable modem and to your Ethernet card in your computer. The process of connecting to your computer’s Ethernet card is called “Category 5 Cabling.”
If you have a USB modem which functions in the same manner as an Ethernet connection, the USB modem will connect to your computer with a USM cable. Once you have accomplished this, plug the other end of the USB cable into the back of the cable modem.
Proceed to plug in the cable modem to the wall outlet and check your cable modem for four blinking lights signifying connection to your Internet service. You will need to give the cable modem time to synch with the new service before you see the lights blinking. Once the lights are solid and no longer blinking, your cable modem is working and you are connected to the Internet.
Lastly, you will need to turn on your computer and install the browser and email software that is provided by your cable company.
Caroline Telford asked:
Do you like the idea of downloading an entire music album in less then 11 seconds? Or do you want to grab an 800 megabyte high definition movie file in just 3 minutes? If you answered yes to both, then Virgin Media has a ready solution for you.
The powerhouse UK cable company is offering an astonishing 50 MB broadband connection for all UK households. This is the fastest net speed in the history of UK and is considered as the next generation service for 2009.
Talk of Virgin’s 50 MB high speed connectivity plan has been circulating throughout the Internet. Naturally, this created a buzz in the online world especially with British tech bloggers and news sites.
Last December 2008, Virgin Media announced that it will unveil the fastest broadband service for the general public in the year 2009. This will put the UK cable company at the top of the list of the fastest ISPs in the entire country. Virgin started trial testing the service last year on several households in Kent.
Different Plans for More Flexible Service
Virgin Media is offering different broadband service plans for UK households. According to the company, such flexibility of service will allow UK consumers to choose which plan would be best for them.
First, you can avail of the triple play service which is actually a bundled plan consisting of a dedicated landline subscription, 50 MB broadband service, and cable TV service. The triple play plan will cost 66 Pounds per month.
According to the company, such bundled service plan is ideal for new subscribers and households that want to share several broadband connections. The ultra fast Internet connection will be able to handle multiple users on a single router without significant degeneration of connection speeds.
Consumers can also opt to avail of broadband-only service if they do not want to take the cable TV and landline services. This service will cost 55 Pounds per month. Virgin media said such plan would be ideal for educational institutions with several computer consoles sharing a connection.
With the 50 MB superfast broadband connection, an entire computer laboratory will be able to enjoy high speed Internet service for every user.
Internet Infrastructure Issues that Face Virgin’s High Speed Service
Virgin Media is a reliable provider of high speed Internet connection for many years already. Customers have been satisfied by the quality of service and reliable Internet connection provided by the cable company.
The biggest issue facing the ultra high speed broadband plan is the Internet infrastructure of UK. Some technology analysts contend that most telephone lines on UK still use copper wiring. Such telephone technology will not be able to handle fast connections and might result to quality of service issues.
UK communication regulators said that it will take 15 billion Pounds to upgrade the public telephone system. Government regulators however are optimistic that such upgrade would benefit the country in the long term.
For now, Virgin’s 50 MB broadband service can only be enjoyed by 16 million British households. Government officials and company executives agree that high speed connectivity would be socially and economically beneficial for the entire country.
Do you like the idea of downloading an entire music album in less then 11 seconds? Or do you want to grab an 800 megabyte high definition movie file in just 3 minutes? If you answered yes to both, then Virgin Media has a ready solution for you.
The powerhouse UK cable company is offering an astonishing 50 MB broadband connection for all UK households. This is the fastest net speed in the history of UK and is considered as the next generation service for 2009.
Talk of Virgin’s 50 MB high speed connectivity plan has been circulating throughout the Internet. Naturally, this created a buzz in the online world especially with British tech bloggers and news sites.
Last December 2008, Virgin Media announced that it will unveil the fastest broadband service for the general public in the year 2009. This will put the UK cable company at the top of the list of the fastest ISPs in the entire country. Virgin started trial testing the service last year on several households in Kent.
Different Plans for More Flexible Service
Virgin Media is offering different broadband service plans for UK households. According to the company, such flexibility of service will allow UK consumers to choose which plan would be best for them.
First, you can avail of the triple play service which is actually a bundled plan consisting of a dedicated landline subscription, 50 MB broadband service, and cable TV service. The triple play plan will cost 66 Pounds per month.
According to the company, such bundled service plan is ideal for new subscribers and households that want to share several broadband connections. The ultra fast Internet connection will be able to handle multiple users on a single router without significant degeneration of connection speeds.
Consumers can also opt to avail of broadband-only service if they do not want to take the cable TV and landline services. This service will cost 55 Pounds per month. Virgin media said such plan would be ideal for educational institutions with several computer consoles sharing a connection.
With the 50 MB superfast broadband connection, an entire computer laboratory will be able to enjoy high speed Internet service for every user.
Internet Infrastructure Issues that Face Virgin’s High Speed Service
Virgin Media is a reliable provider of high speed Internet connection for many years already. Customers have been satisfied by the quality of service and reliable Internet connection provided by the cable company.
The biggest issue facing the ultra high speed broadband plan is the Internet infrastructure of UK. Some technology analysts contend that most telephone lines on UK still use copper wiring. Such telephone technology will not be able to handle fast connections and might result to quality of service issues.
UK communication regulators said that it will take 15 billion Pounds to upgrade the public telephone system. Government regulators however are optimistic that such upgrade would benefit the country in the long term.
For now, Virgin’s 50 MB broadband service can only be enjoyed by 16 million British households. Government officials and company executives agree that high speed connectivity would be socially and economically beneficial for the entire country.
There is a lot of buzz about VoIP Internet phone service. On the consumer side everyone is getting a lot of exposure to Vonage commercials as well as triple play offers from Cable Companies. From a technology standpoint, VoIP is now much more mature than in its nascent days when Internet telephony meant a scratchy voice conversation over two computers. Whereas VoIP has been used by Telcos to carry voice traffic over long portions of their networks for years, it is now positioned to become the standard technology used to carry voice traffic over the last mile from every consumer’s home. Increased broadband *********** and advances in VoIP technology make this possible, and now there is a long line of VoIP providers out there looking for a piece of the action. They range from giants like Verizon and Comcast to relatively small unknowns. For the first time in the history of telecommunications it is possible to be a telephony provider without the huge barriers of capital needed for switches and network operation centers (NOCS).) nor the regulatory barrier of being a Local Exchange Carrier. So will the industry be marked by many small nimble players? What is the likelihood of survival for small consumer VoIP service providers?
The Cable TV companies have a strong position in the telephony market. They already have a large embedded base of customers. They also have a local presence, with field installers regularly driving around neighborhoods and customer service locations in every town in which they have a franchise. Having the field installers is a major advantage since they can install VoIP service and also hook up inside wiring so the service experience is no different than before. Therefore a person doesn’t have to be the least bit technically inclined to adopt the service, thereby opening the market to the masses. The pure-plays like Vonage just can’t reach the mass market like this.
Cable companies also have huge brand awareness in their markets. What is also potentially important is that they are perceived as a utility company and people are used to getting phone service from this type of entity. There is a familiarity and comfort level of going to a utility company for phone service.
They also have tremendous strength in both billing and customer service. While some may **** the cable company because they have lengthy time windows for showing up for an installation, may show up late, and may keep you on hold at the call center, the Cable companies are in actuality very good at managing the complexities of their operations. For example, RCN entered some markets years ago as an alternate cable provider thinking they could leverage people’s dislike of the cable companies’ service record and do it better; instead they ended up realizing how very complex it is and ended up doing it worse. If a company wants to scale as a major VoIP provider, they will have to manage the complexities of billing and customer service. The cable companies have been down this road already.
Here is what could be the biggest factor to why the Cable companies will be most successful at VoIP and ruin the chances of other smaller entrants – They provide a broadband connection. Since this is required for VoIP, the incumbent provider has the first dibs on providing voice service. Also, since broadband connections have high margins and VoIP has low margins, broadband providers could treat voice service as a loss leader to get and keep customers on their high-speed connections. NetZero, for instance, is giving away free telephone numbers and low priced VoIP service presumably with the hopes of signing on users for their ISP. Voice service could in fact become so commoditized that it will be given away with broadband service the same way email is today. If this becomes a reality, there would be very little market opportunity and a bleak survival outlook for smaller pure-play VoIP service providers unless they could offer a differentiated value proposition.
The Local Phone Company also shares many of the same advantages as Cable in that they have strong brands, ability to bill effectively, established customer service, and field technicians. They also should provide the greatest comfort level to people for providing a phone service. However, the Phone Companies have dismal showing compared to the Cable companies who have the greatest number of VoIP subscribers. Verizon VoiceWing and AT&T CallVantage each have only 5.5% of the 2.9 million pure-play VoIP subscribers (Telephia Q2 2006). Those 320k subs are dwarfed by the Cable Companies like Time Warner Cable who alone had 1.6 million VoIP customers as of October 2006. Why have the Phone Companies had such a dismal result? Internal confliction between POTS and VoIP is one reason. They can not put emphasis on a low margin VoIP product in their core offer and have struggled to create an effective bundled product strategy with advanced services. They are also expending more resources and internal focus on better broadband offerings than DSL and trying to break into video services. Nonetheless, they still hold second and third positions for share of pure-play VoIP subscribers and have deep pockets, which will allow them to far outspend a small VoIP provider to get mindshare.
Vonage, with 53.9% of the 2.9 million pure-play VoIP subscribers, is spending a ton of money to get mindshare and customers. This is good in that it raises awareness of the product category, which helps a smaller pure-play. However, it also presents a huge challenge for smaller providers to compete head to head for customers when a single provider has such a dominant voice.
There are a number of challenges facing a smaller VoIP provider. Small providers have to compete for share of voice against companies that are spending a lot of money. As far as the business case goes, VoIP has relatively small margins and the ROI for marketing campaigns and generating brand awareness is a challenge. Yet without spending money on marketing, it is difficult to capture customers.
Then there is the challenge of the market size. Pure-play providers don’t have local installers and technicians, which limit the market to those who have the technical savvy to set up the service or the willingness to do so. If the target market is defined as people who have the technical savvy to set up VoIP on a home network, then this market is comprised largely of younger people. This group is increasing mobile based and has little use for a landline phone. Also, consider how the overall telephony market will change over the years. People in college now that will be graduating over the next couple of years and getting apartments are 100% mobile based and have never had a landline phone. Thus the market for pure-play VoIP will be shrinking as fast as it grows.
However, there is still an opportunity for small VoIP providers in this challenging market. The opportunity is to focus on niche markets and leverage specific advantages of VoIP that are particularly important to specific customers segments. In such segments, word of mouth advertising is a viable strategy if the service can meet a strong need. This solves the dilemma of investing in media to build a strong brand and maintains better profitability.
ReVoS Internet phone service is an example of a small VoIP provider taking just this strategy. They are focusing on a niche segment of people who make a lot of international calls. ReVoS offers VoIP service, which includes unlimited international calling to over 40 countries including the standard VoIP product offering for $24.95 per month. They have also developed a VoIP product that works over a mobile phone that doesn’t require a broadband connection. This is geared to people of international origin who, by the way, have the greatest propensity to use cell phones of any demographic in the U.S. This niche makes sense since carrying long distance call traffic is an inherent strength of the VoIP networks. Also these customer groups are better reached through a niche strategy and would be missed by mass-market strategies. This market is comprised largely of people living in the U.S. who have moved here from other countries. These are tight communities where word of mouth can flourish and the value proposition is strong when saving people money on high cost international calls. This is an example of how a small VoIP provider can successfully compete against much more formidable competitors such as the Cable Companies and Vonage.
However, the future of the telephony industry and the role that VoIP takes still needs to be fully defined and there are many uncertainties. There is a long list of unknowns, which include such things as Google getting into Voice and whether Microsoft includes a softphone and VoIP service as a standard part of their operating systems. Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) is another technology wildcard that could change the shape of the competitive landscape. The overwhelming *********** of mobile phone service and mobile carriers’ ability to steal the show with a FMC offer is very real. This may be the competing technology that upsets the MSOs stronghold on VoIP. The question then becomes which bundled product offer is greater 1) Broadband and VoIP or 2) Mobile phone and VoIP. Another thing to consider is how Wireless VoIP (wVoIP) could change the competitive landscape and underlying telephony ecosystem if municipal hotspots and/or WiMax take off.
Whatever the future the holds, the economies of the telephony industry are likely to place a few large carriers in control of the majority of the market. People want simplicity in their lives and the winners will be those who provide the most seamless solutions to people’s basic communications needs. For smaller VoIP providers to survive and make profit, they will need to meet strong niche needs that get overlooked by the mass adoption strategy, have a well defined and differentiated value proposition (Recall ESPN Mobile’s problem), efficient operations to control cost and low margins, low churn in order to compensate for limited total average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) absent a larger bundled product strategy, and the ability to benefit from viral marketing within the target markets. With all of this in place, there is a chance of survival for small VoIP providers.
By: Scott White
About the Author:
The Cable TV companies have a strong position in the telephony market. They already have a large embedded base of customers. They also have a local presence, with field installers regularly driving around neighborhoods and customer service locations in every town in which they have a franchise. Having the field installers is a major advantage since they can install VoIP service and also hook up inside wiring so the service experience is no different than before. Therefore a person doesn’t have to be the least bit technically inclined to adopt the service, thereby opening the market to the masses. The pure-plays like Vonage just can’t reach the mass market like this.
Cable companies also have huge brand awareness in their markets. What is also potentially important is that they are perceived as a utility company and people are used to getting phone service from this type of entity. There is a familiarity and comfort level of going to a utility company for phone service.
They also have tremendous strength in both billing and customer service. While some may **** the cable company because they have lengthy time windows for showing up for an installation, may show up late, and may keep you on hold at the call center, the Cable companies are in actuality very good at managing the complexities of their operations. For example, RCN entered some markets years ago as an alternate cable provider thinking they could leverage people’s dislike of the cable companies’ service record and do it better; instead they ended up realizing how very complex it is and ended up doing it worse. If a company wants to scale as a major VoIP provider, they will have to manage the complexities of billing and customer service. The cable companies have been down this road already.
Here is what could be the biggest factor to why the Cable companies will be most successful at VoIP and ruin the chances of other smaller entrants – They provide a broadband connection. Since this is required for VoIP, the incumbent provider has the first dibs on providing voice service. Also, since broadband connections have high margins and VoIP has low margins, broadband providers could treat voice service as a loss leader to get and keep customers on their high-speed connections. NetZero, for instance, is giving away free telephone numbers and low priced VoIP service presumably with the hopes of signing on users for their ISP. Voice service could in fact become so commoditized that it will be given away with broadband service the same way email is today. If this becomes a reality, there would be very little market opportunity and a bleak survival outlook for smaller pure-play VoIP service providers unless they could offer a differentiated value proposition.
The Local Phone Company also shares many of the same advantages as Cable in that they have strong brands, ability to bill effectively, established customer service, and field technicians. They also should provide the greatest comfort level to people for providing a phone service. However, the Phone Companies have dismal showing compared to the Cable companies who have the greatest number of VoIP subscribers. Verizon VoiceWing and AT&T CallVantage each have only 5.5% of the 2.9 million pure-play VoIP subscribers (Telephia Q2 2006). Those 320k subs are dwarfed by the Cable Companies like Time Warner Cable who alone had 1.6 million VoIP customers as of October 2006. Why have the Phone Companies had such a dismal result? Internal confliction between POTS and VoIP is one reason. They can not put emphasis on a low margin VoIP product in their core offer and have struggled to create an effective bundled product strategy with advanced services. They are also expending more resources and internal focus on better broadband offerings than DSL and trying to break into video services. Nonetheless, they still hold second and third positions for share of pure-play VoIP subscribers and have deep pockets, which will allow them to far outspend a small VoIP provider to get mindshare.
Vonage, with 53.9% of the 2.9 million pure-play VoIP subscribers, is spending a ton of money to get mindshare and customers. This is good in that it raises awareness of the product category, which helps a smaller pure-play. However, it also presents a huge challenge for smaller providers to compete head to head for customers when a single provider has such a dominant voice.
There are a number of challenges facing a smaller VoIP provider. Small providers have to compete for share of voice against companies that are spending a lot of money. As far as the business case goes, VoIP has relatively small margins and the ROI for marketing campaigns and generating brand awareness is a challenge. Yet without spending money on marketing, it is difficult to capture customers.
Then there is the challenge of the market size. Pure-play providers don’t have local installers and technicians, which limit the market to those who have the technical savvy to set up the service or the willingness to do so. If the target market is defined as people who have the technical savvy to set up VoIP on a home network, then this market is comprised largely of younger people. This group is increasing mobile based and has little use for a landline phone. Also, consider how the overall telephony market will change over the years. People in college now that will be graduating over the next couple of years and getting apartments are 100% mobile based and have never had a landline phone. Thus the market for pure-play VoIP will be shrinking as fast as it grows.
However, there is still an opportunity for small VoIP providers in this challenging market. The opportunity is to focus on niche markets and leverage specific advantages of VoIP that are particularly important to specific customers segments. In such segments, word of mouth advertising is a viable strategy if the service can meet a strong need. This solves the dilemma of investing in media to build a strong brand and maintains better profitability.
ReVoS Internet phone service is an example of a small VoIP provider taking just this strategy. They are focusing on a niche segment of people who make a lot of international calls. ReVoS offers VoIP service, which includes unlimited international calling to over 40 countries including the standard VoIP product offering for $24.95 per month. They have also developed a VoIP product that works over a mobile phone that doesn’t require a broadband connection. This is geared to people of international origin who, by the way, have the greatest propensity to use cell phones of any demographic in the U.S. This niche makes sense since carrying long distance call traffic is an inherent strength of the VoIP networks. Also these customer groups are better reached through a niche strategy and would be missed by mass-market strategies. This market is comprised largely of people living in the U.S. who have moved here from other countries. These are tight communities where word of mouth can flourish and the value proposition is strong when saving people money on high cost international calls. This is an example of how a small VoIP provider can successfully compete against much more formidable competitors such as the Cable Companies and Vonage.
However, the future of the telephony industry and the role that VoIP takes still needs to be fully defined and there are many uncertainties. There is a long list of unknowns, which include such things as Google getting into Voice and whether Microsoft includes a softphone and VoIP service as a standard part of their operating systems. Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) is another technology wildcard that could change the shape of the competitive landscape. The overwhelming *********** of mobile phone service and mobile carriers’ ability to steal the show with a FMC offer is very real. This may be the competing technology that upsets the MSOs stronghold on VoIP. The question then becomes which bundled product offer is greater 1) Broadband and VoIP or 2) Mobile phone and VoIP. Another thing to consider is how Wireless VoIP (wVoIP) could change the competitive landscape and underlying telephony ecosystem if municipal hotspots and/or WiMax take off.
Whatever the future the holds, the economies of the telephony industry are likely to place a few large carriers in control of the majority of the market. People want simplicity in their lives and the winners will be those who provide the most seamless solutions to people’s basic communications needs. For smaller VoIP providers to survive and make profit, they will need to meet strong niche needs that get overlooked by the mass adoption strategy, have a well defined and differentiated value proposition (Recall ESPN Mobile’s problem), efficient operations to control cost and low margins, low churn in order to compensate for limited total average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) absent a larger bundled product strategy, and the ability to benefit from viral marketing within the target markets. With all of this in place, there is a chance of survival for small VoIP providers.
By: Scott White
About the Author:
RNK Telecom is a privately held phone company offering wholesale and
residential telecommunications services including VOIP Services. They market ReVoS, an Internet telephony product which offers superior International Calling.
residential telecommunications services including VOIP Services. They market ReVoS, an Internet telephony product which offers superior International Calling.
10
Jan
Robert Goldsmith asked:
Over het algemeen, verwijst de term Breedband naar de gelijktijdige transmissie van veelvoudige stukken van gegevens die het effici
Over het algemeen, verwijst de term Breedband naar de gelijktijdige transmissie van veelvoudige stukken van gegevens die het effici
Shirley Stevens asked:
Are you toying with the idea of a change from your fixed line broadband to mobile broadband? Do you know enough about the difference between the two to be able to make a sound judgement call?
In this article we aim to make it easier for you to decide by comparing such things as speed, reliability, cost, downloading options and ease of access.
Which is better for broadband speed?
Mobile broadband speeds depend on the accessibility of 3G mobile network coverage.
The speed of landline broadband connections, on the other hand, mostly hinges on how far you live from your local exchange.
Mobile broadband speeds currently range between 1.8Mbps and 7.2Mbps. These speeds are very competitive with some landline broadband connections but vary considerably, dependent upon the network being used and the coverage footprint.
As with landline broadband, you cannot set too much store by advertised speeds and mobile broadband connections become far slower outside the 3G coverage areas.
If your present fixed line broadband connection is faster than 5 or 6 Mbps, it is doubtful at the moment whether you would be able to improve on that with a similar mobile broadband connection.
Which is cheaper?
At the bottom end of the mobile broadband deals range, prices start from £10 a month for Three Mobile’s basic package with its 1GB limit, comparing favourably with several budget land line broadband packages.
At the other end of the spectrum, mobile broadband is for the most part more expensive than say a typical fixed line broadband provider like Virgin Media broadband, which offers a broadband, TV and phone bundle for £30 a month.
Which is best for downloading?
If you are a prolific downloader, landline broadband should definitely be the broadband of your choice.
Mobile broadband connections at present have relatively small monthly usage limits and restrict users to little more than checking emails, some surfing and perhaps watching a few YouTube clips.
You would have to be careful not to incur too many additional charges when watching your favourite weekly programmes on BBC iPlayer, as a single one of these might take up as much as 10% of a 3GB monthly download limit.
If that is a bit of a turn-off, the good news is that T-Mobile mobile broadband, one of the mobile broadband providers, doesn’t penalise anyone who exceeds their monthly limit, though it does come with a ‘reasonable use’ stipulation.
So where does this leave us?
At present, a mobile broadband connection is invaluable for anyone who needs internet access when they are away from home or beyond hotspots.
The time will undoubtedly come when mobile broadband connections are used in every home in the UK, though whether as the main form of web access or as a backup is uncertain at present.
It’s easy to see why it is thought that mobile broadband users will eventually exceed landline ones, though the jury is still out on whether landline connections will be replaced altogether.
The final word on this subject, and what can confidently be predicted, is that the number of mobile broadband customers will without a doubt increase, suggesting that the mobile broadband market will eventually become as widespread and indispensable as the landline broadband market is right now.
Are you toying with the idea of a change from your fixed line broadband to mobile broadband? Do you know enough about the difference between the two to be able to make a sound judgement call?
In this article we aim to make it easier for you to decide by comparing such things as speed, reliability, cost, downloading options and ease of access.
Which is better for broadband speed?
Mobile broadband speeds depend on the accessibility of 3G mobile network coverage.
The speed of landline broadband connections, on the other hand, mostly hinges on how far you live from your local exchange.
Mobile broadband speeds currently range between 1.8Mbps and 7.2Mbps. These speeds are very competitive with some landline broadband connections but vary considerably, dependent upon the network being used and the coverage footprint.
As with landline broadband, you cannot set too much store by advertised speeds and mobile broadband connections become far slower outside the 3G coverage areas.
If your present fixed line broadband connection is faster than 5 or 6 Mbps, it is doubtful at the moment whether you would be able to improve on that with a similar mobile broadband connection.
Which is cheaper?
At the bottom end of the mobile broadband deals range, prices start from £10 a month for Three Mobile’s basic package with its 1GB limit, comparing favourably with several budget land line broadband packages.
At the other end of the spectrum, mobile broadband is for the most part more expensive than say a typical fixed line broadband provider like Virgin Media broadband, which offers a broadband, TV and phone bundle for £30 a month.
Which is best for downloading?
If you are a prolific downloader, landline broadband should definitely be the broadband of your choice.
Mobile broadband connections at present have relatively small monthly usage limits and restrict users to little more than checking emails, some surfing and perhaps watching a few YouTube clips.
You would have to be careful not to incur too many additional charges when watching your favourite weekly programmes on BBC iPlayer, as a single one of these might take up as much as 10% of a 3GB monthly download limit.
If that is a bit of a turn-off, the good news is that T-Mobile mobile broadband, one of the mobile broadband providers, doesn’t penalise anyone who exceeds their monthly limit, though it does come with a ‘reasonable use’ stipulation.
So where does this leave us?
At present, a mobile broadband connection is invaluable for anyone who needs internet access when they are away from home or beyond hotspots.
The time will undoubtedly come when mobile broadband connections are used in every home in the UK, though whether as the main form of web access or as a backup is uncertain at present.
It’s easy to see why it is thought that mobile broadband users will eventually exceed landline ones, though the jury is still out on whether landline connections will be replaced altogether.
The final word on this subject, and what can confidently be predicted, is that the number of mobile broadband customers will without a doubt increase, suggesting that the mobile broadband market will eventually become as widespread and indispensable as the landline broadband market is right now.
Matt Sharp asked:
Internet is becoming indispensable for our lives day by day. Today people are more comfortable doing things online–from buying to selling, reading books to booking airline tickets and playing games to listening music. So, nowadays an internet connection is almost inevitable in every household.
Among various types of Internet services the Broadband or the high-speed internet access is one of the most widely preferred internet connections. For the first time users, it really makes sense to go for Broadband right from the beginning, because the entry-level broadband service packages are cheap and better than the dial-up alternative. But, with so many service providers offering broadband services it is quite confusing to select the best broadband service deal that suit the needs as well as economic standings of everyone. For finding the best package it is better to go for a Broadband price comparison site as there is no shortage of Broadband price comparison sites in the Internet. In these broadband price comparison sites people can find out the best and cheap deals, compare prices and select the best broadband provider to meet his needs. While selecting a broadband connection one should also look in to the availability of the connection in that area, the benefits associated with it, speed factor and whether he needs a asymmetric digital subscriber line, standalone broadband or TV, phone and even mobile broadband connection. Various broadband providers in the UK, like Sky, Virgin Media, BT Total Broadband, TalkTalk, Pipex, Tiscali, Orange, Easyspace, AOL, PlusNet, Be, Toucan, Eclipse, Fasthosts, and Demon provide a wide range of packages featuring cashback options free gifts and download etc., along with its broadband packages.
With enough options available in the market it is really confusing to select the best broadband that suits the need of the people. Some broadband providers in UK also offer bt total broadband services for free with various upgrading choices in future. It is not easy to go to various providers to analyse the quotes of different types of broadband connections offered by different broadband service providers. So, instead of making hazy decisions one should compare the prices through a broadband price comparison portal which offers detailed information about broadband services. A number of broadband price comparison sites also help customers in signing new broadband connections, give independent and expert advice to anyone who wants to upgrade their connection and perform live availability check for the postcode area.
So it is always easy and convenient to compare the broadband services in the broadband price comparison websites and find out a cost effective bt total broadband service in a less time.
bt total broadband, bt total broadband
Internet is becoming indispensable for our lives day by day. Today people are more comfortable doing things online–from buying to selling, reading books to booking airline tickets and playing games to listening music. So, nowadays an internet connection is almost inevitable in every household.
Among various types of Internet services the Broadband or the high-speed internet access is one of the most widely preferred internet connections. For the first time users, it really makes sense to go for Broadband right from the beginning, because the entry-level broadband service packages are cheap and better than the dial-up alternative. But, with so many service providers offering broadband services it is quite confusing to select the best broadband service deal that suit the needs as well as economic standings of everyone. For finding the best package it is better to go for a Broadband price comparison site as there is no shortage of Broadband price comparison sites in the Internet. In these broadband price comparison sites people can find out the best and cheap deals, compare prices and select the best broadband provider to meet his needs. While selecting a broadband connection one should also look in to the availability of the connection in that area, the benefits associated with it, speed factor and whether he needs a asymmetric digital subscriber line, standalone broadband or TV, phone and even mobile broadband connection. Various broadband providers in the UK, like Sky, Virgin Media, BT Total Broadband, TalkTalk, Pipex, Tiscali, Orange, Easyspace, AOL, PlusNet, Be, Toucan, Eclipse, Fasthosts, and Demon provide a wide range of packages featuring cashback options free gifts and download etc., along with its broadband packages.
With enough options available in the market it is really confusing to select the best broadband that suits the need of the people. Some broadband providers in UK also offer bt total broadband services for free with various upgrading choices in future. It is not easy to go to various providers to analyse the quotes of different types of broadband connections offered by different broadband service providers. So, instead of making hazy decisions one should compare the prices through a broadband price comparison portal which offers detailed information about broadband services. A number of broadband price comparison sites also help customers in signing new broadband connections, give independent and expert advice to anyone who wants to upgrade their connection and perform live availability check for the postcode area.
So it is always easy and convenient to compare the broadband services in the broadband price comparison websites and find out a cost effective bt total broadband service in a less time.
bt total broadband, bt total broadband
07
Sep
Marcia Henin asked:
Bandwidth is the thickness of electromagnetic frequency band. It entails the speed of data flow and transmission from a defined or a given path to measure a varied range of frequencies occupied by electromagnetic signals. Thus, bandwidth also acts as the channel capacity. Both digital and analog of any kind will have a bandwidth. The unit of measurement for bandwidth is Megabits per second (Mbps).
Bandwidth management is a procedure of determining and controlling the connections on a network line to refrain from network congestion and poor presentation – network monitoring.
Bandwidth management mechanisms assist to:
1. Avoid network overloading
2. Schedule algorithms
3. Shape traffic
4. Rate controlling
Bandwidth Management Tools and Techniques
The measurement tools and techniques are of two categories namely, packet sniffers and management applications. Packet sniffers consider individual packs, whereas management applications deem upon a broader overview of network interchange. In addition, packet sniffers produce bulk information and aid experts to track difficult bandwidth problems.
Bandwidth management tools make available the procedure, tools sand techniques to perform tasks of managing and controlling the network bandwidth. It is essential to utilize bandwidth optimally and economically, as it is a precious resource. Bandwidth also allows enhancing the productivity and securing stable returns on investment.
Issues that may affect the performance of a bandwidth
1. Transmission Control Protocol identifies the capability of a connection.
2. The explosion of web traffic requires extra bandwidth to withstand a possible traffic outburst.
3. Deficit support unambiguous network load on the Internet
Bandwidth Manager:
Bandwidth manager software assigns bandwidth preference by allowing high precedence traffic to use more bandwidth in the network. Thus, a large file transfer will take more time as compared to the small file transfer. Actually, it is a server side draft used to manage the bandwidth of server. Here, the bandwidth manager manages the bandwidth of server as soon as the user downloads a file.
Bandwidth manager helps to control the download and upload rate of a network. In addition, bandwidth manager functions without any special hardware design. Thus, bandwidth manager is an all-inclusive network traffic management tool, which offers quality and control of service
Bandwidth is the thickness of electromagnetic frequency band. It entails the speed of data flow and transmission from a defined or a given path to measure a varied range of frequencies occupied by electromagnetic signals. Thus, bandwidth also acts as the channel capacity. Both digital and analog of any kind will have a bandwidth. The unit of measurement for bandwidth is Megabits per second (Mbps).
Bandwidth management is a procedure of determining and controlling the connections on a network line to refrain from network congestion and poor presentation – network monitoring.
Bandwidth management mechanisms assist to:
1. Avoid network overloading
2. Schedule algorithms
3. Shape traffic
4. Rate controlling
Bandwidth Management Tools and Techniques
The measurement tools and techniques are of two categories namely, packet sniffers and management applications. Packet sniffers consider individual packs, whereas management applications deem upon a broader overview of network interchange. In addition, packet sniffers produce bulk information and aid experts to track difficult bandwidth problems.
Bandwidth management tools make available the procedure, tools sand techniques to perform tasks of managing and controlling the network bandwidth. It is essential to utilize bandwidth optimally and economically, as it is a precious resource. Bandwidth also allows enhancing the productivity and securing stable returns on investment.
Issues that may affect the performance of a bandwidth
1. Transmission Control Protocol identifies the capability of a connection.
2. The explosion of web traffic requires extra bandwidth to withstand a possible traffic outburst.
3. Deficit support unambiguous network load on the Internet
Bandwidth Manager:
Bandwidth manager software assigns bandwidth preference by allowing high precedence traffic to use more bandwidth in the network. Thus, a large file transfer will take more time as compared to the small file transfer. Actually, it is a server side draft used to manage the bandwidth of server. Here, the bandwidth manager manages the bandwidth of server as soon as the user downloads a file.
Bandwidth manager helps to control the download and upload rate of a network. In addition, bandwidth manager functions without any special hardware design. Thus, bandwidth manager is an all-inclusive network traffic management tool, which offers quality and control of service
27
Jul
James Dyson asked:
It is an incomplete computer network without a router. So, what all it does within a network. A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.
Routing in the Internet
Routing is the technique using which data get its transfer path from one host computer to another. To say technically, routers uses headers and tables to determine the best path for transferring data packets among networks, and for this they use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with one other and thus configures the best route between any two hosts.
Difference between Routers, Switches and Hubs
Many people understand routers, switches and hubs for one another beside their different type of functionalities.
Today most routers are integrated into a single device having the features of a router, switch and hub. Still a router, switch and a hub are all quite different from one another, even after integrating all into a single device.
A switch and hub are two devices, which do similar task on a network. Both serves to be as a central part of your network and transfers data, which are known as frames. A transferred frame from a computer is received and improved to transmit it to the port of the destination computer. The difference here between these two devices is in the way by which frames are transferred.
On another side, routers are completely different from a switch or hub. Where a hub or switch job is to transmit frames, a router role is to route the data packets to other networks where its task is to submit the data packet to its destination ultimately. The major difference here of the data packet is that it contains destination address together with the data, which guides it to its destination.
All routers have a port to connect to a DSL or Cable modem and the integrated switch facilitate users to create a LAN. This makes possibility for the computers on a LAN to connect to the Internet.
How a Wireless Router Work
A router is connected to the broadband modem and in turn, it is connected to your computer to connect the Internet. There are wide ranges of wireless routers available in the market. In the wireless router category, for the transmission speed of data, they do not actually compete with each other.
The data transmitting speed is an important aspect and should be high. People who want to have a router should also find it easy to install as well. The array of its OS support should be versatile. A wireless router working well with Windows, Mac and Linux should be the best one among all.
While Setting up Your Wireless Router…
Once you have decided to go wireless for your Internet, then your laptops/computers should have in-built wireless points to carry it around your workplace or at home without any LAN cables. It will be astonishing to work so.
But you also need to know a little background to set it up. Generally, a wireless router features many, a router, modem, firewall, port switch and a wireless access point. It makes your broadband easily sharable among others in you office or at home.
While installation, it needs to be careful about which socket on your router is the correct one for connecting it to the port on the wall. Improper connection may lead to temporary access loss consuming hours together to fix it. So please make sure that the cables you are supposed to connect are of right match.
Setting up a wired router should be comparatively easy by simply following the instructions manual given with the router. However, for installing a wireless router, it needs to be little trickier. Usually the instructions should be sufficient but checking out to have few tips on setting a wireless router will make you secure doing it.
It is an incomplete computer network without a router. So, what all it does within a network. A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.
Routing in the Internet
Routing is the technique using which data get its transfer path from one host computer to another. To say technically, routers uses headers and tables to determine the best path for transferring data packets among networks, and for this they use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with one other and thus configures the best route between any two hosts.
Difference between Routers, Switches and Hubs
Many people understand routers, switches and hubs for one another beside their different type of functionalities.
Today most routers are integrated into a single device having the features of a router, switch and hub. Still a router, switch and a hub are all quite different from one another, even after integrating all into a single device.
A switch and hub are two devices, which do similar task on a network. Both serves to be as a central part of your network and transfers data, which are known as frames. A transferred frame from a computer is received and improved to transmit it to the port of the destination computer. The difference here between these two devices is in the way by which frames are transferred.
On another side, routers are completely different from a switch or hub. Where a hub or switch job is to transmit frames, a router role is to route the data packets to other networks where its task is to submit the data packet to its destination ultimately. The major difference here of the data packet is that it contains destination address together with the data, which guides it to its destination.
All routers have a port to connect to a DSL or Cable modem and the integrated switch facilitate users to create a LAN. This makes possibility for the computers on a LAN to connect to the Internet.
How a Wireless Router Work
A router is connected to the broadband modem and in turn, it is connected to your computer to connect the Internet. There are wide ranges of wireless routers available in the market. In the wireless router category, for the transmission speed of data, they do not actually compete with each other.
The data transmitting speed is an important aspect and should be high. People who want to have a router should also find it easy to install as well. The array of its OS support should be versatile. A wireless router working well with Windows, Mac and Linux should be the best one among all.
While Setting up Your Wireless Router…
Once you have decided to go wireless for your Internet, then your laptops/computers should have in-built wireless points to carry it around your workplace or at home without any LAN cables. It will be astonishing to work so.
But you also need to know a little background to set it up. Generally, a wireless router features many, a router, modem, firewall, port switch and a wireless access point. It makes your broadband easily sharable among others in you office or at home.
While installation, it needs to be careful about which socket on your router is the correct one for connecting it to the port on the wall. Improper connection may lead to temporary access loss consuming hours together to fix it. So please make sure that the cables you are supposed to connect are of right match.
Setting up a wired router should be comparatively easy by simply following the instructions manual given with the router. However, for installing a wireless router, it needs to be little trickier. Usually the instructions should be sufficient but checking out to have few tips on setting a wireless router will make you secure doing it.
25
Jul
James Dyson asked:
A broadband router is a basic device to set up a wired or wireless network. Broadband routers ensure that all the computers on a network can send and receive data to each other and across the Internet. These routers are of both wired and wireless but their features are very similar.
A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.
Key Role of Broadband Routers
Routers enable sharing your broadband internet among computers or laptops in your office or home network. It directs data to travel along the computers on your network and out over the internet to distant computers and to networks located elsewhere.
Routers are first to face any possible outside viruses, hacking threats and so they are vital in a network. But most internet user may not know this, practiced using anti-virus softwares only. A router safeguards your network by working as a filter between the outside internet world and your computers. In general, broadband modems don’t usually have sophisticated built-in security features, so having a network without a router can leave the door open to hackers and other online threatens. Using a router with an in-built firewall makes your wired or wireless network safer and secure, without being vulnerable for internet threats.
Broadband Router Categories
If broadband is classified into two types in major then the routers also has to be of two types. ADSL modem routers for ADSL broadband users and cable routers for cable broadband users are that two.
Both type of broadband router perform the same function of being an interface between your network and the internet and enabling you to share your internet connection among other computers. The main dissimilarity between these two broadband routers is the way in which they connect to the internet.
Actually, ADSL broadband is accomplished by upgrading your existing telephone line for high-speed internet services. Here ADSL modem routers work by just plugging directly into the upgraded telephone line and thus avoids the need of a separate modem. Once connected, the ADSL modem router is automatically able to share the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.
Cable broadband users connect to the internet via cable modem that is plugged into the cable socket. Cable routers work by plugging it into the provided cable modem’s in-built networking port. This is also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection and you need this to share your cable internet with in your network. Once connected to the modem, which in turn is connected to the cable socket, the cable router shares the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.
A broadband router is a basic device to set up a wired or wireless network. Broadband routers ensure that all the computers on a network can send and receive data to each other and across the Internet. These routers are of both wired and wireless but their features are very similar.
A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.
Key Role of Broadband Routers
Routers enable sharing your broadband internet among computers or laptops in your office or home network. It directs data to travel along the computers on your network and out over the internet to distant computers and to networks located elsewhere.
Routers are first to face any possible outside viruses, hacking threats and so they are vital in a network. But most internet user may not know this, practiced using anti-virus softwares only. A router safeguards your network by working as a filter between the outside internet world and your computers. In general, broadband modems don’t usually have sophisticated built-in security features, so having a network without a router can leave the door open to hackers and other online threatens. Using a router with an in-built firewall makes your wired or wireless network safer and secure, without being vulnerable for internet threats.
Broadband Router Categories
If broadband is classified into two types in major then the routers also has to be of two types. ADSL modem routers for ADSL broadband users and cable routers for cable broadband users are that two.
Both type of broadband router perform the same function of being an interface between your network and the internet and enabling you to share your internet connection among other computers. The main dissimilarity between these two broadband routers is the way in which they connect to the internet.
Actually, ADSL broadband is accomplished by upgrading your existing telephone line for high-speed internet services. Here ADSL modem routers work by just plugging directly into the upgraded telephone line and thus avoids the need of a separate modem. Once connected, the ADSL modem router is automatically able to share the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.
Cable broadband users connect to the internet via cable modem that is plugged into the cable socket. Cable routers work by plugging it into the provided cable modem’s in-built networking port. This is also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection and you need this to share your cable internet with in your network. Once connected to the modem, which in turn is connected to the cable socket, the cable router shares the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.